Category: Beef

Hamburger Helper Beef Stroganoff Copy Cat

I really wanted to add to my copy cat recipes and Hamburger Helper seemed like the next perfect one!

When I was little, hamburger helper always grossed me out. I don’t know if I thought the meat came from the box, silly I know, but I didn’t know too much about the packaged mix to know it wasn’t all that good for you so the only rational thought is I disliked the meat part. My dad though, was a fan of it and my mom would always make her and I something else on these nights. She would often create her own version and skip the boxed stuff too.

I wanted to make something geared toward them. Something my dad would enjoy that my mom could make healthier. This did not disappoint.

It’s of course gluten free and dairy free. You can however, use your own choice of pasta. Just make sure to measure out the pasta if you use one different than Banza. The box of Banza is only 8 ounces. Typically regular pasta is 16 ounces. So use half the box or double the recipe OR try out the BANZA!!

This is also dairy free. My choice of “cream” here is Nutpods! They are becoming my flavorite cream/milk substitute lately. They are truly neutral tasting without sacrificing thickness. Make sure to get the original unflavored kind!

Print Pin

Beef Stroganoff Hamburger Helper Copy Cat

A clean version of a hearty childhood flavorite.
Course Main Course
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings 6 people
Author Nikki Fricke

Equipment

  • One Pot

Ingredients

  • 3/4 lb ground beef
  • 1 8 oz box Banza Pasta, cavatappi or 2 1/4 cups preferred pasta
  • 1 white onion diced
  • 10 cremini mushrooms finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 1/2 cups nutpods unsweetened/original
  • 1 tbsp paprika
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 2 tbsp kite hill cream cheese
  • 1 tbsp arrowroot starch
  • 2 tbsp ghee
  • fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  • In medium size pot, heat 2 tbsp ghee over medium heat.
  • Add diced onion and mushroom. Cook about 5 minutes till translucent.
  • Add minced garlic and cook another 5 minutes till all fragrant and fully cooked.
  • Remove with slotted spoon and set aside in a bowl.
  • Add ground beef, salt, pepper and paprika and brown the meat, breaking it up with a wooden spoon.
  • Put mushroom and onions back in the pot. Add 2 cups broth, 1 1/2 cups nut pods and 8oz box of Banza Pasta. Make sure pasta is covered with liquid. Bring to a boil, then simmer till pasta is cooked through – follow timing on box of pasta.
  • When pasta is cooked, turn heat to low. Remove 1/2 cup of the liquid into another bowl and add arrowroot starch. Whisk to make a slurry. Add back to the pot to thicken.
  • Add 2 tbsp Kite Hill cream cheese and mix.
  • Serve and garnish with fresh parsley.

Sloppy Joe’s

As a little kid, I remember Sloppy Joe’s were something my mom made often. To be honest though, they never really were my flavorite. I pretended I loved them because I loved the movie It Takes Two – and if you’ve seen it then you know what I’m talking about. But I always put Sloppy Joe’s and Hamburger Helper in the same category of YUCK. But not anymore! At least for one of them. I’ll work on Hamburger Helper next.

So what prompted me to make Sloppy Joe’s was peeking into the pantry and seeing Manwich Sloppy Joe mix – that I of course did not purchase (side eye). As I read the ingredient label, I was literally disgusted! I knew I could make these CLEANER and even TASTIER. So now it became a challenge. A challenge I of course was willing to take AND conquer!

These come together in one pot in a hot 20-25 minutes and can be served over a baked white or sweet potato or on a bun like a traditional Sloppy Joe! I am now a total fan of Sloppy Joe’s.

Print Pin

Sloppy Joes

These are the BEST Sloppy Joes you will ever have! Saucy and flavorful without any guilt.
Course Main Course
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings 6 people

Equipment

  • Stove
  • Deep Pan

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 small orange bell pepper diced
  • 1 small white onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 1/2 tblsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tblsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/4 cup coconut aminos
  • 3 tblsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup + 2 tblsp tomato paste
  • 2 tblsp date syrup
  • 2 tblsp olive oil

Instructions

  • In a large deep pan, heat 2 tblsp of olive oil.
  • Add onion and pepper and let soften, about 4 minutes.
  • Add garlic and cook another 2 minutes.
  • Add all spices – chili powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Mix in.
  • Stir in coconut aminos and balsamic and let simmer till pepper and onion are fully cooked.
  • Incorporate the meat and let brown then add tomato paste and date syrup and mix together.
  • Serve over potato or on a bun or plain with a side of fries and let this be the only Sloppy Joe you ever have!

Notes

You can easily use ground turkey or chicken for these.