Can I be honest? I’ve actually never had hamburger helper in my life. But I won’t lie. It looks good. And the concept of just adding meat to pasta and sauce that’s already prepared? Seems pretty genius to me.

But you know me. Always down for a challenge of making something that comes from a box, into something that comes from scratch.

And the results of this one, far exceeded my expectations. It’s a doozy. Also, I love the tequila spin on vodka sauce. ‘Cause, tequila.

Ingredients:

2 Tbs evoo

1 onion, minced

6 cloves of garlic, minced

2 lbs ground beef

3/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

3/4 tsp dried oregano

3 15oz cans tomato sauce

1/3 cup tequila

8oz marscapone

1/2 cup half-and-half

1 lb pipe regate pasta, cooked according to instructions

1 tsp salt

1 Tbsp torn basil

Directions:

Heat evoo, on medium high heat, in a large saucepan.

Add onions, and sauté until translucent. Add garlic. Stir to combine.

Add ground beef, 3/4 tsp salt, pepper, and oregano. Stir to combine, breaking up the meat.

Once meat has browned, and in tomato sauce and tequila. Heat to boiling, then reduce to simmer.

Let sauce simmer for 30 minutes.

Add in marscapone, half-and-half, and 1 tsp salt. Stir to combine.

Top with torn basil before serving.