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Test Kitchen Approved

Homemade Hamburger Helper™

BeefStove-TopDiner-Style

Time: 15 minutes

Yield: 6 servings

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About

Free yourself from the tyranny of boxes and think outside the box! It's all so easy with this Homemade Hamburger Helper™! A few simple but zesty, aromatic spices for flavor, tender pasta for heartiness, milk for creaminess, cheese for, well, cheesiness, and of course, ground beef for phenomenal meaty goodness! Homemade Hamburger Helper is all the comfort, speed, and ease of a supermarket staple, but with all of the freshest ingredients!

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Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups hot water, can substitute beef broth or chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 2 cups cavatappi pasta or elbow macaroni
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
  • fresh parsley leaves, optional, for garnish

Directions

Step 1 -In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and cook, while crumbling, until it is no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 2 -Drain the grease from the pan.

Step 3 -Sprinkle the cornstarch, the paprika, the garlic powder, the onion powder, the salt, the sugar, and the black pepper over the beef and stir well to evenly distribute the spices.

Step 4 -Add the hot water, the milk, and the pasta to the beef mixture and bring it to a boil, stirring occasionally.

Step 5 -Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to low.

Step 6 -Simmer the beef mixture until the pasta is al dente, about 8-11 minutes.

Step 7 -Sprinkle the cheddar cheese over the beef mixture and stir until it is melted into the sauce.

Step 8 -Transfer the pan from the heat and let it stand for 2-3 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken.

Step 9 -Serve garnished with the parsley.

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