Hamburger Helper...

[iGary]

I'm making this for dinner tonight:

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000FIMVZ4.01._SCMZZZZZZZ_V51601219_.jpg

What crap, easy-to-fix meals do you prepare?

Fess up.

[clayj]

You know how they say "Charlie don't surf"? Well, "Clay don't cook".

Ramen noodles.
Cereal (usually Bite Size Frosted Mini Wheats, Eggos cereal, or Frosted Cheerios).
Boston Market frozen dinners.
Kraft Shells 'n' Cheese.

[WildCowboy]

Mac-N-Cheese...all too often.

Usually Annie's white cheddar shells.

[skunk]

Pasta, except it's not crap.

[PlaceofDis]

frozen pizza.
like i'm having tonight.

[imacintel]

Kraft Dinner™
Chef Boyardee™ products

[beatsme]

boil noodles from mac and cheese, drain water when done, add cheesey powder and can of Armour chili to them. Horrifyingly tasty :D

[imacintel]

boil noodles from mac and cheese, drain water when done, add cheesey powder and can of Armour chili to them. Horrifyingly tasty :D

Horrifyingly tasy, indeed. :D

[Blue Velvet]

I'm too lazy for most convenience foods.

As well as buying a lot of cartons of soup, I'm a sandwich fiend. The freezer is full of all kinds of different breads which are zapped in the microwave to defrost when needed. And so in these sandwiches tend to go things that keep; cheese, marinaded vegetables etc.

I also snack a lot on dried fruit and nuts. Can't remember the last time I put something in a saucepan... although when I did it was probably for pasta which is definitely not crap.

[kentrox99]

when i first moved out on my own and before i learned to cook a little, i would buy a different type of Hamburger Helper for each night of the week.
Stay away from the Tuna Helper.....:eek:
Ramen was a staple too....

[extraextra]

Ramen noodles
Mac and cheese
Pasta Roni
Tuna
Rice a Roni
Canned soup
Frozen meals

I'm in college, I don't have the time/energy to learn how to cook real food. :(

[Hummer]

http://www.kraftfoods.com/images/ocpimages/44700/36043CL.gif

I eat about 3 of those a day.

[iSaint]

Good grief, you boys need to learn how to cook! When I bought my first house, I was cooking on the grill two or three nights a week. Usually chicken or burgers. I also make a mean meatloaf. Leftovers are good and convenient. Canned veggies are better than none at all! Can't do the Hamburger Helper...ugh! :D

[iGary]

Good grief, you boys need to learn how to cook! When I bought my first house, I was cooking on the grill two or three nights a week. Usually chicken or burgers. I also make a mean meatloaf. Leftovers are good and convenient. Canned veggies are better than none at all! Can't do the Hamburger Helper...ugh! :D

Hamburger Helper Stroganoff rocks.

Very rare occasion.

[mac-convert]

Good grief, you boys need to learn how to cook! When I bought my first house, I was cooking on the grill two or three nights a week. Usually chicken or burgers. I also make a mean meatloaf. Leftovers are good and convenient. Canned veggies are better than none at all! Can't do the Hamburger Helper...ugh! :D

Agree - HH not allowed in my place!

I just had a big bowl of home-made vegetable soup and a ham sandwich - mmmmm.

Waiting for the peanut butter cookies to get done now. :D

And I am one of the "boys". My dad was a chef and taught us not to be afraid to cook.

[imacintel]

I am having tacos tonight, and a bit of iCrab.

[backsidetailsli]

a bag of chips

[Flowbee]

So lucky to have a Trader Joe's (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trader_Joe's) about a block away from my apartment. The sheer number of delicious frozen foods (http://www.traderjoesfan.com/Trader_Joes/Products/Frozen/) there means never having to "cook" again.

[Lau]

I got into a discussion with Liam about Kraft dinner (as in the macaroni cheese stuff), and so actually bought a box and made it for research purposes. I will eat an awful lot of things, many of them crap, but that was bloody horrible. It's rare that I don't finish my dinner, but blimey. What was with the cheese powder? :eek: It was freakishly sweet and seriously weird tasting.

