Ultimate Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe | Quick & Easy Weeknight Dinner!

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Reduced-fat cheese lowers calories while processed cheese is often cheaper.

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground pork is often less expensive.

Prep the veggies: dice half to three-quarters of a bell pepper and one whole onion.

Shred your own cheese: use cheddar, mozzarella, and Colby Jack.

Salt the pasta water and add 8 oz of cavatappi pasta; cook according to package instructions (8-9 minutes).

Add 5 strips of bacon to a skillet and cook until crispy; remove and set aside.

In the bacon fat, brown 1 lb of ground beef, seasoning with AP seasoning and smoked paprika, for about 3 minutes until golden brown.

Flip the beef and break it up with a spatula; add in the diced onion and bell pepper.

Add 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tbsp garlic paste, 1/4 cup sundried tomatoes, and 1-2 tsp Worcestershire sauce; mix to combine.

Add 1 cup of ketchup and deglaze the pan with 1/2 to 1 cup of beef broth; stir to combine.

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and mix everything together.

Add 2 tbsp brown sugar to balance the acidity; mix well.

Add the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese, mixing until melted; top with Colby Jack cheese and a sprinkle of smoked paprika.

Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and bake in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is brown and bubbly.

Plate the dish and prepare for the taste test.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens