I’ve done it—I unintentionally created a grown-up version of Hamburger Helper. To be fair, Hamburger Helper has always catered to all ages; it never really discriminated. However, it was a dish I primarily enjoyed as a child. During my college days, once I was an actual adult, I leaned towards more sophisticated meals like egg-in-a-hole and pizza. You know, the epitome of adulting! Nevertheless, Hamburger Helper takes me back to my childhood, a time when I couldn’t even imagine preparing something that required chopping an onion. Honestly, I’m not sure if I handled a real knife until I graduated. Thankfully, I’ve evolved to a more refined lifestyle, which now includes HOMEMADE Hamburger Helper. If only my younger self could see me now!
Did you catch the SAG Awards last night? Neither did I. However, I did see Aubrey Plaza rocking that crisscross boobie dress, and I am ALL IN for it! She was having a fabulous moment, and it was delightful to witness it on social media, considering who even watches live TV anymore? I find myself envious of those petite chests at the moment; mine have ballooned from breastfeeding and seem to change daily. What will they look like in five months? Who knows!
Sometimes, I reflect on what it’s like for someone to stumble upon my blog for the first time and come across a post discussing my cup size in a piece about adult Hamburger Helper…but then I remember that only about 2% of visitors actually read this part. And you are part of that special group.
I digress.
She looked absolutely stunning! Niecy Nash rocked a neon green dress that was simply slaying. And Emily Blunt looked incredible in a tight red dress adorned with flowers—honestly, she can do no wrong! Especially since she’s married to John Krasinski, who will always be our beloved Jim, right?
Lately, I’ve found myself gravitating more towards pop culture. I suspect it has to do with being a parent. In the past, I would work until bedtime, but now my brain occasionally short-circuits and struggles to form coherent sentences, much less produce something I’m proud of. I know this phase is temporary, and as my child gets older, things will change, but for now, I immerse myself in pop culture and scroll through images of homes I can’t afford. Both activities offer me a sense of peace at the end of the day—like a warm cup of hot chocolate. You feel me?
Cheeseburger Pasta
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 1x
- 16oz pasta of choice (I used orecchiette, but you could use GF, brown rice, lentil, or paleo pasta noodles)
- 1lb ground beef
- 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 14oz canned tomatoes, drained
- 1/2 cup unsweetened ketchup
- 1/3 cup yellow mustard
- 1/4 cup avocado oil mayo
- 1 cup freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese (use a dairy-free option, if you prefer)
- green onions, for garnish
- Cook pasta according to directions. Scoop out 1/2 cup of pasta water and set aside for later before draining.
- While the pasta is cooking, place a large nonstick pan over medium heat. Add ground beef, onion, and garlic. Sprinkle salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Break meat up and cook until no pink remains and onions are translucent. Add canned tomatoes, ketchup, mustard, and mayo. Mix to combine, then taste to see if the dish needs more salt.
- Add the mixture to the pot with the drained pasta, add in the reserved pasta liquid, and mix in 1/2 cup of grated cheese. Place over medium-low heat then add the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese on top and cover to steam and heat through. Before serving, top with green onions!
What I Used to Make This Recipe:
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You May Also Like:
BLT Pasta Salad
Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole
Taco Pasta Soup
Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf
Fall Pasta Salad
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