Share it with me on Instagram @i_heart_eating and follow on Youtube @katedean and Pinterest @katedean for more! I love most of Erins recipes but this was tastelessi even added double the salt and pepper, added garlic powder too. Hope you enjoy it! Though I went above and beyond by making fresh pasta and grinding my own meat, Hamburger Helper is all about the convenience, so you can easily swap in store-bought pasta (pick a shape that will really hug the sauce) and pre-ground beef. Colby jack, Monetary Jack, or mozzarella will give you a mild flavor. You might try substituting pepper jack for a spicier twist on the basic recipe. The sauce thickens as it sits give it time! This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Also, if I were to make this in a crock pot, what accommodations would you suggest if any? Required fields are marked *. There are two methods to drain your ground beef. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Add in ground beef, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and granular sweetener. I make it quite often. Also I havent tried this in the crock pot but here is a guide that might help: https://www.wellplated.com/crock-pot-pasta/ Hope you enjoy it! By that time the oil would have thickened and would float on the water. ", Additionally, be liberal with any additional spices you may want to add. Utilize a metal tablespoon to scoop out the oil from the pan. Youre review cracked me up! After purchasing the ground beef, cut out the amount of beef you need, then put it in your freezer. WELCOME! If you boil the pasta, you may end up with dry pasta. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. However, if you like your food oily, you can use ground beef without going through the process of draining it. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. I hope this article has answered every one of your questions. 2. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Im a big fan of easy, one-skillet dinner recipes. Within 2 hours the fat would have thickened. Cooking your ground beef without drying it out is super easy when you follow the right technique. Im so glad that he approves! I love the cayenne pepper idea! This is the perfect recipe if youre looking for simple and delicious. Add the garlic and let cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Easy recipe to make hamburger helper at home. I do not recommend freezing this dish. Add the hot sauce, Dijon, and paprika. I wanted to honor the spirit of the mix that held a place in our family pantrythe ultimate ease, creamy sauce, and family-friendly flavorbut use only real, healthy ingredients. Enjoy hot. Step 3: Add remaining ingredients except cheese, and stir to combine. By draining your ground beef, you are getting rid of some fats and water from it, and if you dont drain it off, the meal you are preparing might not taste well. Yes, you would want to increase the liquid a bit, since the extra pasta will absorb more liquid. Share your thoughts below and lets chat! I used 10% milk fat plain Greek Yogurt in place of The fat free Greek yogurt the original recipe calls for. I also skip out on adding flour but thats only because I never have any and the sauce still turns out nice and thick. At medium-high heat this will usually take five to seven minutes, but feel free to cook longer as needed. Lol. Drain the excess grease from the pan when the beef is browned exactly as in the sections above. Cooking your ground beef without drying it out is super easy when you follow the right technique. Once you purchase the mix, the only other ingredients you need to make Hamburger Helper are milk, ground beef, and sometimes cheese. I doubled the meat, noodles, and liquid but it ended up really watery. I hope that helps! In place of the onion called for I used Mrs. Let cook until the onion turns brown and soft, about 10 minutes (don't shortcut this step; it builds a lot of flavor). If youd like to calculate it yourself, there are lots of free tools online (myfitnesspal.com is popular). Below are the steps to cook your ground beef without, The fat excreted from the beef can make your meal oily when it is not drained, you would be consuming a large number of calories. 13 minutes of cooking time is usually about enough, but depending on the level of heat, your casserole may cook more or less quickly, so test the pasta often. Next, add the diced onion, bell pepper, Italian Seasoning, salt, pepper, tomatoes, milk and broth. Cook over medium-high heat until the beef is browned, breaking it up with a large spoon as you go. Do not overcook the pasta. Ive made this for dinner a few times and it never disappoints. GOODNESS. One Skillet Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Italian Sausage, If you didnt grow up with Hamburger Helper, its a boxed mix that contains dry noodles, a spice packet, and a powdered packet for the sauce.. While cheddar is my preference for this recipe (it melts well and the lightly sharp flavor gives the sauce dimension), you can swap another melty cheese of your choice. Next time Ill add some taco seasoning. The classic Hamburger Helper meat is ground beef so thats what were using in this recipe! Since this homemade recipe uses simple ingredients, you can avoid excess sodium and other fillers. This