Pantry Staples: DIY Hamburger Helper Mix

Ever wanted an easy dinner, where you don’t have to think hard – that works for both rushed nights, or when winter hits and you can’t get out safely? Pantry staples are just that—great to have on hand so you can make a meal. Meals in Jars make it even easier.

In this version of Hamburger Helper, I used freeze-dried cheddar cheese that we did in our freeze-dryer. You can buy it made for you, or use fresh cheese. I include both ways to prep the meal.

What you don’t get is the gross ingredients you find in the commercial mix. What does the actual cheeseburger macaroni mix contain? Artificial coloring for one.

Product Ingredients

Enriched Macaroni (wheat flour, niacin, ferrous sulfate, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), Corn Starch, Salt, Modified Whey, Sugar. Contains 2% or less of: Tomato*, Onion*, Vegetable Oil (canola, soybean, and/or sunflower oil), Citric Acid, Whey, Maltodextrin, Garlic*, Spice, Cheddar Cheese* (cultured milk, salt, enzymes), Color (yellows 5 & 6, yellow lakes 5 & 6, annatto & turmeric extract), Monoglycerides, Yeast Extract, Nonfat Milk*, Gum Arabic, Natural Flavor, Sodium Phosphate, Blue Cheese* (cultured milk, salt, enzymes), Silicon Dioxide (anticaking agent). *DRIED

DIY Hamburger Helper Mix

Ingredients:

1½ cups elbow macaroni (used whole grain) (about 6 ounces dry weight)
¼ cup dry milk
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp all-purpose flour
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp fine sea salt
1 tsp granulated garlic
1 tsp granulated onion
2 cups freeze-dried cheddar cheese (See below for fresh cheese option*)

Also:

1 pound ground hamburger
4 cups water

Directions:

Pack all dry ingredients into a quart mason jar and seal. For long-term storage, consider sealing the jar and or adding a dessicant packet.

To Cook:

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, add the hamburger, and cook until done. Add the 4 cups of water and bring to a boil.

Stir in the dry ingredients, simmer for the time on the pasta package (ours was 7 minutes), stirring often. Turn off the stove, let it sit for a few minutes to thicken.

*Using Fresh Cheese:

Pack dry ingredients in a pint mason jar. Use 3 cups of water when preparing. Add cheese in at the end, stirring to melt.

Serves 4 (while not huge portions, it is very filling).

Notes:

Need to feed a larger family? Bigger portions? Just double the pasta and the dry ingredients, the cheese is fine where it is, and of course, add another 3 cups of water.