Easy Hamburger Helper

Who here grew up eating Hamburger Helper on the regular? Maybe you still do! Let me introduce you to a much better alternative…

This recipe is so simple that you may, like me, wonder why we even used the box mix in the first place.

Ingredients list:

1 lb, lean ground beef

1 onion chopped

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon dried parsley

1 teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon cayenne(adjust according to your heat preference)

pinch of salt and pepper.

1 & 1/2 cups of milk

1 & 1/2 cups beef broth(I use chicken if on hand)

8 oz tomato sauce

2 cups uncooked pasta(like macaroni or the like)

2 cups grated cheddar cheese.

First start by browning your ground beef, onion, paprika, parsley, garlic powder, cayenne powder (I omit because my young children don’t like heat), salt and pepper. Here I am using 100% grass-fed beef raised on my farm*. Because 100% grass-fed beef has a lower fat content I do not have to drain any grease. If you have a fattier beef then cook the beef first, drain the fat, and then add the remaining ingredients.

Add the milk, broth, and tomato sauce. Stir and bring it to a slow boil.

Next add in the pasta, mix well, cover with a lid, and reduce heat to simmer for about 15 minutes until pasta is cooked thoroughly. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking to bottom of pan.

After pasta is tender, add the cheese and mix in well to incorporate it together.

There, it’s that simple!

Let me know what you think.

-Leigh

*I suggest if you can find a local farmer to supply your meat you choose to support them. There is so much false advertising with imported beef now. It’s great to know your farmer and know how to source your foods locally if possible.