Quick meals for me are things like pasta or a veggie stirfry. If I really can't be arsed, a pizza (the Pizza Express Sloppy Giuseppe ones are good) grabbed on the way home can do the job, or eff it, lets get a curry or a thai takeaway.

I do have a bit of a morbid fascination with strange convenience foods though. Me and my friend bought a strange foil package that claimed to be a breakfast in a bag, and eventually made it. It was the oddest thing I've ever come across.

I've yet to find any convenience food that's quicker than pasta with pesto (or similar), and any time I've bought a bung in the oven thing I always bugger it up and it takes ages, like at least half an hour. I shall monitor this thread for intriguing suggestions to try though. :D

[iGary]

So lucky to have a Trader Joe's (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trader_Joe's) about a block away from my apartment. The sheer number of delicious frozen foods (http://www.traderjoesfan.com/Trader_Joes/Products/Frozen/) there means never having to "cook" again.

I shop there a few times a week. :)

[Flowbee]

I shop there a few times a week. :)

This thread reminds me that I need to walk over there and pick up a few things. My wife and I have been on a "Trader Giotto's" frozen pizza kick for the past couple of weeks.

That being said, I used to loooove Hamburger Helper.

[Applespider]

When I was in the American section of the deli, I saw HH and shuddered in absolute horror. Just can't do ready-made sauces particularly when they're the dried 'just add water/milk' type. Even fresh sauces usually make me think twice - aside from curries where I'm never organised to make it far enough ahead of time that the spices meld properly.

Stroganoff is so easy though... beef (lightly shaken in corn flour), mushrooms, onion, cream, brandy, seasonings... done.

The one sauce that I really don't get having jars of is Carbonara. How hard can it be to beat up an egg, add cream, add parmesan and seasonings and tip over pasta with a little bacon fried on the side?

I had veal milanese tonight - delicious if a little non-politically correct.

[strieck]

This thread reminds me that I need to walk over there and pick up a few things. My wife and I have been on a "Trader Giotto's" frozen pizza kick for the past couple of weeks.

Their Pizza Margarita is the best frozen pizza ever.

[psycoswimmer]

Perdue chicken patties. Taste great, and they're ready in 20. :D

http://www.perdue.com/files/122_7.jpg

[Grakkle]

PBJs
Pasta
Ramen Noodles
Those freeze-dried soup cup things
Tortilla chips with cottage cheese/salsa/tomato/onion/lettuce dip. (It's a great thing...)

I also eat granola for any meal of the day if I don't want to cook.

Mind you, I CAN cook: I make pizzas, lasagna, fish (that is, I cook fish...), bake bread, make pies, and so on. Actually, my cooking tendency is enough to make people take note: a young dude who actually cooks! Wow! What's more, a young heterosexual dude who cooks! It does impress some girls...;)

[raggedjimmi]

When I'm at my girlfiend's place I have some Knoll Pasta and Sauce or something. It's alright but urgh. I can't stand ready made meals these days, instead I just learned how to make easy food (Pasta Carbonara, Super cheese on toast). yea.

[SMM]

I really do not like much prepared food, although that was not always the case. I remember lean times and 'the age of indifference'. But, I learned to cook at a very young age (as did everyone in our family). So, I can make things more to my liking, in wide-variety of time constraints.

[Grakkle]

When I'm at my girlfiend's place I have some Knoll Pasta and Sauce or something. It's alright but urgh. I can't stand ready made meals these days, instead I just learned how to make easy food (Pasta Carbonara, Super cheese on toast). yea.

Oh yeah, have you ever had cheese on toast with baked beans on top? I learned about that one from my dad, who made it in his bachelor days. Good stuff! (Seriously!)

