From Scratch: Homemade Hamburger Helper

So, pregnancy makes random cravings appear. And this was a result of one of those cravings.


I was actually floored at how good it turned out. I expected it to take longer, for one. Two, well, I just didn't expect it to "hit the spot" in regards to craving that boxed crap. But it satisfied!

Homemade Hamburger Helper

Ingredients:

1 lb lean burger
2 cups elbow pasta (I used whole grain)
2 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 cup hot (like hot tap) water
1 1/2 tbsp garlic powder
1 1/2 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp flour (or cornstarch, or arrowroot powder)
2 tsp salt
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp cayenne
2 cups sharp shredded cheddar cheese


Brown meat in a large skillet (with a lid) over medium. Drain any juices.

Add pasta, seasonings, milk and water. Stir well. Cover. Bring to boil, and reduce to a simmer.

Stir often over the next 5-10 minutes. The liquid will be absorbed, but if its looking too dry, add a tad more milk/water until the pasta is cooked through.

Add the cheese, and adjust the seasonings to your taste.





You can also make baggies with the seasonings and the pasta to make this even faster (basically like the "real" thing, but you will have to add REAL cheese instead of the powder.)