hamburger helper cheeseburger macaroni cup

HAMBURGER HELPER CHEESEBURGER MACARONI CUP PLUS

What you need to have onhand to create homemade helpers: Ground beef, various herbs and seasonings and other basic pantry items (such as sugar, salt, and corn starch), pasta, rice, potatoes, canned tomatoes, and cheese. Add cheese near the end for some varieties. After browning and draining the ground beef (one pound), in the same skillet you add water and milk (usually about 3 cups total), seasonings, and simmer (usually about 12-20 minutes). Whatever you’re using for the starch base in the dish–1 1/2 cups is a good rule of thumb when making homemade helpers (except for rice, which I think works better using only 1 cup). Some varieties use rice or dried sliced potatoes instead of pasta. If there’s anything more disgusting than dried cheese, I don’t know what it is.

HAMBURGER HELPER CHEESEBURGER MACARONI CUP PLUS

Hamburger Helper Basics: When creating your own helpers, keep in mind that most packages of Hamburger Helper include about 1 1/2 cups of pasta plus a packet of sauce seasonings, sometimes dried tomatoes, and sometimes a packet of dried cheese, depending on the variety. I’m showcasing Chili Cheese here–see below for the demystification of a number of other popular flavors. Using actual packages of Hamburger Helper and cookbook comparisons for the types of varieties offered along with my own cooking common sense and experience, I’ve broken down some of the most popular Hamburger Helper varieties. Very little thinking required–but in this case, it’s much more fresh and you can feel a whole lot better about feeding it to your family. Just like store-bought helper, your homemade helper comes with standardized directions and “packets” to throw in the pot.

Make your own helper! You can even make it in advance so it’s all pre-measured and ready to toss in the pot on busy nights. It requires little thinking, which is often what you need at the end of a long day when you’re tired and everyone is hungry.īut! I (and you) can still give the kids what they want and put a quick home-cooked meal on the table at the same time. What makes Hamburger Helper so popular is how quick you can get it on the table and the standardization of the directions in every variety along with the cutting open of packets and throwing it in the pot. And it’s not as if you’re going through a drive-through window and picking up dinner. It tastes like cardboard and the ingredients list on the side of the box is enough to make you run away screaming. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.As an avid cook, this is almost embarrassing, but my kids love Hamburger Helper. Remove from the heat and stir in the Cheddar and cream cheese until smooth. Add the elbow macaroni and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened and the pasta is al dente, 9 to 11 minutes. Pour in the chicken stock and 1 teaspoon salt, stir to combine and bring to a boil, 6 to 7 minutes.

Stir in the tomato paste and Dijon until combined. Add the beef and break it up into small pieces with a large spoon cook, stirring occasionally, until beef is cooked through and no longer pink in the center, 6 to 7 minutes. Stir in the chili powder, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes (if using), 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper and stir to combine. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened 6 to 7 minutes.

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.

Hamburger helper cheeseburger macaroni cup