Hamburger Helper Microwave Directions

— October 14th, 2007, 8:39 pm by Chad | Food

Click here to skip directly to the directions.

I have a confession: I really like Hamburger Helper. When I was in college, it was a cheap way to make a filling meal. Now that I’m a father, it’s an easy way to throw together dinner when I’m home alone with the girls or when it’s my turn to cook dinner. They also reheat very well - you can make some for dinner and then take the rest for lunch the next day with no trouble. There’s some I like quite a bit better than others - the ones with noodles or rice are usually pretty good, but the ones with dried potatoes are not quite so good.

A few months ago, Betty Crocker started marketing their Hamburger Helper Microwave Singles. They’re terrible. Part of what makes Hamburger Helper good is the fact that you still use fresh meat. The reconstituted beef in the Microwave Singles has a lousy texture and overall the flavor is pretty sub-par. I think Betty Crocker realizes this, because recently they started taking the microwave directions off the regular Hamburger Helper boxes!

Since the microwave is my preferred way to prepare it (it takes far less time and doesn’t splatter all over my stove), I went looking for directions online. Betty Crocker has directions for their 4 best-selling flavors in a FAQ, but the only one they have that I like is Lasagna. Since there doesn’t appear to be a single place online with microwave directions, I decided to grab the directions from the product descriptions on Amazon.com before they disappear there, too. I’ve included all of the Hamburger Helper brands, including Tuna Helper. Chicken Helper has never, to my knowledge, included microwave directions, and Pork Helper appears to be no more; my hunch is it was always just Chicken Helper with directions on how to cook the pork anyway. This list is not complete - if I couldn’t find it on Amazon.com or in the Betty Crocker FAQ, it isn’t here. If you have the directions for one I don’t, just leave a comment below!


Hamburger Helper Cheesy Favorites

Cheeseburger Macaroni

  1. Crumble 1 pound lean ground beef* into 2½-quart microwavable casserole or bowl. Microwave uncovered on High 3 to 5 minutes, breaking up beef after 3 minutes, until brown; drain.
  2. Stir in Sauce Mix, 2 cups boiling** water, 1½ cups milk and uncooked Pasta.
  3. Microwave uncovered on High 10 to 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until pasta is tender (sauce will thicken as it stands). Dish will be hot.

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft.): Increase last microwave time to 12-17 min.

Double Cheeseburger Macaroni

  1. Crumble 1 lb. lean ground beef* into 2½-quart microwavable casserole or bowl. Microwave uncovered on High 3 to 5 minutes, breaking up beef after 3 minutes, until brown; drain.
  2. Stir in Sauce Mix, 1½ cups boiling** water, 1¾ cups milk and uncooked Pasta.
  3. Microwave uncovered on High 10 to 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until pasta is tender (sauce will thicken as it stands). Dish will be hot.

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft.): Increase boiling water to 2 cups and last microwave time to 13-18 min.

Three Cheese

(Courtesy of http://www.tsbvi.edu/Education/recipes/helper/)

  1. Crumble 1 pound lean ground beef* into 2½-quart microwavable casserole or bowl. Microwave uncovered on High 3 to 5 minutes, breaking up beef after 3 minutes, until brown; drain.
  2. Stir in sauce mix, 2 cups boiling** water, 1¼ cups milk and uncooked Pasta.
  3. Microwave uncovered on High 12 to 17 minutes, stirring every 6 minutes, until pasta is tender (sauce will thicken as it stands). Dish will be hot.

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft.): Adjustments needed: leave a comment below!

Cheddar Cheese Melt

(Courtesy of http://www.tsbvi.edu/Education/recipes/helper/)

  1. Crumble 1 pound lean ground beef* into 2½-quart microwavable casserole or bowl. Microwave uncovered on High 3 to 5 minutes, breaking up beef after 3 minutes, until brown; drain.
  2. Stir in sauce mix, 21/3 cups boiling** water, ½ cup milk and uncooked Pasta.
  3. Microwave uncovered on High 8 to 12 minutes, stirring every 4 minutes, until pasta is tender (sauce will thicken as it stands). Dish will be hot.
  4. Meanwhile, stir 1/3 cup milk and Topping mix in bowl for 30 seconds. Pour topping over beef mixture (If topping is too thick to pour, stir in an additional ½ to 1 teaspoon milk).

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft.): Directions needed: leave a comment below!

Bacon Cheeseburger

Directions needed - please leave a comment below!

