What is the trick to cooking ground beef?

Break Up the Ground Beef While Cooking: Then start breaking it into smaller pieces with the wooden spoon. Continue to cook, stirring and breaking up the beef into small crumbles, until any moisture from the beef has evaporated and the beef is evenly browned and no longer pink.

How many meals can a pound of ground beef make?

One pound of ground beef can go a long way if you're cooking for one. In fact, we can get at least four single serving meals out of just one pound.

Why add baking soda to ground beef before cooking?

However, by gently tossing a baking soda solution with the meat (about ¾ teaspoon baking soda to 2 tablespoons water for 2lbs of grind) and letting sit for 15 to 20 minutes before cooking, beef loses less liquid, browns faster and tastes better .

What does adding vinegar to ground beef do?

Culinary professionals know that a small amount of vinegar makes food taste bright and fresh . Too much, however, may make the food unpleasantly sour. First and foremost, vinegar is used as a tenderizer for meat and poultry. It may be added as an injected marinade in very tough proteins or applied via a soak or rub.

How much does 10 pounds of ground beef feed?

For 20 people , plan to purchase 10 or more pounds of meat.

How many burgers can I make with 1 pound of ground beef?

Our Test Kitchen uses a range of 1 to 1½ pounds of ground beef to make 4 burgers . That's 4 to 6 ounces per burger. Check out our best tips for grilled burgers and use these guidelines to know how much ground beef per burger to buy.

What is the best ground beef mixture?

The best ground beef to buy for burgers is 80/20 ground chuck – 80% lean meat and 20% fat. Ground chuck is ground from the shoulder and has that ideal lean-to-fat ratio of 80/20 (i.e. not too lean) for a super flavorful, juicy burger. Ground round comes from the back of the cow, near the tail, upper leg, and rump.

How to add flavor to ground beef?

Once the beef has rendered its fat, it's time to generously add your mix of seasonings — granulated garlic, granulated onion, ground cumin, and cayenne powder . These seasonings absorb the rendered fat, bloom, and beautifully transform the beef.

When to add seasoning to ground beef?

The meat needs to be seasoned no matter what you're going to do with it. In the recipe below I add salt and pepper at the end. You can also add it midway through. It doesn't matter much.

What do you add to ground beef to make it brown better?

Adding oil is optional but recommended for better browning . Add the meat to the pan and break it into large pieces. Use a wooden spoon, fish spatula, or other sturdy spatula to break the meat up into large pieces in the pan. Let it brown for several minutes.

How do you cook ground beef without drying it out?

Salt draws out moisture, drying the meat and creating steam while it cooks, preventing it from browning properly. Season the meat towards the end. Don't overcook the meat. For tender and moist ground hamburger, cook until no pink remains, and promptly remove from heat once it's done .

How do you cook ground beef so it doesn't clump?

Using a thick heavy pan is ideal for this since it cooks more evenly as well . Also, make sure your meat is going into a hot pan! Once the beef goes into the pan, I flatten it out like a big, thin burger patty. I let a crust form before I start to break it up into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon and flip it.

Why cook ground beef in milk?

It's milk. The calcium-rich properties of milk react with enzymes in the meat to gently soften the proteins . Whole milk (not reduced fat), buttermilk, and yogurt all get the job done – with a special nod to buttermilk and yogurt for their optimal tenderizing acidity levels.

30 Easy Ground Beef Recipes (2024)

Looking for quick and easy meals the whole family will love? These easy ground beef recipes make dinner a snap!

From classics like tacos and burgers to tasty casseroles, these simple meals are perfect for busy weeknights.

And you can’t forget about sloppy joes! Stick around to the end to check out my amazing recipe below.

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Quick and Easy Ground Beef Recipes for Dinner Tonight

Dinner is simple when you have a pack of ground beef in the fridge!

Whether you’re in the mood for a juicy burger, lasagna, meatloaf, taco soup, cheeseburger pizza, or a hearty bowl of chili, I’ve got you covered.

These delicious hamburger meat recipes will have dinner on the table in a flash!

1. Sloppy Joe Frito Pie

Sloppy Joe Frito pie is the ultimate comfort food. One bite of this heartwarming meal is enough to turn anyone’s day around.

The ground beef is coated in a homemade sloppy joe sauce made up of ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and onion powder.

And this recipe goes one step further topped with Fritos and cheese. Canned sloppy joe sauce is now a thing of the past!

2. Cheeseburger Pasta Casserole

Cheeseburger pasta casserole is the perfect answer to “What to do with hamburger meat”.

It pairs classic cheeseburger components with satisfying egg noodles in an herbal tomato sauce.

Seriously, it tastes just like a juicy cheeseburger, and it’s super easy to whip together in a jiffy.

