My husband and I have very different tastes in food. I love exotic foods and the more vegetables the better. He is very meat and potatoes {and basic meat and potatoes}. I don’t think I had ever had hamburger helper before I met him. He loves the Cheeseburger Macaroni and as much as it killed me to open a package filled with preservatives and fake cheese, he ate it fairly frequently. That is, until I finally tried to make my own.
My husband says that this recipe is BETTER than Hamburger Helper! When you purchase the ingredients on sale, it can even be cheaper than the boxed crap too.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 c. macaroni noodles
- 1/4 c. butter
- 1/4 c. flour
- 1/4 tsp. paprika
- 1/4 tsp. ground mustard
- 1/8 tsp. pepper
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 2 c. milk
- 2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 lb. ground beef
Instructions
- Cook macaroni to package directions, cooking just to al dente. Drain.
- While macaroni cooks brown and drain ground beef.
- Melt butter in saucepan over medium low heat. Add in flour and spices and whisk together until combined. Cook for a few minutes whisking constantly.
- Whisk in milk. Increase heat to medium high and bring to a boil, whisking frequently.
- Stir in cheese and stir until melted.
- Pour sauce over drained noodles. Stir in beef. Top with a little extra cheese.
- Bake in 350 oven for 20 minutes.
This recipe freezes and travels well too! I have made a few pans to have on hand in the freezer for when we bring baby boy home so that we have easy meals ready. Follow all steps up through the final baking. Then, thaw it over night in the fridge and bake in a 350 oven for 20 minutes and dinner is served!
Twitter: AndersonsAngels
says:
I love making my own version of hamburger helper and tuna helper for my family
This looks just like it but even better and healthier! I love that this uses real cheese and not that processed junk that comes in the box!
Twitter: babymasongrant
says:
This looks yummy I plan to make it for my family.