Chili Cheese

Directions courtesy of twiztor:

  1. Crumble 1 lb. lean ground beef* into 2½-quart microwavable casserole or bowl. Microwave uncovered on High 3 to 5 minutes, breaking up beef after 3 minutes, until brown; drain.
  2. Stir in Sauce Mix, 2¼ cups boiling water, 1 cup milk, and uncooked pasta.
  3. Microwave uncovered on High 10 to 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until pasta is tender (sauce will thicken as it stands). Dish will be hot.

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft.): Directions needed: leave a comment below!

Cheesy Hashbrowns

There may not be microwave directions for this one - you can’t properly brown the potatoes unless you use the stove. If I’m wrong, please leave a comment below!

Philly Cheesesteak

  1. Crumble 1 lb. lean ground beef* into 2½-quart microwavable casserole or bowl. Microwave uncovered on High 3 to 5 minutes, breaking up beef after 3 minutes, until brown; drain.
  2. Stir in sauce mix, 2 cups boiling** water, ¾ cup milk and uncooked pasta.
  3. Microwave uncovered on High 10 to 14 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until pasta is tender (sauce will thicken as it stands). Dish will be hot.
  4. Sprinkle with topping.

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft.): Increase boiling water to 2¼ cups and last microwave time to 12-16 min.

Cheesy Baked Potato

Directions needed - please leave a comment below!

Hamburger Helper Italian Favorites

Lasagna

  1. Crumble 1 lb. lean ground beef* into 2½-quart microwavable casserole or bowl. Microwave uncovered on High 3 to 5 minutes, breaking up beef after 3 minutes, until brown; drain.
  2. Stir in Sauce Mix, 3¼ cups hot water and uncooked Pasta.
  3. Microwave uncovered on High 12 to 18 minutes, stirring every 6 minutes, until pasta is tender (sauce will thicken as it stands). Dish will be hot.

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft.): Increase hot water to 3 3/4 cups.

Four Cheese Lasagna

  1. Crumble 1 lb. lean ground beef* into 2½-quart microwavable casserole or bowl. Microwave uncovered on High 3 to 5 minutes, breaking up beef after 3 minutes, until brown; drain.
  2. Stir in sauce mix, 2½ cups boiling** water, 1 cup milk and uncooked pasta.
  3. Microwave uncovered on High 10 to 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until pasta is tender (sauce will thicken as it stands). Dish will be hot.

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft.): Increase boiling water to 2¾ cups and last microwave time to 16 to 20 min.

Italian Sausage Flavor

Directions needed - please leave a comment below!

Spaghetti

  1. Crumble 1 lb. lean ground beef* into 2½-quart microwavable casserole or bowl. Microwave uncovered on High 3 to 5 minutes, breaking up beef after 3 minutes, until brown; drain.
  2. Stir in 3¾ cups boiling** water, uncooked spaghetti and sauce mix.
  3. Microwave uncovered on High 12 to 16 minutes, stirring every 6 minutes, until spaghetti is tender. (Sauce will thicken as it stands.) Dish will be hot.

High Altitude (3500 - 6500 ft.): Increase boiling water to 4 cups and last microwave time to 14-18 min.

Cheesy Italian Shells

  1. Crumble 1 lb. lean ground beef* into 2½-quart microwavable casserole or bowl. Microwave uncovered on high 3 to 5 minutes, breaking up beef after 3 minutes, until brown; drain.
  2. Stir in sauce mix, 3½ cups boiling** water and uncooked pasta.
  3. Microwave uncovered on high 14 to 18 minutes, stirring every 7 minutes, until pasta is tender (sauce will thicken as it stands). Dish will be hot. Meanwhile, stir ¼ cup milk and topping mix in bowl 30 seconds; set aside.
  4. Pour topping (If topping is too thick to pour, stir in an additional 1 to 2 tablespoon milk) over beef mixture.

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft.): Increase boiling water to 3¾ cups and last microwave time to 18-22 minutes.

Tomato Basil Penne

  1. Crumble 1 lb. lean ground beef* into 2½-quart microwavable casserole or bowl. Microwave uncovered on High 3 to 5 minutes, breaking up beef after 3 minutes, until brown; drain.
  2. Stir in Sauce Mix, 3 cups (guessing here - please leave a comment below if you know the correct amount) boiling** water and uncooked Pasta.
  3. Microwave uncovered on High 12 to 17 minutes, stirring every 6 minutes, until pasta is tender (sauce will thicken as it stands). Dish will be hot.

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft.): Increase boiling water to 4 cups and last microwave time to 18-22 min.

