Ultimate Comfort: Easy Ground Beef Crockpot Recipes for Busy Weeknights
Learn how to make delicious ground beef crockpot. Easy recipe with step-by-step instructions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds ground beef (preferably 85% lean for a good balance of flavor and fat)
- 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced (substitute with red or orange bell pepper for sweetness)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup beef broth (or substitute with vegetable broth for a lighter flavor)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for a little kick)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels (optional, adds a touch of sweetness and texture)
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (adds depth and a little tang)
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Start by browning the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Break it up gently with a wooden spoon until it’s mostly cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. This step helps develop a deeper flavor, which Mama Lu always insisted was worth the extra minute or two.
- Drain any excess fat from the skillet, then add the chopped onion, garlic, and diced bell pepper to the meat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and the onions turn translucent, about 4-5 minutes.
- Transfer the meat and vegetable mixture into your crockpot. Stir in the diced tomatoes with their juice, beef broth, tomato paste, smoked paprika, oregano, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix everything gently but thoroughly.
- Cover the crockpot and set it to cook on low for 6 to 7 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours. The longer, slower cooking method lets those flavors meld together beautifully — just like the slow-cooked meals of my childhood that filled our farmhouse with warmth.
- About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the frozen corn kernels, if you’re using them. This keeps their texture fresh and adds a pleasant pop of sweetness.
- Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or cilantro on top to brighten the dish.
Find it online: https://claracooking.com/ground-beef-crockpot/
