Emeril's Kicked Up Hamburger Helper
Recipe By: @emeril
🍔 Fun Fact: Hamburger Helper debuted in 1971, when beef prices were soaring. Its clever pasta mixes helped families stretch a pound of ground beef into dinner!
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Ingredients
2½ tbsp butter, divided
2 tbsp olive oil
1 lb ground chuck
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Emeril's Original Essence seasoning, to taste
½ cup chopped shallots
1 tbsp minced garlic
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 to 1¼ cups whole milk
1¼ cups freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, divided
½ lb dried ziti or penne, cooked al dente
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil (optional finishing touch)
¼ cup thinly sliced fresh basil (optional finishing touch)
Step By Step
1️⃣ Prep the Oven
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Generously butter a baking dish with 1 tbsp of the butter.
2️⃣ Brown the Beef
Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground chuck, season with salt, pepper, and Emeril's Essence, and cook until about halfway browned.
3️⃣ Build the Sauce
Add shallots, garlic, the remaining 1½ tbsp butter, and flour. Stir without browning the flour, about 4 minutes. Gradually whisk in the milk, bring to a boil, and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes.
4️⃣ Bring It Together
Season to taste, whisk in half the Parmigiano-Reggiano, and fold in the cooked pasta. Transfer to the prepared dish.
5️⃣ Make It Golden
Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and bake about 20 minutes until golden and bubbling. Serve immediately. For an optional fresh finish, add sliced basil and a little extra-virgin olive oil.
