Description
Homemade hamburger helper with ground beef, chickpea pasta, broccoli, and creamy cheddar sauce makes an easy one-pan dinner. Comforting, protein-packed, and family friendly.
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 6 ounces dry chickpea shell or elbow pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive or avocado oil
- 1 medium head broccoli florets (about 2 ½ cups)
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- ⅓ cup half and half
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon fine salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook pasta; add broccoli during last 2–3 minutes. Drain.
- Sauté onion in oil until softened.
- Brown ground beef; drain excess fat.
- Add garlic and cook briefly.
- Stir in flour and cook 1–2 minutes.
- Slowly add milk and half and half; simmer until thickened.
- Add tomato paste, mustard, and seasonings.
- Stir in cheese until melted.
- Fold in pasta and broccoli; simmer briefly before serving.
Notes
- Undercook pasta slightly to avoid mushiness.
- Add milk gradually to prevent lumps.
- Let the dish rest before serving for thicker sauce.
- Adjust salt after adding cheese, as cheddar varies in saltiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes