Lasagna Hamburger Helper
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This homemade hamburger helper lasagna combines the best of two worlds: the mouthwatering Italian flavors of lasagna and the ease of a one-pot meal.
This dish, both delicious and convenient, is perfect for busy weeknights and will be a hit with the whole family. Discover how to create this comforting classic and favorite childhood recipe right in your kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you’re a fan of quick, easy dinners, this homemade take on Hamburger Helper Lasagna is a game-changer. It’s like your favorite classic from the pantry but with a delicious homemade twist. Just like easy cheeseburger casserole, this recipe is packed with ground beef, real cheese, and pasta, all cooked in one pan for ultimate convenience.
The best part? It delivers all the cheesy goodness of lasagna without the hassle of layering. This hearty, comforting dish is sure to become a family favorite for busy weeknights!
Ingredients
For this recipe, you’ll need 1 pound of ground beef, along with some chopped onion and minced garlic for flavor. The seasonings include Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and ground black pepper to give it that classic taste.
You’ll also need beef broth, marinara or pasta sauce, and half and half to create a creamy, flavorful base. The pasta used is uncooked rotini, which will cook right in the sauce. Finally, top it all off with shredded mozzarella cheese and some fresh herbs, like parsley.
How to Make Lasagna Hamburger Helper
Add lean ground beef and chopped onion to a large ovenproof skillet. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Continue to cook until the onion becomes tender and the beef is well browned. Drain any excess grease and return the beef-onion mixture to the pan. Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper to the cooked meat and fresh onions. Stir the mixture thoroughly using a wooden spoon, ensuring the beef is well-seasoned.
Pour in the beef broth, your favorite marinara or pasta sauce, and half and half into the deep skillet. Next, add the uncooked pasta to the liquid and sauce mix. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
Heat the mixture over medium-high heat until it comes to a boil. Once boiling, cover the skillet and reduce the heat to either medium or medium-low. Continue to cook the pasta, stirring occasionally, until it is fully cooked.
Once the pasta is done, top the mixture with shredded cheese. Place the skillet under the broiler and cook for about 3 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and is slightly browned.
Serve Hamburger Helper Lasagna with Optional Parsley and Side
Top the homemade hamburger helper casserole with chopped fresh parsley, and serve with Garlic Parmesan Bread or twisted breadsticks, or a simple vegetable side like green beans.
Family-Friendly Additions: Making it a Family Favorite
Regarding weeknight dinners, pleasing every family member can sometimes be a challenge. Thankfully, this homemade version already has a family-friendly base that you can easily customize to suit everyone’s taste buds.
Add Some Heat: For the adults or older kids in the family who like a little zing in their meals, consider adding a sprinkling of pepper flakes. You can mix the pepper flakes into the sauce or keep them on the table, allowing family members to adjust the spice level to their preference.
Veggie Boost: Why not add some nutritional value to this already delicious dish? Incorporating bell peppers is a great way to do that. You can sauté the bell peppers with the onions in the initial step or add them later with the pasta to retain some crunch.
Side of Crunch: Garlic bread is hassle-free, satisfying the craving for something crispy. Plus, it’s a hit with kids and adults alike! This easy side dish complements a homemade hamburger helper’s beef pasta creamy and meaty flavors.
Tips and Tricks
- If you use regular lasagna noodles instead of rotini, break them into smaller pieces for quicker cooking.
- For an added touch of deliciousness, add a little shredded parmesan cheese at the end in addition to or instead of extra mozzarella cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. You can prepare and store the beef and sauce mix in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, heat it, add the uncooked pasta, and follow the rest.
You can easily substitute your favorite ground meat, such as turkey, chicken, or ground Italian.
No artificial flavors, and using real cheese and fresh ingredients guarantees a tasty meal that’s even better than the original recipe. Plus, you get the satisfaction of making a DIY hamburger helper from scratch!
Storing
- Cool the Dish: Allow the hamburger helper to cool down to room temperature before storing. This is crucial for food safety as it prevents the growth of bacteria.
- Use Airtight Containers: Transfer the cooled lasagna hamburger helper into airtight containers. This will keep the food fresh and prevent it from absorbing other flavors in the fridge.
- Label and Date: Use masking tape, painter’s tape, or a sticky note to label the container with the date. This will help you keep track of how long it’s been stored.
- Refrigeration: Once packaged and labeled, place the containers in the refrigerator. Stored this way, your homemade hamburger helper will last 3–4 days.
Hamburger Helper Lasagna (Homemade Copycat)
Equipment
- Large Cast Iron Skillet or ovenproof skillet
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef
- ½ cup onion chopped
- 2 cups beef broth
- 24 oz. pasta sauce
- ½ cup half and half or for a creamier richer flavor, heavy whipping cream
- 8 oz. rotini pasta uncooked
- 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese shredded
Seasonings
- 1 tbsp. minced garlic
- 1 tsp. Italian Seasoning
- 1 tsp. Paprika
- 1 tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. ground pepper
Optional Toppings
- chopped Fresh Parsley
- Grated Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
- Prepare Ground Beef and Onion Mixture: Place a large ovenproof skillet on the stove and set the heat to medium. Add the ground beef and chopped onion. Cook until the onion becomes tender and translucent and the beef is fully browned.
- Drain and Season: Remove the skillet from the heat and drain any excess grease. Return the beef and onion mixture to the skillet. Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and ground black pepper. Stir well to incorporate the flavors into the beef.
- Add Liquids and Uncooked Pasta: Pour in the beef broth, pasta sauce, and half and half. Add the uncooked pasta to the skillet and mix well, ensuring the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Boil the Mixture: Place the skillet back on the stove, turning the heat up to medium-high. Bring the hamburger helper mixture to a boil.
- Simmer the Pasta: Once boiling, cover the skillet and reduce the stove heat to medium or medium-low. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and fully cooked.
- Cheese Topping: Preheat your broiler. Sprinkle the shredded Mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta mixture.
- Broil: Place the skillet under the broiler and cook for approximately 3 minutes, or until the shredded cheese is melted and slightly bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and optionally top with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
Variation Ideas
- Spicy Version: Add red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño to the beef mixture for a spicy kick.
- Creamy Alfredo: Replace the pasta sauce with Alfredo sauce and use a blend of Italian cheeses for a creamier texture.
- Poultry Option: Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter meat choice, and pair it with a lighter cream or white wine sauce.
- Whole Grain: Use whole grain or whole wheat pasta for a healthier fiber-rich variation.
- Cheese Overload: Add a layer of ricotta cheese mixed with an egg and some parsley, or simply use multiple types of cheeses like mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan for extra richness.
Nutritional Disclaimer: The nutritional data provided here is auto-calculated and intended for your convenience only. As it’s generated via automation, its accuracy may be compromised. For precise nutritional insight, please compute the values utilizing the actual ingredients in your recipe through your chosen nutrition calculator or application.
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