Homemade Hamburger Helper

My friend Elise (who actually makes up the recipes that she posts on her blog, unlike what I do here, which is basically finding a recipe, cooking it, taking a picture of it, and then using this as my own personal online recipe catalog) had this recipe up on her blog. Her husband said it tasted like Hamburger Helper. And it does. Kind of.

I remember two main flavors of Hamburger Helper, back in my days of eating Hamburger Helper. The original (which I think was, like, a Cheeseburger Macaroni) and then this other flavor called Potatoes Stroganoff. This recipe tastes like a combination of the the two. The tomato flavor reminds me of the Cheeseburger Macaroni, and the creamy flavor and potatoes remind me of the Potatoes Stroganoff.

My children, who are not used to the ways of a Hamburger Helper, were wondering why it wasn't served over rice. (This actually isn't a bad idea, and we might try it that way next time.)

Enjoy!

1 lb ground beef
1 small onion, diced
1 cup water
4 red potatoes, quartered and sliced
1 can coconut milk
7 oz can tomato paste
2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp ground thyme
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

1.)  In a large stainless steel or cast iron skillet, cook the ground beef and onion over Medium heat.  Remove from pan.

2.)  Add 1 cup of water to the skillet, leaving any fatty or brown bits in the pan.  Bring to a simmer over High heat.  Add sliced potatoes, cover, reduce heat to Medium-Low, and simmer for about 6-10 minutes or until fork tender.

3.)  Uncover and stir in coconut milk, tomato paste, garlic powder, thyme, onion powder, and sea salt and pepper.  Sprinkle arrowroot over top and stir in thoroughly, leaving no clumps.  Stir in ground beef.  Bring back to a simmer over Medium-High heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, until thickened.  Serve immediately.