Hi! I feel like it’s been so long since I’ve actually sat down and wrote out a blog post. Not because I didn’t want to but for the simple fact that life has been pretty hectic. We recently went back to Birmingham to celebrate John’s birthday and even though we were only gone for a long weekend, it has taken me so long to get back on track. Sometimes when moments like this happen, it’s nice to prepare really yummy (but easy) meals like hamburger helper.

But before you frown and wonder why I’m instructing you to make something from a box (by the way: nothing wrong with that), I’m not. This is similar in appearance and maybe flavor but better. It’s a grown up hamburger helper. There isn’t any powdery substances to sprinkle into the pan just simple ingredients we can find at the grocery store.

No shade on the hamburger helper market – trust me, I ate my fair share of it especially when I was in college. But now that we’re in different stages in our lives with the ability to properly grocery shop and cook, I think a grown up version of this pasta is just what the doctor ordered.

How to: grown up hamburger helper

I’d imagine this meal would go over really well for those of you who have kiddos. A lot of my friends with children have said they sometimes have complications with dinner time. This meal is pretty simple in flavor, great for the kids but it also packs a lot of flavor, even better for the adults.

Just thinking about this grownup hamburger helper again is making me want to run to the store and pick up ingredients to cook it again. Anything with pasta is considered comforting, right? This dish certainly comforted me after a long day of work. If you’re into spice, try adding a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce in your bowl. That will definitely jazz up this grown up hamburger helper in no time.

Grownup Hamburger Helper

July 29, 2019

by Shawanda | Eat. Drink. Frolic.

Category Main Dishes

Ingredients

• 8 ounces medium pasta shells
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 sweet onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil & oregano (combined)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups beef stock
• 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups sharp (or extra sharp) cheddar cheese

Instructions

1. Bring a salted water to boil in a large pot and cook pasta according to package instructions; drain.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add ground beef, season with salt and pepper and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes; drain excess fat. Put the beef on a plate or bowl and set aside.
3. Add onion to the skillet, and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, about 2-3 minutes (add in a bit of olive oil, if needed while cooking). Stir in garlic and dried herb combo until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4. Whisk in flour until lightly browned, about 1 minute.
5. Gradually whisk in beef stock and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until reduced and slightly thickened, about 6-8 minutes.
6. Stir in pasta, beef and heavy cream until heated through, about 1-2 minutes; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in cheese; let it melt as you stir.
7. Serve immediately - sprinkle more oregano and black pepper on top for serving.

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