Hamburger Helper Product FAQs & How To Questions (2024)

FAQs

What are some fun facts about Hamburger Helper? ›

The packaged pasta brand "Hamburger Helper" was introduced by General Mills in 1971 in response to a meat shortage and rising meat prices. In 2005, Food Network rated it third on its list of "Top Five Fad Foods of 1970". In 2013, the company shortened the brand's name to just "Helper".

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.

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 is a meal in a box that consists of pasta and a variety of seasonings, depending on the product type. What makes it a popular choice for busy households is that it requires only a few ingredients to make, has easy and quick turn-around, and is an affordable meal that an entire family can enjoy.

To simplify, it means to help the hamburger taste better; that's the thought from Betty Crocker, whether the customer agrees or not. The same holds true for their Tuna Helper and their Chicken 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.

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.

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 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.

Add cheeses.

This hamburger helper recipe can be as decadently cheesy as you wish or as minimal – totally up to you! After you add the cheeses, taste and season with salt, pepper and/or red pepper flakes to taste. If you would like a saucier pasta, stir in additional beef broth – the more broth, the saucier the pasta.

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. Stir in the flour until thoroughly combined, about 1 more minute.

Half and Half

This is the best substitute for milk in everything from baking to making sauces and gravies. Here's how to swap half and half for milk: Combine 3/4 cup of half and half and 1/4 cup of water for every cup of whole milk your recipe calls for.

General Mills had a problem on its hands with Hamburger Helper: It was a brand that reminded many of the 1970s, maybe the 1980s. The 43-year-old brand needed a reboot. That's when it hit on an entertainment content strategy that simultaneously targeted two very different groups: moms and urban millennials.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Americans eat around 50 billion hamburgers annually. Americans often eat hamburgers three times per week. In fact, if all of the hamburgers consumed by Americans in a year were placed in a straight line, our planet would be circled 32 times!

According to Kel Mitchell, Abe Vigoda, who was 76 at the time of filming, was able to run and climb over fences on set despite his age. Manny's El Loco restaurant in West Covina, California was used for the filming location of the Good Burger restaurant.

"Lefty," as the glove has been known ever since he (it? she?) was introduced in 1977 as a "talking, cute, red-nosed, puffy white-gloved hand with only three fingers and a thumb," according to the General Mills blog. General Mills owns the brand, which rolled out nationally in 1971 and is now just called Helper.

Microwave uncovered on High 5 to 7 minutes, breaking up beef after 3 minutes, until brown; drain. Stir in both packets Sauce mix, 2-3/4 cups boiling water, 2¼ cups milk and uncooked Pasta. Microwave uncovered on High 14 to 19 minutes, stirring every 7 minutes, until pasta is tender (sauce will thicken as it stands).