Description

This High Protein Hamburger Helper is a comforting and nutritious one-pot meal that combines lean ground beef with tender pasta and a flavorful blend of vegetables and cheeses. Enhanced with spices like smoked paprika, oregano, and mustard, this dish offers a delicious, homemade take on the classic hamburger helper, providing a high-protein, family-friendly dinner option.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat

1 lb 93/7 ground beef

Pasta & Sauces

10 oz Wegmans Italian Classics Organic Pipette Rigate Pasta (284 grams)
8 oz Hunt’s Tomato Sauce, Basil, Garlic & Oregano (217 grams)

Vegetables

1 medium carrot, cleaned and shredded (75 grams)
1 medium zucchini, trimmed and shredded (180 grams)
1 medium sweet onion, chopped (110 grams)
3 cloves garlic, minced (12 grams)

Dairy

1 cup fat free cottage cheese (8 fl oz)
1 cup Fairlife Skim Ultra Filtered Milk (8 fl oz)
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (90 grams)

Liquids & Broth

2 1/4 cups low sodium beef broth (18 fl oz)

Oils & Seasonings

2 tsp olive oil, divided
3/4 tsp smoked paprika
3/4 tsp oregano
3/4 tsp ground mustard
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Sauté Vegetables: Heat 1 tsp olive oil in a large, deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the shredded zucchini and carrot, chopped onion, and minced garlic. Sauté until tender, about 4-5 minutes. Remove the vegetables to a bowl.
Blend Veggie Sauce: To the bowl of sautéed vegetables, add the tomato sauce and fat-free cottage cheese. Blend the mixture using an immersion blender until smooth, or transfer to a food processor or blender. Set aside.
Cook Ground Beef: Add the remaining 1 tsp olive oil to the skillet or pot and heat over medium-high. Once hot, add the ground beef. Season with salt and pepper, and cook while breaking it apart until it is fully cooked and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Stir in smoked paprika, oregano, ground mustard, and red pepper flakes to season the meat thoroughly.
Combine Ingredients and Add Pasta: Pour the blended veggie and cottage cheese sauce, milk, and low sodium beef broth into the cooked ground beef in the skillet. Stir well to combine. Add the uncooked pasta and stir to ensure the noodles are submerged in the liquid.
Cook Pasta: Cover the skillet or pot with a lid and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Let it cook for 8-11 minutes, or until the pasta is very al dente. Remove the skillet from heat, allowing the pasta to continue cooking in the residual heat and sauce.
Finish with Cheese: Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese until it melts completely into the sauce. Serve hot and enjoy your hearty, high-protein meal.

Notes

Using low sodium beef broth helps control the salt level, but adjust seasoning at the end to taste.
If you prefer a creamier texture, you can substitute cottage cheese with ricotta cheese.
The pasta continues cooking after removing from heat; avoid overcooking during boiling stage to prevent mushiness.
You can swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute the pasta with gluten-free pasta alternative.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: high protein hamburger helper, ground beef pasta skillet, healthy hamburger helper, homemade hamburger helper, ground beef pasta recipe