View source for Hamburger Helper

{{Short description|Packaged food product with ground beef}}
{{Infobox food
| name               = Hamburger Helper
| image              = ProdPack-Hamburger-Helper-CheeseMac-Small.jpg
| image_size         = 240
| caption            = A box of the Cheeseburger Macaroni variety
| type               = [[Convenience_food#Packaged_mixes|Packaged mix]]
| course             = Main course
| place_of_origin    = [[United States]]
| associated_cuisine = [[American cuisine]]
| creator            = [[General Mills]]
| year               = 1971<ref>The U.S. trademark application dates to 9 July 1969, trademark granted 26 May 1970. See https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=891676&caseType=US_REGISTRATION_NO&searchType=statusSearch</ref>
| served             = Hot
| main_ingredient    = [[Pasta]] or [[rice]]
| minor_ingredient   = [[Seasoning]]s
| variations         = Tuna Helper, Fruit Helper, Chicken Helper, Asian Helper, Whole Grain Helper, Pork Helper, Hamburger Helper Microwave Singles
}}
'''Hamburger Helper''' is a boxed food product manufactured by [[Eagle Brand|Eagle Foods]], consisting of a dried carbohydrate (often [[pasta]] or [[rice]]), plus a packet of powdered [[seasoning]]s; both are to be combined with [[Browning (partial cooking)|browned]] [[ground beef]] ("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'''". Some of these feature other [[Starch#Food|starches]], such as potatoes.

==History==
The packaged pasta brand "Hamburger Helper" was introduced by [[General Mills]] in 1971<ref>{{cite book |title=The Catering Industry Employee: Official Journal of the Hotel and Restaurant Employees' International Alliance and Bartenders' International League of America |year= 1973 |publisher=The Alliance |volume=82 & 83 | page=7 | url= https://books.google.com/books?id=1aqcAAAAMAAJ&q=hamburger+helper |access-date=25 January 2014}}</ref><ref name="startribune">{{cite web|first=Mike |last=Hughlett |url=http://www.startribune.com/business/214422161.html |title=General Mills relaunches Hamburge r Helper |work=[[Star Tribune]] |date=2013-07-06 |access-date=2014-04-10}}</ref><ref name="digiday">{{cite magazine|first=Saya |last=Weissman |url=http://digiday.com/brands/hamburger-helper-twitter/ |title=Hamburger Helper Is Awesome at Twitter. Really. |magazine=[[Digiday]] |date=2013-11-23 |access-date=2014-04-10}}</ref> in response to a meat shortage and rising meat prices.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ashman |first1=Hollis |last2=Beckley |first2=Jacqueline |title=Product Spotlight: Hamburger Helper -- Instantly and For One |journal=Food Processing |date=4 January 2007 |url=https://www.foodprocessing.com/articles/2007/003/ |access-date=28 June 2020}}</ref> In 2005, [[Food Network]] rated it third on its list of "Top Five Fad Foods of 1970". In 2013, the company shortened the brand's name to just "Helper".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.startribune.com/general-mills-relaunches-hamburger-helper/214422161/|title=General Mills relaunches Hamburger Helper|website=Star Tribune|date=7 July 2013 |access-date=2016-03-09}}</ref>

The Hamburger Helper [[mascot]] is "the Helping Hand" or "Lefty"—a four-fingered, left-hand white glove with a face on the palm and a red spherical nose. It often appears in the product's television commercials and on packages.<ref name="startribune" /><ref name="digiday" /><ref name="businessweek">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-07-09/in-redesign-hamburger-helper-drops-the-hamburger|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709171943/http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-07-09/in-redesign-hamburger-helper-drops-the-hamburger|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 9, 2013|title=In Redesign, Hamburger Helper Drops the Hamburger|last=Wong|first=Venessa|date=2013-07-09|magazine=[[Bloomberg Businessweek]]|access-date=2014-04-10}}</ref>

