Homemade Hamburger Helper

Barb Wirsta is a good friend and Home & School parent, and she submitted this recipe, which can be found in "Our Family Recipes", the Princess Margaret Home & School Association cookbook. She calls it "An easy fix for supper tonight!"

Approximately 1 lb ground beef or turkey
1 or 2 cans, (or 1 - 2 cups frozen vegetables)
1 cup macaroni or other dry pasta
2 cans cream of mushroom, celery or chicken soup
2 soup cans of milk or water
salt and pepper to taste

In a deep pan, brown ground beef. Drain excess fat. Add frozen or canned (drained) vegetables, dry pasta, cans of soup and milk or water. Bring to a boil over medium to medium-high heat. Cover, reduce temperature and simmer for about 15 minutes. Stir often. When pasta has softened, remove cover and let cook a bit more until the mixture is the consistency that you desire. Remember to stir so as not to let it stick to your pan. Serve with a simple tossed salad.

VARIATIONS: Choose different types of soups, pastas and/or vegetables. I've even tried it with cream of tomato soup and canned tomatoes (drained) and long-grain rice. You can even drop some Cheez Whiz or grated cheese on top before serving. If you decide to use fresh veggies... mix them in after the pasta has softened.

Homemade Alphabet Spaghetti

There was a time... back in the day... when my kids liked this better than the stuff that came in cans from the store... It's fairly quick and very inexpensive if you get your alphabet noodles from the bulk food section. Makes a big batch. This isn't an original-to-me recipe, but I can't begin to remember where I found it, it's been in my collection for so long. Give it a try- start about an hour before you want to feed the kids.


5 cups colds water
2 chicken bouillon cubes
1 cup uncooked alphabet noodle pasta
1 - 5 1/2 oz (156 ml) can tomato paste
1/2 cup milk
1- 2 tablespoons sugar ( to taste)

In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and add bouillon cubes and noodles. Stir until bouillon cubes are dissolved and foam disappears.

Partially cover saucepan and simmer until noodles are tender, (about 40 minutes). Add tomato paste, milk and sugar, stirring well to blend.

Remove from heat, cover saucepan and let stand for 15 minutes (mixture will thicken slightly)

Serve warm.

Makes 4- 6 servings