Grownup Hamburger Helper Mac N Cheese from scratch

I don't know about you, but I was raised on Hamburger Helper. I didn't particularly hate it but I definitely do not make it in our household. It is simply to easy to make your own from scratch and it is so much healthier. This is a great pasta dish to try this week. I think you will love it. There are tons of ways you can spice it up or make it your own dish. I will post the original recipe and then below discuss what I added to this dish. On a side note, you can use ground turkey or lean ground beef in this recipe.

With this being a pasta dish, you won't need any additional sides. It is a very filling meal. Eat a piece of fruit on the side if you feel like you need something else.

Grownup Hamburger Helper Mac N Cheese
Serves: 4 large servings
Adapted by: http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/main-courses/grownup-hamburger-helper-mac-n-cheese/

Ingredients:
1 pound lean ground turkey breast OR 1 pound lean ground beef
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 cup water
2 cups milk (I use 1% milk for this recipe)
1 1/2 cups whole wheat elbow pasta or other pasta of your choice (try to use whole grain or wheat versions)
1 cup baby spinach, chopped
1 1/2 cups reduced fat cheddar cheese, grated

Directions:
-In a large pot, add the olive oil and turn to medium high heat and brown the turkey until it is cooked. Once cooked, drain the grease and return to the pot.
-Add the onions and garlic and saute for 2-3 minutes or until softened. Add the red bell pepper and saute an additional 2-3 minutes. Add the cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, sugar, red pepper flakes, water, milk, and pasta. Stir, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for about 10 minutes, making sure to cover the pot with a lid.
-Uncover and stir in the spinach and cheese. Mix until the ingredients are all combined and the cheese is melted. Turn off the heat and let sit for about 5 to 10 minutes or until the sauce has thickened to your liking.
-Serve

Enjoy! :)

*Tips: I like to add in diced green bell pepper and diced jalapeno for some added flavor and it always makes the dish look colorful and delicious.