Clearly, we need more hours in the day for the things we do. It seems though, as a parent, you have to put something on the back burner daily just to accomplish what needs to be done. Growing up, my parents never had a problem with putting a warm, delicious meal on the table for dinner every night. Now, my mom is here to share a secret with you all that will make cooking certain meals a whole lot easier.
The multi-purpose hamburger mix is a fantastic time saver. When prepared, stored and frozen in freezer bags, it’s always handy for unexpected guests who drop in at dinner time, or quick & easy to prepare meals after a hectic day.
This Hamburger Mix (also known as Master Mix) is the go-to mix for a variety of recipes. Cook it up in advance, freeze it, and you will have no problem with dinner after work. Here, we will not only feature the recipe for the Hamburger Mix, but we will share 9 different recipes, showing you how to use this clever mix.
Let’s begin!
Hamburger Mix
Ingredients
1 whole garlic, chopped
4 onions, chopped
2 cups celery & tops, chopped
cup drippings or olive oil
4 lbs of hamburger
1 tsp. garlic salt
2 tsp. salt
tsp. pepper
3 tabs. Worcestershire sauce
2 (12oz) bottles of ketchup
1 bell pepper
Method
In large skillet, saut onions and celery in hot olive oil (do not brown). Add hamburger and cook, stirring until crumbly and light browned. Drain off excess fat. Add remainder of ingredients and simmer for 20 minutes.
To freeze: cool quickly, and then fill five freezer bags seal and label.
Note: You can substitute the ground beef for ground turkey, ground chicken or even veggie crumbles for our vegetarians!
Below are 9 different ways you can cook with this Hamburger Mix:
Sloppy Joes:
Thaw as much mix as needed, heat, spoon over split rolls. Rolls can also be stuffed with thawed mix, wrapped individually in foil and heat on picnic grill for about 30 min (turn once).
Chili con carne:
Heat desired amount of mix with an equal amount of canned red kidney beans and pinto beans. Season with chill powder. If desired, top each serving with cheddar cheese or sprinkle grated cheese over top.
Spaghetti:
Thaw desired amount of mix. Mix with spaghetti sauce and service on hot cooked, drained spaghetti and top with grated parmesan cheese.
Noodle Casserole:
Heat one bag of mix in skillet or casserole dish. Add 8oz of cooked, drained noodles and a 10oz package of frozen mixed vegetables (already cooked). Sprinkle cup shredded cheese and chopped parsley on top. Heat without stirring over low heat (or in low oven) until cheese melts. Makes 4-6 servings.
Pizza:
Thaw one freezer bag mix, soften 1 pack of cake yeast in cup lukewarm water. Stir into 2 cups biscuit mix. Knead 20 times on floured pastry sheet. Divide dough into 4 equal parts and roll into 10″ circles. Place on ungreased baking sheets or pizza pans. Turn up edges. Spread with 2 cups tomato sauce or paste. Sprinkle with garlic salt and oregano. Top with shredded jack, mozzarella or Parmesan cheese. Add other toppings as desired. Bake at 425 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
Rice casserole:
Heat mix add 2 cups cooked rice, tsp. thyme. Simmer to blend flavored. 4-6 servings
Tamale pie:
In 2 qt casserole dish, combine 1 bag of mix, 1 cup cream style corn, 1 chopped green peppers, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 cups canned tomatoes and 1 cup pitted ripe olives (chopped). Stir cup corn meal with 1 cup milk. Blend into the meat mixture. Bake 375 degrees for 1 hour. Makes about 6 servings.
Company casserole:
Thaw 2 bags of mix, mix 1 cup cottage cheese with 8oz pkg of cream cheese and cup dairy scour cream. Cook 8oz of noodles. Cover with half of the mix, spread cheese mixture over top and then repeat again. Bake at 350 degrees about 30-40 minutes. Makes about 6 servings.
Stuffed green peppers:
Use rice casserole mixture (above) to stuff 8 parboil green peppers. Bake at 375 degrees about 50 minutes. Note to keep meat mixture moist, top with green pepper with slices of cheese or tomato soup or catsup before baking.
How would you use this amazing hamburger mix? Share your ideas and recipes below! We would love to hear what you think.
12 COMMENTS
Megan via Facebook
13 years agoWhat a great idea!
via Facebook
13 years agoWhoa! 1 mix and NINE recipes?! I’m doing this today!!! – Jess T.
Jessica
13 years agoGreat post! Thank you for sharing all the ways that this hamburger mix can be used! I am going to have to try this.
Cheri
13 years agoThankyou Jess, my precious girl, for posting your “mama’s old recipe. It is what I call “timeless”.
Meg
13 years agoI love this idea! I’m always looking for ways to prep stuff ahead and this is perfect. I’ve got all the ingredients on hand-I think I’ll make some today:)
Cheri
13 years agoThankyou Meg, this is a recipe that saves tons of time, and never goes out of style. I hope your family enjoys it…..Cheri,
Bex
13 years agoWhat a great idea! That’s my basic recipe for all things ground beef too. Why did I never think of this before!?
Jasmine
13 years agoNow I’m hungry! I’ll have to substitute the hamburger with turkey. Can’t wait to try the recipes!
Jessica
13 years agoGreat idea!!
Summer
13 years agoWhy have I not heard of this before…..definitely going to try!
Tamie
13 years agoThat is an awesome idea. I don’t make this, but I always have frozen cooked hamburger meat in my freezer for quick meals. I also add mushrooms to mine to give it a little something extra. Mushrooms are so good for you especially in the winter. They are a good source of vitamin D which can help with the winter blahs.
Glamis
13 years agoThis is awesome! Not only can you make a hamburger but there are so many other recipes for it as well. Very nice.