Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to make Hamburger Helper better? ›

How do you make hamburger helper taste better? I think the best way to make HH taste better is to use stock to prepare instead of water. Also enhance flavors by adding a little extra real cheese at the end, topping with an herb, and adding a dollop of sour cream.

Milk: I think milk works great to add richness to this homemade hamburger helper recipe and it cuts back on the calories a bit over using heavy cream. Hot water: If you want this dish extra savory, go ahead and heat up some beef broth or even chicken broth in place of the water.

Mix together the spices (chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, sugar, crushed red pepper flakes, and kosher salt) and cornstarch. Cornstarch will help thicken the sauce for a creamier and more silky cheese sauce.

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. It was a bit surprising.

Colby jack, Monetary Jack, or mozzarella will give you a mild flavor. For a spicy Hamburger Helper, try pepper jack. Hot Sauce. A dash of hot sauce adds the perfect amount of dimension and interest.

Corn Starch – It'll help to thicken up the liquids and coat the macaroni and ground beef in all the cheesy goodness!

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.

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.

Stock: If you can't consume dairy, using stock or broth can add flavor to your Hamburger Helper. Beef or vegetable stock works well [2]. Coconut Milk: Both canned and refrigerated unsweetened coconut milk can be used as a substitute for milk. It adds creaminess and a slight coconut flavor to the dish [2].

What makes Hamburger Helper taste good? ›

Seasonings: the true healthy hamburger helper taste comes from paprika, dried oregano, and plenty of salt and pepper. Pasta: the star of the show! I used pipe rigate pasta because I love how the sauce gets into every little nook and cranny of the noodle. Cheese: don't forget plenty of sharp cheddar cheese.

The BEST homemade hamburger helper uses cheddar for the flavor and Gouda for its luxuriously creaminess. Don't use milk. Milk can curdle when simmered and doesn't promote silky sauces. Evaporated milk or heavy cream is always your best bet.

It's best to season the ground beef before browning it for 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.

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.

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.

In a separate pot, bring the water and chicken broth to a boil. Once boiling, add the Hamburger Helper mix and stir until well combined. Add the cooked ground beef, onions, and garlic to the pot with the Hamburger Helper mixture. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the pasta is tender.