10/30/2025
Hamburger Helper - Do It Yourself Recipes - Meals in Jars
Convenience Food - frugal and yummy
Happy Sandy's Kitchen
I love having quick and yummy convenience recipes. These are for homemade Hamburger Helper. I know many of us grew up having Hamburger Helper meals and several of you have asked me for recipes to make your own mixes. I heard you! I've seen a lot of different recipes for Hamburger Helper copycat recipes online. I've been studying loads of them, trying some out, tweaking recipes, and finally I've come up with three varieties to share today.
I’ll post all three recipes and how to use them.
1. Hamburger Helper - Lasagna
2. Hamburger Helper - Beef Stroganoff
3. Hamburger Helper - Cheeseburger Macaroni
1. Hamburger Helper - Lasagna
Ingredients:
1/2 Cup Powdered Milk
2 Tablespoons cornstarch
1 1/2 Tablespoon tomato bouillon
1/4 teaspoon basil
1/8 teaspoon thyme
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon parsley
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup minced onion - if you don’t like much onion you can reduce this amount
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
3 cups mini bow tie pasta
To Make the Mix -
Whisk all the above ingredients except the pasta.
Pour the mixed ingredients into a jar.
Top with the dry pasta.
This Hamburger Helper won’t last as long on the shelf due to the cheese. It should be good for 6 months in a closed jar.
To Make the meal:
Brown and then drain 1 pound of ground beef. If you prefer you can use ground chicken.
Add the contents of your jar.
Add 4 cups of water
Now add 8 ounces of tomato sauce.
Bring all this to a boil.
Reduce the heat
Cover and simmer for 15 - 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
When the pasta is done, turn off the heat and stir in 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese.
Cover and let this sit for a few minutes until the cheese melts.
Stir and serve!
2. Hamburger Helper - Beef Stroganoff
Ingredients:
2/3 cup powdered milk
1 Tablespoon sour cream powder - optional - add 1/4 cup sour cream when cooking.
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon paprika
1 Tablespoon cornstarch
3 Tablespoons brown gravy mix
3 cups medium egg noodles (dry pasta, not frozen)
To Make the Mix -
Whisk all the above ingredients except the pasta.
Pour the mixed ingredients into a jar.
Top with the dry pasta.
Store in an airtight container for up to 1 year.
To Make the Meal:
Brown and then drain 1 pound of ground beef (or ground chicken if you prefer).
Add 5 cups of water and the contents of the jar.
Stir well.
Bring to a boil
Reduce heat
Cover and simmer for 15 - 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove lid and let thicken
If you are adding fresh sour cream, do it now. Stir and heat and serve.
3. Hamburger Helper - Cheeseburger Macaroni
Ingredients:
1/3 cup powdered milk
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon parsley
1/4 cup minced onion (if you don’t like as strong of an onion flavor you can reduce this amount or even leave it out)
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups elbow macaroni
To Make the Mix -
Whisk all the above ingredients except the pasta.
Pour the mixed ingredients into a jar.
Top with the dry pasta.
Store in an airtight container for up to 1 year.
To Make the Meal:
Brown and then drain 1 pound of ground beef (or ground chicken if you prefer).
Add 4 cups of water and the contents of the jar.
Stir well.
Bring to a boil
Reduce heat
Cover and simmer for 15 - 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Once the pasta is done add in 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese.
Stir, heat, and serve.
I hope you all enjoy these yummy meals!
The picture on the right is for the Lasagna variety and on the left is the Beef Stroganoff variety. Sorry I don't have a picture for the Cheeseburger Macaroni one.
