Homemade Hamburger Helper

Ingredients
2 Tbsp canola or vegetable oil

• 1 large onion chopped 

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1 Tbsp Maani’s Ch Tikka Masala Spice Blend 

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 5 strips uncooked smoked bacon, finely chopped

• 1 pound ground beef

• 1 cup dry white wine

• 3 cups chicken stock 

• 1 cup heavy cream

• ⅓ cup hot sauce

• 2 teaspoons hot smoked paprika

• 1 bay leaf

• 8 ounces elbow pasta

• 5 slices American cheese, ripped into small pieces

• 1½ cups grated Cheddar

• ½ cup finely chopped chives

1. Step 1

   Heat a large sauté pan over medium-low, and add oil and onions season lightly with salt and pepper. Let cook until the onions turn light brown in color and begin to caramelize, approx 15 minutes.

2. Step 2

   Add garlic and cook until fragrant and starting to brown about 2 minutes.

3. Step 3

   Increase heat to medium-high and add bacon and ground beef. Continue to cook until the liquid has mostly evaporated and the meat starts to sear and develop a crust on the bottom approx 12 to 15 minutes.

4. Step 4

   Remove pan from the heat and drain off most of the fat, leaving a little in the pan to keep the meat moist.

5. Step 5

   Return pan to medium-high heat and add white wine, allowing it to reduce until the mixture is almost dry, about 10 minutes.

6. Step 6

   Add the chicken stock, heavy cream, hot sauce, paprika, Maani’s Spice Blend and bay leaf to the pan. Mix until combined and bring to a boil.

7. Step 7

   Once the mixture is boiling, add the pasta and cook until al dente it’ll take approx 9 minutes. 

8. Step 8

   Reduce the heat to low and stir in both types of cheese, stirring until completely melted and sauce is thickened.

9. Step 9

   Stir in chives and season to taste with salt and pepper & red pepper flakes. Serve immediately & Enjoy!