Hamburger Helper
Who grew up eating Hamburger Helper!? I sure did! This is a healthier version of the childhood favorite.
Ingredients:
2 pounds lean ground beef
2 Tablespoons cornstarch
2 Tablespoons paprika
3 teaspoons garlic powder
3 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons swerve sugar
1 teaspoon black pepper
3 cups hot water (or beef broth or chicken broth)
3 cups plain Fairlife milk
2 boxes of Goodles cavatappi pasta or your noodles of choice!
2-4 cups grated cheddar cheese, optional (*see note below!)
Instructions:
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it up with a meat chopper or wooden spatula, cooking and stirring until the meat is no longer pink. Drain any remaining fat in the pan.
Sprinkle the cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, sugar, and pepper over the browned meat and stir well to distribute the spices evenly.
Add the hot water, milk, and pasta, then bring to a boil. Cover with a lid, reduce heat, and simmer for 8-11 minutes or until the pasta is al dente.
Sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese over the cooked pasta and stir until melted into the sauce. (*see note below!)
Remove from the heat, and let stand for a few minutes until the sauce thickens a bit.
Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and chili pepper, if desired, then serve.
*Note: I initially forgot to mix in the cheese (life of a toddler mom), but it was still delicious. Second time I made it, I added cheese and it tasted more like hamburger helper. So you’re choice- more pasta-like or more hamburger-helper like!
