Hamburger Helper is a popular boxed meal that provides the seasoning and pasta/rice component to make a quick and easy dinner by simply adding ground beef and milk. The basic Hamburger Helper recipe results in a simple, kid-friendly meal, but many home cooks like to dress it up with extra ingredients. There are lots of easy ways to customize Hamburger Helper to make it tastier and more nutritious for the whole family.
What are some quick answers to common questions about adding ingredients to Hamburger Helper?
Can I add vegetables to Hamburger Helper? Yes, adding vegetables is a great way to pack extra nutrients into a Hamburger Helper meal. Good veggie additions include diced onions, bell peppers, carrots, peas, corn, green beans, or zucchini.
What spices or herbs go well with Hamburger Helper? Dried basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, and Italian seasoning are all good seasoning boosters for Hamburger Helper recipes.
Can I use chicken instead of ground beef? Absolutely! Substituting cooked, diced chicken breast for ground beef is a simple way to lighten up Hamburger Helper.
Is it OK to add cheese to Hamburger Helper? Yes, sprinkling shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Parmesan cheese over a Hamburger Helper dish can provide a tasty flavor punch.
Can I use milk alternatives like almond milk? You can use almond milk, soy milk, or rice milk as a substitute for the regular milk called for in Hamburger Helper recipes. They may slightly impact the taste and texture but will still work.
What are some ideas for adding protein to Hamburger Helper? Chicken, beans, lentils, edamame, tofu crumbles, tuna, and turkey sausage are all good ways to pack extra protein into Hamburger Helper dishes.
Vegetable Additions
One of the easiest ways to increase the nutrition of Hamburger Helper is to stir in extra vegetables. Here are some tasty veggie add-ins to consider:
– Diced onions – Onions add flavor, texture, and nutrients. Saute them first for a few minutes until translucent.
– Bell peppers – Diced red, yellow or orange peppers add pleasant crunch. Quickly saute or add them raw at the end.
– Mushrooms – Sliced white, cremini or portobello mushrooms enhance the savory flavor. Saute them first before adding.
– Leafy greens – Spinach, kale or chard add color and lots of vitamins. Stir them in until wilted at the end.
– Carrots – Shredded or diced carrots pair well with beef and cheese-flavored Helpers.
– Frozen mixed veggies – An easy shortcut for getting in a variety of vegetables at once.
– Fresh or frozen peas – One of the quickest cooking and kid-friendly veggie add-ins.
– Corn – The sweet flavor of corn complements Hamburger Helper recipes. Use fresh cut off the cob or frozen.
– Green beans – Trimmed and chopped fresh or thawed frozen green beans make a tasty addition.
Recommended Veggie Add-Ins By Hamburger Helper Flavor
| Hamburger Helper Flavor | Best Vegetable Additions |
|---|---|
| Cheeseburger Macaroni | Onions, carrots, peas |
| Lasagna | Spinach, mushrooms, zucchini |
| Beef Stroganoff | Onions, mushrooms, bell peppers |
| Salisbury Steak | Onions, mushrooms, green beans |
| Cheesy Italian Shells | Onions, spinach, bell peppers, mushrooms |
When adding veggies, aim for 1 to 2 cups total per box of Hamburger Helper to make a significant nutritional difference. Just stir them in when sautéing the ground beef or add toward the end of cooking so they retain texture.
Herbs, Spices, and Seasonings
Hamburger Helper contains lots of salt and artificial flavors already, but you can add more natural flavor with herbs, spices, and seasonings. Consider stirring in any of the following:
– Italian seasoning – A versatile blend that complements most Hamburger Helper varieties.
– Basil – The quintessential Italian herb pairs nicely with tomato-based and cheese-flavored Helpers.
– Oregano – Earthy oregano adds warmth and richness. It’s especially good in Mexican or Italian-style recipes.
– Cumin – A sprinkle of cumin enhances taco and chili-flavored Hamburger Helpers.
– Chili powder – Adds a mild kick of heat and extra flavor to many dishes.