In May 2022, [[General Mills]] announced an agreement to sell the brand to [[Eagle Foods]] for approximately $610 million.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://investors.generalmills.com/press-releases/press-release-details/2022/General-Mills-Announces-Agreement-to-Sell-Helper-and-Suddenly-Salad-Businesses-to-Eagle-Family-Foods-Group/default.aspx/|title=General Mills Announces Agreement to Sell Helper and Suddenly Salad Businesses to Eagle Family Foods Group|work=General Mills|access-date=2022-12-30|language=en-US|archive-date=2022-11-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129093842/https://investors.generalmills.com/press-releases/press-release-details/2022/General-Mills-Announces-Agreement-to-Sell-Helper-and-Suddenly-Salad-Businesses-to-Eagle-Family-Foods-Group/default.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> On July 5, 2022, the sale was finalized.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eagle-foods-completes-acquisition-of-two-iconic-brands-from-general-mills-301580773.html/|title=Eagle Foods Completes Acquisition of Two Iconic Brands from General Mills|work=PR Newswire|access-date=2022-12-23|language=en-US}}</ref>

In September 2025 it was reported that Hamburger Helper sales were up by almost 15% from the previous year in the US due to consumer demand for food products that are affordable.<ref>{{Citeweb|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/business/hamburger-helper-food-prices.html|title=Hamburger Helper Sales Rise as Americans Try to Stretch Their Food Dollars|last=Creswell|first=Julie|publisher=[[The New York Times]]|date=September 20, 2025|accessdate=October 22, 2025}}</ref>

==Hamburger varieties==
[[File:Hamburger Helper.jpg|thumb|Prepared Hamburger Helper with ground beef|alt=|left]]
The basic (and most popular) version of Hamburger Helper is a box of dried pasta with seasoning that is designed to be cooked with ground beef. There were initially five varieties: Potato Stroganoff, Chili Tomato, Rice Oriental, Beef Noodle, and Hash.<ref>"One Pan, One Pound, One Package" (advertisement). Ladies Home Journal 88:10 (October 1971), 132.</ref> Cheeseburger Macaroni was added by late 1972.<ref>"It's for Monday, and Tuesday, and Wednesday, and..." (advertisement). Good Housekeeping 175:5 (November 1972), 175.</ref> Hamburger Stew and Lasagne appeared in 1973.<ref>"Introducing Two New Hamburger Helper Varieties" (advertisement). Woman's Day, September 1973, 40.</ref> Hamburger Pizza Dinner debuted in 1974,<ref>"New Hamburger Pizza Dish" (advertisement). Good Housekeeping 179:4 (October 1974), 45.</ref> and late 1975 advertising in Canada pictured Potato Stroganoff, Chili Tomato, Beef Noodle, Chili Tomato, Cheeseburger Marcaroni, Lasagna, Tomato Roma and Shortcut Spaghetti.<ref>"Betty Crocker really uses her noodle" (advertisement). Chatelaine (Toronto) 48:11 (November 1975), 82.</ref> Hamburger Helper currently offers a variety of flavors, including [[lasagna]], [[Ranch dressing|ranch]] and [[bacon]], [[Beef Stroganoff|stroganoff]], [[Chili mac|chili macaroni]], and others.

==Other varieties==
[[Image:ProdPack-TunaHelp-CreamyPasta-Small.jpg|200px|alt=|thumb|A cream sauce with pasta designed for tuna]]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.<ref name="startribune" /><ref>"United Super Discount Markets" (advertisement). Daily Independent Journal (San Rafael, CA),1 November1972, 15.</ref> In 1973, three flavors were offered: Noodles 'n Cheese Sauce, Noodles 'n Cream Sauce, Potatoes 'n Flavor Sauce.<ref>"Now. Something new you can do with tuna" (advertisement). Better Homes and Gardens 51:1 (February 1973), 39.</ref>

