Homemade Hamburger Helper (2024)

FAQs

How to make Hamburger Helper step by step? ›

Choosing lean ground beef

This Healthy Hamburger Helper calls for 93% lean ground beef, which is much lower in fat and total calories than 85% lean. If you can only find 85% lean, simply drain the browned beef then rinse with hot water for a fat content closer to 90% lean.

SPICES – I swear by paprika, parsley, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper for this hamburger helper recipe! MILK – Feel free to use broth if you don't have milk on hand. BEEF BROTH – You can also use chicken broth if you prefer.

Here are some recommended swaps and add-ins you can try: Add a boost of veggies: 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Once the ground beef is browned, add steak seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and oregano. Stir well and add the beef broth, milk, tomato sauce, A1 Steak seasoning, and about 2 1/2 cups of pasta. I like to use a spiral pasta, but any pasta you have should work!

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.

How do you fix bland Hamburger Helper? ›

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.

Tomato sauce: Help the classic hamburger helper flavor take shape with 1 15 oz can of tomato sauce. Spices: Flavor things up with some spices! Use 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp chili powder.

*You could substitute any thin or small noodles you have in the pantry and use corn or other veggies in place of the carrots. *We aren't salt lovers, if you are - double the salt.

As soon as your pasta is cooked, remove it from heat so the pasta doesn't keep cooking. At this point, your hamburger helper should still be a little “saucy.” This creates the perfect base to stir in the cheese to create the rich and creamy cheese sauce.

Cooking Instructions

Stir: Stir in water, milk, Sauce Mix and Pasta. Heat to boiling. Simmer: Reduce heat. Cover; simmer about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.

Add 2 1/4 cups of milk and 2 2/3 cups of hot water to the pan, along with the pasta and seasoning mix from the Hamburger Helper package. Stir everything well and bring it to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 10-20 minutes.