Bushra Griffith
Three Cheese Hamburger Helper is a delicious, comforting, and fast meal that can be cooked in 30 minutes or less. It is a simple, tasty, and healthier alternative to the boxed version, packed with flavour and lots of cheese. This recipe is sure to be a new family favourite, with its rich, creamy tomato and cheese sauce, smothering tender pasta and savoury ground beef.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Ground beef, chopped onion, salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, parsley, cayenne pepper, minced garlic, beef broth, milk, pasta, ketchup, mustard, hot sauce, onion powder, cheddar cheese, mozzarella, Monterey jack, sour cream, spinach, flour, heavy cream |
| Cookware | Large skillet, microwavable casserole or bowl, sauté pan, Dutch oven |
| Time | 30 minutes |
| Servings | 4-8 |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the beef
To prepare the beef for your Three Cheese Hamburger Helper, start by placing a large skillet on medium-high heat. Add a pound of ground beef and a chopped onion to the skillet. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, parsley, and cayenne pepper. You can also add in minced garlic, jalapeno, and chili powder. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
Cook the beef until it is browned and no longer pink in the middle. Drain the fat. You can now add in the ketchup, mustard, hot sauce, onion powder, and salt and pepper. If you are using macaroni, cook it in boiled water for half the time stated on the box. Drain the macaroni and return it to the pot, adding in the tomatoes and beef broth. Stir in the beef mixture and adjust the seasonings.
If you are using pasta, add the uncooked pasta to the skillet and stir well. Make sure you do not add too much pasta, or you will not have enough sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil and turn the heat down to low. Cover with a lid and cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender but not mushy.
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Adding the sauce mix
To make three-cheese hamburger helper, you'll need to add the sauce mix after browning the beef and before adding the pasta. Start by cooking the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it's browned and no longer pink in the middle. Drain any excess grease, then add your seasonings and other ingredients like onions, garlic, and jalapenos.
Now it's time to add the sauce mix. For a classic three-cheese sauce, you'll need milk, hot water, and the cheese sauce mix. Stir these ingredients together with the beef mixture until well combined. You can also add beef broth at this stage for extra flavour. Make sure to taste and adjust your seasonings as needed.
If you want to get creative, you can experiment with different types of cheese. In addition to the standard cheddar, try using mozzarella, Monterey Jack, smoked gouda, white cheddar, or pepper jack for some extra spice. You can also add sour cream to your sauce for a tangier, creamier sauce. Simply stir it in at the end, right before serving.
For an extra cheesy sauce, you can use heavy cream instead of milk. This will give your sauce an indulgently rich and creamy texture. However, if you prefer a lighter option, you can use half-and-half or even evaporated milk. Keep in mind that the type of milk or cream you use will affect the thickness of your sauce, so you may need to adjust the amount of liquid you add.
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Cooking the pasta
To cook the pasta for Three Cheese Hamburger Helper, you'll first need to cook the ground beef. Brown the beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it is no longer pink in the middle and has browned. Drain any excess fat, then add your seasonings and other ingredients like ketchup, mustard, hot sauce, onion powder, and salt and pepper.
Next, add the pasta to the skillet. You'll want to use a small bite-sized pasta like small pasta shells or elbow macaroni for the best pasta-to-sauce ratio. Add about 2.5 cups of uncooked pasta to the skillet, along with beef broth, milk, and any other liquid ingredients. You can also add in canned diced tomatoes at this stage if you like.
Stir everything together well and bring the mixture to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the pasta simmer. Cook the pasta for around 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it is tender but not mushy. If you're using a microwave, cook the pasta for 12-17 minutes, stirring every 6 minutes.
Keep in mind that the cooking time may vary depending on the type of pasta you use. If you're using gluten-free pasta, for example, you may need to cook it a little longer and add a bit more broth. Taste the pasta as you go and adjust the seasonings and cooking time as needed to ensure it's cooked to your liking.
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Adding the cheese
To make Three Cheese Hamburger Helper, you'll need cheddar, mozzarella, and Monterey jack cheese. You can also experiment with other cheeses like smoked gouda, white cheddar, or pepper jack for a kick.
Before adding the cheese, you'll need to cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it's browned. Drain any excess grease, then add your seasonings, broth, milk, and uncooked pasta. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the pasta is tender.
Now it's time to add the cheese! First, remove the skillet from the heat. The exact amount of cheese you'll need to add depends on the recipe you're following. As a guide, one recipe suggests adding 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese, and 1/2 cup of Monterey jack cheese. Another recipe recommends simply topping the dish with shredded cheddar cheese and placing the lid on the skillet until the cheese melts.
If you're making a larger batch, you can place the cooked mixture into a nonstick or sprayed casserole dish, top with cheddar and Monterey jack cheese, and broil until melted and bubbly. You can also stir in a 1/2 cup of sour cream at the end for an extra creamy sauce. Don't forget to garnish with freshly chopped parsley!
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Serving and garnishing
Once your Three Cheese Hamburger Helper is cooked, it's time to serve and garnish. Here are some tips to make your dish look and taste amazing:
Serving
First, ensure your dish is cooked to perfection. Your ground beef should be browned, and your pasta tender. If your pasta is not cooked through, add a little extra broth and continue cooking until tender. Remember, the sauce will thicken as it stands, so don't worry if it looks a little thin while cooking.
When serving, consider using a non-stick or sprayed casserole dish to make cleanup easier. This dish is perfect for a family meal, and you can easily double or triple the recipe to feed a crowd.
Garnishing
For a bright and fresh garnish, use parsley. Finely chop the parsley and sprinkle it on top of your dish. The parsley adds a nice touch of colour and a fresh flavour to balance the rich, creamy sauce.
You can also experiment with other garnishes, such as:
- Dried parsley
- Spinach
- Finely chopped carrots or peas
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Frequently asked questions
You will need ground beef, chopped onion, salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, parsley, cayenne pepper, minced garlic, beef broth, milk, uncooked pasta, ketchup, mustard, hot sauce, onion powder, cheddar cheese, mozzarella, Monterey jack, and sour cream.
It takes around 30 minutes to cook this dish.
First, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain the fat, then add the ketchup, mustard, hot sauce, and onion powder, and season with salt and pepper. Stir everything well before adding the pasta and beef broth. Bring to a boil, then cover and cook for 15-20 minutes. Stir in the sour cream and cheeses and cook until melted.
You can use small pasta shells or small elbow macaroni noodles. It is recommended to use a small, bite-sized pasta for the best pasta-to-sauce ratio.
