One-Pot Hamburger Helper - The Defined Dish - Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Can you cook two boxes of Hamburger Helper together? ›

We don't recommend preparing more than two boxes at a time. 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.

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. More than one in four – 27 percent – of U.S. households purchased Hamburger Helper in its first year.

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.

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.

Does Hamburger Helper Expire? Hamburger Helper boxed meals have low moisture content and can keep fresh even past their expiration date. However, for best results and quality assurance, we recommend using your Hamburger Helper boxed meal by its expiration date.

Beef Pasta

This is the “classic” or OG flavor of Hamburger Helper.

As boxed, it consists of a dried carbohydrate (often pasta or rice), with powdered seasonings contained in a packet. The consumer is meant to combine the contents of the box with browned ground beef ("hamburger"), water, and, with some varieties, milk to create a complete one-dish meal.

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.

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.

What is similar to Hamburger Helper? ›

Spices and herbs: spices and herbs are the best way to improve the flavors of any dish. Add cumin, cayenne, paprika, or Italian herbs to the hamburger helper to make it taste better.

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.

Many families have used this traditional box meal as a way of being able to prepare something appetizing without spending hours slaving away over a hot stove. Hamburger Helper remains popular among people because it hits that ooey-gooey nostalgia button you can't get any other way.

Make two boxes of Roni at once. Combine two of your family's favorite Roni flavors, like Mexican Style and Creamy Four Cheese to create your own custom flavor.

Juggling multiple dishes at once often means pairing sides, desserts or entrees in the oven that don't typically bake at the same temperature. You can bake several dishes at once by setting your oven to the average temperature called for across recipes.

Instead of all milk, add heavy whipping cream and milk.

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. If it always seems too thin, reduce the amount of liquid added.