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One Pot Cheeseburger Helper Recipe

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  • Author: Jasmine
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This One Pot Cheeseburger Helper Recipe is a delicious, comforting dish combining browned ground beef, tender pasta, and sharp cheddar cheese all cooked together in a single skillet. Seasoned with smoked paprika, garlic, onion powder, and a blend of spices, this homemade version of the classic boxed meal is full of rich flavors and easy to prepare, making it perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Meat and Dairy

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 2 cups (or 1 8 oz block) grated yellow sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 1/2 cups milk (do not use skim milk)
  • 2 tablespoon butter

Vegetables and Seasonings

  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt or table salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 2 cups (or 1/2 lb) dry cavatappi pasta or macaroni noodles

Instructions

  1. Prepare the pan and cook onion: In a large deep sauté pan or cast iron skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.
  2. Brown the ground beef: Add the ground beef to the pan and cook, breaking it up with a spoon as you go, until it is browned evenly, approximately 4-5 minutes.
  3. Add tomato paste: Stir in the tomato paste into the meat mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2-3 minutes until the color deepens slightly and the paste is well incorporated.
  4. Add spices and flour: Sprinkle smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, seasoned salt (or table salt), sugar, black pepper, and flour over the beef mixture. Stir thoroughly to combine and cook for 1 minute to toast the flour and bring out the spices’ flavors.
  5. Add liquids: Slowly whisk in the beef broth to avoid lumps, then add the milk and stir everything together well to form a smooth sauce.
  6. Cook the pasta: Add the dry pasta to the pan and increase the heat to high to bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is fully cooked and tender, about 10-12 minutes. Stirring prevents sticking and ensures even cooking.
  7. Finish with cheese: Remove the pan from heat and stir in the grated sharp cheddar cheese until melted and combined, creating a creamy cheesy sauce enveloping the pasta and beef.

Notes

  • Use whole milk or 2% milk, as skim milk can affect the creaminess of the sauce.
  • For extra flavor, consider adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a few dashes of hot sauce.
  • Use fresh sharp cheddar for the best melting and flavor.
  • Keep stirring during simmering to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
  • This recipe works well with cavatappi or macaroni, but you can substitute with other short pasta shapes like elbow macaroni or penne.
  • If you want a lower-fat version, use lean ground turkey instead of beef and reduce the cheese slightly.

Find it online: https://jmrecipes.com/one-pot-cheeseburger-helper-recipe/