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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
- 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.
- Stir in Sauce Mix, 2 cups boiling** water, 1½ cups milk and uncooked Pasta.
- 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
- 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.
- Stir in Sauce Mix, 1½ cups boiling** water, 1¾ cups milk and uncooked Pasta.
- 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/)
- 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.
- Stir in sauce mix, 2 cups boiling** water, 1¼ cups milk and uncooked Pasta.
- 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/)
- 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.
- Stir in sauce mix, 21/3 cups boiling** water, ½ cup milk and uncooked Pasta.
- 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.
- 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:
- 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.
- Stir in Sauce Mix, 2¼ cups boiling water, 1 cup milk, and uncooked pasta.
- 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
- 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.
- Stir in sauce mix, 2 cups boiling** water, ¾ cup milk and uncooked pasta.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- Stir in Sauce Mix, 3¼ cups hot water and uncooked Pasta.
- 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
- 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.
- Stir in sauce mix, 2½ cups boiling** water, 1 cup milk and uncooked pasta.
- 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
- 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.
- Stir in 3¾ cups boiling** water, uncooked spaghetti and sauce mix.
- 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
- 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.
- Stir in sauce mix, 3½ cups boiling** water and uncooked pasta.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- Stir in Sauce Mix, 3 cups (guessing here – please leave a comment below if you know the correct amount) boiling** water and uncooked Pasta.
- 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)
- 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.
- Stir in sauce mix, 2 cups boiling** water, 1 cup milk and uncooked rice.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- Stir in sauce mix, 3 cups boiling** water, ¾ cup milk and uncooked rice.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- Stir in sauce mix, 2½ cups boiling** water and uncooked rice.
- 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.
- 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/)
- 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.
- Stir in sauce mix, 2¼ cups boiling** water, ½ cup milk and uncooked Pasta.
- 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
- 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.
- Stir in sauce mix, 3¾ cups boiling** water and uncooked pasta.
- 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
- 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.
- Stir in Sauce Mix, 1 cup hot water, 2 cups milk and uncooked Pasta.
- 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
- 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.
- Stir in Sauce Mix, 2½ cups hot water, 1 cup milk and uncooked Pasta.
- 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)
- 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.
- Stir in sauce mix, 3½ cups boiling** water and uncooked pasta.
- 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)
- 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.
- Stir in sauce mix, 2½ cups boiling** water, 1¼ cups milk and uncooked potatoes.
- 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
- 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.
- Stir in sauce mix, 1¾ cups boiling** water, 12/3 cups milk and uncooked pasta.
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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)
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Comments
69 responses to “Hamburger Helper Microwave Directions”
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.
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.
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!
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
Thanks so much for posting these directions. I couldn’t believe it when the microwave directions were taken off the boxes!
Cheesy Baked Potato
I have used the Potatoes Stroganoff Recipe several times now, with excellent results.
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.
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.
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!
Also if anyone needs any help, I have notice the generic brands sometimes have microwave instructions.
My wife discovered that on the Tuna Helpers, whether stove-top or otherwise, that adding the tuna after the noodles, rice, whatever is cooked keeps it from disintegrating, from stirring it into the mix, and stays somewhat ‘chunky’.
BTW, the best canned tuna, better than Chick of the Sea, Del Monte, etc, is the cheapest (least expensive) that Fred Meyer/Kroger sells. Really chunky instead of mush in the can.
I live in a dorm and sometimes the cafeteria food is to say the least unappetizing and gets really unhealthy as well.
Thanks for this! I bought a box of tuna helper not realizing that there were only stove directions… silly me.
Thank you, thank you..I was so disappointed when I started seeing them take the microwave directions off the boxes..With school age children and activities, sometime dinner is planned at the last moment and having these directions are great..
Thank you again, for finding these directions..:)
Thank you thank u thanks so much!!!!!!!!!!!! I really needed some directions for the cheese melt, and I got them!
I am trying to save time & electricity so what I do is cook the meat on the stove & then septrate it into 1 pound containers. I keep it in the fridge or freezer until I need it. Then I just toss it in the dish & use the microwave directions. Who knew I needed to save the boxes for directions.
Now I’m off to find Betty Crocker Potato microwave directions.
Thanks so much for having this information.
Thanks,
Huge help for me and my girls!
