Just call me Rachel Ray!

So how many of you can relate to me? Every night you try and prepare a nice, fairly healthy dinner. Trying to avoid things that are over processed and high in sodium. Always challenging your culinary abilities. Then on Sunday night you ask your husband, "What would you like for dinner" and he replies "Hamburger Helper" SMACKING MY FOREHEAD! I figured there has to be something I can do to recreate this childhood treasure of his in a less processed way. Well, just call me Rachel Ray because in less than 30 minutes I prepared a healthy, okay, I will use that term loosely when refering to this recipe instead lets say "healthier" version of boxed family classic!

Jessica's cheesy hamburger mac

Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef - I recommend Laura's Lean 8% fat
Half of a small onion finely chopped
1 1/2 tbsp butter (I actually used Flieschmans Olive Oil Spread, it has less fat)
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp grill seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp fresh ground pepper
2 tbsps flour
3/4 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup milk
1 cup shredded cheese (I used extra sharp white vermont cheddar, sharp cheddar and colby jack, just whatever you have on had ;))
1/2 box Elbow noodles

Start a pot of water, bring to a boil. In a family sized non-stick skillet on medium high heat drop your butter and your diced onion. Once the onions are translucent add the flour and let it absorb the butter (this will help to thicken things later). Then add the ground beef to the skillet and using a wooden spatula start to break up the meat while it is cooking. Next add your spices. When the meat is halfway cooked drop your noodles in the boiling water. When the meat is all the way cooked add the chicken broth and cook down by half. Turn the heat down to low-medium then add the milk and cheese and stir well . Cook noodles just to al dente then drain and drop into the skillet with the meat mixture. Let simmer for about 5 minutes then serve.

Okay, so I won't win any culinary awards for this recipe but Jesse gave it 2 thumbs up!