Better-Than-Box Hamburger Helper

A protein-packed, healthier take on a longtime comfort favorite

A protein-packed, healthier take on a longtime comfort favorite. As with all things Hippy Crap, make it work for you and for what you have on hand—use regular pasta instead of protein pasta if you don't have protein pasta, or cream cheese in place of cottage cheese if that’s your jam.

This one’s also perfect for meal prep. Make it on Sunday, portion it out, and enjoy easy lunches all week long. It stores well, reheats beautifully, and still tastes great the next day.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb. lean ground meat (93% or higher)

• 1 box (14 oz.) protein pasta of choice (we like Brami - https://amzn.to/4tIkKye), macaroni, spiral, penne...best without spaghetti noodles

• 4 cups of chicken or beef bone broth (in place of water for cooking the pasta)

• 1 jar of your fave marinara (we like Rao’s)

• 1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)

• 1 small onion, chopped

• 1 green pepper, chopped

• 2 handfuls of fresh spinach, chopped

• 3 tbsp garlic, minced

• 2 tbsp Italian seasoning

• 1 tbsp Hippy All-Purpose Seasoning

• 16 oz cottage cheese, small curd

• ½ cup half and half

• ½ cup shredded Parmesan or Italian cheese

• Shredded parmesan for serving, optional

DIRECTIONS

1. Prepare the pasta as directed – remember to keep at least 1 cup of the pasta liquid aside to add to the sauce, if needed.

2. While the pasta is cooking, turn heat to medium high and in a large pot, add EVOO and 1 tbsp of the minced garlic. Cook until the garlic becomes fragrant, about 1 minute.

3. Add the ground beef and cook about 5-6 minutes, breaking apart and until no longer pink.

4. Add the onion, green pepper, remaining 2 tbsp of minced garlic, and seasonings to the meat and mix and cook together until the onions and pepper are soft, about 5 minutes.

5. Add the cottage cheese to the meat mixture and stir until it melts down and turns creamy. It looks weird at first—but I promise, it works.

6. Once the cottage cheese is incorporated, add the jar of marinara and mix everything together well, and turn heat down to medium.

7. Add the half-and-half and cheese to the pot and mix well so everything is incorporated and melts.

8. Add the pasta and chopped spinach to the pot and mix altogether. This is when, if needed, you can add the leftover pasta liquid to thin out the sauce and help mix everything together. You can also add more cheese if you want it cheesier and creamier, your call.

9. Turn the heat down to low and continue to simmer for about 8-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

   

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