Growing up as a kid in a suburban Iowa town, I was raised on a steady diet of comfort food. Most nights after work, Mom and Dad would take turns whipping up dishes like casseroles, chili, pizza, chicken Parmesan, tacos, or waffles (breakfast for dinner for the win!)—all made from scratch.
But my parents both had full-time jobs and two other hungry kids to feed, so they occasionally asked for an assist from delivery or a boxed meal kit. Pasta Roni and Velveeta Shells and Cheese were close runners-up, but my older sisters and I agreed that the queen of these convenient dinners was always Hamburger Helper.
The kids adored the flavor-packed remixes on classic dishes like lasagna, cheeseburgers, and Philly cheesesteaks. The parents appreciated the fact that each box cost less than $2, and only asked for adding protein, milk, and water. And since we were all pretty peckish after a long weekday, as we gathered around the table to dive in, we all celebrated the fact that a family-sized batch of easy, cheesy, beefy noodles could be ready in less time than it would take to watch an episode of Saved By the Bell.
What Is Hamburger Helper, and Why Is It Trending?
I’ve been living on my own for nearly 20 years, and almost forgot about my childhood love of Hamburger Helper. All of that changed when I heard about a 2025 Associated Press-NORC survey, which revealed that one in two respondents feels seriously stressed out about food prices. Due to factors like tariffs, shortages, and rollercoaster commodity prices, home cooks are seeking out quick, efficient, and affordable classics like mac and cheese, ramen, and—you guessed it—Hamburger Helper. Sales of Hamburger Helper have jumped 14.5% this year, according to Eagle Foods, the parent company of Hamburger Helper.
Helper’s reputation and market momentum certainly weren’t hurt by the fact that the boxed meal got a glow-up on “The Bear” last season. But the real reason for Hamburger Helper’s renaissance is likely its value, explains Eagle Foods EVP of marketing and head of R&D Mala Wiedemann: “People are coming back to Helper because it delivers a convenient, affordable, and tasty meal. We’re also pulling in new households, not just longtime fans.”
Last spring, Hamburger Helper reformulated its classic recipes to amp up the flavor and reduce the average cook time by 15 percent. Then this fall, the brand launched Breakfast Helpers, which join dietary-preference diverse options that call for tuna or chicken instead of the product’s namesake hamburger (ground beef). They’ve also introduced microwaveable cups for certain varieties, which make it a cinch to microwave and enjoy this nostalgic meal on the go.
I visited my supermarket today to scan the boxed pasta aisle and spotted most varieties going for $1.89 per 4.5-serving box. On top of that, you’d just need to factor in the price of a pound of ground beef (or the listed amount of chicken or tuna) plus milk and sometimes butter. Tallying all of that up, Wiedemann says “with Helper, you can feed a family for under $10.”
This feels like a serious deal when you consider the fact that a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder Value Meal with medium fries and a drink—for one person—clocks in at $11.19 in certain parts of the country.
How To Make Homemade Hamburger Helper
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Considering the bank account-friendly price, the crowd-pleasing factor, and the ample selection (Helper has more than two dozen varieties now available), I can certainly understand why this semi-homemade meal is staging a comeback.
You’re in good company if you’re a fan. Not only do you join most of the Allrecipes staff members who delighted in taking part in a blind taste test to rank our favorites, but “Top Chef” host Kristen Kish also recently confirmed to me that she looked forward to the nights her parents featured Hamburger Helper on the menu at her Michigan childhood home.
If you’re not so fond of boxed meals, we have a handful of fully DIY renditions that are still affordable and fairly easy. In fact, our Homemade Hamburger Helper was among our 10 most popular new casseroles of 2024. Plus, copycat renditions including Instant Pot Homemade Hamburger Mac, Ground Beef Stroganoff Noodles, and Easy Skillet Lasagna each have ratings of 4.5 out of 5 or higher, and can be on your table in 45 minutes or less.
That said, if you’re as keen as I am about revisiting this nostalgic favorite alongside Helper’s growing number of fans, here are a dozen ways to spiff up your boxed meal and make it taste more like your own.
- Add extra veggies. Incorporate vegetables like sautéed mushrooms, frozen vegetables like peas, extra diced tomatoes, or a handful of fresh herbs.
- Play with flavors and seasonings. Add a spoonful of Worcestershire sauce, a tablespoon or two of tomato paste, and bone broth in place of water (as boxed recipes indicate) to boost flavor.
- Add toppings. Sprinkle the top with shredded cheese, add a dollop of sour cream or yogurt, and add crumbled potato chips or French-fried onions for texture.
- Sizzle up a strip or two of bacon alongside the star protein.
