Hamburger Helper | The Modern Proper (2024)

  • The Modern Proper ≻
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  • Dinner

March 29, 2024

Everyone has memories of Hamburger Helper from their childhood. We’re making this comforting classic from scratch, and you’ll be surprised that the homemade version is as easy to make as the box!

Categories

  • Fall
  • Winter
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • 30 Minutes
  • Kid Friendly

Hamburger Helper | The Modern Proper (1)

Photography by Gayle McLeod

More of our favorite beef recipes

  • Beef Stroganoff

  • Swedish Meatballs

  • Simple Ragù

  • Easy Bolognese

The Best Hamburger Helper Doesn’t Come From A Box

You know we love a challenge, and when we set out to make a hamburger helper recipe, we didn’t realize that it would be so easy to make a super tasty homemade version using fresh ingredients. We’ve got plenty of easy pastas kids will love, like our Easy Vodka Sauce, 4-Ingredient Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese, and Fettuccine Alfredo. We’ve also gathered our 30 Best Ground Beef Recipes, (Patty Melts, anyone?) for more dinner ideas.

Hamburger Helper | The Modern Proper (2)

Hamburger Helper Ingredients

  • Ground beef

  • Tomato paste

  • Garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, chili powder

  • Sugar

  • Salt and pepper

  • Salted butter

  • Flour or cornstarch

  • Stock or water

  • Milk

  • Macaroni pasta

  • Cheddar cheese

  • Parsley, optional for topping

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DIY Hamburger Helper

  1. Cook the beef in a large pot, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer the beef to a colander set over a bowl to drain off the fat.

  2. Stir the tomato paste, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, chili powder, sugar, salt, and pepper into the browned beef. Add the butter and cook, stirring, until melted, about 1 minute. Stir in the flour until thoroughly combined, about 1 more minute.

  3. Add the stock and milk and bring to a boil. Once the mixture is boiling, add the elbow macaroni and cook, stirring constantly, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce is thickened, about 6 minutes.

  4. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the cheese until melted. Serve sprinkled with parsley if using.

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How to Store Leftovers + Tips

  • Is Hamburger Helper hard to make? Since we’ve been making this home made Hamburger Helper, we can’t imagine going back to the store bought kind. Our recipe is easy to follow, easy to make, and easy to love!

  • We call for a very lean ground beef for this recipe, making it even healthier than the store bought Hamburger Helper.

  • Our homemade hamburger helper recipe calls for elbow macaroni noodles, but another popular noodle is the egg noodle. You can make it using your favorite noodle.

  • Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days, or in the freezer for up to three months.

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Hamburger Helper | The Modern Proper (12)

More Easy Dinners From The Modern Proper

  • Ground Beef Taco

  • Picadillo

  • Patty Melt

  • Sloppy Joes

  • Crispy Ground Beef Taco Ground beef tacos are as quick and easy as can be. Plus, they’re easy for each person at the table to customize to their own tastes and so they’re always, always a crowd-favorite.
  • Picadillo Ground beef, studded with potatoes and spiced generously with cumin, cinnamon and garlic—what’s not to love? Our picadillo recipe makes for a homey weeknight dinner that everyone will gobble up!
  • Patty Melt As diner sandwiches go, the melty, meaty, oniony perfection that is the patty melt reigns supreme—if you know, you know. And if you don’t know, well, welcome to the club.
  • Sloppy Joes These saucy, beefy homemade sloppy Joes are the best kind of messy comfort food, so gather your fam around the table, grab a big stack of napkins and let’s get sloppy!

Follow For More Recipe Inspiration

For more recipe inspiration, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest or order our cookbook. We love when you share your meals. Tag us on Instagram using #themodernproper. Happy cooking!

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Hamburger Helper

March 29, 2024

  • Serves:4
  • Prep Time: 5min
  • Cook Time: 15min
  • Calories:673

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Related Recipes

  • Simple Ragù
  • Easy Bolognese
  • Beef Stroganoff

Video

Ingredients

  • 1 pound 93/7 ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons salted butter
  • 2 tablespoons flour or 1 tablespoon cornstarch (see Note)
  • 2 cups beef stock, chicken stock, or hot water (we like a combination of beef and chicken stock)
  • 1½ cups milk
  • 8 ounces macaroni pasta
  • 8 ounces freshly grated cheddar cheese, (about 2 cups)
  • Minced fresh parsley, for serving (optional)

Method

  1. Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer the beef to a colander set over a bowl to drain off the fat.

  2. Stir the tomato paste, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, chili powder, sugar, salt, and pepper into the browned beef. Add the butter and cook, stirring, until melted, about 1 minute. Stir in the flour until thoroughly combined, about 1 more minute.

  3. Add the stock and milk and bring to a boil. Once the mixture is boiling, add the macaroni and cook, stirring constantly, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce is thickened, about 6 minutes.

  4. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the cheese until melted. Serve sprinkled with parsley if using.

Note:

If using cornstarch, make a slurry by combining it with ¼ cup of cool water. Then you’ll skip adding the flour in step 2 and instead add the slurry to the pot in step 3 along with the stock and milk.

