Is Hamburger Helper a comfort food for you? First introduced in 1971, Hamburger Helper was created to help American families deal with rising beef prices. It was a boon to busy moms, an easy dish to make in one pan that stretched one pound of beef into a meal that could feed a whole family. Simple and tasty, it quickly became a favorite family meal. If you grew up in the 1970s, it’s probably nostalgic comfort food for you. However, it’s not really something that could be considered gourmet.
At least, it wasn’t. With the recipe that follows, we elevate this tasty classic, using Wagyu beef to make a childhood favorite into a dish worthy of a place on the table of any foodie. Check out this delicious twist on comfort food, perfect for fall, tweaked to be nutritious as well as delicious, and guaranteed to please.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
- 1 pound of American Wagyu ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon each of chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder
- 1 pound of short pasta
- 2 cups of low sodium beef broth
- 1 ½ to 2 cups of milk
- 1 ½ to 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon of ketchup
- Fresh parsley
- Optional: red pepper flakes, 1 cup grated zucchini, 1 bell pepper, 6 cups of kale
Directions:
- Add EVOO, onion, and beef to a large pot over medium high heat, season with salt and pepper. Brown until thoroughly cooked, breaking up the meat as you go, for about 10 minutes, before stirring in the chili powder, paprika, and garlic powder. Cook one more minute.
- Add the pasta, tossing to coat. Pour in the broth and milk and add the ketchup, stirring to combine. If using zucchini and bell pepper, add them now.
- Bring to a low boil over medium-high heat, simmering until the pasta is al dente, about 5 to 8 minutes, stirring often.
- Stir in the shredded cheddar, cooking a few more minutes, until very creamy, and add in the kale a few minutes before removing the pot from the heat.
- Dish up bowls of pasta, topping with fresh parsley and red pepper flakes, if desired.
- Enjoy!
If you need more recipes or you’ve got questions about American Wagyu Beef, the customer care team at Triple T Ranch would love to help! Located in south Alabama, our small, family-owned-and-operated ranch is a place where practicing proven husbandry techniques ensures the health and prosperity of the herd. Our cattle are healthy, happy, well cared-for, and registered through the American Wagyu Association. Browse our website to shop Wagyu beef and order online, or contact us for more information, or call (251)333-2800 to talk to our friendly, helpful customer care team.