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Homemade Hamburger Helper

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This Homemade Hamburger Helper is a quick, comforting dish with tender pasta, savory ground beef, and a creamy, cheesy tomato sauce. Ready in 30 minutes, it's a one-pot meal everyone will love.

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef, or ground turkey

1 large yellow onion, diced

1 garlic clove, minced

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 cups low-sodium beef broth, or chicken broth

1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon seasoned salt

½ teaspoon smoked paprika

½ teaspoon garlic powder

8 oz small pasta shells, or small elbow pasta

½ cup heavy cream, or half and half

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. In a large sauté pan with a lid, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Once browned, remove the beef from the pan and set aside, leaving 2 tablespoons of grease in the pan.
  2. Lower the heat to medium and add the diced onion. Sauté until the onion becomes soft, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  3. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually pour in the beef broth while stirring and bring to a boil.
  4. Add the tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and pasta. Stir to combine, bring to a simmer, cover with a lid, and cook for 12-15 minutes, or until the pasta is tender. Stir occasionally, and if the liquid begins to run low, add an extra ¼ to ½ cup of broth as needed.
  5. Once the pasta is cooked, add the heavy cream and shredded cheese. Stir until the cheese has melted and the sauce is creamy.
  6. Return the cooked ground beef to the pan and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to reheat the beef.
  7. Serve immediately, and enjoy your delicious homemade hamburger helper!

Notes

  • If using gluten-free pasta, add extra broth and cook the pasta longer. Use cornstarch to thicken the sauce if needed.
  • For a spicy version, add crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.
  • This recipe can be doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
  • For dairy-free, substitute dairy-free cheese and use non-dairy cream like coconut cream.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • Freezing leftovers is possible for up to 3 months, but it’s best enjoyed fresh.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://recipesbyjanet.com/homemade-hamburger-helper/