# I've never eaten Hamburger Helper... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 10, 2011, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-eaten-hamburger-helper/588531 "2011-07-10T18:43:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2011, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-eaten-hamburger-helper/588531/21 "2011-07-10T20:19:53Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Yep. We used to eat HH when I was a kid/teen. Now when I see it in the store, I think ‘What’s the point?’ The same point as every other prepackaged food, I imagine. Convenience. Grab some meat, grab the box and don’t worry about if you’re out of [ingredient] and forgot. Not that I’m any great advocate of Hamburger Helper but it’s no more pointless than half the other stuff in the grocery store. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2011, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-eaten-hamburger-helper/588531/22 "2011-07-10T20:52:24Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > Is there a name for the food that Hamburger Helper is, separate from the brand name? Because thats a pretty good, at least by the standard of quick homemade bachelor food. > > But the stuff in a box is both gross and a rip-off. In the midwest they call it “hot dish”. It’s basically just a casserole. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2011, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-eaten-hamburger-helper/588531/23 "2011-07-10T20:57:06Z")
The new line the of Betty Crocker complete meals are better than the hamburger helper. A lot are oven baked casseroles. chicken with cheesy rice and broccoli is one we make often. Sure we could by everything separate but why bother? We rather spend our time doing other things. It’s fresh chicken right from the store and a lot better than a frozen dinner. [http://www.bettycrocker.com/products/hamburger-helper/products/helper-complete-meals/chicken-with-cheesy-rice-and-broccoli](http://www.bettycrocker.com/products/hamburger-helper/products/helper-complete-meals/chicken-with-cheesy-rice-and-broccoli) ---
**Author:** ![markdash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@markdash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markdash)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2011, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-eaten-hamburger-helper/588531/24 "2011-07-10T20:58:38Z")
I was practically raised on the stuff. My parents were NOT good cooks. I do not suggest making one just to see how it tastes, your body may never forgive you. OTOH, you will have more appreciation for actual food. So I guess it’s up to you. ---
**Author:** ![typoink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2011, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-eaten-hamburger-helper/588531/25 "2011-07-10T21:05:30Z")
My wife and I eat HH about twice a year, because we both (sorta) grew up eating it. It is, in fact, pointless. It’s “convenient” but you can make vastly better equivalents without much more work. The nostalgia is fun on occasion, but…that’s all there is. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2011, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-eaten-hamburger-helper/588531/26 "2011-07-10T21:08:15Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > Is there a name for the food that Hamburger Helper is, separate from the brand name? Because thats a pretty good, at least by the standard of quick homemade bachelor food. Hamburger skillet dinner is what I’d call it. ---
**Author:** ![Arkcon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Arkcon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arkcon)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2011, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-eaten-hamburger-helper/588531/27 "2011-07-10T21:11:45Z")
So I suppose its called “casserole mix”, if it were available as a generic. Anyone remember **Soup Starter**? It was a cardboard can of dehydrated vegetables and herbs – _“everything you need for soup, 'cept the meat”_ was how the advert blub went. Same deal, a bunch of MSG and salt, and small single use quantities of other ingredients you might not have on hand. Hey, I didn’t make soup then, but I do now, I buy fresh soup vegetables, and I have herbs and spices on hand … but I still use store bought broth. The more things change, the more they stay the same. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2011, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-eaten-hamburger-helper/588531/28 "2011-07-10T21:27:21Z")
They used to make a Tuna Helper pot pie that wasn’t bad. The rest… not so much. ---
**Author:** ![Shark\_Sandwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Shark\_Sandwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shark_Sandwich)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2011, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-eaten-hamburger-helper/588531/29 "2011-07-10T21:33:44Z")
Take a jar of Pace Picante Salsa, whatever “heat” you want. Heat it in a saucepan, and then dump in half (or more) of a (small) block of velveeta, diced into cubes. When the cheese melts, throw in a pound of browned hamburger, and some cooked bowtie or rotini pasta (or for a thicker consistency, add some water to the “sauce” to thin it and throw uncooked noodles into it, and cook covered until the noodles are tender). Add more salsa or cheese to your liking. Now it’s not the best thing in the world, but it’s quick, filling, spicy/cheesy, and it’s a helluva lot better than the boxed HH. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2011, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-eaten-hamburger-helper/588531/30 "2011-07-10T21:37:43Z")
I question the veracity of the OP. Saying you’ve never eaten HH in America is akin to Squidward saying he’s never eaten a Krabby Patty. It just doesn’t parse. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2011, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-eaten-hamburger-helper/588531/31 "2011-07-10T21:45:52Z")