I am extremely grateful to have found this site, hamburger helper is a staple around my home and with my work it is a fast and filling meal that I can make up, eat and have plenty of left overs for the week and just pop in the microwave. So Thanks for all the microwave instructions to my favorite foods!!!
Lizzy
For Bacon Cheeseburger, I measure liquids according to package stove top directions, using warm water, rather than boiling water. I microwave on high, in a high wattage microwave oven, for 15 minutes, stirring every 5.
Kat
Thank you for the microwave recipes. My daughter loves the Beef Stroganoff, but in the summer, I don’t want to heat up the house by cooking on the stove.
I don’t know why they took the microwave directions off of the box. Doesn’t make sense.
Thank you again,
Carolyn
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!
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.
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.
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!
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 (:
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.
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.
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!!
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.
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!
This page is FANTASTIC!!! I’m inbetween stoves at the moment and this makes life sooooo much easier!!!!!
Thanks so much. Being in a military family, microwave directions are much faster during busy times.
Thank you so much for posting these! Like the above poster, I am between stoves at the moment, and have a bunch of Hamburger Helper that needs used up. I like to make mine with moose burger; it cooks up the same way but adds some great flavor, and it’s economical for my family (the cost of ground beef here is crazy, and the quality is very low.)
Thanks, you saved me tonight!
I believe that Cheesy Pasta is exactly the same as Tuna Melt except for there is no “melt”. So, I would follow the Tuna Melt directions as far as microwave times go.
Just tried using the Cheesy Enchilada directions from this page for the Cheesy Chicken Enchilada variety. I was using canned chicken but any cooked chicken would work fine. The gamble paid off–it worked well!
Thank you so much for this list! I usually don’t buy “Helper” products, I get farmhouse or a store brand because they still have micro directions… accidentally bought Tuna Helper this time though!
Thank you so much XD
Not only is Hambuger Helper cheap for college students (like myself), but it’s also ridiculously YUMMY!
From one desperate single father not wanting to hear the kitchen on this sweltering Florida day, I offer you my sincere thanks!!!
You are like my favorite person ever right now. This is awesome!!!
I was pleased to find these microwave directions on the internet! I have been unhappy about the microwave directions disappearing as well. I so appreciate this!
so essentially you just use the same directions on the box for cooking on a burner except you just nuke the meat till it’s brown or done, then add 4-6 minutes to the “simmer” time to translate to microwave time.
BACON CHEESEBURGER
Brown 1 lb. ground meat, drain.
Stir in the sauce mix, 3/4 cup hot/boiling water, 2 cups milk
and the uncooked pasta.
Microwave, uncovered, on HIGH for 15-18 minutes (stirring every
5 minutes) until the pasta is tender.
The sauce will thicken as it stands.
As a stay at home mother of two, microwaving hamburger helper was a quick and easy way of making a meal for the kids on a busy day, so of course I was disappointed to see the microwave instructions were taken off the packages. Thanks for this, it will make many evenings so much less hectic!
Thank you! I picked up a box of Tuna Helper for the first time in forever and I was surprised to see that the microwave directions are gone. I asked a couple of people who were also getting Helpers if they knew why. One person said they’d never had microwave directions. Whatever. At one point it had been a staple in our house. The other person said that the company had been sued when someone ended up sick from not microwaving hamburger until done. So they removed them to ward off future lawsuits from morons.
Thanks so much!
this mainly works for most HH box dinners with pasta (not rice or potatoes):
1. brown 1 lb. hamburger meat. Drain grease.
2. add sauce mix, milk (if called for, use quantities on box), and water (use quantities on box).
3. cook for 3 sessions of 5-6 minute intervals, stirring during each interval.
4. make extra topping sauce if supplied. usually means add 1/4 or 1/3 cup of milk and stir, stir, stir like crazy!
enjoy.
Hi hey I come here all the time for your m/w instructions and want to thank you bunches for having this here for all to be helped (here it comes) BUT, the box of “Cheddar Cheese Melt” that I just opened (5/14/13) doesn’t have an extra pouch for the cheese sauce that you make on the side and pour on top when the main dish is done. It just has the one white pouch or envelope or whatever you call them and that is also all it says on the box that is supposed to be in there so HH must be making that particular dish anew now with everything in the sauce mix itself.
You’re probably already aware of that but also the URL that goes to the original place is a File 404 error as well. Thanks again for your site! I will be back!
