Hamburger helper was a meal that many people have fond memories from during their childhood. It is easy to make without the boxed ingredients and using fresher alternatives. This is also a great option to adding hidden veggies and protein. If you're looking for a new meal to add to your rotation that the whole family will enjoy, this is it!
Hidden Vegetables in Homemade Recipes
Whether you have picky eaters or you are just trying to increase the nutritional value of your meals, adding 'hidden' veggies is a great option. By chopping vegetables up into fine pieces, oftentimes they can go unnoticed. I always added vegetables to my taco meat. It wasn't until I started filming for YouTube that my husband realized that I ddi this.
In this recipe I add both yellow squash and zucchini. If you peel it, that also helps it to blend into the meat mixture. Riced cauliflower is also an easy one to add to meals. Adding the vegetables not only increases the nutrients, but it also bulks up the meal. It allows you to use less meat which can help to save money on groceries since meat is usually the most expensive part of the meal.
If you're looking for a dessert with hidden veggies, check out these brownies.
Utilizing Pantry Ingredients
In this recipe you can use any type of pasta. This is an opportunity to use up what you have in the pantry without having to buy something specific. I keep my pasta in glass jars in the pantry. This keeps it fresh longer. If you want to see more of my pantry, check out the video below.
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
- 1 zucchini
- `1 yellow squash
- ½ onion
- 1 lb ground beef (or turkey)
- 1 teaspoon oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 T garlic & herb seasoning
- 1 T ground mustard
- 1 T Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup pasta
- 2 cups broth
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Finely chop all veggies to prepare for cooking
- Add oil to the pan, once heated add the chopped veggies
- Add the ground beef to the pan and cook thoroughly
- Drain excess fat from meat
- Add seasonings to meat and mix well
- Add pasta, broth, and sauce
- Mix well and heat to boiling
- Turn the heat to simmer and add the lid. Simmer for 10 minutes or until pasta is tender
- Add cheese to the pot, mix well
- Serve & enjoy!
Leave a Comment