Jazzing Up a Classic: A Better-Than-The Box- Hamburger-Helper Recipe

I used to work at a disability house where I cared for some wonderful clients. One of them absolutely loved Hamburger Helper — you know, that classic comfort food we all remember from childhood. When I started working with him, I wanted to give him something familiar but a bit more homemade and nutritious.

After some experimenting, I convinced him to let me make a jazzed-up version of Hamburger Helper… but with a twist. Instead of the usual pasta, I used regular lasagna noodles broken into smaller pieces. To add some extra color and nutrition, I tossed in a frozen bag of peas and carrots. The cheesy sauce, hearty noodles, and veggies made it feel like a special meal, and he loved it!

Lasagna Noodle “Helper” with Peas & Carrots

Ingredients:

• 1 package regular lasagna noodles (break into smaller pieces)

• 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey

• 1 small onion, chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 1/2 cups milk

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1/2 block of creamcheese

• 1 cup low-sodium tomato sauce or marinara

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

• 1 bag frozen peas and carrots (about 12 oz)

• Salt and pepper to taste (season to your preference — I kept it on the low side because I was cooking for 10 different people with different tastebuds in the same house)

Instructions:

1. Cook the broken lasagna noodles in boiling water until just tender (al dente), about 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.

2. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and onion over medium heat until beef is browned and onion is soft. Drain excess fat.

3. Add garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

4. Add cream cheese, and stir.

5. Stir in the tomato sauce and Italian seasoning. Let simmer for 5 minutes.

6. Add the frozen peas and carrots and cook for another 3-4 minutes until heated through.

7. Slowly add the milk and cheeses, stirring until melted and smooth.

8. Add the cooked noodles to the sauce and mix gently to coat everything evenly.

9. Serve warm and enjoy!