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A white plate with one serving of hamburger helper on it.
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5 from 18 votes

Cheesy Italian Shells Hamburger Helper Recipe

This Homemade Hamburger Helper Cheesy Italian Shells combines ground beef, pasta, tomatoes, tomato sauce and spices to make a healthier version of the popular boxed dinner.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Resting Time5 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: homemade hamburger helper
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 636kcal
Author: Mindy Boyd

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 cups shell or similar shaped pasta
  • 1 can Italian-style tomatoes 14.5 ounces
  • 1 ¾ cups milk
  • ½ cup tomato sauce
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 tablespoon corn starch
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 cup shredded cheese

Instructions

  • In a large skillet brown ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain browned ground beef and return to the skillet.
    1 pound ground beef
  • While the ground beef is cooking, combine the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and corn starch in a small bowl. Set aside
    1 tablespoon corn starch, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder, 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • Over medium-high heat add water, tomato sauce, milk and spice mixture, mix until combined. Stir in the canned tomatoes and pasta, bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cover; cook for 13-15 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.
    2 cups shell or similar shaped pasta, 1 ¾ cups milk, ½ cup tomato sauce, ½ cup water, 1 can Italian-style tomatoes
  • Stir in cheese and cook a couple of minutes stirring constantly until cheese is melted. Take off the burner and let stand to thicken, about 5 minutes.
    1 cup shredded cheese

Video

Notes

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Nutritional information is approximate. 
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Nutrition

Calories: 636kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 122mg | Sodium: 1168mg | Potassium: 984mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 831IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 422mg | Iron: 5mg