When you are thinking of something to cook up, in my home we grew up eating quite a bit of ground beef. So, I often like to get one pot ground beef recipes out and whip something up that reminds me of my youth. I am writing this in late July so I think easy and pretty quick recipes are the best bet to go with. All of these recipes are about 1 hour or less to make, and really pretty easy.
Hamburger Helper You Can Make Yourself
Hamburger helper is a box mix you can buy. You cook your ground beef, open the package pour the sauce mix and uncooked pasta over your meat and add water and milk according to the directions and heat till done. This was a pretty good idea in the 70s. We can do better today with very little more effort. Let’s see how.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large yellow onion diced (1/2 inch)
3 medium carrots scrubbed and diced (1/4 inch)
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
3 minced garlic cloves
1 pound ground beef
2 to3 teaspoons of hot sauce
1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons of smoked paprika
1 3/4 cups beef broth
2 cups of water +(more if needed)
8 ounces of whole wheat elbow pasta
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 1/2 cups grated cheese
Instructions
Heat a large deep cast-iron skillet over a medium low heat. Add the oil, onion carrots, salt and pepper. Cook until the onion is brown and soft, around 10 minutes (let it get well done for more flavor). Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
Increase the heat to medium high and add the ground beef. Take a spatula or a large spoon and break up the meat into small pieces. Stir regularly to brown and cook thoroughly about 6 or 7 minutes. If there is excess grease in the bottom of the pan carefully drain most of it off. Just keep enough to keep the meat moist. Put the pan back on the medium high heat and add the hot sauce, Dijon mustard and smoked paprika. Add the beef broth and water, stir to mix and scrape the browned bits off the bottom of the pan. Bring to a boil and then add the pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions, stirring often and scraping the bottom to keep from sticking. If the pasta becomes dry add a little water. Remove the pan from the heat and let cool for one minute. Add the Greek yogurt and cheese. Stir until the cheese melts and everything is combined. You are ready to eat, enjoy.
Taco Skillet
Living in the southwest, Mexican food and or combinations are always high on my lists. This Taco Skillet is a fairly easy way to get that Mexican food craving satisfied.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 pound of ground beef
1 small onion chopped
2 red or green bell peppers chopped
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons of garlic powder
1 teaspoon of cumin
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
1 can of black beans 15 ounces, rinsed and drained (pinto beans will work just as good)
1 cup of long grain brown rice
1 15 or 16 ounce jar of chunky salsa your choice of mild or medium
1.5 to 2 cups of water
1 cup of shredded cheese your choice Monterey Jack, cheddar, pepper jack, or a Mexican blend
Toppings of your choice— for serving—lime wedges, jalapeno peppers, avocado slices, salsa
Tortillas corn or flour for making tacos, burritos, or quesadillas
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large deep cast iron skillet with a lid, over a medium high heat. Once hot add the ground beef, onion and bell peppers. Cook 5 to 7 minutes stirring till the beef is brown all over and cooked through and the onion is translucent and beginning to soften. Add the chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Stir to coat the beef then add the black beans and rice and stir to finish coating everything. Add the salsa and 1.5 cups of water. Stir to combine the ingredients while bringing to a low boil, cover, then reduce the heat and let simmer for 30 minutes. Check occasionally to make sure it doesn’t dry out, add some water if needed. Remove the lid and stir while scraping the bottom to release any stuck ingredients. Replace the lid and let simmer until the rice is tender, about 10 to 20 minutes. Remove the rice from the heat when it is done. Turn the oven to broil and let it heat. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top. Remove the rice from the heat when it is done. When the oven is hot place the uncovered skillet in the oven and let the cheese brown slightly. Probably 2 or 3 minutes, keep a watch and remove when brown (it will burn easily so don’t leave unattended). Take it to the table and serve with your toppings and tortillas.
Ground Beef and Potatoes
A complete no brainer for a one pot ground beef recipes collection is ground beef and potatoes. All the guys like it, it is easy and simple. You can serve it alone, or with chips and any toppings you have handy because pretty much everything goes with it.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons of canola oil
1 pound of diced potatoes 1/4 inch cubes
1 pound ground beef
1 small onion diced
1 red bell pepper diced
1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons of smoked paprika
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
1 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
1 or 2 teaspoons of hot sauce
Instructions
In a cast iron skillet large enough to hold all the ingredients, heat the oil over high heat. Once the oil is hot lower the heat to medium and add the potatoes. Stirring often, cook the potatoes until they are browned and softened a little, about 6 or 7 minutes. Add the ground beef, onion and bell pepper. Break the meat apart while cooking. Add the Worcestershire sauce, mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper and hot sauce. Continue cooking and breaking up the meat while stirring, until the potatoes and onions are tender and the meat is fully cooked, 6 to 8 minutes more. Remove from the heat and it is ready to eat.
So when you just want meat
Don’t hesitate to get some one pot ground beef recipes out, gather your ingredients heat your cast iron skillet (or whatever your favorite skillet is) and cook up some meat! If you have any leftovers, all of these recipes refrigerate well in a closed container and they all reheat well either on the stove top or in the microwave. I want to thank you for staying with me to end and hope you enjoy these recipes and come back when I have more recipes.
Jacky