Hamburger Macaroni: loaded with veggies

One of our favorite comfort foods is Hamburger Macaroni.  It was one of my favorite meals when I was growing up.  Mom made it pretty often.  I always thought she made it because we all loved it so much.  Now, I suspect it was because it could be a cheap and filling meal if there was a sale on ground beef. 

When I made Hamburger Macaroni a couple of months ago, I decided to load it with veggies.  Not only did it ensure that we ate our vegetables, it also really helped in stretching this recipe.  Joe and I ate it for 2 dinners and I served it to my three nieces for lunch when they came for a visit.  My picky niece (hates vegetables) ate 3 servings and was trying to scrape the serving bowl clean!  Do you think that she liked it?  Maybe just a little! 

I haven't made it since then, but now that I am typing this, I am thinking about adding it to next week's menu plan!  I hope someone is having a sale on ground beef since we don't have any left in the freezer. 

Now, I used McCormick's Brown Gravy Mix. for the gravy in this recipe.  Mom always used powder gravy for this recipe and that's how we like it!  But if powder gravy isn't for you, then just switch it for your favorite homemade beef/brown gravy.

Hamburger Macaroni ~ loaded with veggies

Ingredients:

• 16 oz. box elbow macaroni
• small amount vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
• 1/2 c. zucchini, diced
• 1/2 c. onions, diced
• 1/2 c. carrots, diced
• 1/2 c. red bell pepper, diced
• 3/4 c. celery, diced
• 1 c. frozen corn
• 1 c. frozen peas
• 1 3/4 c. diced tomatoes
• 3 Tbs. Lea & Perrins Thick Classic Worcestershire Sauce
• 3/4 c. McCormick Brown Gravy Mix combined with 1 qt. water
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions: 

• Cook macaroni as directed on the package.
• In a large frying pan, saute the zucchini, onions, carrots, bell pepper and celery in a very small amount of oil.  (just enough oil to keep them from sticking to the pan)
• Add ground beef when the veggies are just starting to become tender. 
• Brown the meat, drain.
• Add the gravy and allow to cook for a minute or two.
• Add the diced tomatoes, frozen peas and corn, along with the worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper and any other seasonings you may like. 
• Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat.
• Allow to simmer for a bit, to allow all the flavors to blend together. 
• Add cooked and drained macaroni and mix well. 

Notes: 

• Like I mentioned above, you could easily substitute your favorite homemade gravy for the powdered mix. 
• I usually add crushed red pepper flakes to my Hamburger Macaroni to add a little bit of a kick, but since Grace has started eating table food, I've had to cut back on the "heat" that I add to our recipes.  Instead, I keep the crushed red pepper flakes on the table with the salt and pepper and add to my own individual serving. 
• I'm sure that this would be great with great made with ground turkey or chicken to make it a bit healthier.  Although, for this recipe we do prefer the beef. 

I'll be linking this recipe to the following blog carnivals: 

• Tasty Tuesday at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
• Tasty Tuesdays at A Beautiful Mess
• Tuesdays at the Table
• Tempt My Tummy Tuesday
• Slightly Indulgent Tuesday
• Delicious Dishes
• Hearth and Soul ~ Volume 19
• Tuesday Night Supper Club
• What's on the Menu Wednesday
• Works For Me Wednesday
• Ultimate Recipe Swap
• Foodie Friday
• Food on Fridays
• Family Food Fridays
• Homemaker Monday
• Mouthwatering Monday
• MMMmonday
• Monday Mania
• Ultimate Recipe Swap (Zucchini)