Ingredients
Meat and Seasonings
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 Tbsp dried minced onion
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp salt (to taste)
- ⅛ tsp ground black pepper (to taste)
- 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
Liquids and Sauce
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 ½ cups beef broth
- ½ cup milk
Pasta and Cheese
- 8 oz mafalda pasta (uncooked, or any short noodle)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Brown: Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, then add the ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking the meat into small pieces as it cooks. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Season: Stir in the dried minced onion, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is evenly seasoned and fragrant.
- Add Liquids and Pasta: Pour in the marinara sauce, uncooked mafalda pasta, beef broth, and milk. Stir well to combine all ingredients and use a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits off the bottom of the pot. This process, called deglazing, adds extra flavor to the dish.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer gently for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cook until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Melt Cheese: Stir in the shredded mozzarella cheese and cook for another 30 seconds or until the cheese is completely melted and incorporated into the sauce.
- Serve: Dish out the Hamburger Helper Lasagna immediately while warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute mafalda pasta with any short pasta like rotini, penne, or rigatoni.
- For a creamier texture, use whole milk or add a splash of heavy cream instead of milk.
- Adjust seasoning to taste—some marinara sauces may already contain salt and herbs.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- Adding chopped vegetables such as bell peppers or mushrooms can increase nutrition and flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
