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Fancy Hamburger Helper (One-Pot Pasta) Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 145 reviews

This Fancy Hamburger Helper is a comforting one-pot pasta dish featuring savory ground beef, aromatic herbs, creamy cheeses, and a fresh romaine lettuce salad. A quick and flavorful meal perfect for weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1–2 tbsp Olive oil
  • 1 lb. Lean ground beef
  • 1 tsp Smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp Herb and garlic seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp Oregano
  • 1/2 tsp Thyme
  • 1/2 tsp Dried parsley
  • 2 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Black pepper
  • 1 Red onion
  • 4–6 Garlic cloves
  • 1 can Tomato paste (about 6 oz)
  • 1 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
  • 4.5 cups Water
  • 1 cup Heavy cream
  • 500 g Pasta (Insalatonde or similar pasta shape)
  • 1/4 cup Heavy cream (cold)
  • 1 cup Cheddar cheese, grated
  • 1/4 cup Pecorino Romano cheese, grated

Salad Ingredients

  • 1 Romaine lettuce
  • Juice of 1 Lemon
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pecorino Romano, for topping

Instructions

  1. Prepare ingredients: Finely chop the red onion and mince the garlic cloves. Grate the cheddar cheese and Pecorino Romano cheese, setting them aside for later use.
  2. Brown the ground beef: Heat 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large deep pan or pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and season with garlic powder, herb and garlic seasoning, smoked paprika, oregano, thyme, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fully browned and cooked through.
  3. Sauté onions and garlic: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped red onion to the pan and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
  4. Add tomato paste: Make a space in the center of the pan and add the tomato paste. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomato paste darkens slightly in color, intensifying the flavor.
  5. Deglaze pan: Pour in 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to deglaze, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan to incorporate their flavor.
  6. Cook pasta: Add 4.5 cups of water, 1 cup of heavy cream, and the pasta to the pan. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to medium-high to simmer for 10 to 14 minutes, stirring occasionally and checking the pasta at around 10 minutes to test for tenderness. The pasta should be cooked through but still retain some liquid to create a creamy sauce.
  7. Melt cheeses: Once the pasta is tender, stir in 1/4 cup of cold heavy cream along with the grated cheddar and Pecorino Romano cheeses. Cover the pan and reduce heat to medium-low for 1 minute to allow the cheese to melt gently. Remove the lid and stir the melted cheese mixture gently to combine.
  8. Prepare salad: Slice or shred the romaine lettuce. Toss with lemon juice and salt to taste. Top with grated Pecorino Romano cheese and toss again to combine.

Notes

  • You can substitute Insalatonde with any sturdy pasta shape like rotini or penne.
  • For a richer flavor, use full-fat heavy cream.
  • Adjust salt according to preference; the cheeses add some saltiness.
  • Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 2 days.

Keywords: one-pot pasta, ground beef pasta, creamy pasta, hamburger helper recipe, quick dinner, easy weeknight meal

Find it online: https://yumwithmia.com/fancy-hamburger-helper-one-pot-pasta-recipe/