Homemade Hamburger Helper - Taco Pasta. Cheesy Taco Pasta is my nod to the hamburger helper I grew up eating as a kid. While this isn't exactly the "crunchy taco hamburger helper" because I skipped adding the tortilla chips on top, the ooey gooey meat and cheese sauce is still the same and with just a few ingredients! Homemade Hamburger Helper, also known as cheesy taco pasta, is a childhood favorite!

Just like Hamburger Helper only a lot healthier! I haven't posted a one-pot meal in a very long time and with school back in session for most, it seemed appropriate. Add the whole thing but don't use the water that's. You can cook Homemade Hamburger Helper - Taco Pasta using 11 ingredients and 3 steps. Here is how you cook it.

Ingredients of Homemade Hamburger Helper - Taco Pasta

Prepare 1 lb. of ground beef.
You need 1/2 of small yellow onion, diced.
You need 2 tbsp. of olive oil.
It's 2 cups of small uncooked pasta.
You need 2 1/2 cups of milk.
It's 1 1/2 cups of water.
Prepare 1 tsp. of each chili powder, ground cumin.
You need 1/2 tsp. of each salt, paprika, smoked paprika.
You need 1/4 tsp. of pepper, garlic powder.
Prepare 1 tbsp. of cornstarch.
Prepare 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese.

Brown ground beef and cook with diced onions. After the beef is cooked drain and rinse. Put back in the pan and add and mix well the seasoning, milk, water and cheese let it come to a slight boil. Ingredients in this homemade hamburger helper recipe.

Homemade Hamburger Helper - Taco Pasta step by step

Start out by heating the oil in a large, deep skillet with a tight fitting lid over medium heat. Add the onion and cook about 3-4 minutes. Then add the ground beef and cook until browned through, breaking it up as you go. Drain out any excess fat, if needed. Then add the pasta and milk to the skillet.
Using a tbsp. of the water you have measured, mix it and the cornstarch together in a small separate bowl to form a slurry. Add the rest of the water to the skillet along with the seasonings and the cornstarch slurry. Stir it all together and wait for it to come to a boil..
Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and cover with the lid. Allow to simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 10-12 minutes, or until pasta is al dente. Then remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the cheese until it's incorporated in. Place the lid back on and let it sit for 5 or so minutes before serving..

Pasta: I love cavatappi noodles, but really almost any small pasta would work. Elbow macaroni is another great choice. Ground beef: Or sub ground turkey, ground chicken, ground sausage, etc. to change up the flavor or make this a little healthier. Milk; Hot water: If you want this dish extra savory, go ahead and heat up some beef broth in. Homemade Hamburger Helper Crunchy Taco is a quick & easy healthier copy cat version.