Homemade Chili Cheese Hamburger Helper

Even though I am not personally fond of the the taste of the boxed Hamburger Helper...this Homemade Chili Cheese Hamburger Helper recipe tastes great and is a time saver  for when you want to fix a quick convenient meal but without the added additives and other ingredients that make you say..HUH?  This recipe is easy on the budget and tasty!

 
 Homemade Chili Cheese Hamburger Helper:
1 pound ground turkey or beef
1 cup hot water
2 cups milk (dry milk, half and half or whipping cream is okay)
1 ½  cups elbow macaroni
1 tablespoon corn starch or flour
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 ½  teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon of cumin (you can omit it if you don’t have it)
1 tablespoon of dried onion (you can omit it if you don’t have it)
1 ½ onion powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon paprika
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (or Velveeta Cheese)

Brown ground beef or turkey in a large skillet; drain (if it is ground beef). Add hot water, milk and stir then add macaroni, and spices and stir, then cover and let simmer. (Be sure to stir to make sure it does not stick). The last few minutes of cook time add cheese and stir, cover the pot again for the final few minutes of cook time (make sure macaroni is tender). Serve when done.

You can easily make this a quick convenient food by preparing this in advance. Put all spices into a ziplock bag (including the cornstarch or flour) then label and in a separate bag put in your 1 ½ cups of macaroni.  When ready brown meat and follow the recipe directions.