You know those nights when you just want something comforting without the fuss? This hamburger casserole is like a cozy sweater for your taste buds—simple, warm, and oh-so-satisfying. With just four ingredients, it’ll quickly become your go-to for last-minute dinners when life feels as chaotic as a Black Friday sale.
Steps
- Hamburger and Macaroni
- Cook macaroni according to package instructions, then drain and set aside. Brown ground beef in a skillet, add onions and bell peppers, and sauté until soft. Stir in tomatoes and seasonings, combine with macaroni, and simmer briefly.
- Easy Hamburger Soup
- Sauté ground beef with onions until browned, then drain excess fat. Add beef broth, diced tomatoes, and mixed vegetables, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, then serve hot.
- Stovetop Taco Soup
- Brown ground beef in a pot, then drain the fat. Add taco seasoning, canned tomatoes, beans, corn, and broth, then bring to a boil. Simmer for 15 minutes, then serve with tortilla chips.
- Dad’s Stuffed Bell Peppers
- Cook rice and set aside. Brown ground beef with onions, then mix with rice, tomato sauce, and seasonings. Stuff halved bell peppers with the mixture, top with ketchup, and bake until the peppers are tender.
- Easy Shepherd’s Pie
- Brown ground beef with onions and carrots, then add peas and corn. Transfer to a baking dish, top with mashed potatoes, and bake until the top is golden. Let cool slightly before serving.
- Chili Mac and Cheese
- Cook ground beef with onions and chili seasoning, then add canned tomatoes and simmer. Stir in cooked macaroni and cheese sauce, then transfer to an oven-proof skillet. Top with buttered breadcrumbs and bake until crispy.
- Salisbury Ground Beef
- Sauté mushrooms in a skillet and set aside. Brown ground beef, then add mushrooms back along with gravy ingredients. Simmer until thickened and serve over mashed potatoes or noodles.
- Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
- Brown ground beef in a skillet, then remove and set aside. Sauté broccoli with garlic and ginger, then return beef to the pan. Add soy sauce and sesame oil, cook briefly, and serve over rice.
- Penne Pasta With Meat Sauce
- Sauté onions and garlic in a pot, then brown ground beef. Add pasta sauce, herbs, and seasonings, and simmer for 20 minutes. Toss with cooked penne pasta and serve with grated cheese.
- Chili Beans With Rice
- Brown ground beef with onions and garlic, then add canned beans and chili spices. Simmer until flavors meld, then serve over cooked rice. Garnish with chopped cilantro or cheese if desired.
- Hamburger Stroganoff
- Brown ground beef with onions, then add mushrooms and cook until tender. Stir in broth, wine, and sour cream, simmer briefly, and serve over egg noodles.
- Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes
- Brown ground beef with onions and peppers, then add Worcestershire sauce and cheese. Serve on toasted buns for a quick and cheesy meal.
- Crispy Ground Beef Tacos
- Brown ground beef with taco seasoning, then spoon into taco shells. Let everyone add their favorite toppings, like lettuce, cheese, and salsa, and enjoy the crunch.
- Cheeseburger Soup
- Cook bacon until crispy, then remove and set aside. Sauté onions in bacon fat, add ground beef, and brown. Stir in potatoes, broth, and cheese, simmer until thick, then top with bacon.
- Albondigas Soup
- Mix ground beef with herbs and spices to form meatballs. Simmer meatballs in a tomato-based broth with vegetables, and serve hot with fresh mint.
- Instant Pot Porcupine Meatballs
- Mix ground beef with rice and seasonings to form meatballs. Cook in an Instant Pot with tomato sauce until done, then serve with sauce spooned over the top.
Ingredients
- Ground beef – 1 pound
- Elbow macaroni – 2 cups
- Onion – 1, diced
- Garlic cloves – 2, minced
- Bell peppers – 2, any color, diced
- Canned diced tomatoes – 14.5 ounces
- Tomato sauce – 8 ounces
- Worcestershire sauce – 1 tablespoon
- Italian seasoning – 1 teaspoon
- Salt – to taste
- Black pepper – to taste
- Shredded cheddar cheese – 1 cup
- Chicken broth or water – 2 cups
- Olive oil or vegetable oil – 1 tablespoon
FAQ
- Can ground beef be substituted in these recipes with other protein options?
- Absolutely! Ground beef is versatile and can often be replaced with ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based alternatives, without compromising the flavor of the dish.
- Are these recipes budget-friendly?
- Yes, ground beef is typically more affordable compared to other cuts of beef, and many recipes can be bulked up with inexpensive staples like pasta, rice, and potatoes, making them cost-effective options for family meals.
- How quickly can these meals be prepared?
- Most of these recipes are designed to be quick and convenient, with many ready in about 30 minutes, making them ideal for busy weeknight dinners.
- Can these recipes be adjusted for dietary preferences or restrictions?
- Certainly! Many recipes can be adapted to suit different dietary needs. For example, you can use gluten-free pasta or dairy-free alternatives to modify the recipes according to your dietary preferences.
- Do these recipes make good leftovers?
- Yes, many of these dishes, such as Hamburger and Macaroni or Easy Shepherd’s Pie, are known to taste even better the next day, making them excellent choices for meal prep or enjoying as leftovers.
Tips
- Bulk Up Ground Beef: To make your ground beef stretch further, consider adding pantry staples such as pasta, potatoes, or rice. This not only makes meals more filling but also keeps costs down.
- Experiment with Alternatives: Ground beef is versatile and can be easily substituted with ground turkey or meatless grounds for a different flavor or dietary preference without compromising on texture.
- Make Use of Leftovers: Recipes like Hamburger and Macaroni or Easy Shepherd’s Pie can be made in larger batches and stored as leftovers, providing convenient meals for the following days.
- Enhance with Simple Additions: When making dishes like Penne Pasta with Meat Sauce or Hamburger Stroganoff, elevate the flavor by incorporating fresh herbs, garlic, and onion to enrich the taste profile.
Equipment
- Instant Pot or Stovetop Pressure Cooker – For making the Instant Pot Porcupine Meatballs.
- Skillet – A good quality, oven-safe skillet for making dishes like Chili Mac and Cheese.
- Soup Pot or Dutch Oven – Useful for making soups like Easy Hamburger Soup and Cheeseburger Soup.
- Large Baking Dish – Needed for baking dishes such as Easy Shepherd’s Pie and stuffed bell peppers.
- Food Processor – Helpful for finely chopping ingredients quickly, useful in recipes like Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry.