Hamburger Helper Mexican Favorites

Double Cheese Quesadilla (aka Double Cheesy Quesadilla)

  1. Crumble 1 lb. lean ground beef* into 2½-quart microwavable casserole or bowl. Microwave uncovered on High 3 to 5 minutes, breaking up beef after 3 minutes, until brown; drain.
  2. Stir in sauce mix, 2 cups boiling** water, 1 cup milk and uncooked rice.
  3. Microwave uncovered on High 8 to 12 minutes, stirring every 4 minutes, until rice is tender (sauce will thicken as it stands). Dish will be hot. Meanwhile, stir ¼ cup milk and cheese topping mix in bowl 30 seconds; set aside.
  4. Remove from microwave. Pour cheese topping over beef mixture. (If topping is too thick to pour, stir in an additional 1 to 2 teaspoons milk.)

High Altitude (3500 - 6500 ft): Increase boiling water to 2½ cups and last microwave time to 12-16 minutes.

Cheesy Enchilada

  1. Crumble 1 lb. lean ground beef* into 2½-quart microwavable casserole or bowl. Microwave uncovered on high 3 to 5 minutes, breaking up beef after 3 minutes, until brown; drain.
  2. Stir in sauce mix, 3 cups boiling** water, ¾ cup milk and uncooked rice.
  3. Microwave uncovered on High 10 minutes; stir. Microwave 10 to 15 minutes longer, stirring every 5 minutes, until rice is tender (sauce will thicken as it stands). Dish will be hot. Meanwhile, stir 3 tbsp milk and topping mix in bowl 30 seconds.
  4. Pour topping over beef mixture. If topping is too thick to pour, stir in an additional ½ to 1 tsp. milk.

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft.): Increase boiling water to 3¾ cups and last microwave time to 20-25 minutes.

Crunchy Taco

  1. Crumble 1 lb. lean ground beef* into 2½-quart microwavable casserole or bowl. Microwave uncovered on high 3 to 5 minutes, breaking up beef after 3 minutes, until brown; drain.
  2. Stir in sauce mix, 2½ cups boiling** water and uncooked rice.
  3. Microwave uncovered on high 8 to 12 minutes, stirring every 4 minutes, until rice is tender (sauce will thicken as it stands). Dish will be hot. Meanwhile, stir ¼ cup milk and cheese topping mix in bowl 30 seconds; set aside.
  4. Remove from microwave. Sprinkle corn chips over top. Pour cheese topping (If topping is too thick to pour, stir in an additional 1 to 2 tablespoon milk) over corn chips.

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft.): Increase boiling water to 2¾ cups and last microwave time to 12-16 minutes.

Cheesy Nacho

(Courtesy of http://www.tsbvi.edu/Education/recipes/helper/)

  1. Crumble 1 pound lean ground beef* into 2½-quart microwavable casserole or bowl. Microwave uncovered on High 3 to 5 minutes, breaking up beef after 3 minutes, until brown; drain.
  2. Stir in sauce mix, 2¼ cups boiling** water, ½ cup milk and uncooked Pasta.
  3. Microwave uncovered on High 12 to 17 minutes, stirring every 6 minutes, until pasta is tender (sauce will thicken as it stands). Dish will be hot.

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft.): Adjustments needed - please leave a comment below!

Chili Macaroni

  1. Crumble 1 lb. lean ground beef* into 2½-quart microwavable casserole or bowl. Microwave uncovered on High 3 to 5 minutes, breaking up beef after 3 minutes, until brown. Drain.
  2. Stir in sauce mix, 3¾ cups boiling** water and uncooked pasta.
  3. Microwave uncovered on High 12 to 16 minutes, until pasta is tender. (Sauce will thicken as it stands.) Dish will be hot.

High Altitude (3500 - 6500 ft.): Increase last microwave time to 16-20 min.

Hamburger Helper Homestyle Favorites

Creamy Stroganoff

  1. Crumble 1 lb. lean ground beef* into 2½-quart microwavable casserole or bowl. Microwave uncovered on High 3 to 5 minutes, breaking up beef after 3 minutes, until brown; drain.
  2. Stir in Sauce Mix, 1 cup hot water, 2 cups milk and uncooked Pasta.
  3. Microwave uncovered on High 14 to 21 minutes, stirring every 7 minutes, until pasta is tender (sauce will thicken as it stands). Dish will be hot.

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft.): Increase hot water to 1¾ cups.

Beef Pasta

  1. Crumble 1 lb. lean ground beef* into 2½-quart microwavable casserole or bowl. Microwave uncovered on High 3 to 5 minutes, breaking up beef after 3 minutes, until brown; drain.
  2. Stir in Sauce Mix, 2½ cups hot water, 1 cup milk and uncooked Pasta.
  3. Microwave uncovered on High 12 to 18 minutes, stirring every 6 minutes, until pasta is tender (sauce will thicken as it stands). Dish will be hot.

