The Simple Way To Upgrade A Box Of Tuna Helper
There are few things in life as convenient as pre-made, boxed meals that just require you to add water or a handful of other ingredients. From instant mac and cheese to trusty ramen, there's no shortage of tasty dinners that only take a few minutes to whip up. While many of us would like to be able to cook dinner from scratch every night, or order takeout if you don't typically find yourself in the kitchen, our busy schedules (and budgets) don't always allow it. We all know, on those especially chaotic days, there's nothing like a favorite easy meal waiting in the cupboard for you.
However, many boxed meals do get a reputation of being especially bland or unsatisfying. But, we're here to tell you, you don't have to opt for convenience just to miss out on flavor. Simple upgrades, such as adding vegetables or throwing in additional protein, are obvious steps one can take to amp up their quick meal.
But, when it comes to one of America's favorite quick meals, Betty Crocker's Tuna Helper, there may be an even easier upgrade than chopping up whole veggies after a long day.
Just one ingredient makes the difference
Betty Crocker outlines some great ways to liven up one of their most popular boxed meals, Tuna Helper. From suggestions on serving up the dish with bacon crumbles and parsley to serving it as a soup, the brand is not short on creative recipe hacks. However, the simplest, and possibly best, way they recommend livening up your Tuna Helper is to add garlic.
Garlic is a great go-to way to add depth to almost any savory meal because it is made of many strong chemical compounds, as per Serious Eats, that actually attack our taste buds and olfactory receptors. This provokes our taste buds to wake up and be alert, which makes the things garlic is added to taste better.
To get this effect, Betty Crocker recommends adding minced garlic to your pan right before it starts simmering. Easier than choosing, washing, and chopping any veggies or proteins, this simple hack is sure to upgrade your next Tuna Helper indulgence.