Homemade Hamburger Helper

Ingredients · 4 servings

• 1 lbGround beef
• 320 gElbow macaroni
• 120 gCorn, frozen
• 170 gCheddar cheese
• 85 gCream cheese
• 16 gAll-purpose flour
• 360 mlMilk
• 240 gTomato sauce
• 1 tspBasil, dried
• 1 tspOregano, dried
• 1 tspGarlic powder
• 1 tbspParsley flakes
• 1 tspKosher salt
• ½ tspBlack pepper
• 3 LWater

Equipment

stovetop, colander, large pot, lid, skillet, spatula, wooden spoon

Instructions

1. 1
   Prep and cook pasta

   Gather a large pot, skillet, and spoon, then cook the elbow macaroni in boiling salted water until tender, drain well, and set aside. · 10 min

   What to look for: macaroni is tender but not mushy

2. 2
   Brown the beef

   Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up until evenly browned, then drain excess fat and return the beef to the skillet. · 7 min

   When it is done: beef reaches 71°C / 160°F

3. 3
   Season and thicken

   Add the all-purpose flour, dried basil, dried oregano, garlic powder, parsley flakes, kosher salt, and black pepper to the beef, stirring until evenly coated. · 1 min

   What to look for: beef looks evenly dusted

4. 4
   Build the sauce

   Stir in the milk, tomato sauce, and frozen corn, then cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the mixture comes to a gentle boil. · 4 min

   What to look for: sauce bubbles gently

5. 5
   Simmer briefly

   Reduce the heat to a low simmer, cover the skillet, and let the sauce cook gently to thicken. · 3 min

   What to look for: sauce thickens slightly

6. 6
   Finish and serve

   Add the cooked macaroni, cheddar cheese, and cream cheese, stirring until the cheeses melt and everything is coated, then spoon onto plates and serve warm. · 2 min

   What to look for: sauce is creamy and smooth