Hamburger helper

Ima saver · #1 (**permalink**) 10-07-2006, 01:05 PM

I don't mean to sound snooty, but I have never used hamburger helper except when it first came out (40) years ago. I remember one that was pretty good, but don't remember which it was.
Which flavor do you think is the best??

PRICEPLUS · #2 (**permalink**) 10-07-2006, 01:28 PM

Would love to help but the DW will not allow it in the house. I remember it as a kid but my memory is suspect after so many years!

Ima saver · #3 (**permalink**) 10-07-2006, 02:09 PM

I remember it as being pretty good! But it really is not cheap. I can make meatball strogonoff cheaper than buying a box, I think!

budgetmom · #4 (**permalink**) 10-07-2006, 02:48 PM

We eat it for a quick meal when I don't feel like really cooking, or if time is short. We had the stroganoff last night. It wasn't too bad. I think that most of them taste pretty bland, even after I put extra seasoning in them. They can be pretty expensive. I usually alternate with that and Tony's or Zatteran's rice and sometimes Rice-a Roni (add some meat and instant dinner!) for those quick night meals. I only buy them if they are on sale and I have a coupon. I used my last box last night. When I bought it, I got three boxes when they were on sale at my local store for 10 for $10. So they were on sale a dollar a piece. I bought three boxes and had a coupon for 35 cents off on three. My local grocery store will triple coupons up to 35 cents, so I ended up getting three boxes and spending $1.95. That's the only way I'll buy them.

amberbamber · #5 (**permalink**) 10-07-2006, 07:23 PM

I use them for easy meals too. Lately with moving that's been an awful lot. I think we've had the stroganoff ones the last couple of weeks. They're alright, but very high in sodium...don't like that too much.

mountainmist · #6 (**permalink**) 10-08-2006, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ima saver

I don't mean to sound snooty, but I have never used hamburger helper except when it first came out (40) years ago. I remember one that was pretty good, but don't remember which it was.
Which flavor do you think is the best??

Besides the beef "stroganoff" isn't there one in which the cover shows hamburger with wide noodles covered with a cheesy sauce? If that one's still available, it wasn't bad. Like you I haven't tasted that in decades.

However, I recently ran across VERY inexpensive Rice-a-Roni for which I happened to have coupons, too, and not familiar with this product, I recently tried the BROCOLLI/Cheese Rice-a-Roni, and it was 'good,' NOT stellar, but definitely edible, and fine for a small sidedish at any meal.

Although I would want to doctor it up, with extra frozen brocolli, and perhaps onion, too.

Anyway, it's NOT a delicacy, but NOT bad, and is an adequate addition to the list of *EDIBLE* "survival.supplies::Misc.Food."

mountainmist · #7 (**permalink**) 10-08-2006, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ima saver

I don't mean to sound snooty, but I have never used hamburger helper except when it first came out (40) years ago. I remember one that was pretty good, but don't remember which it was.
Which flavor do you think is the best??

Besides the beef "stroganoff" isn't there one in which the cover shows hamburger with wide noodles covered with a cheesy sauce? If that one's still available, it wasn't bad. Like you I haven't tasted that in decades.

However, I recently ran across VERY inexpensive Rice-a-Roni for which I happened to have coupons, too, and not familiar with this product, I recently tried the BROCOLLI/Cheese Rice-a-Roni, and it was 'good,' NOT stellar, but definitely edible, and fine for a small sidedish at any meal.

Although I would want to doctor it up, with extra frozen brocolli, and perhaps onion, too.

Anyway, it's NOT a delicacy, but NOT bad, and is an adequate addition to the list of *EDIBLE* "survival.supplies::Misc.Food."

Ima saver · #8 (**permalink**) 10-08-2006, 03:20 PM

I love rice a roni, both the chicken and the beef flavor!

crazyBMB · #9 (**permalink**) 10-08-2006, 03:38 PM

I have never tried Hamber Helper. I keep thinking about it but I was in the the grocery store and someone walked buy when I was cheking it out and I heard one person to the other, "Eww, gross, I tried it once and I thought I was going to get sick!". :vomit-smiley-001: .........That kinda did it for me.

Jacklad · #10 (**permalink**) 10-08-2006, 04:37 PM

I never buy the mixes, just make my personal versions which are more versatile and just as easy.

Scramble fry ground beef with chopped celery, onion and garlic, add seasonings, liquid and starch, then cook on stovetop or throw in oven as a casserole. Top with cheese the last few minutes if wanted.

For Italian style, I use basil and oregano, canned tomatoes for the liquid and pasta for the starch. Sprinkle with Parmesan and breadcrumbs for the topping.

For Mexican, I use chili powder, canned tomatoes and rice for the starch. Top with shredded Montery Jack for the last few minutes.

For Stroganoff, I add tinned sliced mushrooms with their liquid, an additional can of water and broad noodles. Simmer until the noodles are cooked, then stir in sour cream and heat through.

For Shepherd's pie, I add a tin of cream of mushroom soup and top with mashed potatoes.

For Cheeseburger, I add water and pasta. When the pasta is cooked, I stir in shredded sharp Cheddar cheese and stir 'til it's melted through.

For Cajun, I add Cajun spice mix, add some chopped okra and use black beans and rice for the starch.

For Hamburger Potatoes Au Gratin, I add beef broth and thin potato slices, then stir in shredded sharp cheese at the end.

For Cabbage Unrolls, I add tomatoes, rice, and two cups shredded cabbage.

For Asian, I use soy sauce and ginger, broth for the liquid and add frozen oriental vegetables and rice.

I am a "seat of the pants" cook, so the best I can do proportion-wise is to advise 1 cup of hamburger to 2 cups liquid to 2 cups (cooked) starch (so 2 cups of dry pasta, 2 cups potato slices, 1 cup of rice, etc.),

You can add frozen veggies to taste to any of the recipes. You can also substitute ground chicken or turkey for most of the recipes, or ground lamb for the Shepherd's pie.

I can throw together a hamburger casserole in about 10 minutes and have it on the table in half an hour, so I've never been tempted by the mixes.

Jackie

PrincessPerky · #11 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 07:49 AM

salty..and mushy, not real food...

Ima saver · #12 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 08:03 AM

Guess that is why I never buy it!

rob62521 · #13 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 08:43 AM

I haven't fixed it for years. I think it's cheaper to fix your own stuff -- buy noodles or pasta on sale, add a can of tomato sauce or whatever, and you have to provide the hamburger for the mix or your own. Plus, some of you have said you have to doctor it up, so there's not much savings there.

I like basic rice-a-roni for an easy, quick side dish, but won't buy it unless it's on sale and I have coupons. I also like using the Ramen noodles and there's a whole website on recipes for them. Cheap and easy. A little high on sodium, I think as well as fats.