Healthy Hamburger Helper
Skip the boxed meal and make this homemade healthy hamburger helper instead. It's a one pot meal that's ready in under 30 minutes for an easy weeknight dinner that the whole family will love.
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 lb lean ground beef I used 85%/15%, but you could go leaner, if desired
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt plus more to taste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 2 heaping Tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups beef or chicken broth
- 2 cups whole milk or dairy-free milk
- 8 oz macaroni noodles or small shells
- 2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
- fresh parsley for serving
Instructions
- Add oil to a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven. Once oil is hot, add onion and garlic. Saute for 3-4 minutes until fragrant.
- Add ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Cook 7-8 minutes until your meat is cooked through. Drain fat, if needed.
- Add spices, tomato paste, broth and milk. Stir in dry pasta.
- Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Cook about 8-12 minutes, until pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed, stirring often.
- Remove from heat and stir in cheese. Let sit for 1-2 more minutes until cheese has melted and then toss to combine.
- Serve immediately with fresh parsley, if desired.
Notes
- Storage: You can store leftovers in the fridge or freezer. Place them in an airtight container—keep in the fridge for 3-4 days, or freezer for up to 3 months. When reheating, add a splash of milk or broth to bring back the creamy texture.
- Substitutions: Lighten it up with ground turkey or chicken, or go meatless with crumbled tofu or plant-based ground “meat.”
Nutrition
Serving: 1/6 recipe | Calories: 534kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 98mg | Sodium: 770mg | Potassium: 300mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g