Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe

Ingredientai

1/2 medium yellow onion

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 pound lean ground beef

1 1/2 teaspoons granulated garlic

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided, plus more as needed

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 2/3 cups water

1 (14.5-ounce) can low-sodium beef broth (scant 2 cups)

2 cups whole or 2% milk

1 tablespoon soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce

1 pound dried medium shell pasta

8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, preferably yellow (about 2 cups shredded)

Chopped fresh parsley leaves or 1 thinly sliced medium scallion, for garnish (optional)

Nurodymai

Dice 1/2 medium yellow onion (3/4 to 1 cup).

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until simmering. Add the onion and 1 pound lean ground beef. Season with 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated garlic, 1 teaspoon of the kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Break up the beef into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Cook until the beef is cooked through and the onion is tender, 6 to 7 minutes.

Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour and add 1 tablespoon tomato paste. Stir for 1 minute to cook the floury taste out. Add 1 2/3 cups water and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add 1 (14.5-ounce) can low-sodium beef broth, 2 cups whole or 2% milk, 1 tablespoon soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer (do not boil or the milk will separate).

Add 1 pound dried medium shell pasta and stir to combine. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally and making sure the pasta is mostly submerged in liquid, until the pasta is tender, 13 to 15 minutes. Meanwhile, grate 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese on the large holes of a box grater (about 2 cups) if needed.

Remove the pot from the heat. Add the cheese and stir until the cheese is melted. Taste and season with more kosher salt and black pepper as needed. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley leaves or 1 thinly sliced medium scallion if desired.