Nutrition Info

  • Per Serving
  • Amount
  • Calories673
  • Protein47 g
  • Carbohydrates51 g
  • Total Fat31 g
  • Dietary Fiber1 g
  • Cholesterol139 mg
  • sodium958 mg
  • Total Sugars7 g
Hamburger Helper | The Modern Proper (2024)

FAQs

What can I add to Hamburger Helper to make it better? ›

To make it more nutritious: feel free to throw in shredded zucchini, sauteed chopped red bell pepper, or mushrooms or a few cups of chopped spinach! My kids usually never know that it's in there. Spice it up: if you'd like you can add some red pepper flakes on top.

Why did they change Hamburger Helper? ›

Hamburger Helper Reformulates Its Box Meals

But faster cooking time isn't the only big change in Hamburger Helper. The company also adjusted sauces, pasta, and flavor ingredients based on consumer feedback. You can expect robust herbs, spices, and flavors in the entire product lineup.

Is Hamburger Helper going away? ›

Reimaginations and refreshments have become a specialty for Cleveland, Ohio-based Eagle Foods, which is relaunching the 50-year-old Hamburger Helper brand and its animated mascot, Lefty, after acquiring the line from General Mills in 2022.

Can I use more water instead of milk in Hamburger Helper? ›

Milk adds a creamy texure and lends its flavor to the sauce in Hamburger Helper. You may not enjoy the results made with only water. Betty's Emrgency Substitutions page suggests a substitution for a cup of milk: 1/2 cup evaporated milk plus 1/2 cup water; or nonfat dry milk prepared as directed on package.

How do you perk up Hamburger Helper? ›

We're seasoning our hamburger helper recipe with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and chili powder. Of course, you're welcome to add extra spices and herbs if you'd like! Some options include onion powder or fresh parsley.

Do you double ingredients for 2 boxes of Hamburger Helper? ›

To make two boxes, follow the range top directions, but use double the amount of added ingredients listed in the directions for one box (margarine and water, for example). Use the sauce mix and pasta from both of the boxes.

Do I have to put milk in my Hamburger Helper? ›

Absolutely. Since milk adds a creamy texture to the Hamburger Helper sauce, it or its substitutes are recommended as a major ingredient to flavorful Hamburger Helper meals. For best results, choose plant milk or a milk substitute that is sweet or savory, depending on the meal type.

How to thicken up Hamburger Helper? ›

How do you thicken up Hamburger Helper? If your Hamburger Helper is too runny or juicy, the best way to thicken it up is to put the lid on the pan and let the mixture steam for at least five minutes. The macaroni will continue to absorb the liquid and the mixture will become thicker.

Why is Hamburger Helper unhealthy? ›

This product contains a high percentage of the Institute of Medicine's recommended adequate intake for sodium of 1500 mg a day (IOM 2005). This value is much lower than what the FDA requires be listed on food labels -- 2400 mg. Americans average 3,400 mg of sodium a day.

What does leaking Hamburger Helper mean? ›

It's nice to find this renewed interest all over the place. He means Ben is bleeding profusely… but it's a “gory” sight. The pasta brand "Hamburger Helper" was first introduced in 1971 (sold by Betty Crocker).

What is the classic Hamburger Helper? ›

The basic (and most popular) version of Hamburger Helper is a box of dried pasta with seasoning that is designed to be cooked with ground beef. Hamburger Helper offers a variety of flavors, including Lasagna, Cheeseburger Macaroni, Bacon Cheeseburger, Philly Cheesesteak, and others.

What was the original flavor of Hamburger Helper? ›

The brand made its national debut in August 1971. With five flavors – Beef Noodle, Potato Stroganoff, Hash, Rice Oriental and Chili Tomato, it was an instant success.

Who is the target audience for Hamburger Helper? ›

Hamburger Helper has a divided audience of mothers and millennials, specifically young men who often make it in their college dorm rooms, according to Miller. Given that division, the brand's Twitter account caters to its millennial male target audience.

What is similar to Hamburger Helper? ›

10 Healthy Alternatives to Hamburger Helper
  • Quinoa Beef Skillet. ...
  • Turkey and Sweet Potato Hash. ...
  • Lentil Bolognese with Zucchini Noodles. ...
  • Cauliflower Rice Casserole. ...
  • Spaghetti Squash and Meat Sauce. ...
  • Chickpea Pasta with Veggie-Loaded Marinara. ...
  • Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Turkey and Quinoa. ...
  • Eggplant Lasagna.

How do you make Hamburger Helper taste less bland? ›

How do I make Hamburger Helper taste better? Add fresh vegetables to the dish. Brown the ground beef and saute some onions, peppers, mushrooms, zucchini and garlic on the side. Make the sauce, add the veggies and simmer until it is done.

What can I add to hamburger to make it taste better? ›

  1. Grinding your own meat is a way to ensure you're getting high-quality ground meat for your burgers. ...
  2. Add bacon bits to your ground beef. ...
  3. You can also add vegetables like mushrooms. ...
  4. Worcestershire sauce adds tang to beef. ...
  5. Minced garlic also adds a lot of flavor to beef.
May 23, 2024

What seasonings to add to Hamburger Helper? ›

DIY Hamburger Helper

Stir the tomato paste, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, chili powder, sugar, salt, and pepper into the browned beef. Add the butter and cook, stirring, until melted, about 1 minute.

Can you replace milk with butter for Hamburger Helper? ›

Is hamburger helper with butter instead of milk a good substitute? Yes, you can use the soup as a substitute for milk in Hamburger Helper.

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