Looks like we have no saucy folks around. :lol: Haven't use Hamburger Helper in decades. To easy to cook the macaroni and add stuff to it like sauteed broccoli, cauliflower, green peas, carrots, squash, zucchini, chicken, beef, sausage. Things you like and leave out the things you don't, just have to use your imagination.
My trick to potatoes nowadays is to "bake" them in the microwave. I put a plate full, 5-6 medium size potatoes on a plate and microwave on high for about 6 minutes. Let them rest for 3-4 and then go another 4-6 to finish cooking. I like using the red taters, less starch. Store them in ziplock containers in the refrigerator and use as wanted.
Take em and slice, dice, or mash however you want. Your choice of utter, onion, garlic, salt, black pepper, green pepper, mushrooms, jalapeno pepper. Get em going in a fry pan (casserole dish in the microwave works too but you can't get em with that crispy side on them.) When you get em like you might like em I add some Tones Cajun Seasoning (get it from Sam's Wholesale). Then you can add your favorite bake tater type toppings, cheese, chives, sour cream.
For the ground meat, brown in a pan with whatever you like. Salt, pepper, green pepper, onion, garlic, mushroom, tomatoes - fresh, canned, rotel, any of the seasoned varieties and again I use the Tones Cajun Seasoning to season.
Taters on a plate or bowl and top with the ground meat concoction.
Also you could go to the seasoning aisle, they have all kinds of premixed seasonings for different dishes. Use your own pasta, meat and the seasoning mixes. I don't use many but some I do are the taco seasonings and some of the Chinese season mixes.
