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Ground beef is one of the most common ingredients in the world. You can find this savory and rich meat in any grocery store, and cook it up in a matter of minutes. With tons of protein and an intensely beefy flavor that can absorb endless amounts of seasoning, all for an affordable price, it’s no surprise that ground beef is such a popular comfort food.So we wanted to share some of our favorite easy ground beef dinner ideas.
We always have ground beef around the house, and you probably do too. But while it’s great for burgers, this cheap, rich, and umami-packed ingredient can be used for so much more. Here are some of our favorite easy ground beef recipes, and everything you need to know about this meaty and hearty kitchen staple.
Table of Contents
- What is Ground Beef?
- What Cuisines Use Ground Beef?
- Benefits of Cooking With Ground Beef
- Tips for Cooking Ground Beef
- How to Store Ground Beef
- How to Easily Thaw Ground Beef
- 15 Easy Dinner Ideas With Ground Beef
- More Easy Dinner Ideas
What is Ground Beef?
Let’s start with the basics. Ground beef is exactly what it sounds like: beef that has been ground up into a mince. Usually ground beef is a mixture of different cuts of meat, primarily sirloin, chuck, and round. You can buy ground beef with different amounts of fat, and, like with cuts of steak, you can get different grades of ground beef.
What Cuisines Use Ground Beef?
Hearty and protein-filled ground beef is used all over the world. Sometimes it’s the star of the dish, while other times it’s part of a sauce or a topping. It’s especially common in Mexican, Caribbean, American, South American, Italian, British, and Middle Eastern cuisines.
Benefits of Cooking With Ground Beef
There are a lot of reasons why ground beef is so common for dinner recipes. One of the biggest reasons is that it’s one of the most affordable types of meat. Because ground beef is often made out of tougher cuts of meat, or trimmings from steaks, it’s quite cheap relative to other forms of beef.
Ground beef also cooks in just a few minutes, is loaded with protein, and freezes well. So it’s a very practical ingredient to cook with. And since it can be used in almost any cuisine, it’s versatile and easy to cook with.
Tips for Cooking Ground Beef
Savory and rich ground beef is very easy to cook, but there are a few things you can do to maximize the flavor. Here are some quick tips for cooking minced beef.
- Brown: The best way to get flavor when cooking any type of meat is to make sure you get a good sear on it. Browning meat brings out the most flavor, and that’s especially true for ground beef. Make sure to cook ground beef at a high enough temperature that it begins to sear. You want it to turn a golden brown color, instead of being grey.
- Drain: As ground beef cooks, it will release a lot of water and rendered fat. For best results, pour off this liquid, or soak it up with a paper towel. That will make the flavor of your beef stronger, and keep it from becoming greasy.
- Season: Ground beef can really take a heavy dose of seasoning. Whenever you’re cooking with ground beef, be aggressive with the spices. The result will be a hearty dish exploding with flavors, instead of a bland one.
How to Store Ground Beef
You can store raw ground beef in the fridge for 2 days or in the freezer for 4 months. Make sure to always store the meat in an airtight container, and never leave it at room temperature for very long.Cooked ground beef can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 4 days.
How to Easily Thaw Ground Beef
If you have the time, the best way to thaw frozen ground beef is to leave it in the fridge overnight. But if you need to thaw it quickly, here’s an easy hack. Place the package of beef on top of a baking sheet, then put a stainless steel pot on top of the meat. Add a few inches of water to the pot, and let it sit at room temperature. The beef will be thawed in about an hour.
15 Easy Dinner Ideas With Ground Beef
Ground beef is hearty, rich, easy to cook with, packed with protein, and very affordable. So needless to say, we cook with it a lot! Here are some ground beef recipes that are as easy to make as they are delicious.
Easy Taco Soup
Thistaco soupis ready in less than 30 minutes! Plus, it’s loaded with veggies and there’s no chopping involved. Once you add all the toppings it’s seriously irresistible.
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Salisbury Steak
Salisbury steakis an easy comfort food dinner that is affordable and simple to make! Juicy, well seasoned ground beef steaks are smothered in a rich mushroom gravy with onions to create this classic American easy salisbury steak recipe.
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Easy Chili
Chili is one of the most common things to make with ground beef, and for good reason. A great bowl of chili is comforting, hearty, and packed with spices. This recipe is bursting with flavor and heat, despite only taking 30 minutes to make.
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Cheeseburger Casserole
Everyone loves cheeseburgers, so why not make them in casserole form? With ground beef, melty cheese, and your favorite burger toppings stacked on top of tater tots, this recipe has it all. It might even be better than a traditional cheeseburger!
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Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
This hearty and soothing 30-minute dinner is loaded with cabbage, tomatoes, and spicy ground beef. The herbaceous recipe has everything you love about cabbage rolls but without the hassle of having to actually make the rolls!
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This one says it right in the name: it really is the best taco meat. Juicy, tender, and umami-packed ground beef is seasoned with loads of homemade taco seasoning and cooked down in beef broth with onions and tomato paste. You’ll want to put this on not just tacos, but burritos, nachos, and so much more.
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Easy Meatloaf
It’s not always easy to find a great meatloaf, but this is a recipe you’ll want to make over and over again. The beef is so moist and tender, and loaded with strong and savory seasonings. The brown sugar tomato sauce on top of the meatloaf makes it sticky, sweet, and finger-licking delicious.
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Easy Shepherd’s Pie
This classic British recipe is hearty and soothing. It’s juicy ground beef cooked with loads of veggies, mushrooms, and gravy, and topped with fluffy mashed potatoes. Some recipes are favorites for a reason, and this one is every bit as good as advertised.
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Crockpot Pasta fa*gioli Soup
This comforting and cozy Italian soup has so much flavor. The browned ground beef adds a hearty and meaty element, while veggies and herbs keep the soup light. Noodles and beans are added to make this Italian classic a healthy and complete meal.
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Ground Beef Stroganoff
With juicy beef, earthy mushrooms, and a rich cream sauce, this easyground beef stroganoffrecipeis the ultimate comfort meal made in just one skillet. It’s full of hearty and savory flavors the whole family will love and only takes 30 minutes to make!
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Baked Chili Dogs
Super easybaked chili dogsare a great way to serve a crowd or just feed a hungry family! Juicy hot dogs, spicy ground beef chili, and melted cheddar cheese are packed into toasted hot dog buns in this simple chili hot dog recipe that family members of all ages will adore!
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Beef and Noodles
Beef and noodlesis a quick and easy comfort food style dinner that is ready in 30 minutes. Ground beef and egg noodles are coated in a creamy mushroom gravy that makes this simple meal a real winner!
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Crockpot Chili
Thisbeefy crockpot chiliis a great weeknight dinner and makes even better leftovers! It has lots of lean beef, roasted tomatoes, and beans that make it a protein-packed recipe the entire family will love.
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Easy Beef Enchiladas
Quick and easybeef enchiladas,made with just 4 ingredients, are the ultimate Mexican-inspired comfort food. Tortillas are stuffed with perfectly seasoned taco meat and loaded with tasty red enchilada sauce and tons of gooey melted cheese.
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Chili Mac
Two classic comfort foods, macaroni and cheese and chili, come together to create this family favoritechili mac! This extra easy and flavor packed recipe is kid approved, only uses 6 ingredients, and is ready in under 20 minutes!
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More Easy Dinner Ideas
If you’re in need of more recipes to try making, then we’ve got you covered. Check out our Recipe Finder where you can hundreds of our favorite meals.
