Comfort food for Cold Weather

It's getting cold outside which means it's time for comfort foods.

Remember hamburger helper as a kid?? To me, it was one of the best meals and I always looked forward to eating it. But a s a dietetic intern, I know my body needs a variety of nutrients so I find creative ways to add vegetables to my meals without them overwhelming the dish. I have revitalized a classic and it tastes SO much better! Give it a try!

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons avocado oil

1 pound lean ground beef or turkey

1 red bell pepper

1 medium white onion, diced

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 pound whole grain macaroni noodles

1 zucchini, shredded

2 cups low sodium beef broth

1 ½ cups milk

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 Tablespoon ketchup

1 Tablespoon mustard

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

        1. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat, added diced pepper, onion and meat. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until meat is cooked through. Stir in seasonings and cook for an additional minute.

        2. Stir in macaroni and shredded zucchini. Add milk, broth, ketchup and mustard, stir to combine.

        3. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Simmer for about 8 minutes until the pasta is al dente.

        4. Stir in cheese and cook for a few more minutes. Add more ketchup and mustard if desired.

        5. Enjoy!

The nice thing about this recipe is you can customize it any way you like. You can sub in yellow squash for zucchini, green bell pepper for red, or add a can of tomatoes or mushrooms. For my vegetarian friends, sub in black beans for beer/turkey. Whatever suits you, get creative with your food!

SE