Hamburger Helper is a packaged food product made by General Mills. It consists of boxed dried pasta, with powdered seasonings contained in a packet. The consumer provides ground beef, water, and milk to create a complete one-dish meal. With several different varieties available, Hamburger Helper allows quick and easy preparation of flavors like Cheeseburger Macaroni, Lasagna, and Stroganoff.
Hamburger Helper has been around since 1971, providing busy home cooks with a convenient way to make a hamburger-based casserole dish with minimal effort. Over the decades, General Mills has expanded the Hamburger Helper line to include many different flavors and varieties. But just how many different Hamburger Helper products are available today? Let’s take a closer look at the history and current offerings of this popular product.
History of Hamburger Helper
Hamburger Helper was invented by Betty Crocker food specialists in the General Mills test kitchen. The original concept was for a dehydrated hamburger patty that could be combined with dried pasta and seasonings. However, the technology wasn’t quite there yet to make a tasty dried hamburger. So instead, the developers came up with the idea to have consumers provide their own fresh ground beef.
The first Hamburger Helper products hit store shelves in 1971. The original flavors were Beef Noodle, Beef Rice, Beef Tater, and the top-selling Cheeseburger Macaroni. Over the years, the product line expanded to include flavors like Lasagna, Chicken Fried Rice, Philly Cheesesteak, and Chili Mac. Specialty varieties like Lean Ground Turkey and Whole Grain were also introduced.
Today, Hamburger Helper remains one of the top-selling dinner mixes and meal starters at American grocery stores. The brand brings in over $100 million in sales each year for General Mills.
Current Varieties of Hamburger Helper
Presently, there are 20 regular varieties of Hamburger Helper available on store shelves. Here is the full list:
- Cheeseburger Macaroni
- Cheesy Hashbrowns
- Chicken Fried Rice
- Chicken Soft Taco
- Chili Macaroni
- Crispy Taco
- Double Cheeseburger Mac
- Lasagna
- Meatloaf Stroganoff
- Philly Cheesesteak
- Pork Fried Rice
- Salisbury Steak
- Sloppy Joe
- Spaghetti with Meatballs
- Stroganoff
- Sweet & Sour
- Three Cheese Lasagna
- Beef Stroganoff
- Cheeseburger Helper
- Taco
In addition, there are 5 lower sodium varieties marketed under the Hamburger Helper Healthy Favorites brand:
- Chicken Alfredo
- Cheddar Potatoes
- Cheesy Italian Shells
- Chicken Enchilada
- Baked Ziti
And 6 whole grain rich varieties as part of the Hamburger Helper Whole Grain line:
- Cheeseburger Mac Whole Grain
- Chicken Fried Rice Whole Grain
- Big Cheeseburger Mac Whole Grain
- Beef Lasagna Whole Grain
- Cheesy Hashbrowns Whole Grain
- Cheesy Italian Shells Whole Grain
Limited Edition and Regional Flavors
In addition to the regular nationwide product line, Hamburger Helper occasionally releases limited edition or regional flavors. These have included:
- Buffalo Style Chicken
- Chicken Bacon Mac & Cheese
- Cheesy Quesadilla
- Chili Cheese Dog
- Chipotle Cheeseburger Mac
- Confetti Pasta
- Cordon Bleu
- Cowboy Skillet
- Crunchy Taco
- French Onion Burger
- Green Chile Cheeseburger Mac
- Loaded Baked Potato
- Philly Steak & Onion
- Pizza Spaghetti
- Queso Fundido
- Southwest Chicken
- Sweet Carolina Barbecue
- Teriyaki Chicken
- White Cheddar Mac & Cheese
Totals by Type
To summarize, the total number of different Hamburger Helper varieties currently on the market in the United States is:
| Regular flavors | 20 |
| Healthy Favorites | 5 |
| Whole Grain | 6 |
| Total | 31 |
Adding in the limited editions and regional flavors over the years brings the grand total of all Hamburger Helper products ever produced to around 50.
Flavor Variety
Looking at the list of Hamburger Helper flavors, you’ll notice they cover a wide range of cuisines and meal types. Here’s a breakdown:
Ethnic Cuisines
- Mexican – Taco, Quesadilla, Enchilada, Queso Fundido
- Italian – Lasagna, Stroganoff, Baked Ziti
- Asian – Sweet & Sour, Teriyaki, Fried Rice
American Classics
- Cheeseburgers – Cheeseburger Macaroni, Double Cheeseburger Mac, Cheeseburger
- Sloppy Joes
- Meatloaf
- Salisbury Steak
- Chicken Fried Rice
- Chili Mac
Potatoes & Cheese
- Cheesy Hashbrowns
- Cheddar Potatoes
- Loaded Baked Potato
- Cheese dishes – Mac & Cheese, Cheddar Cheese options
Unique Flavors
- French Onion Burger
- Philly Cheesesteak
- Chicken Bacon Mac & Cheese
- Chili Cheese Dog
- Chicken Cordon Bleu
- Cowboy Skillet
Having options across ethnic cuisine types, American homestyle dishes, cheesy and potato variations, and unique flavor combinations allows the brand to appeal to a wide range of tastes and preferences.
Nutritional Information
One thing to note about Hamburger Helper is that it is not the most nutritious meal option. Since it relies on heavily processed pasta and seasoning mixes, it is quite high in sodium, saturated fat, and preservatives. However, General Mills has made some efforts in recent years to improve the nutrition profile of Hamburger Helper products. Here is a look at the nutrition facts for a few different varieties:
| Variety | Serving Size | Calories | Fat | Sodium |
| Cheeseburger Macaroni | 1 cup prepared (56g) | 270 | 8g | 830mg |
| Chicken Fried Rice | 1 cup prepared (55g) | 240 | 5g | 840mg |
| Beef Lasagna Whole Grain | 1 cup prepared (56g) | 240 | 5g | 600mg |
| Cheddar Potatoes Healthy Favorite | 1 cup prepared (55g) | 210 | 3.5g | 580mg |
As you can see, sodium content ranges from 580mg to 840mg per serving. The Whole Grain and Healthy Favorite options tend to be slightly lower in sodium and saturated fat compared to the original versions. But overall, Hamburger Helper is a highly processed convenience food that should be enjoyed in moderation as part of an otherwise balanced diet.
Conclusion
From its humble beginnings in the 1970s, Hamburger Helper has grown into a product line with over 50 uniquely flavored varieties. It continues to be a popular dinner solution, offering time-strapped home cooks an easy way to put together a hamburger meal with minimal effort. While not the healthiest option, it certainly provides variety, convenience, and nostalgic comfort food appeal. So next time you’re browsing the boxed dinner aisle, take a moment to appreciate just how many different Hamburger Helper options there are to choose from!