[kretzy]

I don't geddit. Why would something that makes Beef Stroganoff be called Hamburger Helper? :confused: :o

I don't really cook much processed food like this, I'll have the occasional packet of Macaroni and Cheese or a frozen meal of some kind, but that's about it.

[WildCowboy]

I don't geddit. Why would something that makes Beef Stroganoff be called Hamburger Helper? :confused: :o

Because all you have to add (besides what's in the box) is ground beef. Instead of a hamburger, you can make wonderful Beef Stroganoff with that ground beef!!

[thedude110]

Usually come dinner time I say "I'm too ****ing tired to cook" and the woman says "I'm not cooking." So, that means we either seek take out or eat some god awful preservative laden thing. I mean, I love to cook, but during the school year I can't seem to face it (I know, I know ... very middle class of me).

So ... we eat a lot of what we've taken to calling "chicken in a bag":

http://www.iceboxdiner.com/images/products/348.jpg

[katie ta achoo]

I can tell you one person who doesn't make hamburger helper.... link (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=160563&highlight=hamburger+helper) :D :D
I've been known to pop frozen pizzas in the oven when I could very well make it myself. Mmmmm... :)

[SactoGuy18]

This message thread makes you wonder why they don't teach basic cooking in high school as a mandatory course.

If you know the basics of cooking you can make some pretty amazing stuff with a little practice. I've used my mom's recipe to make a really nice Italian tomato meat sauce that goes well over almost any pasta. :D

[cycocelica]

Mac n' Cheese way too much.

taquitos every once in awhile too.

[extraextra]

This message thread makes you wonder why they don't teach basic cooking in high school as a mandatory course.

If you know the basics of cooking you can make some pretty amazing stuff with a little practice. I've used my mom's recipe to make a really nice Italian tomato meat sauce that goes well over almost any pasta. :D

It's probably too expensive, and you couldn't get enough done in the time offered. The "basic" cooking classes here at college are 4 hours long and held at fancy hotels and the like. :eek:

[TequilaBoobs]

So lucky to have a Trader Joe's (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trader_Joe's) about a block away from my apartment. The sheer number of delicious frozen foods (http://www.traderjoesfan.com/Trader_Joes/Products/Frozen/) there means never having to "cook" again.

i love trader joes, and my whole family gives me trader joes gift certificates cuz im in grad school. the orange chicken and terriyaki chicken are to die for.

[Clydefrog]

ramen
frozen dinners
bowl noodle soup!

[spicyapple]

Take some homemade frozen cabbage rolls (filled with rice and ground beef) I prepared ahead of time out of the freezer, put it in a casserole dish, top it up with some crushed tomato puree and bake it in the oven. An hour later, it's ready to enjoy with some sauerkraut and side salad. :)

[katie ta achoo]

Take some homemade frozen cabbage rolls (filled with rice and ground beef) I prepared ahead of time out of the freezer, put it in a casserole dish, top it up with some crushed tomato puree and bake it in the oven. An hour later, it's ready to enjoy with some sauerkraut and side salad. :)

That's thinking ahead, not popping crap into the oven. ;)

[Leareth]

Two packets of miso in bowl with udon noodles < ready in 5 min

Precut chop suey mix from store

KFC chicken...

I don't eat alot of prepared foods because I have a really bad reaction to MSG, so I basically make everything from scratch which can be a pain in the butt with my school and work schedule.

My insignificant other though goes through a flat of Kraft Mac and Cheese in a month, he preferes it to my home made pasta and cheese... bastard...

[technicolor]

This message thread makes you wonder why they don't teach basic cooking in high school as a mandatory course.

If you know the basics of cooking you can make some pretty amazing stuff with a little practice. I've used my mom's recipe to make a really nice Italian tomato meat sauce that goes well over almost any pasta. :D

they did at my high school. that doesnt mean anything, you can know how to cook and not want to or dont have the time to.

[iMeowbot]

Canned asparagus on buttered toast.

[Flowbee]

Canned asparagus on buttered toast.

