Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni Hamburger Helper

MDMama's Note:

I found this recipe online somewhere and had printed it, but I'm putting it here for safe keeping until I can try it! We like HH but we don't like the MSG or other icky ingredients! You can prepare "sauce packets" ahead of time to save time. Just as an update, I did make this and I'd welcome suggestions to tweak the recipe. I used sharp cheddar cheese and thought it tasted too much like mac & cheese (which I don't particularly care for). It didn't have the disgustingly delicious artificial cheese taste that HH has (which I crave now and again for some reason!!) maybe that's the powdered cheese, not sure. P.S. since the switch from Recipezaar, the nutritional information is very wrong. Even a pound of the fattiest beef isn't 2,400 calories!

• Total Time: 22 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 17 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 4

Yield: 4.0

• 1 lb raw 92% lean ground beef (or any you choose)
• 1 cup hot water
• 2 cups milk
• 1 ½ cups elbow macaroni
• 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded, plus more for topping, if desired)

Sauce Packet

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar

Directions:

1. Brown ground beef in a large skillet. Drain.
2. Add hot water, milk, pasta and "sauce packet" ingredients.
3. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat and simmer 12 minutes or until pasta is tender.
4. In the last few minuts of cook time, add cheese, stir and re-cover.
5. When pasta is tender and cheese is melted, remove heat and uncover.
6. Let stand about 5 minutes. Sauce will thicken as it stands.
7. Top with additional cheese if you like.

Reviews

[DungeonDeb]

This is delicious! It's also just the right consistency. My youngest son is a terribly picky eater, but he asks for this at least once a week. I have only tried it with cheddar, but I think swiss or an Italian blend would also be good :)

[cherrytail]

This. is. amazing! I cannot believe there are no more reviews than mine and DungeonDeb's. The taste is SPOT-ON to the boxed mix. My mom said it was even better than the boxed Hamburger Helper! We used about 2 cups of Sargento sharp shredded cheddar, and it was fine for us. We will definitely be making this again. Say goodbye to the boxed mix, everyone! You will never buy it again after tasting this. :D

[emeryAnn]

AMAZING!! This has a nice flavor and even my picky eaters LOVED this recipe.
I wanted to give it more of a hamburger essence, so I added these ingredients :
1tbsp. Chopped onion
1tbsp. Ketchup
1tsp. Mustard
substituted regular salt for lawry's seasoning
1tsp. Brewers yeast (optional) * just to add b-vitamins
it was PERFECT