Cook the pasta according to package instructions in a large pot of boiling water with a splash of olive oil and drain well. If using the Instant Pot for cooking the pasta shells, open the Instant Pot and keep the lid off. Then turn on the sauté setting for 20 minutes to boil the pasta. (You may not need this entire sauté time, but I like to allow extra time for the sauté to heat up).

Fill the stainless-steel inner pot with 4 cups of water and a splash of olive oil.

Once the water starts to simmer, add the pasta and cook according to the package directions, occasionally stirring to make sure the noodles don’t clump & stick.

Use a colander to drain the pasta shells and set them aside.

Mix the tomato sauce and the sugar in a small bowl and set aside.

Add ½ a cup of water to the Instant Pot stainless steel inner pot and turn on the sauté setting for 15 minutes. (Again, you may not need this entire time, I like to allow extra time for the sauté to heat up).

Season the ground beef with your favorite all-purpose seasoning and cook the meat until browned, breaking it with a large spoon.

Then use a colander to drain the excess fat and set aside the cooked ground beef.

Turn on the Instant Pot to the sauté setting for 5 minutes.

After a couple of minutes, add the tablespoon of olive oil, the diced onion, and garlic, sautéing for about 2 minutes with the lid off the pot, frequently stirring until the onions soften.

Whisk in the flour for about 30 seconds or until lightly browned.

Add the beef stock, stirring to combine.

Then add the set-aside tomato sauce and stir in the seasonings (Italian seasoning, dried parsley, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper).

Cancel the Instant Pot sauté setting, so the pot enters the ‘keep warm’ mode.

Stir in the cooked pasta and seasoned ground beef.

Next, stir in the heavy cream and sour cream until thoroughly combined.

Serve this soul food Southern homemade Hamburger Helper recipe right away and enjoy!