Those skillet meals in a box that simply require a pound of hamburger and a cup of milk are so helpful on busy weeknights. Assuming you’ve thought ahead and thawed the hamburger.
But before you grab a box or two, let’s compare the ingredients and time involved in using a box mix versus making the same meal from scratch.
Chicken Rice-A-Roni Box Mix:Ingredients: Rice, Wheat Flour, Durum Wheat Semolina, Salt, Sugar, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Hydrolysis Soy Protein, Onion, Monosodium Glutamate, Natural Flavor, Parsley, Garlic, Chicken Broth, Chicken Fat, Turmeric Spice, Hydrolyzed Corn Gluten, Niacin, Disodium Guanylate, Disodium Inosinate, Ferric Orthophosphate, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamin Mononitrate, Turmeric Extract, Folic Acid, Riboflavin, Add: Butter, Water.
Prep and Cook Time: About 30 minutes
Homemade Chicken Rice-A-RoniIngredients: Butter, Onion, Garlic, Spaghetti, Rice, Chicken Broth, Chicken Bouillon, Turmeric Powder, Salt, Pepper, Fresh Parsley.
Prep and Cook Time: About 40 minutes
Ten extra minutes of prep work (chopping onions and garlic) will save you a mouthful of chemicals (MSG!) and weird additives (hydrolyzed corn gluten anyone?). Worth it? I think so! And homemade tastes better. Just so you know.
Homemade Chicken Rice-A-Roni 3 Tbs butter
1 small onion, diced2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup thin spaghetti3/4 cup white rice
2 cups chicken broth2 Tbs chicken bouillon
1 tsp turmeric powderSalt to taste
Pepper to taste2 Tbs fresh parsley, minced
Break the spaghetti into 1/2 inch pieces or smaller.
Melt the butter in a skillet. Saute the onion and garlic until soft.
Add rice and spaghetti and saute until they are lightly browned.
Stir in chicken broth, bouillon, salt, and pepper. Stir well and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20-23 minutes.
Sprinkle with parsley and serve.
Hamburger Helper Classic Cheeseburger Box Mix:
Ingredients: Enriched Macaroni, Cornstarch, Salt, Enriched Flour, Sugar, Maltodextrin, Ricotta Cheese, Tomato, Monosodium Glutamate, Citric Acid, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Modified Corn Starch, Natural Flavor, Paprika, Spice, Colors (Yellow Lakes 5&6, Yellows 5&6), Monoglycerides, Whey, Gum Arabic, Yeast Extract, Disodium Guanylate, Disodium, Inosinate, Soy Flour, Egg, Add Ground Beef, Water, Milk.
Prep and Cook Time: About 32 minutes
Homemade Hamburger Helper:Ingredients: Ground Beef, Onion, Garlic, Noodles, Butter, Milk, Water, Salt, Pepper, Oregano, Chili Powder, Paprika, Cheddar Cheese, Fresh Parsley.
Prep and Cook Time: About 40 minutes
Once again we see the MSG, preservatives, and also food colorings that have been scientifically linked with seizures in young children. Eight more minutes of prep is worth it. And homemade still tastes better.
Homemade Hamburger Helper1 lb ground beef or venison
1 lg onion, diced2-4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups macaroni or shell noodles
3 Tbs butter2 cups cold milk1 cup cold water
1 tsp salt1/2 tsp black pepper1 tsp oregano, chili powder, and paprika
2 cups cheddar cheese3 Tbs fresh parsley, chopped
Brown the beef. Add onions and garlic and cook until tender. Drain excess grease if necessary.
Add the remaining ingredients except the cheese and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce the heat to low.
Cook for 10 minutes or until the pasta is cooked, stirring occasionally.
Stir in the cheese. Sprinkle with parsley. Let set 5 minutes, covered, for the sauce to thicken. Serve. Serves 5.