Italian Helper

by Giada

Prep Time

10 minutes

Cook Time

20 minutes

Serves

6

Beginner

Photo Credit: Elizabeth Newman

Italian Helper

Name: Italian Helper
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: Kosher salt; 1 pound elbow macaroni; 8 ounces ground beef sirloin; 8 ounces sweet Italian sausage (casings removed); 1/4 cup olive oil; 2 shallots (diced); 1 clove garlic (peeled and smashed); 1 1/2 cups tomato puree (such as Mutti); 2 cups freshly grated Parmesan; 1/4 cup mascarpone; 2 cups baby spinach (torn)

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My Italian spin on Hamburger Helper has all the same nostalgic flavors you grew up on but with all fresh ingredients and mascarpone cheese!

Italian Helper

Servings

6

Prep Time

10 minutes

Cook Time

20 minutes

Calories

0

Author:

Giada De Laurentiis

Ingredients

Kosher salt
1 pound elbow macaroni
8 ounces ground beef sirloin
8 ounces sweet Italian sausage (casings removed)
1/4 cup olive oil
2 shallots (diced)
1 clove garlic (peeled and smashed)
1 1/2 cups tomato puree (such as Mutti)
2 cups freshly grated Parmesan
1/4 cup mascarpone
2 cups baby spinach (torn)

Instructions

This recipe originally appeared on Giada Entertains. Episode: 70's Throwback Party.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the macaroni and cook for 2 minutes less than the package directions, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain well.
Heat the olive oil in a large straight-sided skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground sirloin and sausage and cook, breaking up the meats with the back of a wooden spoon, until cooked through and browned, 6 minutes. Stir in the shallots and garlic, cook 2 minutes. Deglaze with the tomato puree, add 1/2 teaspoon salt and stir to combine. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for another 4 minutes.
Add the macaroni to the sauce, sprinkle the bare pasta with the Parmesan and mix well. Stir in the mascarpone and spinach and cook an additional 3 minutes, until the sauce is creamy and the spinach wilted.