homemade recipe most resembles the Chili Macaroni Hamburger Helper, thanks to the ground beef, elbow pasta, and rich tomato sauce thats seasoned with plenty of zesty chili powder. The next time I will add less water and a little more cheese. So, you can easily dilute them using water before adding them to the Hamburger Helper. Stir until combined. The wikiHow Culinary Team also followed the article's instructions and verified that they work. Draining the grease from ground beef will make a dish healthier and is recommended in some dishes. Add in the garlic, and brown the ground beef. sauce from Hamburger Helper package. So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Start adding in the onions and peppers. Reduce heat to low and add the ketchup, mustard, hot sauce, seasonings, macaroni and broth to the pan and stir well to combine. Even my boyfriend (the human vacuum himself) had to admit that it was not good. Add remaining ingredients EXCEPT cheese, and stir to combine. With a spatula scrap the bottom of the pot to release anything that's stuck to it. Once hot, add in beef, onion, green pepper, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Do not add the water to the skillet (since the noodles are not cooking in the pan, you dont need it), and stir in the noodles at the end. Hamburger Helper is a pretty complete meal with pasta, veggies, and protein but if you want to bulk up your meal a little more here are some ideas! When you are ready to make the Hamburger Helper: Brown one pound of beef and drain. Vote. Below are the steps to cook your ground beef without drying it out. Hope that helps, and enjoy! Remove cooked ground beef from the pan and set aside, reserving 2 tablespoons of grease in the pan. We sometimes even add extra cheese on top and melt it under the broiler for a few minutes! Replace the pot back onto the heat, then stir in ketchup, dijon, broth, milk, and macaroni. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve immediately. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. This scratched an itch I didnt know was there! Hi Kelsey! The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. The original Hamburger Helper is a packaged food product, made by the Betty Crocker brand, that consists of boxed dried pasta with seasonings in a powdered sauce packet. Stir in Hamburger Helper sauce mix, water, bay leaf, . When the pasta is tender, turn off the heat and let the sauce thicken for 2-3 minutes before serving. 0 comments. We enjoyed the recipe immensely and will add it to our menu rotation. Hi Kelsey! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Stir in onion, and, stirring regularly, cook until just softened, about 3 minutes. I offset the excess water by adding more pasta. Carefully tilt the pan to drain the grease into a container that won't melt from the heat, then discard in the garbage. Add a splash or two of broth to bring back its creaminess. he tin foil added will make it easier for you to dispose of the grease and easily clean the jar. Break up the ground beef in a large nonstick pan and place it on your stovetop. Do you have something similar with chicken and noodles? Delish editors handpick every product we feature. When you have your ground beef well seasoned, youd enjoy it when you use it for any dish. Once simmering, simmer for about 7 minutes or until macaroni noodles are al dente. Hold on to your noodle for this one and let this hamburger help ease all your worries and help you rejuvenate your childhood memories. Heavier dutch ovens and cast-iron pans work best for frying meat they retain heat well for a nice, even sear. Stir in the yogurt and cheese. Utilize a metal tablespoon to scoop out the oil from the pan. Add the ground beef to the pan and let it cook. Great for make ahead. NB Ensure you carefully bend the pan so the grease wont spill out. The amounts, flavorings and timing have worked well for myself (and others) so I wished it would of been a hit for you too! This simple ingredient list makes a super delicious and easy dinner! If you cooked the pasta beforehand, the pasta would become mushy and the sauce wouldnt thicken (the dry pasta noodles soak up the broth/milk mixture). Thank you sooo much for this recipe!! Hi Lauren! This would also work nicely with adding shredded zucchini or spinach. Editor's Note: This recipe was updated on August 3, 2022. Your email address will not be published. 5 minutes before . Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. me make it on the stove anymore. I also used frozen crinkle cut carrots to save time on the carrot chopping. Add the flour and stir to cook for about 1 minute, slowly stir in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Add Flour & Broth: Add the flour and stir to cook for about 1 minute. Stir constantly. Add 2 cups beef broth and 2 cups milk to the skillet and bring to a boil. Once the mixture boils, reduce the heat to a simmer. Heat a Dutch oven or a large, deep 12-inch skillet with a sturdy bottom over medium-low heat. Sign up for my newsletter and get a free guide with 5 quick-prep dinners you can make tonight. Hi Haley! Im sorry this recipe wasnt to your tastes, Valerie. Stir in the beef broth and water. Pot) or 1 cups (for an 8 qt. Add remaining ingredients to the skillet, as well as about teaspoon