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10 Easy Ground Beef Meals for Quick and Delicious Dinners

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

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 pound ground beef (preferably 80/20 for a balance of flavor and fat)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh, depending on the season)
  • 1 cup beef broth or stock (homemade if you can, just like Mama Lu’s)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups cooked rice or pasta (white, brown, or even quinoa for a twist)
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar or your favorite melting cheese
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or bacon drippings (the real deal, if you can)
  • Optional: 1 cup frozen peas or corn for added color and sweetness

Substitution tip: If you’re looking for a leaner option, ground turkey or chicken can work, but the rich flavor of beef really carries the dish. For broth, vegetable stock works in a pinch and keeps things lighter.

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil or bacon drippings in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the chopped onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant. This step always reminds me of Mama Lu’s kitchen, where the smell of onions sizzling was the unofficial start to dinner.
  2. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Garlic was Mama Lu’s secret weapon—it added just the right punch without overpowering the dish.
  3. Now, toss in the ground beef. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to break it up, stirring occasionally, until it’s browned and cooked through—about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if you prefer a leaner meal, but I’ve always believed a little richness makes it taste like love.
  4. Season the beef with smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, which adds that deep umami flavor, like Mama Lu’s pot roast gravy.
  5. Add diced tomatoes and beef broth to the skillet. Stir everything together, reduce the heat to medium-low, and let it simmer gently for 10 minutes. This lets the flavors meld together, much like the slow Sunday dinners I remember so fondly.
  6. While the beef mixture simmers, make sure your rice or pasta is cooked and ready. If you want to sneak in some veggies, stir in frozen peas or corn during the last 5 minutes of simmering.
  7. Once the beef mixture has thickened slightly, fold in the cooked rice or pasta. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. This is the moment I like to pause and remember Mama Lu’s words: “Season with your heart, not just with your hand.”
  8. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top, cover the skillet with a lid, and let it melt for 2-3 minutes. That gooey finish is what turns this from simple to unforgettable.
  9. Serve hot, straight from the skillet, and watch as everyone digs in, sharing smiles and stories just like we used to on the farmhouse porch.

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