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4.70 from 10 votes

Hamburger Helper

This Hamburger Helper is a one pot meal that is a variation of the boxed dinner with the addition of a variety of vegetables including carrots, celery, and spinach.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American, meal prep
Keyword: beef, gluten free, meal prep
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 621kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs ground beef 93/7
  • 1 medium onion
  • 4 medium carrots
  • 4 stalks celery
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 10 oz elbow pasta gluten free if needed
  • 14.5 oz petite diced tomatoes canned
  • 6 oz spinach
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 2 cups 2% milk
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 6 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
  • 3 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp dried basil
  • 1 tsbp paprika
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

For the Beef

  • In a large stock pot over medium high heat, add the beef and allow it to brown and the fat to render off.
  • Once browned, remove it from the pot, keeping all of the fat that was rendered off inside the pot. This will be used to cook the vegetables.

For the Vegetables

  • While the beef is cooking, wash and cut the onion, carrots, and celery into a small dice of roughly the same size. Grate the garlic. Roughly chop the spinach into smaller pieces.
  • Once the beef has finished and only the fat remains left in the pot, add in the onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. If you need to, add more oil. Season lightly with salt to encourage the water to come out quicker. Allow this to brown and soften for 8-10 minutes.
  • Once the vegetables have softened, season with 1 each of dried basil and paprika.
  • Add in 2 cups of milk, 2 cups of chicken broth, 1 can of petite diced tomatoes, and 10oz of elbow pasta.
  • Bring this mixture to a light boil, stirring occasionally then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 10-15 minutes or until the noodles have finished.
  • Add in ¾ cup of shredded cheddar cheese, 6 tbsp of grated parmesan cheese, 3 tbsp of ketchup, and all of the spinach you chopped earlier.
  • Mix well to incorporate the cheeses and wilt the spinach. Taste test, season with salt and pepper to adjust flavor as needed.

Plating

  • This recipe makes 6 servings. Divide the mixture of the pot evenly 6 ways.

Nutrition

Calories: 621kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 49g | Fat: 23g