Some nights are so BUSY! We are wrapping up homework, running to and from activities and winding down from the day and before we know it’s 30 minutes until supper time! But I always plan for days that get out of hand like this , so I threw together my easy peasy from scratch hamburger helper.
If you like this recipe you may also enjoy our long time family favourite Burger Noodle Bake
Why you are going to love it!
One pot meals are the hight of nostalgia. If you grew up in the 80s and 90s, both parents were working and scrambling home to get dinner on the table.The last thing they wanted was another dish to clean at the end of the night, hence the invention of one pot meals like Hamburger Helper. Growing up the real Hamburger Helper from a box was a rare treat, because my father is an amazing cook and made most things from scratch. Hamburger Helper was for when he was out of town for work and mum was holding down the fort, it was for those nights we were actually home because most nights of the week she was meeting us at the dance studio with sandwiches to scarf down between 3 hour classes.
But when the night came around that we were not running around and could enjoy a meal around the table together that special little box was a part of it, so meals like this really hit me in the feels.
You might be asking, if the original is so great, why make your own? Why go through the effort to make it from scratch? Well the answer is simple, it’s so much cheaper! When you break down the cost and compare, it’s about half the cost for the homemade version, even when on sale.
At my local grocery store the original Hamburger Helper is $2.99 for the 166g of noodles and spices. At the same store it is approximately $0.21 at the low end and $0.66 at the high end both at full price for the macaroni, and fractions of a cent for the spices and seasonings. So even though my recipe calls for twice the pasta, to make mine you are saving $2.78 per meal! It’s almost 1300% cheaper to make it at home.
And while saving money is a huge deal, you can also control what is actually in your foods. From flavour profiles, top personal convictions about certain foods. You Have CONTROL.
Ingredients
- ground beef
- tsp sea salt
- tsp granulated garlic
- tbsp sugar
- Italian Seasoning
- can diced tomatoes
- beef better than bouillon and the tomato can of water OR 28oz beef broth
- elbow macaroni
Tools and Timeline
- Large skillet with lid
- Wooden spoon
- Can openner
- Cheese grater
- Measuring spoons
4:45pm Brown beef in a large skillet with a lid
5pm When almost completely browned add seasoning and stir until browned completely then add macaroni, tomatoes, and water/broth to the pan. If the pasta is not completely covered add additional broth or water.
5:05pm Stir and cover
5:10pm When it comes to a boil reduce heat to medium and allow it to simmer until excess water has evaporated and pasta is cooked.
5:30pm Serve with grated cheese and whatever else you see fit!
Homemade “Hamburger Helper”
Homemade Hamberger Helper
Ingredients
- 1lb ground beef
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp granulated garlic
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1-2 tbsp Italian Seasoning
- 1 28oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 tbs beef better than bouillon and the tomato can of water OR 28oz beef broth
- 300g elbow macaroni
Instructions
Brown beef in a large skillet with a lid
When almost completely browned add seasoning and stir until browned completely
Add macaroni to the pan, stir
Add tomatoes, and water/broth. If the pasta is not completely covered add additional broth or water.
Stir and cover
When it comes to a boil reduce heat to medium and allow it to simmer until excess water has evaporated and pasta is cooked.
Serve with grated cheese and whatever else you see fit!
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