Hamburger Helper
================ 2025-02-15


Comment: Quickly made, a big favorite of children (and not so young ones) in North America. It is typically a "one-pot" dish, meaning that everything is cooked in the same pot from start to finish. I tried cooking the pasta separately, but it doesn't work as well, so we do everything in the same pot. No bacon in American recipes, but on this side of the Atlantic, it's hardly an option. No white wine either, again, we're not in America, so white wine. For the meat, give preference to lean meat. You can also consider using veal or half pork (sausage meat). For the broth, use only 3/4 initially, then if necessary, add a little more. Finally, keep just enough to dilute the cornstarch at the end of cooking.

4 servings

Ingredients:
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300 g elbow pasta
500 g lean ground beef (see text)
1 chopped onion (1/2 if large)
2 cloves garlic thinly sliced or chopped
150 g bacon cut into small lardons (opt - see text)
1+ dl dry white wine (opt)
2 dl cream or whole milk
200 g old grated cheddar (orange if possible for the color)
4 tbsp tomato puree
4 pinches sugar
1 slightly heaped tsp salt (or less if the broth is salty)
3/4 l fairly strong beef broth
1 heaped tsp cornstarch
1 slightly heaped tbsp sweet paprika
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper or chili powder (be careful with children)
S + P

Preparation:
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In a casserole or a pan large enough to hold the pasta at the end, sweat the onion with the bacon, add the garlic and cook for another 2 or 3 minutes without burning the garlic.
Increase the heat and add the minced meat. Roast it by breaking up the pieces (a whisk used as a pestle is ideal). Salt.
Deglaze the pan with the white wine, reduce.

Over low heat, in the pan with the meat, add the cream, 3/4 of the broth, the tomato puree, the paprika and the chili, mix well.

Bring to the boil then add the cornettes. Cook at a low boil, half-covered for 8 to 12 minutes depending on the cornettes. Monitor the liquid level and add a little broth or water if necessary.

Dissolve the cornstarch in the rest of the broth, add to the pan, bring to a simmer while stirring so that it thickens.

Off the heat, add the cheese, mix well. Add pepper. Let stand for a few minutes and serve.