Description
This healthier cheeseburger pasta uses half the beef of boxed Hamburger Helper with canned lentils and mushrooms to stretch the meat, and whole wheat pasta to add even more protein and fiber.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces lean ground beef (90/10 or 85/15)
- 8 ounces white mushrooms, cleaned and finely diced (about 2 cups)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 2 cups, 250 g)
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 (15-ounce) can lentils, drained and rinsed (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 16 ounces medium-size whole wheat pasta like cavatappi, rotini
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3 cups (330 g) freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Cook the beef, onion, and mushrooms: Heat a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. Add the 8 ounces lean ground beef, 8 ounces white mushrooms, 1 medium diced onion, 2 teaspoons paprika, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Cook, stirring frequently and breaking up the beef, until the beef is browned and the onion and mushrooms are tender, about 7-10 minutes.
- Add the broth and lentils: Pour in the 4 cups beef broth and add the 1 can lentils (drained and rinsed). Increase the heat to high and bring to a boil.
- Cook the pasta: Stir in the 16 ounces whole wheat pasta, making sure it’s covered with liquid, and cover the pot. Return to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the pasta is barely al dente, 9-11 minutes, stirring once or twice to ensure even cooking.
- Stir in the milk and cheese: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the 1 cup whole milk and 3 cups freshly shredded cheese until the cheese is fully melted and most of the remaining liquid has been absorbed. Cover and let sit for a few minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper, and serve.
Notes
- If using fine salt, reduce the amount by ¼ to ½.
- Freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly than bagged shredded cheese.
Nutrition Notes
Nutrition information calculated using 90/10 ground beef, O Organics whole wheat rotini, and whole milk
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main, Pasta
- Method: Boiling, One-Pot, Sautéing, Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 888 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 66 mg