Good grief... now I've heard everything. :p

[Applespider]

they did at my high school. that doesnt mean anything, you can know how to cook and not want to or dont have the time to.

I had cookery lessons at school too which were absolutely dreadful. They didn't show us anything to get us excited about cooking and I don't think I've ever used any of their recipes. In fact, I used to get into trouble occasionally because I refused to make things with their recipe and would bring extra ingredients from home to make it 'my way'. :rolleyes: Only thing I learned that's been useful was how to ice a cake with proper white royal icing.

The only thing I don't like about cooking from scratch is the washing up. With an 'oven meal' all you have is the plate.

[skunk]

The only thing I don't like about cooking from scratch is the washing up. With an 'oven meal' all you have is the plate.Not a great deal of that with pasta. Bet you do a killer Scots-Italian sauce. :)

[Abstract]

Don't worry iGary, I'll back you on the HH. Hamburger Helper is fantastic good stuff. The Stroganoff isn't my favourite, though. I haven't had it in years because I'm not in Canada now, but once I'm finished studying, I'm going home and having some of that wickedly good noodle.

Now I just have this.....

Nong Shim's "Shin Ramyun" (http://www.kgrocer.com/ProductImages/cup_ramyun/nong-c-shincup-200.gif) This is the smaller cup. I have the bigger bowls instead. They taste better coming from the bowls, although they're more expensive. :)


You know how they say "Charlie don't surf"? Well, "Clay don't cook".

Ramen noodles.
Cereal (usually Bite Size Frosted Mini Wheats, Eggos cereal, or Frosted Cheerios).
Boston Market frozen dinners.
Kraft Shells 'n' Cheese.

A bowl of Kraft Shells 'n' Cheese must look great on the jet black table, sitting beside those uber-expensive vases you own. :p

[sushi]

You know how they say "Charlie don't surf"? Well, "Clay don't cook".
LOL. Good one! :D

As for iGary's question, I like some of the Hamburger Helper meals. But some I am not too fond of.

Love Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. Especially when it is reheated! Yum!

Frozen dinners are okay. Convenient and quick. However, usually I just go to the local convenience store (7-11, Lawson, etc.) and purchase a Bento or something similar. Cheap and quick. Surprisingly, not too bad either.

Canned veggies are better than none at all!
I guess I would agree.

I love fresh veggies and fruit. Canned stuff taste is rather bland to me.

[CorvusCamenarum]

Good grief, you boys need to learn how to cook! When I bought my first house, I was cooking on the grill two or three nights a week. Usually chicken or burgers. I also make a mean meatloaf. Leftovers are good and convenient. Canned veggies are better than none at all! Can't do the Hamburger Helper...ugh! :D
Amen. Hamburger Helper and the like is not food. Real cooking (i.e using fresh ingredients and not boiling water and adding some powder) seems to be an art on life support these days.

[Applespider]

Bet you do a killer Scots-Italian sauce. :)

Never bet on a sure thing ;) Thankfully my Scots-Italian fusion is limited to using Aberdeen Angus in my bolognaise rather than haggis :p

[skunk]

Never bet on a sure thing ;) Thankfully my Scots-Italian fusion is limited to using Aberdeen Angus in my bolognaise rather than haggis :pWell, that's a pretty big plus for a start. :)

But shouldn't you call it bolognese?

[kretzy]

Because all you have to add (besides what's in the box) is ground beef. Instead of a hamburger, you can make wonderful Beef Stroganoff with that ground beef!!

Wow, I've never heard of stroganoff being made with mince meat. It's always made with chunks of beef here. I find what people eat in different countries to be really interesting. :)

[Applespider]

But shouldn't you call it bolognese?

Yup... and I usually do. :o Not entirely sure why my brain to finger connection splurted out the other... results of the hangover from last night and being on the phone at the same time possibly!

