Creamy Cajun Hamburger Helper
Creamy Cajun Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef, 85/15
- 1 tablespoon avocado or olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, start light
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 1/2 teaspoons Slap Ya Mama seasoning
- 1 teaspoon roasted garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon Badia Complete seasoning
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup beef broth, or pasta water
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 pound cooked pasta, elbow or shell
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, optional
Instructions
- 1
Heat 1 tablespoon of avocado or olive oil over medium-high heat in a large pan or Dutch oven. Add 1 pound of 85/15 ground beef and break it up with a spoon or spatula. Add 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt (start light), 1 teaspoon of black pepper, 2 1/2 teaspoons of Slap Ya Mama seasoning, 1 teaspoon of roasted garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder (if using), and 1/2 teaspoon of Badia Complete seasoning to the beef. Cook fully for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and cooked through.
⏱️ 6 min
- 2
Remove the pan from the heat and carefully drain any excess grease completely from the browned beef. Return the beef to the pan.
⏱️ 2 min
- 3
Add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic to the beef in the pan. Cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Add 1 tablespoon of butter and stir until it melts and coats the beef. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce if you are using it.
⏱️ 2 min
- 4
Pour in 1 cup of beef broth (or pasta water) and 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce becomes slightly thick but is still loose.
⏱️ 3 min
- 5
Stir in 1 pound of cooked pasta (elbow or shell) and combine it well with the sauce and beef, ensuring all the pasta is coated.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
Add 2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese in small handfuls, stirring continuously after each addition until the cheese is smooth, creamy, and fully incorporated into the mixture.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Taste the dish and adjust the salt if needed. Serve hot and enjoy your creamy Cajun Hamburger Helper.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Cajun Hamburger Helper
- 1 pound ground beef, 85/15
- 1 tablespoon avocado or olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, start light
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 1/2 teaspoons Slap Ya Mama seasoning
- 1 teaspoon roasted garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon Badia Complete seasoning
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup beef broth, or pasta water
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 pound cooked pasta, elbow or shell
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, optional
Instructions
- 1
Heat 1 tablespoon of avocado or olive oil over medium-high heat in a large pan or Dutch oven. Add 1 pound of 85/15 ground beef and break it up with a spoon or spatula. Add 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt (start light), 1 teaspoon of black pepper, 2 1/2 teaspoons of Slap Ya Mama seasoning, 1 teaspoon of roasted garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder (if using), and 1/2 teaspoon of Badia Complete seasoning to the beef. Cook fully for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and cooked through.
⏱️ 6 min - 2
Remove the pan from the heat and carefully drain any excess grease completely from the browned beef. Return the beef to the pan.
⏱️ 2 min - 3
Add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic to the beef in the pan. Cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Add 1 tablespoon of butter and stir until it melts and coats the beef. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce if you are using it.
⏱️ 2 min - 4
Pour in 1 cup of beef broth (or pasta water) and 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce becomes slightly thick but is still loose.
⏱️ 3 min - 5
Stir in 1 pound of cooked pasta (elbow or shell) and combine it well with the sauce and beef, ensuring all the pasta is coated.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Add 2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese in small handfuls, stirring continuously after each addition until the cheese is smooth, creamy, and fully incorporated into the mixture.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Taste the dish and adjust the salt if needed. Serve hot and enjoy your creamy Cajun Hamburger Helper.
⏱️ 1 min