Deluxe Cheesy Tomato Hamburger Helper Skillet

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1/2 lb bacon, slices
• 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
• 1 teaspoon dried chili pepper flakes (to taste) (optional)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 small green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 -2 tablespoon fresh minced garlic (or to taste)
• 2 teaspoons seasoning salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 (28 ounce) stewed tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (10 ounce) can condensed tomato soup, undiluted
• 1 (220 g) box hamburger helper mix for beef pasta (use cheesburger-macaroni flavor)
• 1/2 cup water, if needed (or more) (optional)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (more for sprinkling)

Recipe

• 1 chop the bacon into small pieces then fry in a large skillet until crisp; remove to a plate (you can drain fat but leave some in the skillet).
• 2 to the skillet add in ground beef with onions and bell pepper; cook unto no longer pink, drain fat.
• 3 add in garlic and dried chili flakes (if using) and cook the beef over medium heat until browned (this might take about 15 minutes).
• 4 season with seasoned salt and black pepper.
• 5 return the chopped cooked bacon back to the skillet, then add in the stewed tomatoes with juice, undiluted tomato soup; mix and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
• 6 add in only the seasoning pouch (you will boil the macaroni separately) mix and simmer uncovered over medium-low heat for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
• 7 if you prefer a thinner sauce then add in water and simmer for another 10-15 minutes.
• 8 boil the macaroni pasta in a separate pot then add/mix into the sauce mixture after the 40 minutes of cooking.
• 9 season with more black pepper if desired, then mix in grated cheddar cheese until melted.
• 10 ladle in bowls then sprinkle more cheddar cheese on top.
• 11 delicious!