[dcv]

I saw the title of this thread and immediately thought of a related thread (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=160563) posted by jsw last year :D

I'm no cook but I'm proud to say I've never experienced anything like Hamburger Helper (well I'm a veggie so that might explain it), nor have I ever had a Pot Noodle in my life. I prefer 'real' food to ready-meals though I must admit, on occasion, I buy ready-made mash. :o Yeah I know, so simple to make yourself and I normally do, but I was feeling really crap and lazy yesterday so I bought some M&S Ultimate Potato Mash. Not bad, but I do prefer my own (has less of a glue-like consistency!)

[clayj]

A bowl of Kraft Shells 'n' Cheese must look great on the jet black table, sitting beside those uber-expensive vases you own. :pActually, all of my tables are glass-topped... ;)

And I eat my SnC out of a black bowl, sitting on a stainless steel tray which sits on my lap. :p

[imacintel]

Seven Eleven taquitos are friggin delicious. I don't have them too often but when I do, yummm.....

[WildCowboy]

Wow, I've never heard of stroganoff being made with mince meat. It's always made with chunks of beef here. I find what people eat in different countries to be really interesting. :)

Well, that would be the "crap" part of iGary's original post. It's merely supposed to resemble beef strogonoff, while costing a total of $3 to make and 10 minutes to prepare. It's not even close.

I saw the title of this thread and immediately thought of a related thread (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=160563) posted by jsw last year :D

kt beat you to it in post #32. ;)

[dcv]

kt beat you to it in post #32. ;)

grumblegrumble, how did I miss that? :o

[WildCowboy]

grumblegrumble, how did I miss that? :o

It was a very small link, and you were likely blinded by the smilies next to it. :cool:

[raggedjimmi]

Oh yeah, have you ever had cheese on toast with baked beans on top? I learned about that one from my dad, who made it in his bachelor days. Good stuff! (Seriously!)

sounds nice, not much a fan of beans though :o

Mine is just cheese on toast, melted butter on top, slice of this strange Polish ham my parents get (just melts... mmmmmm) with sliced cherry tomatoes on top. So basic but I absolutely fell in love with it! The cold ham and tomatoes mixed with the hot cheese and toast :) want one now!

[Cassie]

Hamburger Helper is one of my favorite meals!

I don't exactly have to cook, but if I do, it'll be something easy, like chicken fried chicken. If I'm feeling really lazy, ill fry a hamburger patty. Easiest thing to make. ever.

[iGary]

Well, that would be the "crap" part of iGary's original post. It's merely supposed to resemble beef strogonoff, while costing a total of $3 to make and 10 minutes to prepare. It's not even close.


It is if you buy a pint of sour cream to pour over when ready. :D

[Abstract]

^^Isn't there a bit of redundancy in calling something "Chicken Fried Chicken"?


Actually, all of my tables are glass-topped... ;)

And I eat my SnC out of a black bowl, sitting on a stainless steel tray which sits on my lap. :p

Ah yes, clearly my mistake. :p

[mariahlullaby]

Kraft Mac n Cheese (not the Easy Mac junk though :p)
Pasta with cheese sauce or oil and garlic
BLT
Butter Noodles (these aren't their real name....I do not know their real name. This does not help, I know :p)
Popcorn??

[hana]

^^Isn't there a bit of redundancy in calling something "Chicken Fried Chicken"?


Not in a "Bond, James Bond" sort of way :cool:

Couldn't resist.... :D

[iBlue]

I saw the title of this thread and immediately thought of a related thread (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=160563) posted by jsw last year ...)

I can't hear "hamburger helper" and not think of "Hamburger Helpless" :D
(that describes almost every cooking experience I've ever had. :o Good thing I've got other talents because "culinary arts" is not included)

[jakubtilly2]

I can't hear "hamburger helper" and not think of "Hamburger Helpless" :D
(that describes almost every cooking experience I've ever had. :o Good thing I've got other talents because "culinary arts" is not included)

Maybe this thread should become cooking hints and tips corner rather than packet meal delights!!:D

[MongoTheGeek]

I never had these things growing up. Cambell's soup was always the closest. Perhaps starting off with a packet of McCormicks seasoning, then going from there.

