When it comes to hearty, healthy comfort food meals to make, anything involving ground beef is always at the top of my list. These Ground Beef Recipes are just some of my favorite ways to cook ground beef. We’ve got pasta dishes, pasta bakes, meatballs or burgers, soups, loaded fries, and more. So, whether you’re looking for a crockpot meal, a one-pot meal, or a meal-prep option, I’ve got you covered. Check out 25+ Ground Beef Crock Pot Recipes and 30 Easy Baked Chicken Recipes for more easy dinner ideas, or our favorite Ground Chicken recipes for something different!
Tips for Cooking Ground Beef
Brown it first. Browning/searing the meat before cooking gives it a richer flavor. Browning ground beef in particular gives it a chance to release some of that excess grease so you can drain it out before adding it to your meal. Drain the grease. No one likes oily food! Be sure to drain any excess grease off the beef after browning. Season after browning. While we’re on the topic of draining the grease, keep in mind that if you season before browning, you’ll also be draining off a ton of flavor. I recommend seasoning however after your brown it. Check the temp. The recommended temperature of ground beef is 160ºF. I like to use a meat thermometer to double check that it’s there before serving! Don’t over-work the meat. As with all meat, it’s best not to over-handle it. If you’re forming meatballs or burger patties with your ground beef, be careful not to over-work it. Over-worked meat can become dry and tough.
Tips for Buying Ground Beef:
Buying ground beef: When it comes to figuring out what ground beef to buy, it kind of just depends on your preferences. Lean ground beef is going to be less fatty and therefore have less oil you need to drain after you cook it. Beef with a higher fat percentage is going to have a little more flavor. It’s totally your call! Get extra! Ground beef is great to have on-hand for easy dinners throughout the week. I like to buy a family size pack to freeze uncooked. Prep ahead of time. I also like to prep ahead of time and cook/season it for tacos, nachos, etc. If you know what you’ll need it for, go ahead and prep it in advance, store it in the freezer, then all you have to do is that and reheat it!
Ground Beef Recipes
