Sales of this humble pantry staple are spiking – and what that means for America’s economy

First popularized in the 1970s as a budget-friendly way to stretch a pound of ground beef, U.S. pantry staple Hamburger Helper is once again finding its way onto American dinner tables.

While many food brands are seeing a dip in consumer demand, Hamburger Helper is bucking the trend. Sales jumped 14.5 percent in the year through August, according to owner Eagle Foods.