I need to come clean about something. A dirty little secret. Please don’t judge me…..I, Amy-the-food-blogger, like Hamburger Helper. (GASP!) Yep, it’s true. We both do, actually- of course, I would expect hubby to- I think HH was pretty regular in his house growing up. My mom hates it though, and never bought it when we were kids. Maybe once in a blue moon if I begged for it (which, I don’t really think I ever did)- so I didn’t really develop a fondness for it until college, where my roommate Courtney and I ate it quite often. Every now and then I’ll buy a box and make it for dinner – you gotta admit it IS pretty quick and easy when you’re in a pinch! However, recently, a fellow food blogger (and all-around awesome gal!) Ashley, of Delish posted her recipe for Creamy Taco Mac- pretty much exactly like Hamburger Helper, except much better for you (and just as quick and easy!)! I made it immediately and we both loved it! Hubby especially thought it was great (woo hoo!). I’ll never need to buy the boxed stuff again! Thanks, Ashley!
Creamy Taco Mac
– adapted from Delish
1 lb. lean, ground beef
8 oz dry pasta + 1 cup reserved pasta water
1 can (14.5 oz) petite diced tomatoes
4 Tbsp mild taco seasoning (one packet)
3 oz cream cheese
1 cup sour cream
salt & pepper
cheddar cheese
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook pasta per directions. Reserve one cup of pasta water.
Over medium heat, brown ground beef and drain off fat. Add taco seasoning and diced tomatoes. Allow to simmer over low heat for 5 minutes. Add cooked pasta, reserved water, cream cheese and sour cream. Give it a good stir until cheese is melted and incorporated. Simmer over low heat for 2-3 minutes. Season with salt & pepper, as desired. Top off with cheddar cheese for extra cheesy goodness.
I like HH, too, and I’m not ashamed to admit it :D. This creamy mac looks fantastic and easy. I’m bookmarking this recipe. Great photo!
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Comment by Memoria — May 17, 2010 @ 5:08 PM
glad you liked it! after the first night of creation… i made it like 3 more times in like a week and a half. lol. 🙂
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Comment by ashley — May 17, 2010 @ 8:07 PM
Thank you thank you thank you! We’re HH eaters too when I’m too tired to cook. Now we have no reason to buy the box. You rock!
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amy Reply:
May 18th, 2010 at 12:40 PM
Thank you, Katrina!! 🙂
Jennifer- that sounds so good- thanks!!
-Amy
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Comment by Katrina — May 18, 2010 @ 9:43 AM
There’s no judgement here. None at all. This looks DELICIOUS.
Have you ever had the enchilada one? Make it sometime and roll some of the mixture up in a flour tortilla, put it in a casserole dish, mix some sour cream with milk, put that on top and then some shredded cheese on it, and salsa, if you feel so inclined. Then bake it until everything is warmed and melted.
I realize that takes the quick part out of the hamburger helper-but trust me, it is FABULOUS!
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Comment by Jennifer — May 18, 2010 @ 12:35 PM
Taco Hamburger Helper is my FAVORITE but I can never find it anywhere! I’m totally making this for dinner tomorrow night.
Oh, and I’m a big fan of HH sandwiches. Take your hamburger helper and spoon it into a slice of white bread and fold it all up and eat it. Healthy? Gawd, no. Delicious? Absolutely.
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Comment by Karly — May 18, 2010 @ 4:05 PM
My mom never allowed us to have anything out of a box but I have always wanted to try hamburger helper. Thanks so much for sharing this one with us because now I can try it and not feel guilty.
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Comment by Eliana — May 18, 2010 @ 9:19 PM
I bet my husband would love this recipe! I saw it on Ashley’s site too but haven’t gotten around to making it yet. Soon hopefully 🙂
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Comment by Tracey — May 18, 2010 @ 10:13 PM
YUM! This looks and sounds really good. Definitely going to be making this one. Sounds pretty fool proof. 🙂
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Comment by Andrea — May 19, 2010 @ 12:33 PM
No judgment here! My family would love this for dinner!
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Comment by Jen — May 19, 2010 @ 8:23 PM
Made this for dinner tonight – yum! Didn’t use any of the water, though. Thanks so much for the recipe!
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Comment by Tamie — October 9, 2010 @ 8:56 PM
[…] me wrong, it wasn’t BAD, it just wasn’t what I expected. This recipe, which I found at Sing for your Supper, certainly made its way around the food blogs earning rave reviews. Everyone commented on how it […]
Pingback by Creamy Taco Mac » Jenn Cooks » Blog Archive — December 14, 2010 @ 10:33 AM
I never had Hamburger Helper growing up and only tried it at friend’s houses when the parents made it so I’ve never bought it myself but am willing to try the more authentic (from scratch) version!
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Comment by Vicky — November 16, 2011 @ 12:47 PM
This looks so yummy! I am trying it tonight!! Can’t wait! 🙂
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Comment by Kim — February 25, 2012 @ 2:26 PM
I just found your blog doing a search for something new to make with ground beef. Wanted to say thanks for sharing this recipe and I will be making it for supper tonight! It looks delicious, and I always liked that type of HH when my mom made it, so hopefully hubby will like it 🙂 **His mom never made anything out of a box
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Comment by Mindy — August 8, 2012 @ 2:46 PM
Awesome
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Comment by Kim — August 24, 2012 @ 10:06 PM
also tastes great if you add some garlic, onions, and salsa 🙂 one of my favorite dishes!
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Comment by monica — September 14, 2012 @ 5:30 PM
Perfect for a pregnant lady who craves cheesey goodness! I too love HH but worry about it being so unhealthy. Thanks for a better option. This is so yummy!! I made it for dinner tonight!!
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Comment by Leslie R — October 4, 2012 @ 4:16 PM
Normally I don’t read post on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very forced me to check out and do so! Your writing taste has been surprised me. Thank you, quite great post.
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Comment by http://www.NasalPolypsTreatmentMiracle.org/ — July 13, 2013 @ 9:39 PM
It’s so delicious.
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Comment by Andrew — July 23, 2022 @ 5:50 AM