An Improved Hamburger Helper Supper

Believe it or not, I can remember there was a time in my life that I lived on Hamburger Helper. It was convenient, and most of all cheap. All you needed was a box of Helper and a pound of ground beef.

No skills require. No real effort involved. Just the basics. We were told that Hamburger Helper was the way of the future. It might not be George Jetson’s push a button and presto – here’s dinner. But it was fairly close.

Hamburger Helper – the real deal that comes conveniently packaged in a box – was first introduced by General Mills under their brand, Betty Crocker. Hush, don’t tell anyone but Betty Crocker isn’t even a real person. She’s a marketing persona that’s been around since 1921. Early in the 1970s, and ironically similar to what’s happening today, beef prices skyrocketed. Yet the demand for beef remained strong despite the run away food inflation. Then along came Hamburger Helper. A boxed kit that stretched the family’s shrinking food budget by stretching a pound of ground beef into a convenient and affordable meal that could easily serve a small family. First introduced in 1970 on the West Coast, it wasn’t long before Hamburger Helper was a pantry stable in countless home kitchens. The first flavors were Chili Tomato, Potato Stroganoff, Rice Oriental, Beef Noodle and Hamburger Hash. Each box was a different color, with chili tomato the only original flavor that featured pasta. Then in 1973, Cheeseburger Macaroni came on the scene. This brought the total to six varieties, so all we need worry about was Sunday Supper. Originally priced at 65 cents a box, today’s average price of just under two dollars continues to let small families prepare an entire meal for less than ten dollars. It is one of the most requested pantry stables of food banks and church pantries.

While I didn’t grow up eating Hamburger Helper, as a young mother on my own with two small children, it sure was convenient. Today we buy the Helper Meals to give to our Church Food Drives. As for our own kitchen, I make “Hamburger Helper” from scratch. You could even package up the dry ingredients, along with instructions, and put them in care packages for new mothers or care-givers who might not have time to cook.

Over the years, my “from scratch” recipes have expanded. The Cheesy Jambalaya now calls for Smoked Paprika, Ro-Tel Tomatoes (originally plain diced tomatoes were used) and the addition of diced green chilies to really elevates the flavor. It’s still as convenient as the box kit, with ingredients I generally have on hand anyway, with the exception of maybe the Minute Rice. You’ll notice the pictures below do not include the green chilies. That’s because it was a last minute decision. One I’m glad I made.

Hamburger Helper Cheesy Jambalaya
Seasoning Package
1 tablespoon Arrowroot
2 tablespoons Chili Powder
1 teaspoon dried Basil
1 teaspoon Onion Powder
1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/2 teaspoon Spanish Smoked Paprika

In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients to make the seasoning package. Blend well and set aside until ready to use.

Cheesy Jambalaya
1 lb Ground Beef
3/4 cup Hot Water
2 cups Milk
1 cup Jasmine Minute or Regular Minute Rice
1 (10 oz) can Ro-Tel Tomatoes
3 tablespoons diced Hatch Green Chilies
1 cup Cheddar Cheese

In a large skillet, brown ground beef. Drain well and return to the pan.

While the meat cooks, heat water in the microwave. When ready, add milk, rice, tomatoes, hatch chilies and water to the meat. Bring to a boil. Stir in the seasoning package.

Cover, reduce heat to simmer. Stirring occasionally let cook for 15 minutes or until most of the liquid has evaporated and the rice is tender. Stir in cheese, remove pan from heat. Cover and allow cheese to melt. Serve and enjoy.

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Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good.