Love Hamburger Helper™, but can’t afford the price? Make your own!
As the title says, it’s quick and cheap – two things a mom loves – and it tastes great.
Mom’s Burger Casserole
1/2 – 1 lb lean ground beef, depending on family preference
2 packets beef gravy mix
1 bag egg noodles
1/2 small onion, chopped
1 clove fresh garlic, chopped fine
2 cups water
Salt/pepper to tasteTo Make: In a saucepan, brown onion and garlic in a bit of oil until soft. Add burger and one packet of gravy mix. Stir until well mixed and mostly browned. Mix in 2nd gravy packet and add both cups of water. Stir well. Reduce heat to low.
Boil water in a second pot for egg noodles. When the water is rapidly boiling, add noodles, stirring constantly until water begins boiling again. When noodles reach desired softness, drain, and place in serving dish. Add burger sauce immediately and toss.
Substitutions: If you like cheesy mac, use 1 packet of gravy mix and one packet of cheese from boxed macaroni and cheese or 1 cup fresh grated cheddar. Like stroganoff? Add sour cream before tossing.
Servings: I have no idea. It feeds two sons with huge appetites, a 16yo daughter, and a mom. In RDA terms, that’s probably 6-8 servings.
Filed under: In the Kitchen |
The Mom Speaks 
Better Than Kraft Mac & Cheese
Start with any boxed mac & cheese mix. (I buy aldis)
Bowl the noodles as instructed.
Drain off most of the water, leave a small amount as it helps to thicken the mac & cheese.
Pour in enough milk that you can see it just under the top lavel of macaroni.Warm the milk on low heat until you see a few bubbles.
Add the powdered “cheese” that comes with the mix.
A 1/2 cup shredded sharp chedder.
About 3 tablespoons ricotta or cottage cheese.
1/2 stick butter ( or its equivelent in margarine)
And then toss in some grated parmesan, a few shakes or a handful, whatever you like.
Stir continuously until all the cheese melt and blend.
This makes a wonderful, stove top mac & cheese.
(You can double, or triple, it with extra boxes of mac & cheese)
Just toss in whatever cheeses you have on hand.
I love to add a dollop of sour cream, too.
Serves 4 or so, but the more you need, the more you can easily make.