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.
Noodle Skillet
Ingredients
- 5 cups uncooked egg noodles where to buy good-for-you noodles
- 3/4 pound 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 1/4 cups 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 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 garlic clove
- 3/4 teaspoons sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoons pepper
Instructions
- Cook noodles according to directions. Meanwhile in large skillet cook beef and onion until brown. Stir in the rest of the ingredients, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes. Drain noodles and stir in.
And now for the tasty macaroni skillet…
Saucy Macaroni Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked pasta – whatever shape you like I used more like 4 cups
- 4 celery ribs chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped green pepper I omit since my kids won't eat it, grrrrr
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1/4 cup butter I used more
- 2 cans 10 oz. organic cream of chicken soup, undiluted (or make your own homemade version!)
- 2/3 cup milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar
- 3 cups cubed cooked turkey or chicken I used a little less
- Crispy Almonds
Instructions
- 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.
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Meal Planning Help!
Sick of planning meals and answering the question, “What am I going to feed these people?” No matter what kind of eater you are (traditional, GF, paleo, vegetarian)… Check out these affordable interactive easy-to-use meal plans where the work is done for you. NOW recipes also available from Nom Nom Paleo, The Paleo Mom, and Wellness Mama all in one spot! You can read over my review here.
photo credit, Creative Commons 2.0
Mande says
Can this be frozen after cooking it, even with the noodles in it? My husband works away from home and I’m trying to freeze meals he can heat up and eat easily.
Thanks!
KitchenKop says
I haven’t tried that but I do believe it would be just fine. We freeze mac & cheese all the time and that comes out great!
Kelly
Michelle says
For no grainers or grain reduced diet, noodles could be switched for spaghetti squash….some folks make zucchini noodles which I haven’t mastered myself but hope to this zucchini season!
KitchenKop says
Sarah, thanks for the great feedback, ya big sweetie!
sarah says
Hi Kelly,
I am new to your website and I really love it! For years I have tried to eat as many natural, non-processed foods as I can so I feel right at home at your website. I made your noodle skillet recipe the other night and it came out great! I can’t wait to explore your other recipe’s!
Katie @ Kitchen Stewardship says
mmmmm – both are simple and perfect for hubbies and kids. Now I need the remake of the box in your photo! THAT is my husband’s favorite, and when I saw the pic I was trembling with anticipation….but then the recipes weren’t for that. 🙁 Ah, well. I should make it up myself! 🙂 Katie
Tamie says
Kelly…I tried the Noodle Skillet recipe tonight. Outstanding! A great substitute for Hamburger Helper and I didn’t feel bad feeding it to my family! Thank you!
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
Hi Jody,
There’s also more variations if you go to the link at this post: https://kellythekitchenkop.com/2008/04/creamed-soup-alternatives.html.
Thanks!
Kelly
Jody says
Have you learned to make white sauce from scratch to use instead of canned cream of chicken? 3T. butter, 3T. flour (can be whole wheat), 1 tsp. salt.1 cup milk, stock, or combination. Cook flour and butter for about 1 minute, add stock/milk, and stir until thickened.
🙂