Homemade Hamburger Helpers/Tuna Helpers

I have been on a "movement" over the last few months.  I have been making all my own mixes etc. to become more healthy.  Many of these recipes taste better than what you are able to buy in the store.  I take usually a day and mix up a batch of these mixes and then use them as I would the storebought counterparts.
These recipes are wonderful additions to family meals.  I needed to find recipes last school year that would allow me to make meals that would keep, since my daughter had afterschool activities most nights of the week.  I made usually one of these meals weekly and added different spices etc. to the recipe to change it a bit each week. 


Italian



8 oz uncooked broad noodles ¼ tsp oregano

1 tbl dried onion flakes ½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp basil ½ tsp salt



Brown 1 lb ground beef. Add 3 ½ cups water, bring to boil. Add 1 pkg mix and 1 cup tomato sauce. Let simmer, stirring often, for about 20 minutes or until needles are just done. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Serves 4.



Stroganoff Style



8 oz uncooked medium noodles ½ tsp paprika

1 cup dry skim milk 1 tsp salt

1 tbl onion flakes 1/8 tsp pepper



Brown 1 lb ground beef, 1 cup sliced mushrooms or 1 can mushrooms. Add 4 cups water, 1 tbl vinegar. Bring to boil and add 1 pkg mix. Let simmer, stirring often for about 20 minutes or until noodles are just done. Serves 4



Macaroni and Cheese


8 oz uncooked macaroni 1 tsp paprika

1 cup instant dry skim milk 1 tsp salt

¼ tsp thyme 1/8 tsp pepper

½ tsp dry mustard



To cook: lightly brown 1 lb ground beef



Add: 4 cups water, bring to boil and add



1 pkg mix



Simmer, stirring often for about 20 minutes or until noodles are just done.



Add: 1 cup grated cheddar



Simmer gently, stirring often, until cheese is evenly melted through….serves 4





Tuna and Noodles

8 oz uncooked egg noodles 2 tsp dried celery leaves

1 cup instant dry skim milk ½ tsp dry mustard

1 tbl flour 1 tsp salt

1 tsp paprika 1/8 tsp pepper



To cook: boil 4 cups water, add 1 pkg mix, simmer 15 minutes. Add 1 can tuna. Let simmer, stirring for 5 minutes or until noodles are just done. Serves 4



Tuna-Cheese Supper



8 ox uncooked macaroni 1 tsp salt

1 cup instant dry skim milk 1/8 tsp pepper

½ tsp thyme ½ tsp dillweed



To cook: Boil 4 cups water. Add 1 pkg mix. Let simmer, stirring for 15 minutes. Add 1 can tuna and 1 cup grated cheddar. Simmer 5 minutes or until noodles are just done. ….serves 4



Variation: use grated Italian, Parmesan or Romano cheese instead of cheddar