Healthier Homemade Hamburger Helper Bake
Healthier Homemade Hamburger Helper Bake
Ingredients
For the Hamburger Helper Base
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 can tomato sauce, 15 ounce
- 16 ounces Italian Cavatappi macaroni pasta
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
For the Crispy Topping
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
For Garnish (Optional)
- fresh parsley, chopped, as needed
- red pepper flakes, as needed
Instructions
- 1
In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic cloves, cooking until the beef is fully browned and the onion is softened, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
Stir in the paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min
- 3
Pour in the chicken broth, whole milk, and tomato sauce. Stir well to combine. Add the Italian Cavatappi macaroni pasta to the liquid and meat mixture. Bring the contents to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer, stirring frequently, until most of the liquid is absorbed and the pasta is tender, about 15-20 minutes.
⏱️ 20 min
- 4
Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the freshly shredded cheddar cheese until melted and a creamy sauce forms.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter and breadcrumbs, mixing until evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min•🌡️ 350
- 6
Transfer the entire pasta and meat mixture into a 9x9-inch baking dish that has been lightly greased. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crispy.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 350
- 8
Remove from the oven and let stand for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and red pepper flakes, if desired.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Healthier Homemade Hamburger Helper Bake
Ingredients
For the Hamburger Helper Base
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 can tomato sauce, 15 ounce
- 16 ounces Italian Cavatappi macaroni pasta
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
For the Crispy Topping
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
For Garnish (Optional)
- fresh parsley, chopped, as needed
- red pepper flakes, as needed
Instructions
- 1
In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic cloves, cooking until the beef is fully browned and the onion is softened, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
Stir in the paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min - 3
Pour in the chicken broth, whole milk, and tomato sauce. Stir well to combine. Add the Italian Cavatappi macaroni pasta to the liquid and meat mixture. Bring the contents to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer, stirring frequently, until most of the liquid is absorbed and the pasta is tender, about 15-20 minutes.
⏱️ 20 min - 4
Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the freshly shredded cheddar cheese until melted and a creamy sauce forms.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter and breadcrumbs, mixing until evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min•🌡️ 350 - 6
Transfer the entire pasta and meat mixture into a 9x9-inch baking dish that has been lightly greased. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crispy.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 350 - 8
Remove from the oven and let stand for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and red pepper flakes, if desired.
⏱️ 2 min