Recipes for Hamburger Helper Alternatives

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Back before my “food conversion“, I used to make Hamburger Helper all the time. It makes me sick now thinking of the MSG, trans fats and other junk in those boxed meals. Here are a couple recipes that are similar to a Hamburger Helper meal, just as easy, but much healthier. They originally came from Taste of Home, but as usual, I made a lot of changes.

UPDATE:  These days we’re not making pasta dishes as much as we used to because A. We’re eating fewer grains, and B. Pasta isn’t exactly a properly prepared grain, but these recipes are nice for once in a while.

Find more Skillet recipes from Katie!

Noodle Skillet (all ingredients organic if possible, thankfully now you can find all this stuff organic)

• 5 c.uncooked egg noodles (whole wheat is best – I can’t find whole wheat egg noodles, so I use organic whole wheat rotini, shells, or penne)
• 3/4 pd. ground beef (from a farm with grass fed cows that are not fed animal by-products or soymeal and aren’t given hormones)
• 1 medium onion
• 1 1/4c. water (filtered water if possible – I know, I’m getting on your nerves that I have to be picky about everything)
• 1 can (6oz.) tomato paste
• 2 t. chili powder
• 1 garlic clove
• 3/4 t. sea salt
• 1/4 t. pepper

Cook noodles according to directions. Meanwhile in large skillet cook beef and onion until brown, drain. Stir in the rest of the ingredients, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes. Drain noodles and stir in. Yield: 4 servings. Isn’t that easy?! Everyone ate it, too! A mini-miracle at our house!

photo by jspatchwork

Saucy Macaroni Skillet

• 1 1/2 c. uncooked pasta – whatever shape you like (I used more like 4 cups)
• 4 celery ribs, chopped
• 1/2 c. chopped green pepper (I omit since my kids won’t eat it, grrrrr)
• 1/4 c. chopped onion
• 1/4 c. butter (I used more)
• 2 cans (10 oz.) organic cream of chicken soup, undiluted (or make your own homemade version!)
  
• 2/3 c.milk
• 2 c. shredded cheddar
• 3 c. cubed cooked turkey or chicken (I used a little less)
• Crispy Almonds

Cook pasta. Meanwhile in saucepan sauté celery, green pepper and onion in butter until tender. Stir in soup and milk until blended. Add cheese, cook over medium heat until melted. Drain pasta and add to soup mixture with turkey and some salt if desired. Cook and stir ’til heated through. Sprinkle with almonds. Yield: 4-6 servings

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