Recipe: Hamburger Helper Stew

Since I was asked to share it, here it is! It's super easy - just consider the box of Hamburger Helper your stepping stone, almost like Stone Soup! You have the basis with the seasoning, and some pasta, and you can add pretty much whatever you have on hand. I think the two best end up being Sloppy Joe or Lasagna, but in the photos I used a box of Bacon Cheeseburger, and it came out just as yummy. It doesn't end up being one pan though, since you're browning the meat separate.

So you need:

Hamburger Helper
double what the liquids called for on the box
meat
cans of veggies
can of beans

Start off browning about a pound or so of ground meat. (Or to make it vegetarian, use two cans of beans - kidney is the best usually)


Prepare the seasoning and pasta or rice from the box with DOUBLE the liquid called for. You'll boil it in a pot as per the directions. Add in at least two cans of veggies and beans. (Thrifty hack: I used a can of pork and beans because I forgot to soak dry beans... again. Don't drain the beans, just add it straight to the pot! It's a great addition!) I also used a can of corn, but you can use peas, canned tomatoes - whatever you have on hand and you feel matches the HH.



It ends up perfect being served in bread bowls, or with bread on the side. I skipped using the extra packet of cheese sauce that came with this particular flavor, and am saving it to use with potatoes down the road. (two meals out of one box!) Instead I sprinkled a little bit of fresh shredded cheese on it after it was served into bowls. If you use one of the Mexican style boxes, you can add a dollop of sour cream as well.


Now I probably wouldn't go out of my way to purchase the HH to make this dish, but if you're like me and usually buy it at a cost of 50 cents or less after sales and coupons, it gives you another option to turn it into dinner. (Otherwise from a frugal standpoint, you're better off making it from scratch, especially at a shelf price of $2.59 or more, plus meat and additions!)