Comments on: Hamburger Helper Microwave Directions

By: Tigressreow

Tigressreow — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:18:29 +0000

Woo Hoo – Thank you, thank you, thank you… Yummy Microwaveable Comfort Foods ROCK! With the directions and insights from this blog’s participants, my teenage son will again chime “winner, winner yummy dinner”. Getting tasty food on the table without having to look at a splattered stove needing cleaning put as big a smile on my face too!

By: Andy

Andy — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 17:11:40 +0000

I’ve tried to compare the stove-top directions to the microwave versions, and it appears the microwave directions usually decrease the milk and increase the water, although the total amount of liquid stays the same or increases by 1/4 or 1/2 cup. I generally use whichever version has the larger amount of milk and the water amount that is paired with that, plus 1/4-1/2 cup extra (if I use the package measurements.)

They seem to turn out fine with whichever ratio of milk you use, and the only “cooking” is just to cook the pasta until tender, which means the recipes aren’t as exacting as baking a cake or something.

I figure that there is a basic recipe we can use for any products not listed, adjusting the cooking time as necessary – use the stove-top times or similar microwave recipes as a guide.

1. Cook the meat as shown above
2. Use the package measurements, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup extra water.
3. Cook for 8-18 minutes (usually 10-15), stirring every 5 minutes (until pasta is tender)
4. Prepare any extra toppings or stuff you add after cooking according to package directions, such as a crumbled or cheesy topping, or recipes that call for you to mix in ketchup or mayonnaise at the end of cooking.

By: GG

GG — Thu, 20 May 2010 05:05:00 +0000

THANKS . I CALLED BETTY CROCKER FOR MICRO DIRECTIONS AND THEIR REASON IS IT WAS NOT INCLUDED WHEN THEY CHANGED TO NEW STYLE BOX. OK BUT WHY COULDN’T THEY GIVE ME THE DIRECTIONS OVER THE PHONE ? BAH HUMBUG THANK YOU FOR THE INFO. REALLY APPRECIATED!!

By: No Instructions Wayne

No Instructions Wayne — Thu, 13 May 2010 05:03:49 +0000

I don’t know about you, but when I bought [my very last purchase of ANY Betty Crocker products, just on principle, if nothing else] my typical grocery store restocking venture I usually buy at least 5 boxes, of every one of the Hamburger Helper & Tuna Helper choices. Imagine my surprise finding BC elected to delete the microwave instructions. I took every box back to the grocery store & got a refund. The store manager, in turn, has reduced the amount of ‘stockage’ of BC product. I called BC headquarters and had a lengthy chat with Customer Service Reps. They were unable to explain the reasoning for deletionof microwave instructions. {maybe they’re afraid that someone will screw up the cooking, and sue for medical damages. Like the female, who won a settlement against McDonalds, because she was careless enough to spill hot coffee on sensitive body areas.} I suggested several methods the instructions could be included, from printing on the inside of the box, a seperate instruction sheet placed in the box, and an additional ‘hinged flap’ on the side of the box. Apparently they feel they make so much profit, that they no longer have a need to address customer issues. Therefore, I feel you should urge everyone you converse with, to refrain from buying BC products of any type. As an Amateur Radio Operator, who participates in several radio ‘nets’ weekly, I make sure that during the ‘comments’ period, that the BC customer service is discussed. The net ‘check-ins’ conduct nets of their own; so the ‘word’ is in-turn distributed through ‘on-air’ and other modes of communications.

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 01:07:50 +0000

I was googling microwave instructions out of desparation, I use to make hambuger helper and tuna helper while I was in grad. school. Since I am now married and have three young children in the home, I thought making some of the old classics might help stretch the food budget a little further. But then, you guessed it, the microwave instructions had been removed. Stumbling across across this web-site of kindred-spirits has just made my day. Validation sometimes comes from the oddest places. Thanks you very much.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 00:53:56 +0000

i dont know if somebody already suggested this or not, but i dont really like the taste of beef cooked in the microwave but i have a foreman grill so i cook the beef on that and then crumble it up and follow the rest of the directions for the microwave! just in case someone else feels the same about it lol (:

By: flutiefan

flutiefan — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:58:26 +0000

thank you thank you thank you!!!
i have used your directions twice in the past week, and i am so grateful to you for posting these for us!

i know it sounds strange, but i am currently unable to store any hamburger meat, so i’ve been making the pasta & sauce only. are there any suggestions or alterations i should make to the instructions?

thanks again!

By: Caroline

Caroline — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 14:59:45 +0000

This page literally is a goldmine for me! I’m totally blind, and living alone. Reading the package directions using my scanner and software has gotten very difficult recently because of the colors and fonts that companies have started using on their packages. I write down instructions as I’m able to get them, but it makes it hard when I want to try new varieties. I also work full-time, and think that the microwave instructions are going to be much quicker, and give me a bit more motivation than coming home and ordering a pizza. Thank you so much for taking the time to compile all this into one place. I definitely plan to share this with others.

By: Crystal Lemke

Crystal Lemke — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:07:06 +0000

I love making Hamburger and Tuna Helpers for my family. They are one of the few meals everyone agrees on and enjoys. I started noticing the microwave dorections disappearing so I saved the sides of the boxes for future reference. The styles of the boxes of all the meals have recently changed, and with these changes the microwave directions have returned – but only on select Hamburger Helpers… I have never made hamburger in the micro but to me it makes more sense to nuke tuna. Why only bring back the microwave directions for the hamburger varieties? I am writing to the company as well about this manner.

By: Josh

Josh — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 04:53:47 +0000

Just wanted to take time to thank you so much for this website! I am a college student on a VERY fixed income and you’re right, the microwaveable singles are terrible! If I come across any other of the directions not listed, I’ll be sure to get them to you! Thanks again!