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)

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.