hamburger-helper

Hamburger Helper

Cook the beef in a large pot, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer the beef to a colander set over a bowl to drain off the fat.
Stir the tomato paste, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, chili powder, sugar, salt, and pepper into the browned beef. Add the butter and cook, stirring, until melted, about 1 minute. Stir in the flour until thoroughly combined, about 1 more minute.
Add the stock and milk and bring to a boil. Once the mixture is boiling, add the elbow macaroni and cook, stirring constantly, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce is thickened, about 6 minutes.
Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the cheese until melted. Serve sprinkled with parsley if using.