Cheeseburger Casserole (Homemade Hamburger Helper)

• servings: 5 servings
• active time: 10 minutes
• total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil

2 garlic cloves (, minced)

1 onion, chopped

1 small carrot * (, chopped, optional)

1 celery stalk * (, chopped, optional)

500 g/ 1 lb ground beef (mince) (, preferably lean)

12 oz / 340g dried macaroni (, uncooked)

1/2 cup frozen corn * (, optional)

2 cups chicken broth/stock, low sodium

1 tbsp hot sauce or Sriracha sauce (, adjust to taste)

1 tsp American chili powder (Note 1)

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp garlic powder (, or sub onion powder)

800 g / 28 oz crushed tomato

2 tbsp tomato paste

1 1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1 ½ - 2 cups (150 - 200g) cheddar or tasty cheese, shredded (Note 3)

1 cup (100g) mozzarella cheese (, for topping)

1 green onion (, sliced)

Directions

Heat oil in a dutch oven or large deep skillet over medium high heat.

Add onion and garlic, cook 1 minute.

Add celery and carrot, cook 3 minutes until soft.

Increase heat to high and add beef. Cook, breaking it up as you go, until no longer pink - 3 minutes.

Add remaining ingredients EXCEPT cheese. Stir to combine, add macaroni, then turn down to medium or medium low so it's simmering gently.

Cover, cook 8 minutes. Pasta should be just about cooked, and still nice and saucy.

Add cheddar cheese, stir. Top with mozzarella cheese.

Cover with lid, cook for a further 2 minutes.

Remove from stove. The pasta should now be cooked - tender but firm, not mushy, slick with sauce, not dried out.

Serve immediately, garnished with green onions, if using.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 456 g
• Calories: 693 kcal
• Total Fat: 25.4 g
• Saturated Fat: 12.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12.9 g
• Cholesterol: 129 mg
• Sodium: 748 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 63.3 g
• Dietary Fiber: 4.9 g
• Total Sugars: 7.7 g
• Protein: 51.5 g