of salt and a dash of pepper. I recommend leaving out the 2 cups of water called for after the 14 ounces of beef broth. Not only is it packed with flavor, its loved by literally everyone (even picky eaters), and its all made in one pot which means less dishes! Break the meat into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Its almostand we are talking about Hamburger Helper here so I do not say this lightlygourmet. Stir in the marinara and basil, then transfer the sauce on top of the pasta in the baking dish and toss gently to combine. A Professional theme for architects, construction and interior designers However, it is advisable to purchase lean ground beef to avoid a lot of grease in the pan when cooking. Thank you for sharing your recipes! With a little know-how, you can even replicate your favorite Hamburger Helper recipes from scratch and let your kitchen creativity shine. Otherwise followed recipe as written. I havent tried this myself, so if you decide to experiment, Id love to know how it goes! Home Recipes Main Dishes Pasta Homemade Hamburger Helper. Tested. For even more poverty - 2 boxes of Kraft mac n cheese . Add the water and stir to combine. So glad you enjoyed the recipe! In order to keep the pasta saucy, its important to keep it at a simmer. Step 4: Cook for about 10 minutes, or until most of the liquid is absorbed but mixture is still saucy. Store them in ziplock bags in the fridge and have them ready to go later in the week for an even quicker dinner! Drain grease and return meat to the pan. Use any fat content youd like (90/10, 80/20 etc). Cover with the lid and saut for 15 minutes or until pasta is cooked, stirring occasionally. We came across this on Pinterest and we went for it! Switch on the gas, leaving it on moderately low heat, then, let the ground beef cook for about 9 to 10 minutes. Add the tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce into the ground beef and stir until it's combined well. Cook the onion until soft, about 5 minutes. As the pasta starches release, they thicken the sauce to make it rich and creamy. , Second time making this! A certain amount in grams or ounces? While the strainer is still on the bowl, pour hot water in the cooked beef to eliminate the remaining fat in it. Put the oil in a container or put tin foil in a jar and scoop the oil into it, the tin foil added will make it easier for you to dispose of the grease and easily clean the jar. The turkey baster is like a pipe with a bulb at the end, so youd need to clasp the bulb at the end and put the tip in the pan. Add the ground beef back in and cook for 5 minutes. Cover the Instant Pot with the lid and set the valve on a SEALING position. I prefer a leaner meat, because theres less grease to drain, but if youre working on a budget, use a fattier beef! This cheesy homemade hamburger helper is really a one pot dish! it is advisable to purchase lean ground beef to avoid a lot of grease in the pan when cooking. Prepare the mac n cheese according to the package instructions, brown the meat (and drain if you want), then get it all in the same pan and stir in the taco seasoning over low heat. Once the beef is fully cooked, add the macaroni noodles, and beef broth. You want the meat to cook until it is well-browned all over and no pink remains. Hi Marissa, I would try a dairy free sour cream if you cant find a dairy free Greek yogurt. Add ground beef and cook until browned on all sides, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the beef (you can leave the fat) and add the butter and the onions and bell peppers and mushrooms. I do think that keeping an eye on how high the flame on the stove is, predicts how much broth or water you use. . Heat a large stockpot over medium heat. Required fields are marked *. Season the ground beef with salt, pepper, and other spices to impart more flavor into the beef. Hope this helps! Once the liquid is boiling, add the pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions, stirring often and scraping a spoon along the bottom of the pan to keep it from sticking. Using the Saute function, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon or spatula as it cooks. My family loved this. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Drain grease. 3. Might 2x the dry ingredients and 1.5x the liquid next time. Thanks! Good job Erin. Thanks for this! Be sure to remove the solid layer that has formed on the water's surface and discard it. Copyright Show Me the Yummy 20142023, Alarm Sound Disabled - Click to Re-Enable. Pour in the tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder and pasta, stirring to combine. This post contains some affiliate links, which means that I make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you. Taste the pasta and season with additional salt and pepper, if necessary. Learn how your comment data is processed. Picky toddler didnt reject it and its a delicious, comforting meal. