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Cook the onion and ground beef in a skillet until the meat is brown. Transfer the onions and ground beef into a slow cooker. Add the rest of the ingredients, except the pasta and cheese. Cover and cook for 5 to 8 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high. Add the pasta 15 minutes before serving and let it keep cooking. Stir the 1 1⁄2 cups (350 ml) of cheese in when you're ready to eat.
The diced onion will be translucent when it's cooked. Crumble the 1 pound (0.45 kg) of beef with a spatula as it cooks and stir it frequently so it cooks evenly through.  Using lean ground beef will cut down on the amount of fat and grease if you want a healthier dish. Always wash your hands with soap and warm water when you've handled raw meat. Otherwise, you could contaminate the rest of the kitchen. Pour them carefully into the bowl of the slow cooker so hot juice or grease doesn't splash onto you. Or use a slotted spoon to scoop out the mixture if you don't want the fat from the oil in the dish. Line the slow cooker with a slow cooker liner or spray the bowl of the slow cooker with cooking spray before adding the ingredients. Both of these will make cleanup easier. Stir the 1 cup (240 ml) of water, 2 cups (470 ml) of milk, and all of the spices in with the beef and onions. Mix until everything is combined in the slow cooker. You can use any type of milk, whether it's 1%, 2%, or even a non-dairy alternative like almond milk or soy milk. The best thing about a slow cooker is you can just set it and forget. Check it occasionally to make sure everything is cooking evenly and give it a gentle stir.  The bottom and sides of the slow cooker are the hottest. By stirring it every so often, you'll prevent some spots from being overcooked while others are undercooked. Depending on the strength of your slow cooker, you may need to adjust the cooking times. Make sure the lid is on tightly so the liquid doesn't evaporate. If you add the pasta too early, it will get mushy. Mix in 3⁄4 cup (180 ml) of macaroni noodles at the end so it has enough time to cook properly.  For al dente pasta, add it closer to 10 minutes before serving. Other pasta options will work, too. Choose the style and shape that you like best. The heat of the slow cooker and the Hamburger Helper will melt the cheddar cheese as you mix it in. Either freshly grated or pre-grated cheese will work, although freshly grated will be creamier.  You can also cover the slow cooker for 2 minutes after adding the cheese to let it melt completely. If it's too hot, let it cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving it.