Homemade Hamburger Helper
This is by far my favorite dish in our weekly rotation. It is so creamy and packed full of flavor you’ll find yourself craving it again and again. Give it a try, you won’t be disappointed I promise.
Ingredients:
1 lb. lean ground beef
4 tbsp. butter
4 tbsp. flour
1.5 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup half & half
1.5 cups beef broth
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp EACH: garlic powder, oregano, basil, mustard powder, onion powder
1/4 tsp smoked paprika
1 tbsp. dried parsley
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 lb. pasta *I use penne
💡Pro Tip: Prep! Add your broths, half and half, Worcestershire sauce, and spices into one large 4 cup measuring cup or a bowl with a pour spout.
Instructions
1. In a deep skillet, brown your ground beef until fully cooked. Remove from the pan and set aside. Drain grease from pan
2. Fill a pasta pot with water and cook al dente
3. While your pasta is cooking start your roux. In the same skillet you cooked the beef in, add your butter and melt on low/med heat. Drop in your flour and incorporate with the butter.
4. Increase your heat to med/hi and SLOWLY pour your liquid/spice mixture in while constantly stirring to avoid clumps
5. At this point you are probably ready to test your pasta and drain it.
6. Slowly mix your shredded cheese into your roux and simmer while stirring frequently until it thickens to a gravy like consistency.
7. Mix in your ground beef and cooked pasta, salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!!
Final Thoughts
Have you made a box of Hamburger Helper lately? The color is disturbing… Cozy comfort food doesn’t have to be an elaborate recipe with expensive ingredients, this is quick, easy and decedent. You will want to make this again and again I guarantee it, packed with flavor with no overly processed ingredients, and you will have leftovers to enjoy. It’s a win win !
Hey Ivy 🌿