For a more brothlike sauce, increase hot water to 3¼ cups and omit milk.

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft.): Increase hot water to 2¾ cups. For brothlike sauce, increase hot water to 4 cups and omit milk.

Salisbury (aka Homestyle Salisbury)

  1. Crumble 1 lb. lean ground beef* into 2½-quart microwavable casserole or bowl. Microwave uncovered on high 3 to 5 minutes, breaking up beef after 3 minutes, until brown; drain.
  2. Stir in sauce mix, 3½ cups boiling** water and uncooked pasta.
  3. Microwave uncovered on high 10 to 15 minutes, until pasta is tender (sauce will thicken as it stands). Dish will be hot.

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft.): Increase last microwave time to 13-15 minutes.

Potatoes Stroganoff (aka Potato Stroganoff)

  1. Crumble 1 lb. lean ground beef* into 3-quart microwavable casserole or bowl. Microwave uncovered on High 3 to 5 minutes, breaking up beef after 3 minutes, until brown; drain.
  2. Stir in sauce mix, 2½ cups boiling** water, 1¼ cups milk and uncooked potatoes.
  3. Microwave uncovered on High 14 to 21 minutes, stirring every 7 minutes, until potatoes are tender (sauce will thicken as it stands). Dish will be hot.

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft.): Increase last microwave time to 16-23 min.

Hamburger Helper New Orleans Favorites

Cheesy Jambalaya

  1. Crumble 1 lb. lean ground beef* into 2½ quart microwavable casserole or bowl. Microwave uncovered on High 3 to 5 minutes, breaking up beef after 3 minutes, until brown; drain.
  2. Stir in sauce mix, 1¾ cups boiling** water, 12/3 cups milk and uncooked pasta.
  3. Microwave uncovered on High 10 to 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until pasta is tender (sauce will thicken as it stands). Dish will be hot.

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft.): Increase last microwave time to 15-20 min.

Chicken Helper

Betty Crocker has never, to my knowledge, published microwave directions for Chicken Helper. Probably worried about salmonella.

Tuna Helper

Creamy Broccoli

I’ve used the directions for Creamy Pasta (below) with success. Creamy Broccoli is basically the same thing with some chopped-up broccoli in it.

Fettucine Alfredo

  1. Stir together in 2½-quart microwavable casserole or bowl: uncooked pasta, sauce mix, 2¾ cups boiling** water, 1 cup milk, ½ stick (or ¼ cup) butter or margarine and 1 can (6 oz.) tuna, drained.
  2. Microwave uncovered on High 10 to 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until pasta is tender (sauce will thicken as it stands). Dish will be hot.

High Altitude (3500 - 6500 ft.): No change.

Creamy Pasta

  1. Stir together in 2½-quart microwavable casserole or bowl: 3 cups boiling** water, 1 cup milk, 3 tbsp. margarine or butter, uncooked pasta, sauce mix and 1 can (6 oz.) tuna, drained.
  2. Microwave uncovered on High 10 to 14 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until pasta is tender. (Sauce will thicken as it stands.) Dish will be hot.

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft.): Increase microwave time to 12-16 min.

Creamy Parmesan

  1. Stir together in 2½-quart microwavable casserole or bowl; uncooked pasta, sauce mix, 3 cups boiling** water, ½ cup milk, 2 tbsp. margarine or butter and 1 can (6 oz.) tuna, drained.
  2. Microwave uncovered on High 7 to 11 minutes, stirring after 7 minutes, until pasta is tender (sauce will thicken as it stands). Dish will be hot.
  3. Sprinkle with topping.

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft.): Increase boiling water to 3¼ cups.

Cheesy Pasta

Directions needed - please leave a comment below!

Tetrazzini (aka Tuna Tetrazzini)

  1. Stir together in 2½-quart microwavable casserole or bowl: uncooked spaghetti, sauce mix, 3 cups boiling** water, 1/3 cup milk, 3 tbsp. butter or margarine and 1 can (6 oz.) tuna, drained.
  2. Microwave uncovered on High 10 to 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until pasta is tender (sauce will thicken as it stands). Dish will be hot.

High Altitude (3500 - 6500 ft.): Increase boiling water to 3¼ cups and microwave time to 12-17 min.

