Homemade Hamburger Helper: Elevating Convenience with Delicious DIY Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What can you add to Hamburger Helper to make it taste better? ›

Moreover, you can also combine two kinds of cheese and use them in this dish for extra richness and cheesiness. Spices and herbs: spices and herbs are the best way to improve the flavors of any dish. Add cumin, cayenne, paprika, or Italian herbs to the hamburger helper to make it taste better.

Add a boost of veggies: 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.

Almost any of the “helpers” benefit from the addition of sautéed diced onion and minced or grated garlic. This adds another layer of flavor. Or try adding diced red sweet peppers. If it is a cheesy mix add a half cup of freshly grated parmesan and a handful of minced fresh flat leaf parsley.

How do I make Hamburger Helper taste better? Originally Answered: How do I make a 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.

Some options might include garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried oregano, chili powder, paprika, or cumin. Mix in ingredients like chopped onions, minced garlic, grated carrots, or chopped mushrooms into the ground beef before cooking to add extra flavor and texture.

Add onion to the skillet and cook until tender. Prepare a box of cheeseburger macaroni Hamburger Helper as directed on the box, adding frozen meatballs, a pinch of black pepper, and a 1/2 teaspoon of hot sauce. Once the pasta is cooked, top with bacon and a handful of shredded cheese.

Cornstarch will help thicken the sauce for a creamier and more silky cheese sauce.

The best seasonings to use for Hamburger Helper are salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning. These seasonings will enhance the flavor of the ground beef and complement the flavors of the Hamburger Helper mix.

What does milk do in Hamburger Helper? ›

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.

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. If it always seems too thin, reduce the amount of liquid added.

Season all sides of the patties generously. In a small mixing bowl, stir together the mayo, Sriracha sauce and salt together. Set aside. Oil the meat well on both sides and place onto the medium heat side of the grill.

To make hamburger helper from scratch, the ingredients are still cooked in one pot but I swapped the milk for evaporated milk plus cornstarch which creates a rich and creamy sauce as the starch is released from the pasta as it cooks.

Cooking Instructions

STIR – Stir in hot water, milk, butter, Sauce Mix and Pasta. Heat to boiling. SIMMER – Reduce heat. Cover; simmer 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.

The best side dishes to serve with Hamburger Helper are mac and cheese, tater tots, blooming onion, zucchini noodles, baked ziti, bacon-wrapped asparagus, garlic bread, green beans, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potato fries, coleslaw, cheddar biscuits, corn on the cob, wedge salad, and hush puppies.

Since milk adds a creamy texture to the Hamburger Helper sauce, it or its substitutes are recommended as a major ingredient to flavorful Hamburger Helper meals.

Add hardy herbs like thyme, rosemary, oregano, sage, and marjoram to dishes early in the cooking process; this way, they release maximum flavor while ensuring that their texture will be less intrusive.

Ingredients like citrus juices, vinegars, fruits, and wines will add an extra dimension of flavor to a dish. Of course on its own, sour is an unappealing taste and if you use too much you can ruin a dish. So use the trusty old "taste as you go" technique to add just enough acid to make your dish sing.