– Garlic powder – An easy way to add garlicky flavor without chopping fresh cloves.
– Onion powder – Granulated onion powder infuses oniony taste.
– Paprika – A mild, sweet peppery taste that’s perfect for beef.
– Parsley – Fresh chopped parsley gives a fresh finish and pop of color.
Start with 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of dried herbs or spices and add more to taste. Add them when sautéing the ground beef so the flavors develop. Fresh herbs like parsley can be stirred in right at the end.
Seasoning Boosts for Common Hamburger Helper Flavors
| Hamburger Helper Variety | Seasoning Suggestions |
|---|---|
| Cheeseburger | Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, parsley |
| Lasagna | Italian seasoning, basil, parsley |
| Taco | Chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, oregano |
| Stroganoff | Parsley, paprika, thyme |
| Salisbury Steak | Onion powder, garlic powder, thyme |
Amp up the flavor even more by combining a few complementary herbs and spices in each dish.
Non-Beef Protein
One of the most nutritious upgrades you can make to Hamburger Helper is swapping out some or all of the ground beef for non-beef proteins. Here are healthy and tasty options:
– Ground turkey – The easiest swap for leaner ground beef. Use it 1:1 in place of ground beef.
– Diced chicken – Cooked chicken breast adds protein without much fat. Dice or shred it.
– Crumbled sausage – Turkey, chicken or soy-based sausage lend lots of flavor.
– Beans – Kidney, black or pinto beans add fiber. Drain and rinse canned beans first.
– Lentils – Protein-packed lentils bulk up the meal. Cook them first until tender.
– Edamame – For a plant-based boost, stir in some shelled edamame.
– Tofu – Diced extra firm tofu can stand in for meat. Saute it first to brown.
– Canned tuna or salmon – Flaked fish is a tasty protein-rich addition.
– Eggs – Scrambled eggs make the dish more breakfast-like.
– Nut or soy crumbles – For a vegan option, use walnut, soy or mushroom based crumbles.
Start by swapping half the ground beef for one of these proteins, or replace it entirely for a meatless meal. Cook the alternate proteins first before adding to the Hamburger Helper.
Non-Beef Proteins to Try by Hamburger Helper Flavor
| Hamburger Helper Variety | Non-Beef Protein Ideas |
|---|---|
| Cheeseburger | Turkey, black beans |
| Lasagna | Turkey, lentils, diced chicken |
| Taco | Turkey, edamame, black beans |
| Stroganoff or Salisbury Steak | Turkey, mushrooms |
| Chicken/Broccoli/Rice | Tofu, chickpeas |
Getting creative with non-beef proteins elevates Hamburger Helper to be a bit healthier and more interesting.
Dairy and Cheese
Cheese and milk are already key ingredients in Hamburger Helper, but you can incorporate even more to ramp up the creaminess, flavor and calcium content. Consider stirring in:
– Shredded cheddar – Extra sharp or Mexican-style cheddar add bold cheese flavor.
– Monterey Jack – Melty Monterey Jack gives a mild cheesy boost.
– Parmesan – Grated Parmesan offers a salty, nutty punch.
– Cream cheese – Softened cream cheese makes it extra rich and creamy.
– Sour cream – Dollops of cool sour cream balance out spice.
– Plain yogurt – Stir in a couple spoonfuls of yogurt for tang and thickness.
– Milk – For more saucy recipes, splash in a bit more milk.
– Evaporated milk – Adds creamy richness without the moisture of regular milk.
– Butter – A pat of butter right before serving makes it extra decadent.
Aim for 1/4 to 1/2 cup of additional dairy per box. Save higher fat ingredients like cheese, sour cream and butter for finishing to keep the dish from becoming too greasy.
Cheesy Add-Ins for Common Hamburger Helper Varieties
| Hamburger Helper Type | Cheesy Topping Suggestions |
|---|---|
| Lasagna | Shredded mozzarella, Parmesan |
| Cheeseburger | Shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack |
| Stroganoff or Salisbury Steak | Sour cream, Parmesan |
| Taco or Chili | Shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, Greek yogurt |
| Chicken | Shredded cheddar, cream cheese |
The cheese possibilities are endless when dressing up Hamburger Helper!