Tuna Melt

  1. Stir together in 2½-quart microwavable casserole or bowl: uncooked pasta, sauce mix, 2½ cups boiling** water, 1 cup milk, 3 tbsp. margarine or butter and 1 can (6 oz.) tuna, drained.
  2. Microwave uncovered on high 10 to 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until pasta is tender (sauce will thicken as it stands). Dish will be hot. Meanwhile stir ¼ cup milk and topping mix in bowl 30 seconds, set aside.
  3. Stir tuna mixture, pour topping over tuna mixture. (If topping is too thick to pour, stir in an additional ½ to 1 tsp. milk).

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft.): Increase boiling water to 2¾ cups and microwave time to 12-17 min.

Pork Helper

Pork Helper was a very short-lived brand. The Betty Crocker website makes no mention of it. I think it was just Chicken Helper with slightly different directions, anyway.

As I mentioned above, if you have a copy of the microwave directions for any of the varieties I am missing, please leave a comment below. Actual directions as they used to appear on the back of the box, please - don’t just make it up!

Notes

*The box usually indicates that ground turkey can be substituted for ground beef. I have also heard of using vegetarian burger substitute, and I personally like using ground Italian sausage on the Italian Favorites varieties.

**I used to recommend using hot water from the tap here, until I read the comment from C. below. After doing a little independent research, I confirmed what he says about the possibility of lead and other contaminants in hot tap water. I’ve tried a couple of the recipes using cold water since then, and haven’t had any troubles. I also tend to cook to the longest duration on the directions, so maybe that makes a difference. As always, your microwave might be different, so your results may vary.

10 Responses to “Hamburger Helper Microwave Directions”

  1. C. Says:

    November 26th, 2007 at 8:49 pm

    I’ve never had an issue with using tap water either even though I use cold water. Hot water from the tap tends to have crud in it from your hot water heater. A lot of local water depts. tell you not to use hot tap water for cooking or drinking.

  2. twiztor Says:

    April 21st, 2008 at 7:10 pm

    Chili Cheese:
    1. Stir in Sauce Mix, 2 1/4 cups boiling water, 1 cup milk, and uncooked pasta.
    2. Microwave uncovered on High 10 to 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until pasta is tender (sauce will thicken as it stands). Dish will be hot.

  3. Christina Says:

    June 13th, 2008 at 6:31 pm

    Hey thanks for your website! I remember making tuna helper in the microwave and so when I just bought a box to make I was surprised to see the directions on how to make it gone. The betty crocker website didn’t have tuna helper so I really appreciate your website. Just wanteed to say thanks!

  4. Amanda Says:

    June 18th, 2008 at 9:14 am

    I noticed you don’t have “Beef Taco” so here it is…I have several boxes of this in my cupboard!

    Beef Taco:

    1. Crumble 1lb lean ground beef into 2 1/2 quart microwaveable casserole or bowl

    Microwave uncovered on High 3 to 5 minutes, breaking up beef after 3 minutes, until brown. Drain

    2. Stir in sauce mix. 3 1/4 cups boiling water and uncooked pasta

    3. Microwave uncovered on high 8 to 12 minutes, stirring every 4 minutes, until pasta is tender (sauce will thicken as it stands) Dish will be hot (gee…are you sure??)

    Meanwhile, stir 1/4 cup of milk and topping mix in bowl 30 seconds. Set aside

    4. Pour topping over beef mixture

  5. Andrea Says:

    June 19th, 2008 at 4:44 pm

    Thanks so much for posting these directions. I couldn’t believe it when the microwave directions were taken off the boxes!

  6. Barton Bissell Says:

    July 11th, 2008 at 9:52 am

    Cheesy Baked Potato

    I have used the Potatoes Stroganoff Recipe several times now, with excellent results.

  7. lynn Says:

    July 21st, 2008 at 9:23 pm

    i make cheesy tuna helper following the stovetop method measurements and microwaving 15 minutes stirring every 5. if its not thick enough microwave another 2 minutes uncovered.

  8. cathy Says:

    August 1st, 2008 at 5:33 pm

    Thanks for this site. I guess I never noticed until now that the instructions for microwave Hamburger Helper were missing. I usually made it on the stove, but now can’t. I just assumed that the instructions were still there. This is great.

  9. Kat Says:

    August 20th, 2008 at 9:56 am

    Thanks a bunch, this is great. I’ve never tried them but those singles look horrible and I don’t plan on trying them. I recently am living in a hotel and only have a microwave. I thought that the microwave instructions were on the box (because I know I saw them before), but when I went to look today they were gone. My hunch was because of those stupid singles, looks like I’m not the only one who thinks this=) Thanks again!

  10. Kat Says:

    August 20th, 2008 at 9:58 am

    Also if anyone needs any help, I have notice the generic brands sometimes have microwave instructions.

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