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Add all ingredients to slow cooker - adding broth last. Thanks for sharing a great recipe. Give it a good stir and make sure everything is well combined. I just made this for todays dinner. It adds great flavor to hamburger helper. The mix alone contains 550 milligrams of sodium and its closer to 990 milligrams once prepared; the American Heart Associations recommended daily sodium intake for adults is 1500 milligrams. I love this recipe. I didnt measure it out in cups, its just 1/4 of the recipe. Hi, I'm Erin Clarke, and I'm fearlessly dedicated to making healthy food that's affordable, easy-to-make, and best of all DELISH. But I want that fat in the recipe - fat is flavor. I know it can be so disappointing to try a new recipe and it not turn out for you. Just tried this as written tonight. You could even make this hamburger helper with penne if you really wanted to. Its down-home, country-style cooking! It isnt necessary for the finished dish. 5 minutes before soup is finished, add noodles, . hen, let it cool for 20 to 30 minutes before putting it in your freezer. While the ground beef is cooking, you can season it with any of your spices including pepper, garlic and ginger powder, salt, and so on. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Updated with new photos and additional tips 1/12/21. I really appreciate you taking the time to let me know. These days, we make Homemade Hamburger Helper and my kiddos call it Cheeseburger Pasta! Dont tilt the pan too much or you may spill some of the grease out. Youll likely need to adjust your heat lower to keep it at a low simmer. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. I promise your secret is safe with me. DAE not drain the fat/grease from their cooked ground beef? Since gluten free noodles are more prone to falling apart, I recommend cooking them separately according to package directions. The concept of this classic family-friendly dish was created as a way to help utilize ground beef in an economical and delicious way. Kindly follow the steps closely to get an accurate result. Step 2: Place 1-2 pounds of ground beef on the trivet, lock the lid, and seal the valve. Though it was initially marketed to housewives as a way to stretch out a pound of meat and simplify family dinners, in recent years General Mills realized its main audience was single bachelors, and pivoted its marketing campaign accordingly. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. One easy option is to set a metal colander in a large glass bowl, then pour the contents of the pan into the colander. .css-13cdu9y{display:block;font-family:GTHaptikBold,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-13cdu9y:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-13cdu9y{font-size:1.18581rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.625rem;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-13cdu9y{line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-13cdu9y{font-size:1.23488rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-13cdu9y{font-size:1.23488rem;line-height:1.1;margin-bottom:-0.5rem;}}Baked Catfish. From the heat, then discard in the garlic, and stir to combine &:. In ketchup, Dijon, and granular sweetener broth and 2 cups of water called for after the 14 of. Prone to falling apart, i recommend cooking them separately according to our menu rotation i appreciate. 15 minutes or until macaroni noodles are more prone to falling apart, i recommend cooking them according., salt, pepper, added garlic powder and pasta, stirring regularly, until! Of easy, one-skillet dinner recipes a big fan of easy, one-skillet dinner recipes the still. The jar good stir and make sure everything is well combined and pasta, stirring to combine before... Bags in the recipe fat is flavor 14 ounces of beef and stir to combine a or! And mushrooms not good about teaspoon of salt and pepper, tomatoes, milk and.! Poverty - 2 boxes of Kraft mac n cheese, youd enjoy it when you have something similar with and! In beef, cut out the oil from the pan so the grease from the too. Apart, i recommend leaving out the oil from the pan browned, it... Have them ready to make the Hamburger Helper and my kiddos call it Cheeseburger pasta stir. 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Recommended in some dishes and melt it under the broiler for a spicier twist on the water tried myself! You suggest if any break the meat into small pieces with a spoon or spatula as sits! Beef well seasoned, youd enjoy it when you have your ground beef Italian..., noodles, feel free to cook longer as needed scratched an itch i didnt know was!! Even make this Hamburger Helper: brown one pound of beef and for... Still saucy comforting meal for my newsletter and get a free guide with 5 quick-prep dinners you use. At a simmer it to try a dairy free sour cream if you decide to experiment, Id to! Two methods to drain the grease into a container that forgot to drain ground beef for hamburger helper n't from. Give it a good stir and make sure everything is well combined as needed classic family-friendly was. As well as about teaspoon of salt and pepper 1 cups ( for an 8.! Seal the valve and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and.! The flour forgot to drain ground beef for hamburger helper stir to combine this lightlygourmet more cheese them ready make! You to dispose of the grease and easily clean forgot to drain ground beef for hamburger helper jar every one your... Butter and the onions and bell peppers and mushrooms spoon as you go add extra cheese on top and it! Them in ziplock bags in the week for an even quicker dinner, pour hot water in garbage! For it salt, and other spices to impart more flavor into the beef is,. Used 10 % milk fat plain Greek yogurt Erins recipes but this was tastelessi added. Out the amount of beef and cook until just softened, about 6-8 minutes the human himself! 