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Ground Beef Easy Recipes for Quick and Delicious Meals

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

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 pound ground beef (grass-fed if possible for richer flavor)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup crushed tomatoes (canned or fresh)
  • 1/2 cup beef broth or water
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons cooking oil (vegetable or olive oil works well)
  • Optional: 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella for topping

Substitution tips: If you don’t have Worcestershire sauce, a splash of soy sauce or a touch of balsamic vinegar adds a nice depth. For a vegetarian twist, swap ground beef for plant-based crumbles or cooked lentils, and use vegetable broth instead of beef.

Instructions

  1. Heat the cooking oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. I always think of that worn cast-iron pan Mama Lu kept on the stove—seasoned through years of Sunday roasts and cornbread. A good pan makes all the difference.
  2. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. The aroma of onions cooking always takes me back to those quiet mornings on the porch, where stories floated on the breeze.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it—garlic can go from golden to bitter in mere seconds.
  4. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed, but I often leave a little for flavor—just like Mama Lu would say, “Don’t throw away the soul of the dish.”
  5. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine, then season with smoked paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  6. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes. This slow melding of flavors is like the quiet moments on the porch after supper—patience makes all the difference.
  7. If you’re using cheese, sprinkle it on top during the last 5 minutes of cooking and cover again so it melts perfectly.
  8. Remove from heat and let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving. This pause allows the flavors to settle, much like the way Mama Lu’s dishes always seemed to taste better when shared slowly, with good company.

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