macaroni and beef with cheese 2

Homemade version of Hamburger Helper® – just as easy and tastes so much better! You will need a large skillet with a tight fitting lid.Prep:10 minsCook:15 minsTotal:25 minsServings:4Yield:4 servings

Ingredients

• ½ pound lean ground beef, or more to taste
• ½ small onion, minced
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 8 ounces reduced-fat processed cheese food (such as Velveeta®), cut into small pieces
• 2 tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream, or more to taste

Directions

• Step 1Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir ground beef, onion, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes; drain and discard grease.
• Step 2Return skillet to burner over high heat. Add water; cover skillet and bring to a boil. Stir macaroni into the boiling water-ground beef mixture; cover and lower heat to medium. Cook, keeping covered, for 5 minutes. Stir, cover, and cook until macaroni is tender, about 5 more minutes.
• Step 3Stir processed cheese food into ground beef-macaroni mixture until melted. Remove from heat; stir in sour cream.

Cook’s Note:

For a Mexican version, add 1 tablespoon cumin and 2 teaspoons chili powder to the hamburger as its cooking. Serve with chopped lettuce, tomato, and salsa. If you’re really in a hurry, can use dehydrated onion instead of fresh. Add more onion powder.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:449 calories; protein 28.2g 56% DV; carbohydrates 47.9g 15% DV; fat 15.4g 24% DV; cholesterol 60.7mg 20% DV; sodium 930.1mg 37% DV.