No need to feel badly about serving this Healthier Cheeseburger Mac for dinner. It's packed with veggies and whole wheat pasta and best of all, it's a one pot meal.
If you are anywhere in my age range then you no doubt had Hamburger Helper as a kid. I loved this stuff when I was young. It was one of those things my friends and I would make when my mother allowed us to "make dinner" for the family. Oh to be young and stupid again.
Have you ever read the ingredient list on the back of one of these boxes? Honestly, I hadn't until now. I don't even know what some of these ingredients are: Butter oil (is it butter or is it oil)? Color, yellow lakes 5&6? Oh, and don't forget good old MSG.
I am totally guilty of buying up boxes of Hamburger Helper when it's on sale and donating it to the local food pantry. That stuff is like a buck a box, no wonder why people love it!
I found this great recipe called Hamburger Buddy on the EatingWell website and it reminded me of Hamburger Helper, only healthier. I decided to make a few small changes and health it up a tiny bit more and that's how this Healthier Cheeseburger Mac was born.
The thing I loved about this recipe is all the added veggies. The original recipe calls for chopping the vegetables, however, I really like to hide those veggies good. I remembered reading a recipe of Anne Burrell's, where she builds flavor by processing all the vegetables into a paste and cooking it down and I decided that this was a great recipe to incorporate that technique. Your kids won't even know there are veggies in there because they are pulverized down into a paste. Brilliant, right? I know. You're welcome.
The most obvious way to lighten up dishes like this is to sub in lean ground turkey rather than beef. I also used 0% Greek yogurt. I've been using Greek yogurt in recipes on and off for a while now, but lately I've been on a tear with it. Just last week I used it in Tortellini in Pumpkin Yogurt Sauce and Homemade Onion Dip, plus a few recipes that haven't made their way to the blog yet.
Oh, since you guys all appreciated the fact that my Mexican(ish) Shepherd's Pie was a one pot meal, you will be happy to know, the Healthier Cheeseburger Mac is also a one pot meal! Again, you are welcome.
Healthier Cheeseburger Mac
Ingredients
- 2 carrots roughly chopped
- 4 oz sliced Portobello mushrooms roughly chopped
- 1 sweet onion roughly chopped
- 2 garlic cloves smashed
- 1 T olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 1 teaspoon thyme fresh
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 3 C + ¼ C beef broth low sodium
- 10 oz whole wheat elbow macaroni
- 2 T worcestershire sauce
- 2 T flour all purpose
- 2 T Greek yogurt plain
- ½ C cheddar cheese shredded (use low fat for an even lighter version)
- Optional: fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Place all vegetables in a food processor and process until vegetables are made into a paste. Set aside.
- In a large, high sided skillet, heat 1 T olive oil over medium high head and add turkey. Cook turkey until cooked through, breaking up and stirring occasionally. Add processed vegetables and season with salt, pepper and thyme. Stir veggie mixture and turkey together and then cook, 5 minutes.
- Add broth, worcestershire sauce and macaroni. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to medium/low. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until pasta is cooked through (about 10 min).
- In a small bowl whisk together ¼ C broth and flour; stir into meat mixture then stir in yogurt. Simmer 3-4 more minutes, stirring often to make sure everything is combined.
- Garnish with parsley if desired.
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Paula - bell'alimento says
My kids would flip out over this fusion dish!
Amy @Very Culinary says
I sub in Greek yogurt for sour cream a lot. Not usually for health benefits, though - I just prefer the thickness and tangy taste. The healthier part is a bonus! This recipe sounds great. Comfort food all the way!
foodyschmoody says
Thanks so much Amy!
Heather // girlichef says
Oh yeah, I definitely grew up in that day and age. HH is a great convenience, but I'd so much rather make your version - it looks amazing, and the hidden veggies are a great bonus!
The Food Hunter says
Adding Greek yogurt is a great idea
foodyschmoody says
Thanks!
Crystal Barrett says
Yes, my family lived off of Hamburger Helper when I was a kid. Before I knew how to cook I did too! This healthy non processed way sounds much much more appetizing!!
Carla says
Growing up, I had Hamburger Helper a few times and loved it. Now I stay away from convenience mixes like that but still miss it sometimes. Love this healthier version of it!
Lauren Kelly Nutrition says
I need to make this for my kids! YUM!
Kirsten/ComfortablyDomestic says
I'm not above pureeing vegetables and sneaking them into dishes so that my kids will get more of them in their diets. I know they'd devour this!
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says
Yay, a one pot meal!! I love your version, and my kids will too! Thanks for sharing it with us at Foodie Fridays!
Karissa | Sweet as a Cookie says
YUM! My boyfriend would love this. His two favorite things combined!
KC the Kitchen Chopper says
I know kids will love this as well as the adults. Brilliant. I'm going to try this version of mac and cheese very soon! YUM! Thanks for sharing at #theWeekendSocial. Pinned to our board and personally as well. http://www.theKitchenChopper.com
Pure Grace Farms says
What kid in my age group didn't like hamburger helper. My husband ate it regularly before we were married. I love the healthier version. I'm pretty sure my husband would approve. Thanks for sharing at Foodie Friday. Hope to see you again this week.
Blessings,
Shari