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Ground Beef Easy Dinner Ideas That Save Time and Satisfy Cravings

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Learn how to make delicious ground beef easy dinner. Easy recipe with step-by-step instructions.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 pound ground beef (preferably 85% lean for flavor and moisture)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced (optional but adds a nice sweetness)
  • 1 cup canned diced tomatoes (drain excess liquid for thicker sauce)
  • 1/2 cup beef broth or water
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular paprika if unavailable)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional for a little heat)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or bacon drippings for richness
  • 1 cup cooked rice or pasta (serve on the side or stir in)
  • Fresh parsley or green onions for garnish (optional)

Substitution tips: If you don’t have smoked paprika, a dash of cumin can add a warm earthiness. Ground turkey or chicken can replace beef if you want a lighter version, but you might need to adjust cooking times and seasoning.

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil or bacon drippings in a large skillet over medium-high heat. I always think of Mama Lu’s skillet — worn smooth from years of use — when I do this step, knowing that the right pan helps build flavor.
  2. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper (if using). Sauté for about 5 minutes until softened and fragrant. Stir occasionally, scraping up any browned bits — that’s where the magic lives.
  3. Toss in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, just until you can smell it waking up the pan.
  4. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with your spoon or spatula. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if it pools too heavily, but don’t rinse — that flavor is part of the soul of this dish.
  5. Stir in the diced tomatoes, beef broth, smoked paprika, oregano, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Lower the heat to medium-low and let everything simmer gently for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Mama Lu always said, “Good things take their sweet time,” but this is the perfect balance when you need dinner on the table before the day slips away.
  6. While the sauce simmers, cook your rice or pasta according to package instructions. I like to use the rice Mama Lu used to serve with Sunday pot roasts — fluffy and simple, the perfect vehicle for soaking up all that goodness.
  7. Once the sauce has thickened slightly, taste and adjust seasoning. Sometimes, a pinch more salt or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice (if you have it) brightens everything up.
  8. Serve the ground beef mixture over your cooked rice or pasta, garnished with fresh parsley or green onions if you like a pop of color and freshness.

Find it online: https://claracooking.com/ground-beef-easy-dinner/