Vegetables, Grains and Breadcrumbs
Hamburger Helper is mostly pasta, rice or potatoes. You can stretch boxes farther and add more nutrition by incorporating extra vegetables, grains and breadcrumbs. Consider mixing in:
– Cauliflower rice – Low-carb substitute for all or some of the rice.
– Barley – Fiber-rich, hearty barley makes it more of a complete meal.
– Quinoa – For a protein boost, use quinoa instead of some of the pasta or rice.
– Breadcrumbs – For thicker casserole-style dishes, add panko or Italian breadcrumbs.
– Tortilla strips – Diced tortilla chips or strips contribute corn flavor.
– Potato flakes – Potato flakes help thicken and lend potato-y taste.
– Oatmeal – Quick oats add whole grain goodness and thickness.
– Pasta – Mix in extras like macaroni, penne or egg noodles.
– Rice – For more filling rice recipes, supplement with extra rice.
– Corn – For southwestern-flavored versions, mix in corn kernels.
Replace about 1/4 to 1/3 of the main starch component with your add-ins of choice. You may need to increase milk or water slightly to account for absorbed liquid.
Whole Grain and Veggie Boosts for Types of Hamburger Helper
| Hamburger Helper Variety | Whole Grain and Vegetable Ideas |
|---|---|
| Cheeseburger Macaroni | Barley, cauliflower rice, corn, breadcrumbs |
| Rice or chicken-flavored | Quinoa, peas, cauliflower rice |
| Lasagna or Italian-style | Spinach, zucchini, barley, oatmeal |
| Taco or Southwest | Corn, tortilla strips, beans, quinoa |
Adding extra grains and veggies stretches Hamburger Helper into a more complete one-pot meal.
Condiments, Sauces and Mix-Ins
Condiments, sauces and other flavor-packed items are an easy way to spice up basic Hamburger Helper recipes. Consider stirring in any of the following:
– Salsa – For Mexican or taco-flavored dishes, tomato-based salsa adds flavor.
– Barbecue sauce – Sweet smoky barbecue sauce complements cheesy or chicken-based Helpers.
– Ketchup – Ketchup’s sweet tang works well in cheeseburger or meatloaf types.
– Hot sauce – A few dashes of hot sauce like Tabasco provides some heat.
– Worcestershire sauce – This umami-rich sauce boosts beefy flavor.
– Soy sauce or tamari – A splash of soy adds salty, savory notes.
– Ranch dressing – Creamy ranch dressing pairs nicely with cheese and chicken recipes.
– Pesto – Basil or sun-dried tomato pesto adds an herbal punch.
– Hummus – Swirling in hummus gives a creamy, nutty dimension.
– Pickle relish – For retro flavor, add a spoonful of sweet or dill relish.
Start with a tablespoon or two of your chosen condiments. Taste and add more from there if desired. Stir them in toward the end of cooking so flavors don’t get diluted.
Suggested Condiments and Sauces for Hamburger Helper Types
| Hamburger Helper Variety | Condiment or Sauce Addition Ideas |
|---|---|
| Cheeseburger | Ketchup, barbecue sauce, ranch dressing |
| Taco or Mexican | Salsa, hot sauce |
| Chicken flavored | Ranch dressing, barbecue sauce |
| Stroganoff | Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard |
| Lasagna or Italian | Pesto, pizza sauce |
Adding a sauce or condiment can really bring a Hamburger Helper recipe together!
Conclusion
Hamburger Helper is meant to be a quick and convenient shortcut meal, but you can make it more nutritious and tasty with simple add-ins. Vegetables, herbs and spices, dairy products, whole grains, and condiments all contribute flavor and nutrients.
Aim to include a protein, vegetable, and whole grain in each serving for a more balanced one-pot dinner. Get creative with add-ins that suit your taste preferences and what you have on hand. The possibilities are endless for dressing up boxed Hamburger Helper mixes!