Cheesy Hamburger Helper: Round 2

This week I seem to be all about convenience cooking! Last night I thawed some Mexican Chicken and tossed it over left over rice and tonight I am heading back to the Blue Box Mac and Cheese to speed my dinner along. I initially got the mac-n-cheese thinking I would do the original Cheesy Hamburger Helper a few weeks ago and low and behold I used the spinach for something else and tonight all I had in the freezer was some broccoli which seemed like a good idea to use as a substitute for me! If you are a fan of Cheesy Broccoli how could you not like this recipe, right!?



Cheesy Hamburger Helper Round 2: serves 3-4

1 Box Kraft 3 Cheese with Shells Macaroni & Cheese
1lbs Ground Beef - 93% lean
3/4C Onion - Diced
1 Garlic Clove - Minced
3-4C Broccoli (Fresh or Frozen)
2tsp Butter - melted
1/4C Milk
Salt & Pepper

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta as directed. Drain and set to the side. Mix the butter, milk and cheese powder from the box together and set to the side.

While the pasta is cooking place the beef, onion and garlic in a large greased skillet over medium heat with some salt and pepper and brown the beef breaking it into small even pieces. While the beef is browning, set a steamer pot to boil with the broccoli in a steamer basket (see tip below if you do not have a steamer basket) with a pinch of salt, cook until fork tender. Remove the beef mixture to a colander and push down on the mix pushing as much liquid out as you can.

In the skillet place the cheese mixture over low heat and stir for a minute, add in the noodles and beef & broccoli and toss to incorporate. Serve it up and enjoy!

Steamer Basket/Pot Tip: So I know that not everyone has a handy dandy steamer pot (a pot with a built in steam basket for food) or a steamer basket that fits into a pot. Some options...if you have a metal colander you can set it inside of a larger pot, place some water in the bottom of the pot (1") then place your broccoli in the colander and cook - the colander acts as the steamer basket! or another option is to simply put your broccoli in a taller pot and put 1" of water in the bottom so the majority of the broccoli is out of the water and turn it on to boil - yes some of the stalks will be boiled, but most will be steamed.
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WW: 9 Points Plus / serving @ 4 servings
12 Points Plus / serving @ 3 servings