Minnesota Tight End Kyle Rudolph and Helper® Join Hands

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Kyle Rudolph and Lefty, the Hamburger Helper Hand, kick off the season by bringing ideas to refuel active families on busy days. This Football season, Minnesota football tight end Kyle Rudolph and Helper® are fueling big days and nights with tips and recipes inspired by Kyle's life from a kid to a pro.

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Rudolph has been called the "The Hamburger Helper Guy" on the football field by his family, teammates and fans, not only for his big "mitts" but for his appetite, and Helper is excited to partner with Kyle and his mom, Jamie Rudolph. Jamie is an enthusiastic home cook, and always enjoyed preparing food and feeding the hungry appetites of Kyle and his friends before and after the games as they were growing up.

"Kyle has always been a hard worker all his life and he loved the meals I prepared for him, many of which were Helper meals," said Jamie. "Today, when he comes home, he can't wait to fill up on some of our family favorites."

"Because I wear the white gloves, I've been told by my family and friends that I look like the Hamburger Helper Guy with my big mitts. It was the only way my mom could see me at one of my games during my rookie year," said Kyle Rudolph. "Helper was something we ate growing up, so I'm excited to be part of the Helper family and share the recipes that were my mom's inspirations and ones that I can't wait to eat and refuel after a game. She definitely knows that the way to my heart is with a hearty meal that fills my hungry appetite."

"We are excited to partner with Kyle--he's a hard worker and a great helper off the field who celebrates his family and time spent around the table enjoying a good meal…of course prepared by his mom," said Elizabeth Laughlin, Helper marketing manager. "Helper wants to inspire and celebrate Kyle's on and off the field activities and share his families' traditions and favorite recipes that have filled him and his friends up throughout the years."

"We are the hardest working meal in America and we work hard to make it easy for anyone to make a meal for themselves, their family or those athletes that need to refuel after a game or practice," Laughlin continues. "Part of the appeal with Helper is the lineup's ability to produce difficult-sounding dishes like Sweet & Sour Chicken in three easy steps: Brown, simmer and serve. So on any day, the options are endless and easy for anyone to make something the whole family can enjoy."

Rudolph Family Favorite Recipe Inspirations for Game Day
"I love to cook and entertain, especially on game day and am really excited that recipes I make were the inspiration for the creation of the Helper game day recipes," said Jamie Rudolph. "Our family has been football fans for years, and we love to watch Kyle with all of our family friends."

Today, for Jamie's family and friends, preparing for and watching the game is an event filled with lots of food, laughter and a little competition.

"One of the things we do before a game is to send out an e-mail to our friends with theme ideas such as a chili bar or a pizza bar, and ask that they bring a dish to share. It's always a good time," explains Jamie.

Inspired by Jamie, the Betty Crocker Kitchens created a collection of game day dishes to share with a crowd and guaranteed to fill them up!

Enjoy all the big, bold flavors of Buffalo Chicken Pizza in dip form. Combine Hamburger Helper® Supreme Cheese Pizza, milk, cream cheese, Buffalo wing sauce, shredded deli rotisserie chicken and top with shredded mozzarella cheese. Place in a pie plate and bake until bubbly. Serve with celery sticks and tortilla chips, as desired.

Who doesn't enjoy layers of sour cream, seasoned beef, cheesy rice and fresh toppings? Jamie's Taco Helper Salad is her specialty made with Hamburger Helper Crunchy Taco.

If you're looking for a dish that is enough to feed a football team or a group of hungry fans, then Jamie's Beer Cheese Game Day Dip is the answer. Combine cream cheese, salsa con queso dip, cheese, beer, Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni and beef and pour into a slow cooker to heat for a couple hours. It's easy and families will love it. Serve with tortilla chips, toasted bread slices or veggies for dipping. 

For those who want a heartier meal, try Jamie's Creamy Baked Chicken Stroganoff. Create a Helper mixture of Hamburger Helper Ultimate Beef Stroganoff and mushrooms, place in glass dish, top with skinless chicken breasts and bake. During the last few minutes add some Italian cheese until bubbly. Garnish with chopped Italian parsley. This is a Rudolph family favorite.

On those cooler nights, Jamie's Chili Cheese Spaghetti Bake is sure to warm and fill you up. Combine pasta from Hamburger Helper Chili Cheese box, along with some additional elbow macaroni pasta, milk, water and sauce pack. Add some mushrooms and canned chili. Transfer mixture into baking dish, cover with the cheese and bake until hot and bubbly and cheese is melted. Top with the crushed red pepper flakes for a little kick.

"We're happy to share these Helper recipes, inspired by Jamie, and to help America with more easy ways to impress friends and family with fun ideas during game days," said Laughlin.

Go to www.BettyCrocker.com/HelperGameDayRecipes for more fun ideas to make the day a "game day."

About Betty Crocker
Since her creation in 1921, Betty Crocker has enjoyed a distinguished history as a multimedia superstar. Featured in radio, TV, print, and now online, this cultural icon has rightfully earned her reputation as the "Original First Lady of Food."  Minneapolis is the home of the Betty Crocker Kitchens, where a team of culinary experts develop food ideas that combine trends with consumer needs. 

BettyCrocker.com is one of the top websites in the food category. Betty Crocker's Facebook community has over 1.75 million fans that enjoy interacting with the brand, and millions have downloaded Betty Crocker's mobile app. Betty Crocker branded products garner more than $1 billion in sales annually. For more information, visit www.BettyCrocker.com.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/63423-hamburger-helper-minnesota-tight-end-kyle-rudolph-recipe-football-season

SOURCE General Mills, Inc.