From classics like meatloaf and burgers to family favorites like lasagna and tacos, these easy ground beef recipes will make dinner any night of the week a breeze.
Prep Time: 5 minutesminutes
Cook Time: 15 minutesminutes
Total Time: 20 minutesminutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
1poundground beef (*see notes for types)
Kosher salt, to taste
Ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Choose what type of ground beef to use depending on what recipe you are making (*see notes).
Season ground beef with salt and pepper.
Use as instructed in one of the 50+ recipes listed above. Enjoy!
Notes
Type of Ground Beef: You may have noticed that ground beef is sold in different types, typically classified by the amount of beef to fat ratio. I prefer a leaner grind like 85/15 or 90/10 when making a casserole or meatloaf, while a hamburger benefits from a bit more fat like an 80/20 grind.Here is a breakdown of the types of ground beef you may see and what each of them means.
80/20: (80% lean meat and 20% fat) usually comes from ground chuck
85/15: (80% lean meat and 15% fat) usually comes from often ground round
90/10: (90% lean meat and 10% fat) usually comes from usually ground sirloin
Expert Tips for Cooking with Ground Beef
If using a fattier grind but need a leaner beef for a recipe, you can opt to rinse the cooked beef to help remove some of the fat.
Keep ground beef cold until ready to cook.
Buy the freshest ground beef by checking the expiration date but also the color. You want the meat to be pretty pink with no signs of greying.
Storage: Freshly-ground beef will keep in the refrigerator up to 2 days.Freeze: Ground beef can be frozen up to 4 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using in a ground beef recipe. I always keep a couple pounds on hand to make a quick dinner, if needed.