Healthified Hamburger Helper

HEALTHIFIED HAMBURGER HELPER😍

Growing up with a single mom, I learned how to become a wizard with quick and cheap meals, and one pot pasta dishes were my mom’s savior on weeknights. Minimal ingredients + minimal time + minimal cleanup AND it’s healthier? Yeah, that’s a superpower in itself. Send this to your quarantine buddy if you want this on your dinner table ASAP🙋🏾‍♀️🙋🏾‍♀️🙋🏾‍♀️

Serves 5-7.

Ingredients:

For the Healthified Hamburger Helper:

• 16 oz pasta shells or macaroni

• 1 lb ground beef

• 1 tbsp tomato paste

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 4 cups chicken broth

• 1 cup original nutpods, or similar unsweetened dairy free creamer (try not to use almond milk here, it’s a bit too watery and won’t be as creamy - you can use half&half or whole milk if that’s all you have)

• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

• Salt to taste

• 1 tbsp olive oil

Directions:

For the Healthified Hamburger Helper:

• Heat a large, high sided pot up to medium high heat, and add in a bit of oil.

• Add in the ground beef, breaking up the beef with a wooden spoon until broken down into small crumbles. 

• Season with a pinch of salt and add in the onion and garlic powder.

• After 30 seconds, add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring until well incorporated into the beef.

• Add the pasta shells, stir, then add the chicken broth and ¾ cup of the nutpods.

• Bring to a boil, then reduce and cook uncovered for 10-12 minutes until tender. Stir often to ensure the pasta doesn’t get stuck to the bottom of the pan. If most the liquid has evaporated and the pasta is still not quite cooked, just add a bit more broth or water at a time until tender.

• Once pasta is tender, add in the remaining nutpods and the cheese on low.

• Stir until cheese has melted. Serve immediately and enjoy!

*Tip for reheating: add a little bit of water or broth to loosen up the pasta once warm.