Hamburger Helper Clone

I first want to acknowledge that this is not attractive food. Even with better photography skills than I have. It is however, the closest you'll get to processed, boxed Hamburger Helper.  This is the Chili Cheese version, but I'm including the seasoning mixture for a few classic favourites - lasagna, salisbury, and more. 

All the versions follow a basic template: 1 lb browned ground beef, 1 1/2 cups pasta, 3 cups liquid (water +/- milk). The liquid amount varies a bit if the variety you're making needs canned tomatoes. Plus seasoning combo of choice. I rarely measure seasonings, but for this I recommend following the recipe exactly the first time you make it, and you can tweak at the end. 

Method:

Brown and drain ground beef. Add in pasta, liquid, and seasonings (mix seasoning ingredients together before adding, so the cornstarch doesn't clump)

Bring to a boil and then simmer, covered, stirring occasionally until pasta is almost tender (10-12 minutes). Remove cover and finish simmering until liquid is almost gone, then turn off heat and let stand a few minutes to thicken.

Chili Cheese 

Liquid: 1 cup water + 2 cups milk

Pasta: 1 1/2 cups

Seasoning 

1 Tbsp corn starch

1 Tbsp chili powder

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp salt

1 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp paprika

1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (stir in at end)

Lasagna

Liquid: 2 1/4 cups water and 1/2 cup milk, plus 1 cup canned tomatoes

Pasta: 1 1/2 cups lasagna broken into small pieces or medium egg noodles

Seasoning:

1 Tbsp corn starch

1 Tbsp mixed Italian herbs (or 1 tsp each of oregano, basil, and thyme)

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp garlic

1 tsp salt

1 tsp sugar

Stir in 1/2 cup mozzarella, shredded, near the end, then sprinkle the top with parmesan cheese during the 5-minute standing period.

Salisbury

Liquid: 1 hot water + 2 cups milk

Pasta: 1 1/2 cups

Seasoning 

1 Tbsp corn starch

1 Tbsp onion powder

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp salt

1 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp pepper

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Cheeseburger Mac

Liquid: 1 cup hot water + 2 cups milk

Pasta: 1 1/2 cups

Seasoning 

1 Tbsp corn starch

2 tsp paprika

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp salt

1 tsp sugar

1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (stir in at end)

Chili Mac

Liquid: 2 1/4 cups water and 1/2 cup milk, plus 1 cup canned tomatoes

Pasta: 1 1/2 cups 

Seasoning:

1 Tbsp corn starch

1 Tbsp chili powder

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp garlic

1 tsp salt

1 tsp sugar