Description
Homemade Hamburger Helper is a warm and inviting comfort food. This convenient taco pasta is an American classic. It’s a favorite one-pot meal! Get dinner on the table fast with this easy cheeseburger casserole.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 small onion (about 1 cup chopped)
- 3 garlic cloves, pressed or minced
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- Optional: 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 3 1/2 cups beef broth
- 1 8–ounce can tomato sauce
- 2 1/4 cups Cellentani pasta (or elbow macaroni)
- 3–4 tablespoons sour cream
- 2 cups medium cheddar cheese, shredded
- Garnish: fresh Italian parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onions and minced garlic to the pan. Saute these fresh ingredients for one minute.
- Add ground beef to the skillet. Break up the meat as it cooks. Once there’s no more pink, drain off the fat.
- Sprinkle in cornstarch, sugar and spices. Stir to incorporate. Add beef broth, tomato sauce and pasta to the skillet. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes, or until the sauce reduces and thickens as desired. Stir occasionally to prevent pasta from sticking to the pan.
- Turn off the heat. Fold in sour cream and shredded cheese. Briefly cover skillet with a lid until the cheese melts. Sprinkle the top of this one-pot meal with chopped Italian parsley.
Notes
Prevent a greasy texture: After cooking the beef, drain off the fat. This is also an easy way to make one-pot meals healthier.
For a crunchy texture: Sprinkle homemade breadcrumbs or Parmesan over the top. Slide your oven-safe skillet under the broiler for a couple of minutes.
Try new flavor combinations: Add a teaspoon of dried basil or Italian seasoning. Ramp up the heat with a sprinkling of chipotle pepper. Stir in some fire-roasted green chiles.
- Prep Time: 5 Minutes
- Cook Time: 25 Minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American