Hamburger Helper

Hamburger Helper is a convenient boxed meal kit from the United States, popular since the 1970s, that typically includes dried pasta and a powdered sauce mix. You just add ground beef (or sometimes turkey), milk, and water to create a one-pot, creamy skillet dinner in flavors like Cheeseburger Macaroni, Beef Stroganoff, or Tuna Helper.

🍳 View the full Hamburger Helper recipe →

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

A single serving is generally high in carbohydrates from the pasta and sodium from the sauce mix, with moderate protein from the added meat and fat from the dairy and beef. It provides a quick source of energy and some iron and B vitamins, with a typical calorie range of 300-400 calories per prepared serving.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	340 kcal
Protein	14 g
Carbs	42 g
Fat	12 g
Fiber	2 g
Sugar	6 g
Sodium	980 mg
Iron	3.2 mg
Calcium	120 mg
Potassium	350 mg
Vitamin A	300 IU
Vitamin C	2 mg
Thiamin (B1)	0.4 mg
Niacin (B3)	4.5 mg
Folate	100 mcg

Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, it's an icon of American convenience cooking, designed for busy families and marketed with the catchy slogan 'Helps Hamburger Help You.' Nutritionally, it's a classic example of a processed, shelf-stable meal that prioritizes speed and flavor over whole-food ingredients.