Homemade Hamburger Helper

For the Alfredo sauce:
Melt the butter in a large sauté pan set over low heat. Add the heavy cream to the butter as it melts. Stir occasionally, keeping the heat on low. Let it simmer for about 15 minutes. When it’s reduced slightly, add the Parmesan cheese, nutmeg, salt and pepper and stir. Set aside while you make the rest of the sauce. Stir the Alfredo sauce occasionally. Note: If the alfredo is way too thick for your liking, add some extra milk or cream (1 tablespoon at a time) after it’s simmered and reduced.

For the hamburger helper:
Brown the ground beef in a large skillet then drain the fat. Add the garlic to the drained beef and cook for about 30 seconds. Then add the marinara and diced tomatoes.Bring to a boil. As soon as it starts to boil, turn down the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the Alfredo sauce a few minutes before you add the noodles.

While the sauce is cooking, boil the pasta noodles. Using a slotted spoon (or pasta scoop), spoon the noodles into the sauce pan.

On a low heat, mix the noddles and sauce for about 3 minutes. If sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time.

Serve immediately with Parmesan cheese and julienned basil on the top.