Monday, November 14, 2011

Hamburger helper from scratch

3 lbs of tomatoes
1/2 a sweet onion diced
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
Pinch of red pepper flakes
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1 lb ground beef
1 lb mushrooms
Macaroni noodles
2 TBSP butter



Cut tomatoes in half and place on a baking sheet, sprinkle with salt and freshly ground pepper put in oven at 400 degrees for about 1 hour.



When tomatoes are almost done put 1 TBSP butter in a pot and sauté onions with a sprinkle of salt until just starting to brown.

Take tomatoes out of oven and slide them and all the juice into the pot with the onions, use spoon to mush and stir them. Add all cheese and seasonings to taste. Let sauce simmer another few minutes


In a pan brown ground beef and mushrooms. In a separate pot cook macaroni noodles. Drain noodles and add one TBSP butter to noodle pot and stir until melted. Add the noodles to the cooked meat/mushroom mixture stir combine, add tomato sauce to pan and stir to combine. When dish is warmed through and bubbly you are done, top with more Parmesan cheese if you wish.
This was delicious and definitely on a whole different level than anything you can get out of a box. Warm, comforting and full of savory flavor! :)