*'''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.<ref>"New Fruit Helper Turns a Can of Fruit Into a Delicious Dessert" (advertisement). Better Homes and Gardens 51:12 (December 1973), 15.</ref> The Fruit Helper line has since been discontinued;<ref name="Wyman2004">{{cite book|author=Carolyn Wyman|title=Better Than Homemade: Amazing Foods that Changed the Way We Eat|url=https://archive.org/details/betterthanhomema0000wyma_m1j6|url-access=registration|access-date=6 September 2013|year=2004|publisher=Quirk Books|isbn=978-1-931686-42-6|pages=[https://archive.org/details/betterthanhomema0000wyma_m1j6/page/20 20]–}}</ref> Its latest newspaper advertising was, apparently, in 1975.<ref>"Bargain Sales" (advertisement). (Chicago) News Journal, 17 March 1976, 22.</ref> 

*'''Chicken Helper''' was introduced in 1980 in response to the wide availability of inexpensive boneless and skinless chicken breasts,<ref>"Save 30 Cents on New Chicken Helper" (advertisement). Indiana (PA) Daily Gazette, 24 April 1980, 4.</ref> and the first four selections were Chicken Teriyaki, Chicken and Dumplings, Chicken and Stuffing, and Mushroom Chicken.<ref>"Save 30 Cents on New Chicken Helper" (advertisement). Indiana (PA) Daily Gazette, 24 April 1980, 4.</ref>

*'''Asian Helper''' is a selection of four main Asian-American-style dishes, three made with chicken and one with beef.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bettycrocker.com/home/products/helper/asian-favorites |title=Betty Crocker Website |access-date=2016-03-04 |archive-date=2015-06-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627061514/http://www.bettycrocker.com/Home/Products/Helper/Asian-Favorites? |url-status=dead }}</ref> With the acquisition of the brand by Eagle Foods, the line has been discontinued.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}

*'''Whole Grain Helper''' was a selection of four dishes made with [[whole grain]] pasta, two with chicken and two with beef.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wholegrainscouncil.org/find-whole-grains/pasta?page=14&term_node_tid_depth=42|title=Pasta {{!}} The Whole Grains Council|website=wholegrainscouncil.org|access-date=2016-03-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531071737/http://wholegrainscouncil.org/find-whole-grains/pasta?page=14&term_node_tid_depth=42|archive-date=2016-05-31|url-status=dead}}</ref> The line has also been discontinued.

*'''Pork Helper''' was introduced in 2003.<ref>"Pork Helper" (news item). Tampa Bay Times, 16 November 2003, 119.</ref> The Pork Fried Rice and Pork Chops with Stuffing meals were stovetop dishes; the Breaded Pork Chops and Mashed Potatoes required an oven.<ref>"Pork Helper" (news item). Tampa Bay Times, 16 November 2003, 119.</ref> The product was discontinued shortly after its introduction.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deseret.com/2004/2/4/19810245/pork-helper-not-hog-wild-about-betty-s-latest-product/ |title=Pork Helper? Not hog wild about Betty's latest product|website=www.deseret.com|access-date=2025-09-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.historyoasis.com/post/discontinued-hamburger-helper-flavors|title=15 DISCONTINUED HAMBURGER HELPER FLAVORS THAT ARE GONE|website=www.historyoasis.com|access-date=2025-09-11}}</ref>

*'''Hamburger Helper Bold''' was introduced at some point.{{When|date=March 2025}} It was a spicier version of Hamburger Helper.

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

*'''Hamburger Helper Microwave Singles''' were introduced in 2006. This product requires 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. It returned in 2024, as '''Hamburger Helper Microwavable'''. The 2024 re-release is made with dehydrated beef and comes in 4 flavors: Beef Pasta, Cheeseburger Macaroni, Chili Macaroni and Tomato Basil Macaroni.
*'''Hamburger Helper Deluxe''' 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 a line of breakfast hashbrowns that require breakfast sausage.