Not something I have often - but I like the one pan meal idea. I’ve used bratwurst instead of hamburger. As previously mentioned - OK as a backup. Brian ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2011, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-eaten-hamburger-helper/588531/32 "2011-07-10T22:01:00Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > I question the veracity of the OP. Saying you’ve never eaten HH in America is akin to Squidward saying he’s never eaten a Krabby Patty. > > It just doesn’t parse. Possible explanations: 1. I’m very, very wealthy and all meals were made from scratch by Cook. 2. I’m very poor and grew up with my five brothers and three sisters living in the Last Station Wagon in America, which we had to move every night, and we never had a stove or oven or refrigerator, for that matter. 3. I am intrigued by Earth convenience foods. We did not have HH on my planet. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2011, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-eaten-hamburger-helper/588531/33 "2011-07-10T22:04:18Z")
The stuff is moderately handy in a “I’m really lazy” way, but it’s just as quick and a lot healthier/tastier if you just fake it yourself. **Bachelor Chow** should be in every person’s kitchen repertoire. ---
**Author:** ![parsnip](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parsnip/32/4564_2.png) [@parsnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/parsnip)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2011, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-eaten-hamburger-helper/588531/34 "2011-07-10T22:10:50Z")
“skillet dinner” I bought this magazine recently and we are working our way through it. Cooks Illustrated is always entrancing–they take EVERYTHING so seriously. [http://www.cooksillustrated.com/bookstore/detail.asp?PID=498](http://www.cooksillustrated.com/bookstore/detail.asp?PID=498) ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2011, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-eaten-hamburger-helper/588531/35 "2011-07-10T22:15:45Z")
Those who keep suggesting that people that buy Hamburger Helper just make it from scratch themselves- please note that the people that buy Hamburger Helper aren’t usually people that can cook, especially from scratch. ---
**Author:** ![Lilacs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Lilacs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lilacs)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2011, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-eaten-hamburger-helper/588531/36 "2011-07-10T22:16:07Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > I question the veracity of the OP. Saying you’ve never eaten HH in America is akin to Squidward saying he’s never eaten a Krabby Patty. > > It just doesn’t parse. I’ve never had it either. My mother refused to have the stuff in the house. It wasn’t that we were rich or anything, or that we never had pasta and hamburger dishes, just that it’s easy enough to do without HH. Mmmm…Mom’s Spanish rice. And her goulash. Yum. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2011, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-eaten-hamburger-helper/588531/37 "2011-07-10T22:24:45Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#): > > Those who keep suggesting that people that buy Hamburger Helper just make it from scratch themselves- please note that the people that buy Hamburger Helper aren’t usually people that can cook, especially from scratch. If you can make HH, you can make it from scratch once someone shows you how. It involves boiling water for pasta and using a knife to cut up some veggies. If the knife is too complicated, then they can use a can opener to get to the additions to the meat. Basic Bachelor Chow egg noodles hamburger tomato sauce mushrooms salt & pepper peppers garlic I’ve done the whole thing in one pot over a campfire before. If somebody can’t cook at that level then they really shouldn’t be allowed out without a keeper. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2011, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-eaten-hamburger-helper/588531/38 "2011-07-10T22:41:27Z")
I dunno… I guess maybe it’s because I grew up on a diet of Hamburger Helper, Ramen noodles (“Ichiban” here), and Kraft Dinner, I pretty much like it all. In fact, these are some of my favorite foods. I still make a bowl of Ichiban from time to time, and Hamburger Helper (Beef Romanoff or Stroganoff, please) is very satisfying. But the best of all the packaged dinners is Kraft Pizza - the stuff in the yellow box with the bag of flour, the pasta sauce, a pouch of parmesan cheese, and the little packets of seasoning. It’s quite literally my favorite food. My family loves it, too. Six bucks will get you enough pizza for three people. Make it exactly according to instructions, spread the dough into a thin crust, and sprinkle on the cheese and spices. Awesome. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2011, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-eaten-hamburger-helper/588531/39 "2011-07-10T23:06:05Z")
Can and want to are two different things. I cut up veggies as a job (prep cook) one summer. Doesn’t mean I want to. But I am curious about the test kitchen skillet meals Brian ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2011, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-eaten-hamburger-helper/588531/40 "2011-07-10T23:13:16Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > Is there a name for the food that Hamburger Helper is, separate from the brand name? Because thats a pretty good, at least by the standard of quick homemade bachelor food. Bachelor Chow From Futurama [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-eaten-hamburger-helper/588531.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-eaten-hamburger-helper/588531.md?page=3)