Description
This High Protein Hamburger Helper is a nutritious and flavorful one-pot meal that combines lean ground beef, wholesome vegetables, and pasta in a creamy tomato sauce enriched with cottage cheese and sharp cheddar. Perfect for a family dinner, this recipe is packed with protein and offers a comforting twist on a classic favorite.
Ingredients
Meat and Protein
- 1 lb 93/7 ground beef
- 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)
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)
Pasta and Sauces
- 10 oz Wegmans Italian Classics Organic Pipette Rigate Pasta (284 grams)
- 8 oz Hunt's Tomato Sauce, Basil, Garlic & Oregano (217 grams)
Liquids and Broth
- 2 1/4 cups low sodium beef broth (18 fl oz)
Oils and Spices
- 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 teaspoon of olive oil in a large, deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the shredded zucchini, shredded carrot, chopped onion, and minced garlic. Sauté the vegetables until they are tender, then transfer them to a bowl.
- Prepare Sauce: To the sautéed vegetables in the bowl, add the tomato sauce and fat free cottage cheese. Using an immersion blender, blend the mixture until smooth. If you don't have an immersion blender, you can use a food processor or standard blender. Set the sauce aside.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the remaining teaspoon of olive oil to the same skillet or pot and heat over medium-high. Once shimmering, add the ground beef. Season with salt and pepper. Cook the beef thoroughly, breaking it apart with a spoon. Season the cooked beef with smoked paprika, oregano, ground mustard, and red pepper flakes, stirring to combine.
- Combine Ingredients: Pour the blended vegetable and cottage cheese sauce, milk, and beef broth into the skillet with the cooked beef. Stir well to combine the ingredients.
- Add Pasta and Simmer: Add the pasta to the skillet, stirring to ensure the noodles are fully covered with the liquid mixture. Cover the skillet and bring everything to a gentle boil. Let it cook for 8-11 minutes or until the pasta is very al dente. Remove from heat, as the pasta will continue to cook in the sauce.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese until it melts into the sauce. Serve the dish warm for a hearty and protein-packed meal.
Notes
- Using 93/7 lean ground beef helps keep this meal lower in fat while providing ample protein.
- Blending the vegetables into the sauce adds extra nutrients and creates a creamy texture without needing heavy cream.
- Be sure to monitor pasta closely during simmering to avoid overcooking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based protein and use vegetable broth instead.
