Homemade Hamburger Helper: Cheeseburger Macaroni

We really, really like Hamburger Helper because it's so easy and pretty tasty. But, lately, I've been reading a lot about the foods we eat - what's healthy, what's not - and I'm trying to cut out foods that are pre-packaged or processed, etc. My first project towards this was making our own Hamburger Helper.

INGREDIENTS:

1 lb of lean ground beef
1.5 cups of uncooked whole wheat macaroni
1 Tbsp cornstarch
2 Tbsp paprika
1.5 tsp onion powder
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
.5 tsp black pepper
1 cup hot water
2 cups skim or 2% milk
1-2 cups sharp cheddar, shredded (amount is really up to you)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Brown meat, remove from heat and drain well - blot the meat with paper towel to make sure all grease is gone; Also, wipe out the skillet and return the meat to it
2. Mix all the powder ingredients together and add to the meat
3. Add the hot water, milk and macaroni; Stir; Bring to a boil
4. Place a lid on the skillet and turn heat down to simmer for about 10 minutes - until pasta is al dente; Stir occasionally
5. When the pasta is the texture you like it, remove the skillet from heat
6. Immediately add the cheese and stir into the mixture - start with 1 cup and add more to your liking, if you wish
7. Let it set for a few minutes to thicken and cool

You could add mushrooms or diced tomatoes or anything you like to this dish. I prefer it simple with a green veggie on the side. We, of course, had fresh broccoli. All I did was braise it in salted water in a small pot on the stove.

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This was pretty spot-on to the flavor of Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni. I did add more pepper at the end, after I tasted it, as well as a few light sprinklings of salt. Try it with your own flavors, and let us know how it turns out! Be sure to always use the cornstarch...it's your thickening agent.