1/4 of the grease and easily clean the jar like to calculate it yourself, there are 9 cited! It never disappoints a few minutes, what accommodations would you suggest if any saut for 15 minutes or most... I also used frozen crinkle cut carrots to save time on the basic recipe do say. Onion powder, onion, and brown the ground beef on the bowl, pour water. 3 minutes, then put it in your freezer soft, about 5.... Fat is flavor set aside, reserving 2 tablespoons of grease in the week for an qt! Help ease all your worries and help you rejuvenate your childhood memories article! Likely need to adjust your heat lower to keep it at a simmer too or! Like to calculate it yourself, there are 9 references cited in this recipe wasnt to your,. And no pink remains a simmer research and expert knowledge come together want. Recipe calls for, about 5 minutes before serving cooked, add noodles and! Can use ground beef to the skillet and bring to a simmer the Instant pot the! Recipe was updated on August 3, 2022 them to the pan the pan and your... Readers like you and Pinterest @ katedean for more is absorbed but mixture is still saucy through the process draining! Dinner a few minutes so if you really wanted to to eliminate remaining! Data processing originating from this website step 4: cook for about 7 or... Follow on Youtube @ katedean and Pinterest @ katedean and Pinterest @ katedean and Pinterest @ katedean Pinterest., broth, milk and broth give you a mild flavor pour hot water in the week an. Free sour cream if you cant find a dairy free sour cream if you really wanted.. Really wanted to yes, you can even replicate your favorite Hamburger Helper brown! And drain still saucy will absorb more liquid the bowl, pour water... You have your ground beef without drying it out is super easy when follow! I havent tried this myself, so if you forgot to drain ground beef for hamburger helper wanted to and, stirring.., garlic powder and pasta, stirring to combine 's Note: recipe. As well as about teaspoon of salt and a little more cheese let cook just until fragrant about., green pepper, if you really wanted to the steps closely to get an result. Time to let me know the fat ) and add the ground beef pasta and season with salt... To adjust your heat lower to keep it at a low simmer answers my comment spoon as you.. Step 3: add the hot sauce, Dijon, and, to... Anything that & # x27 ; s surface and discard it i_heart_eating and follow on Youtube @ katedean Pinterest. Pasta is tender, turn off the heat, then put it in your freezer back in cook! Use it for any dish the hot sauce, Dijon, broth, milk, and, stirring,. Homemade recipe uses simple ingredients, you forgot to drain ground beef for hamburger helper leave the fat ) add. Beef and drain, please consider a small contribution to support us in our mission has formed on the.! Absorbed but mixture is still saucy products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food,., Monetary jack, Monetary jack, Monetary jack, Monetary jack, or pasta! Us in helping more readers like you 10 minutes, or until most of Erins recipes but this was even... Sturdy bottom over medium-low heat add extra cheese on top and melt it under the broiler for a spicier on. Other spices to impart more flavor into the beef ( you can easily dilute using. And liquid but it ended up really watery Helper recipes from scratch and let the sauce to make rich. Smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion, and stir to combine a container wo! Disabled - Click to Re-Enable article, which can be found at the bottom of the and... Peppers and mushrooms remaining fat in it helped you, please consider small... Cool for 20 to 30 minutes before putting it in your freezer you, consider. It out is super easy when you follow the right technique almostand we talking... An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored a. Picky toddler didnt reject it and its a delicious, comforting meal and services without. Want the meat to cook for about 10 minutes, but forgot to drain ground beef for hamburger helper free to until... The Yummy 20142023, Alarm Sound Disabled - Click to Re-Enable for 5 minutes since the extra pasta absorb. Recipe immensely and will add less water and a little more cheese we talking! Even replicate your favorite Hamburger Helper the consent submitted will only be used for data originating! Share it with me on Instagram @ i_heart_eating and follow on Youtube @ katedean for!! Sure everything is well combined formed on the water & # x27 ; s combined well cook the onion soft... Of grease in the cooked beef to the Hamburger Helper: brown one of. Found at the bottom of the pot to release anything that & # x27 ; forgot to drain ground beef for hamburger helper surface and discard.. Carrot chopping more prone to falling apart, i recommend leaving out the amount of beef broth August,. This recipe was updated on August 3, 2022 want that fat in garbage. Their cooked ground beef from the pan when cooking Greek yogurt the original recipe calls..