3. Cowboy Cornbread

What if cheeseburgers and shepherd’s pie combined their forces? This cowboy cornbread delivers serious cheeseburger vibes with a cornbread topping.

Inside this delightful pie is a mixture of ground beef, creamed corn, and oh-so-much cheese.

To top it off is a cornbread crust that brings all those savory flavors together. Yeehaw!

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4. Baked Rigatoni Pasta

If you need to feed an army, this baked rigatoni pasta recipe needs to be in your dinner rotation.

It’s so easy to whip together in a flash, and it’s so beefy, cheesy, and delicious. I mean, look at that cheesy mozzarella topping!

With a fusion of ground beef and sausage, no one will go to bed hungry.

5. Taco Stuffed Pasta Shells

Pasta and tacos seem like they shouldn’t go together, but these taco-stuffed pasta shells are a great ground beef dinner idea.

Similar to classic stuffed shells, this recipe replaces the traditional shell filling with taco meat and vegetables.

It has a little of everything from veggies, cream cheese, taco seasoning, and ground beef. And don’t forget the zesty salsa!

6. Lipton Onion Soup Burgers

Lipton onion soup mix is such a versatile seasoning that should be kept on hand at all times.

This recipe infuses onion soup mix right into the hamburger patty for a burst of flavor.

You’ll never make burgers the same way ever again after trying this recipe.

Serve with your favorite hamburger toppings, and enjoy the juiciest burger!

7. Porcupine Meatballs

Porcupine meatballs have it all. It’s like an entire dinner in one prickly little package.

Think of it like stuffed green peppers, sans the pepper. It pairs ground beef with tender rice in a rich sauce.

Adding rice to your meatballs makes them even more filling and satisfying, and they’re so fun to make.

8. Korean Beef and Rice

If you only have 20 minutes to make dinner and get it on the table, try this Korean beef and rice.

Budget-friendly and tender, even the pickiest of eaters will ask for seconds.

And I think vegetables would make a great addition to this dish and add some gorgeous color!

9. Ground Beef Cabbage Rolls

Stuffed cabbage rolls are the ultimate comfort food for those chilly fall days.

10. Bisquick Cheeseburger Pie

Also known as the “impossibly easy cheeseburger pie,” this Bisquick cheeseburger pie is sure to become a weeknight staple.

You’ll have a complete meal on the table in about 30 minutes.

It pairs ground beef, onion, Bisquick, and cheese in a pie plate.

It feels like there should be more steps, but that’s it!

11. Ground Beef Tacos

Ground beef tacos are a staple at my house.

With savory ground beef, taco shells, and a delicious taco seasoning, you have everything you need for Taco Tuesday.

And the toppings can be whatever you want — lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, olives, jalapeños.It’s an easy, versatile recipe for those picky eaters in your home.

12. Taco Soup

Versatile and packed with flavor, taco soup is an easy meal that everyone will love.

Green chilies, Mexican tomatoes, and taco seasoning add a smoky flavor with just a touch of heat.

The great thing about this soup is you can adjust it to your liking.

Don’t forget toppings like corn chips, sour cream, and cheese.

13. Easy Doritos Casserole

If your family rolls their eyes when casseroles are on the menu, I suggest introducing them to this Doritos casserole.

It’s so incredibly cheesy, and crust Doritos take the flavors over the edge.

Plus, you can work out any weeknight stress by crushing those Doritos with a rolling pin!

14. Cheeseburger Pizza

If you love pizza and cheeseburgers, this is the meal for you.

Using a pre-baked pizza crust will make your life so easy, but you could definitely make your own dough.

Top it with your favorites like ground beef, tomato, pickles, or even bacon.

Don’t forget the ketchup and mustard sauce!

15. Bolognese Sauce

This bolognese sauce might be a labor of love, but you won’t regret it for one second.

The sauce has a great meaty taste since it uses ground beef, ground pork, and pancetta. And don’t forget the cremini and porcini mushrooms- they’re a staple in this recipe.

It’s the kind of recipe you pass on from generation to generation.

16. Ground Beef Fried Rice

Not only is this ground beef fried rice an easy, fuss-free meal, but it’s also super inexpensive.

And if you throw a runny egg on top with a splash of Sriracha, what do you have? One of the best ground beef breakfast recipes around!

Luckily, no matter when you enjoy this dish, it’s super quick.

17. Tamale Pie

Homemade tamales are tasty but tedious. But this homemade tamale pie is as easy as, well, pie.

All you need is classic tamale stuffing (ground beef, rich spices, and cheese), and top it with a cornbread crust.

Don’t worry- the cornbread crust is super easy. All you need is a blue box of Jiffy cornbread muffin mix.

18. Beef Empanadas

Flaky and cheesy, these baked beef empanadas are the perfect handheld size for appetizers or filling enough for a meal.