Thanks so much for all the microwave directions! I have had this saved to my favorites ever since I found it in 2005 and I often find myself referring back to it. Living in Florida it gets too hot in the Summer to even cook on the stove so this is my way of making a perfect meal for myself and my husband.
For those concerned about using hot tap water for the recipes try this… get cold tap water, measure and heat in the bowl you plan to use while you are draining the cooked ground beef. Heat just until it is hot enough that it will dissolve the seasoning easily. Add the seasoning pack, stir, then add milk (if needed) and stir once more.
what is so hard about putting the microwave instructions on the box I end up buying store brands(which aren’t as good and way fewwer choices) because i don’t have a stove I’ve only got a microwave. PLEASE have a little consideration for us less fortunate people I’d eat it all the time if I had DIRECTIONS!! take a hint do the right thing
does any have the instructions for cheesy ranch burger its my favorite and i cant find the instructions anywhere to cook in the micro
I was trying to find the microwave instructions for the Cheesy Italian Beef. Does anyone have this?
Let me add my thanks! I love when we help ourselves, when Big Business leaves us out in the cold. One important thing, though:
DON’T SKIP the stir!!!! In fact, I tend to stir the first time after around 3 minutes, (when it’s then pasta pie crust lol) and then get the other stir(s) in later.
thank you…thank you …had been tryonmg to figure this out on my own so thank you thank you
I sliced my potatoes thin lengthwise and browned them on my Foreman Grill. No stove or oven in my dorm room. :*( Thanks for the microwave tips, it’ll be a lifesaver.
Thank you so much for your effort!!!! I am very grateful – particularly when it is so hot & humid – don’t want to turn on the stove.
Many, many thanks from a United States Navy sailor. As a teenager cooking for my 4 younger siblings, hamburger helpers were always my go to meals. Now, very far from home and not senior enough to have a place of my own and not particularly found of galley food, I am glad I can make a piece of home in my little barracks room.
Thanks for the Tuna Fettaccine Alfredo instructions. I am a microwave mommy, using these instructions helps me a lot as I am basically a lazy cook! Many thanks!
Thanks so much for this, I could not find the way to do these in the microwave once it was taken off the box. Betty Crocker said they changed the recipe which is not true! Again, thanks!!!
I also used some canned chicken in the tuna pasta, it was just as good, use in the creamy broocli too! This note vrom Cheryl Nagy
Thank you so much for posting this! What were they thinking taking it off the boxes??
So very thankful that I found your site!!! My stove is broke! Thank you sooo much! Couldn’t find microwave instructions on Betty Crocker. 🙂
They took the microwave instructions off the box so people will buy the microwave singles – people will assume it’s not microwavable!
I recently divecserod that I’m allergic to milk, which means I will be forced to make my own popcorn from here on out Hopefully I can find dairy-free butter so I can use your recipe! Thanks so much for sharing!
8 years later and still useful. Thanks.
Hey bud, thanks for putting this page up for us. I wanted to let you know that I fix the cheesy tuna pasta with 2 cups of water, 1 cup of milk, 2 tablespoons of butter, 1 -5oz can of tuna (or a person could do 2 cans), and the stuff in the box. I mix the powder a little at a time with the milk so it’s not clumpy, I also melt the butter first and heat up the water for a few minutes. After all of the ingredients are together in an appropriate size bowl (with room for stiring) I pop it in the microwave, and cover, for about 12 minutes stirring every three minutes so it doesn’t get cruddy around the edge. Depending on the wattage it could take less but I wouldn’t go longer.
Had you taken this site down for a bit, not too long ago?? I was devestated!!! So happy to see it working on my iPad again, as I have made this part of my go-to resources! Thank you so much!! You are awesome!!!!!!
I am so glad that I found this site. I am making the Cheesy Italian Shells right now. I just want you to know that there is no topping packet in the box. Just in case you wanted to edit the recipe above. But otherwise so glad that you made this site!
Thank you so much, I too miss microwave directions. The tuna helper is a great travel meal, as many hotels have microwaves. I sometimes add peas and a bit more water if i happen to have them.
For the Bacon Cheeseburger H.H., use the same recipe as Cheeseburger Macaroni, except use 1 1/4 cups boiling water and 1 1/2 cups milk. I just tried it and it came out fine!
I have been looking for these directions everywhere
Tyvm