==In popular culture==
A 1977 book collecting material from the satirical TV show ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' contained an unproduced sketch called "Placenta Helper," an ad for a product which "lets you stretch your [[placenta]] into a tasty casserole." The sketch was written by [[Tom Davis (comedian)|Tom Davis]] and future United States Senator [[Al Franken]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Saturday Night Live|year=1977|editor=Anne P. Beatts, John Head|publisher=Avon Books|isbn=0380018012}}</ref>

In 1979, [[Scott Spiegel]] wrote, produced and directed a short film entitled ''[[Attack of the Helping Hand]]'', which featured a "Hamburger Helper" oven mitt as a killer glove.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fearnet.com/news/news-article/sam-raimi-killed-hamburger-helper-early-short-film |title=Sam Raimi is Killed by Hamburger Helper in This Early Short Film &#124; News Article |publisher=FEARnet |date=2013-09-02 |access-date=2013-09-06}}</ref>

[[Stevens & Grdnic]]'s 1979 comedy album ''Somewhere over the Radio'' includes a parody radio advertisement for "Marijuana Helper".<ref>{{cite web |title=Stevens & Grdnic – Somewhere Over The Radio |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/1347407-Stevens-Grdnic-Somewhere-Over-The-Radio |website=Discogs |publisher=Discogs |access-date=1 September 2025}}</ref>

The [[cartoon series|animated television series]] ''[[Family Guy]]'' featured Lefty the mascot in one of their famous "cutaway gags" from the 2009 episode "[[Business Guy]]". The gag involved Lefty, who appears with his neurologically impaired brother, who takes the form of a right-handed glove, representing the non-existent brand  "Cheeseburger Helper".<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Business Guy |series=Family Guy |network=Fox |airdate=December 13, 2009 |season=8 |number=9}}</ref>

On April 1, 2016, [[General Mills]] commissioned an EP as an [[April Fools' Day]] prank, titled ''[[Watch the Stove]]''. According to a press release, the EP was produced for General Mills by a team at St. Paul, Minnesota's [[McNally Smith College of Music]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/hamburger-helper-watch-the-stove-mixtape-7318794/|title=Hamburger Helper Enters the Rap Scene With (Shockingly Great) ''Watch the Stove'' Mixtape|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2016-04-13}}</ref> The EP's title is a parody of the [[Jay-Z]] and [[Kanye West]] collaborative album ''[[Watch the Throne]]''. It contains five songs, all of which are about Hamburger Helper. It instantly achieved a viral status, played over four million times on [[SoundCloud]] in less than three days, with many listeners finding value in the brand's promotion of younger artists.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/heres-story-behind-hamburger-helpers-viral-mixtape-170598 |title=Here's The Story Behind Hamburger Helper's Viral Mixtape ''Watch the Stove'' has been played over 4 million times |magazine=Adweek |date=2016-04-04 |access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref>

In the 2025 "[[Worms (The Bear)|Worms]]" episode of [[The Bear season 4|''The Bear'' season four]], chef [[Sydney Adamu]] ([[Ayo Edebiri]]) made an elevated version of the Cheeseburger Macaroni variety of Hamburger Helper for her little cousin T.J.<ref name=":9">{{Cite news |last=Santanachote |first=Perry |title=This Easy Ground Beef Pasta from "The Bear" Is My New Favorite Dinner |url=https://www.thekitchn.com/the-bear-hamburger-helper-upgrade-recipe-review-23738495 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250829141314/https://www.thekitchn.com/the-bear-hamburger-helper-upgrade-recipe-review-23738495 |archive-date=2025-08-29 |access-date=2025-09-30 |work=The Kitchn |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[American chop suey]]
* [[Chili mac]]
* [[Makarony po-flotski]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.hamburgerhelper.com}}


{{Pasta dishes}}{{General Mills}}
[[Category:Hamburgers (food)]]
[[Category:Food and drink introduced in 1971]]
[[Category:American brands]]
[[Category:American meat dishes]]
[[Category:American pasta dishes]]