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High Protein Hamburger Helper Recipe

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4 from 6 reviews

This High Protein Hamburger Helper is a hearty, nutritious twist on the classic comfort food. Combining lean ground beef, nutrient-packed vegetables, and whole wheat pasta with a creamy tomato and cottage cheese sauce, this dish offers a balanced and flavorful meal perfect for busy weeknights. The recipe takes about 40 minutes from start to finish and yields six generous servings.

Ingredients

Protein and Dairy

  • 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)

Pasta and Vegetables

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

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

  1. Sauté Vegetables: Heat 1 tsp olive oil in a large, deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add shredded zucchini, shredded carrot, chopped onion, and minced garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are tender, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the cooked vegetables to a bowl.
  2. Prepare Sauce: To the bowl with the sautéed vegetables, add Hunt’s tomato sauce and fat-free cottage cheese. Use an immersion blender to blend until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Alternatively, transfer to a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Set the sauce aside.
  3. Cook Ground Beef: Add the remaining 1 tsp olive oil to the same skillet or pot over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Cook the beef, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it is fully browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Stir in smoked paprika, oregano, ground mustard, and red pepper flakes to season the meat evenly.
  4. Combine Sauce and Liquids: Pour the blended vegetable and cottage cheese sauce back into the skillet with the cooked ground beef. Add the skim milk and low sodium beef broth. Stir until everything is well combined and heated through.
  5. Add Pasta and Cook: Stir in the pipette rigate pasta, making sure the noodles are fully submerged in the liquid. Cover the skillet with a lid and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Cook for 8-11 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is very al dente. Remove from heat, allowing the pasta to finish cooking in the sauce naturally.
  6. Add Cheese and Serve: Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese until it melts smoothly into the sauce. Serve the high protein hamburger helper hot, garnishing with extra cheese or herbs if desired.

Notes

  • For a smoother sauce texture, blend the sautéed vegetables and cottage cheese thoroughly before combining with the beef.
  • Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed at the end of cooking.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
  • Substitute the beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
  • If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the amount of red pepper flakes according to taste.

Find it online: https://recipeplenty.com/high-protein-hamburger-helper-recipe/