Homemade Hamburger Helper

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Welcome back to Childhood Eats, where we take those classic childhood favorites and give them a grown-up twist that’s even better than you remember.

Ever wondered about Hamburger Helper? It’s like Kraft macaroni & cheese but with beef, and it hit the scene back in 1971 when beef prices were soaring. Originally aimed at busy moms, it turned out single guys loved it too. I remember making it with my brothers, jazzing it up with peas and spices. There are tons of flavors, but we’re keeping it classic with cheeseburger macaroni.

Now, imagine this: homemade cavatelli pasta, freshly ground beef, creamy sour cream, and sharp cheddar cheese. This isn’t your ordinary Hamburger Helper; it’s a trip down memory lane with a gourmet twist.

Sure, I went all out with fresh pasta and hand-ground meat, but Hamburger Helper is all about ease. You can use store-bought pasta and pre-ground beef for convenience.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Homemade Hamburger Helper

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• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x
• Category: Dinner, Main Course

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Ingredients

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FOR THE PASTA

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups water

FOR THE HAMBURGER HELPER

• 1/2 medium yellow onion (diced)
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon Frank’s Red Hot
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup chicken stock
• 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

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Instructions

FOR THE PASTA

1. Mix flour, salt, olive oil, and water in a bowl until it forms dough.
2. Knead the dough until smooth, then let it rest for 30 minutes.
3. Roll out the dough, cut it into strips, then shape the cavatelli.
4. Freeze them if making ahead.

FOR THE HAMBURGER HELPER

1. Cook onion and garlic until translucent, then brown the ground beef with spices.
2. Boil the cavatelli until they float, then drain.
3. Stir in Frank’s Red Hot, sour cream, and broth with the beef.
4. Add the cooked cavatelli and cheese, stir until melted.
5. Season to taste, garnish with green onions, and enjoy!

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