5 Easy Dinners That Start with a Pound of Ground Beef
Ground beef is pretty great for weeknight dinners. You can quickly brown it in a pan, season it anyway you like, and have a hearty dinner ready in minutes. A pound of ground beef feeds about four people, making it perfect for families or singles who can turn the leftovers into workday lunches.
This snapshot will give you five quick ground beef dinners that are anything but boring and will satisfy even the pickiest eaters among us.
5 Snapshot Recipes That Start with Ground Beef
The beef: Ground beef is either sold as generic ground beef — meaning it includes several cuts that are both fat and lean — or in specific cuts like ground sirloin or chuck. For this snapshot, lean ground beef works well.
Other kitchen staples: Each of these recipes uses a combination of pantry staples and smart shortcuts, and most clock in under seven ingredients in addition to the ground beef.
Read more: How To Cook & Brown Ground Beef
Sheet Pan Beef Totchos
Heat oven to 400ºF. Place 1 (32-ounce) package frozen tater tots on a rimmed baking sheet; bake for 30 minutes. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add 1 pound lean ground beef, season with 1 tablespoon taco seasoning, and cook until cooked through and browned. Stir in 1 cup frozen corn kernels; remove from heat. Spoon beef and corn over tots, sprinkle with 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Continue baking until cheese is melted and bubbly, 10 minutes. Top with chopped tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, and sour cream.
Get the recipe: Sheet Pan Beef Totchos
Cowboy Skillet
Heat oven to 400ºF. Heat a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add 1 pound lean ground beef, and cook until browned. Stir in 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes and their juices, 1 (15-ounce) can drained kidney beans, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon onion powder. Place 1 (7-ounce) box Jiffy corn muffin mix, 1 large egg, and 1/3 cup milk in a large bowl; stir until combined. Scoop cornbread mixture onto chili. Bake until cornbread is cooked through, 15 minutes.
Stuffed Pepper in a Bowl
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add 1 pound lean ground beef, and cook until browned and cooked through. Add 2 sliced large bell peppers and 1 large thinly sliced yellow onion and cook until starting to soften, 7 minutes. Stir in 1/3 cup water or broth, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Cook for 2 minutes more. Top with 2 cups shredded provolone cheese. Serve over rice.
Creamy Beef and Shells
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add 1 pound lean ground beef, and cook until cooked through and browned. Season with 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon onion powder and cook until fragrant, 1 minute more. Stir in 2 cups beef broth, 8 ounces dried pasta shells, and 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce. Cover and cook until shells are tender and sauce is slightly thickened, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half and 2 cups shredded sharp white cheddar until cheese is melted.
Get the recipe: Creamy Beef and Shells
Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheeses
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add 1 pound lean ground beef, and cook until cooked through and browned. Season with 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon onion powder and cook until fragrant, 1 minute more. Stir in 1/2 cup water, 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce; cook until saucy. Remove from heat.
Butter one side of 8 slices sourdough bread, you’ll need about 4 tablespoons softened butter. Flip 4 slices over and build sandwiches: Sprinkle each with 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, top with 1/2 cup sloppy Joe mixture, and sprinkle with another 1/2 cup cheddar cheese. Close sandwiches with remaining bread slices buttered-side up. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook 2 sandwiches at a time until golden-brown and cheese is melted, 4 minutes per side. Slice and serve immediately.
This post was originally published on The Kitchn. Read it there: 5 Quick Dinners That Start with a Pound of Ground Beef