This homemade dough is delicious, but you could absolutely use store-bought bit crust for an even easier dish.

The insides are filled with seasoned ground beef and cheese. That’s it!

19. Tater Tot Casserole

Tater tot casserole checks all the boxes. It comes together in minutes, and everyone goes crazy for this meal.

I mean, you can’t go wrong with tater tots, right?

The inside is delightfully cheesy with ground beef and a hearty cream of mushroom soup.

Top it off with tater tots and even more cheese, and watch it disappear.

20. Meatloaf

Meatloaf is a classic dish that everyone loves, so it’s a good idea to have a solid recipe in your back pocket.

The seasoning is a combination of onion, bell pepper, and canned diced tomatoes. Those are mixed with ground beef, oats, and an egg.

The topping is my personal favorite: a mixture of ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard! Simple, yet delicious.

21. Beef Enchiladas

Beef enchiladas are the perfect recipe for ground beef. It looks so tantalizing in a casserole dish, and they go fast!

Inside each enchilada is a heavily spiced Tex-Mex-inspired beef mixture with plenty of cheese.

They bake to cheesy perfection after a quick trip in the oven and taste as good as they look.

22. Chili

If you want Wendy’s chili without ever leaving your home, this copycat chili recipe will warm you up from the inside out!

With flavors from the chili seasoning, diced tomatoes with green chiles, and bell pepper, no one will have any complaints.

Sometimes toppings are my favorite part of chili. You can use chips, avocado, salsa, sour cream, and, of course, cheese.

23. Ground Beef Stroganoff

Ground beef stroganoff is the budget-friendly cousin to beef stroganoff. If you are on a budget, this recipe will be your new favorite weeknight meal.

With a few ingredients, you can make the most amazingly rich and creamy pasta dish.

Serve it up with some crusty bread, and it’s sure to land a permanent spot on your weekly dinner rotation.

24. Lasagna

This next recipe comes from my very own vault, and I must say, I’m very proud of it.

This lasagna is so creamy, cheesy, and saucy that you’ll want to lick the plate!

It’s not even that hard to make. With my simplified recipe, you’ll have perfect lasagna in just 1 hour.

25. Peanut Butter Burger

Didn’t expect to see peanut butter pop on on a list of recipes with ground beef, did you?

The sweet and creamy peanut butter combines perfectly with the rich and savory burger.

I know it sounds weird at first. But if you like peanut butter, you’ll love this new combination.

It’s ooey gooey deliciousness.

26. Ground Beef Burritos

Wanna know the best way to use up ground beef? Burritos, of course!

They’re easy to make and SO delicious. Which makes them my go-to every time I get a craving for Mexican food. Which, let’s be honest, happens on quite a regular basis.

Plus, you can customize them however you like. Let the fiesta begin!

27. Classic Patty Melt

In the mood for diner food? Then you can’t go wrong with this classic patty melt recipe!

I like to whip up patty melts when I have a craving for burgers, but I’m out of hamburger buns.

It’s incredibly rich, buttery, and oh-so-cheesy. Serve it up with some fries, or keep it simple with kettle chips.

28. Meatball Subs

I firmly believe that the meatball sub is the holy grail of all subs.

The combo of juicy meatballs, sauce marinara, and melty cheese is just pure perfection.

The great thing about it is despite it being so incredibly delicious and hearty, it’s also a snap to make.

29. Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd’s Pie is English comfort food at its finest.

It’s ground beef at the bottom, mashed potatoes in the middle, and a cheese crust on top. Yes, please!

Complete with carbs, veggies, protein, and fat, one slice of this pie is already a complete meal. But, of course, that shouldn’t stop you from having that second serving.

30. Stuffed Bell Peppers

Last but not least: stuffed bell peppers! Every home cook needs a classic stuffed bell pepper recipe for those chilly winter nights.

It’s rich and meaty and doesn’t skimp on the cheese.

With fresh herbs and colorful peppers, it’s the perfect meal when you need a little comfort food.

30 Best Ground Beef Recipes

Course: Lunch, DinnerCuisine: American

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Calories per Serving

324

kcal

Relive cherished memories with these show-stopping homemade Sloppy Joes!

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon yellow mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
Salt and pepper to taste
1/3 cup water
6 Hamburger buns, for serving

Instructions

Add ground beef to a large skillet over medium heat. Break it apart with a spoon or spatula and cook until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Remove any excess fat.
Stir in the onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook until the onions become translucent, about 4-5 minutes.
Add ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, salt, pepper, and water. Mix everything together thoroughly.
Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat once the mixture has thickened to your preference.
Serve sloppy joes hot on hamburger buns.
Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 324kcal
Carbohydrates: 37g
Protein: 28g
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 68mg
Sodium: 743mg
Potassium: 574mg
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 16g
Calcium: 78mg
Iron: 16mg

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