Hamburger Helper

Hamburger Helper is a boxed food product manufactured by Eagle Foods, consisting of a dried carbohydrate (either pasta, rice, or potato), plus a packet of powdered seasonings; both are to be combined with browned ground beef (also known as "hamburger"), water, milk, and sometimes mayonnaise to create a complete one-dish meal.

There are also variations of the product designed for other meats, such as "Tuna Helper" and "Chicken Helper".

History

The packaged pasta brand "Hamburger Helper" was introduced by General Mills on the West Coast in December 1970 and made its national debut in August 1971 in response to meat shortages and soaring beef prices and a weakened U.S. economy.[2][3][4][5]

Other varieties

There are also different varieties of Hamburger Helper, such as Tuna Helper, for tuna, and Fruit Helper, a discontinued variety for canned fruit that would make desserts.

Tuna Helper became successful as the second variety to appear on the market, in 1972.[4][17] In 1973, three flavors were offered: Noodles 'n Cheese Sauce, Noodles 'n Cream Sauce, Potatoes 'n Flavor Sauce.[18]

Fruit Helper was introduced in 1973, and required a 16- or 30-oz. can of "almost any [canned] fruit." The can's syrup was combined with milk and the packaged "Helper" to create a pudding in which to mix the fruit; the "crunchy, nutty topping" completed the dessert.[19] The Fruit Helper line has since been discontinued;[20] Its latest newspaper advertising was, apparently, in 1975.[21]

Chicken Helper was introduced in 1980 in response to the wide availability of inexpensive boneless and skinless chicken breasts,[22] and the first four selections were Chicken Teriyaki, Chicken and Dumplings, Chicken and Stuffing, and Mushroom Chicken.[23]

Asian Helper is a selection of four main Asian-American-style dishes, three made with chicken and one with beef.[24] With the acquisition of the brand by Eagle Foods, the line has been discontinued.

Whole Grain Helper was a selection of four dishes made with whole grain pasta, two with chicken and two with beef.[25] The line has also been discontinued.

Pork Helper was introduced in 2003.[26] The Pork Fried Rice and Pork Chops with Stuffing meals were stovetop dishes; the Breaded Pork Chops and Mashed Potatoes required an oven.[27] The product was discontinued shortly after its introduction.[28][29]

Hamburger Helper Bold was introduced at some point. It was a spicier version of certain Hamburger Helper varieties, and a few Chicken Helper varieties.

Helper Mac & Cheese was a microwavable mac and cheese dish, with flavors such as pizza and nacho. It was discontinued following the brand's acquisition by Eagle Foods.

Hamburger Helper Microwave Singles were introduced in 2006. They required water and brief cooking in the microwave to produce a single serving portion of some of the most popular flavors. Chicken Helper flavors were added in 2007 despite the brand being discontinued shortly thereafter. In 2024, they were brought back, albeit dropping the "Microwave Singles" part of their name, and were available in 4 flavors: Beef Pasta, Cheeseburger Macaroni, Chili Macaroni and Tomato Basil Macaroni. In late 2025, hashbrown varieties were introduced.

Hamburger Helper Spicy, introduced in late 2025, is a line of three spicier flavors of Hamburger Helper.

Hamburger Helper Deluxe, also introduced in late 2025, is a line of Hamburger Helper that contains a cold sauce packet that must be added at the end of cooking.

Hamburger Helper Breakfast is another product introduced in late 2025. It is a line of breakfast hashbrowns that require breakfast sausage instead of ground beef.

type	Packaged mix
course	Main course
place of origin	United States
associated cuisine	American cuisine
creator	General Mills
year	1970‡R1R‡
served	Hot
main ingredient	Pasta or rice
minor ingredient	Seasonings
variations	Tuna Helper, Fruit Helper, Chicken Helper, Asian Helper, Whole Grain Helper, Pork Helper, Hamburger Helper Breakfast

History

Hamburger varieties

Other varieties

In popular culture

See also

External links

References