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10 Delicious Ground Beef Lunch Ideas to Spice Up Your Midday Meals

10 Delicious Ground Beef Lunch Ideas to Spice Up Your Midday Meals - Featured Image
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Learn how to make delicious ground beef lunch ideas. Easy recipe with step-by-step instructions.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 pound lean ground beef (85% lean works great, but you can use 90% for a leaner option)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup bell pepper, diced (any color you like)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, adds that warm, earthy note reminiscent of Mama Lu’s Sunday roasts)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup beef broth or water (for a bit of moisture and to keep things tender)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (for that deep, savory punch)
  • Optional additions: 1/4 cup grated cheddar or mozzarella cheese, fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish
  • Substitution tips: If you’re avoiding beef, ground turkey or plant-based crumbles can work in a pinch. Swap bell pepper for mushrooms if you prefer earthier flavors.

Instructions

  1. Heat a sturdy skillet over medium-high heat. This is where the magic happens — just like Mama Lu’s old cast iron back home.
  2. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with your spatula. Let it brown without stirring too much for the first 3-4 minutes to get a nice crust.
  3. Once browned, stir in the chopped onion, garlic, and diced bell pepper. Cook for another 5 minutes until the veggies soften and the beef is cooked through.
  4. Sprinkle in smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir well to blend the spices into the meat and vegetables.
  5. Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, scraping any browned bits off the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer gently for 4-5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the mixture to thicken slightly.
  6. If you want to add cheese, sprinkle it on now and cover the skillet briefly until melted — that melty touch always reminds me of those evenings when Mama Lu would top off something simple with whatever cheese we had on hand.
  7. Remove from heat and garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro for a bright finish.
  8. Serve warm as a filling for sandwiches, over rice, or with a crisp salad on the side.

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