Making it the "real" way isn't really any slower or more difficult. Water always takes the same time to come to a boil.

I will admit that insta-spuds make it nice to not have to clean the mixer

[yellow]

Kraft Mac & Cheese with canned (drained) Tuna and (frozen) peas added.
Sounds odd, but it's pretty good, and rather slightly healthier than straight Mac & Cheese.
Yummy.

[benthewraith]

Ramen Noodles
Mac and Cheese (any kind)
Leftovers
The Bubba's Burgers

[savar]

I'm in college, I don't have the time/energy to learn how to cook real food. :(

Haha! As if you'll have more time and energy when you have a job than you do in school?

The only reason not to cook in school is limited resources: don't have a kitchen, can't drive to the grocery store, etc. If you have that stuff, though, you should be cooking every day.

[jelloshotsrule]

easiest is usually veggie burgers and some frozen pommes frites. fancier would be homemade veggie stroganoff (mmmm) or eggplant with pasta... i'm ****ing hungry now

[jelloshotsrule]

Take some homemade frozen cabbage rolls (filled with rice and ground beef) I prepared ahead of time out of the freezer, put it in a casserole dish, top it up with some crushed tomato puree and bake it in the oven. An hour later, it's ready to enjoy with some sauerkraut and side salad. :)

what do you call this, seriously? my mom makes this and calls it "pigs in the blanket".. as opposed to mini hot dogs wrapped with biscuits or whatever often gets that name.

it's my favorite meal, and even with ground soy is very very tasty. always have it with mashed potatoes too. mmmm

[TequilaBoobs]

what do you call this, seriously? my mom makes this and calls it "pigs in the blanket".. as opposed to mini hot dogs wrapped with biscuits or whatever often gets that name.

it's my favorite meal, and even with ground soy is very very tasty. always have it with mashed potatoes too. mmmm

it's called halupkis, which is polish for ground beef stuffed cabbage. most eastern europeans have some version of this dish. it's great for producing massive gas.

[dopey220]

Zatarain's jambalaya mix. I'll usually toss in some whatever kind of meat I have around, like ham or sausage. One time I made it with leftover meat loaf. That was pretty good. Oh, and you can't forget to drop in a few shakes of Cholula Hot Sauce.

[spicyapple]

what do you call this, seriously?
Erm... I just call it cabbage casserole. :)

luv ya bunches! xoxoxo

[jelloshotsrule]

it's called halupkis, which is polish for ground beef stuffed cabbage. most eastern europeans have some version of this dish. it's great for producing massive gas.

ahh, our version has its roots in the slovak tradition i believe. interesting.

luv ya bunches! xoxoxo

[OnceUGoMac]

Hamburger Helper Stroganoff rocks.

Very rare occasion.

I agree. You can't beat it. Well, you can, but that wouldn't be any fun.

[floriflee]

Their Pizza Margarita is the best frozen pizza ever.

Agreed. TJ's pizza rocks!

We don't do much packaged stuff these days, but the hubby has been known to eat Ramen noodles (more so to get them out of the house than because he actually wanted to eat them), and those Campbell's Souper Dinner thingys.

[siurpeeman]

i was a latchkey kid many, many years ago, so i would often have to make food for myself. so what did i make? spam, egg and rice. yum!!

[joker2]

what do you call this, seriously? my mom makes this and calls it "pigs in the blanket".. as opposed to mini hot dogs wrapped with biscuits or whatever often gets that name.

it's my favorite meal, and even with ground soy is very very tasty. always have it with mashed potatoes too. mmmm

it's called halupkis, which is polish for ground beef stuffed cabbage. most eastern europeans have some version of this dish. it's great for producing massive gas.

ahh, our version has its roots in the slovak tradition i believe. interesting.

Interesting -- similar recipe passed down through my Austria-Hungarian relatives. We just called it "stuffed cabbage(s)"