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Easy Ground Beef Meals to Stretch a Pound into 4 Healthy Dinners

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A collection of easy, flavorful ground beef meals designed to stretch one pound of beef into four healthy dinners using simple pantry staples and fresh ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (lean to medium fat, 85/15 or 90/10)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium bell peppers, diced or sliced
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) canned diced tomatoes
  • 1 can black or kidney beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Rice or pasta (optional, white, brown, or gluten-free)
  • Shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese (optional)
  • Fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: Dice 1 medium onion and 2 bell peppers, mince 2-3 garlic cloves, and drain and rinse beans if using. This should take about 10 minutes.
  2. Heat the skillet: Warm 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat until shimmering.
  3. Sauté onions and garlic: Add diced onion to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, until fragrant.
  4. Brown the ground beef: Crumble the beef into the skillet with the onions and garlic. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink and nicely browned. Season with salt and pepper as it cooks. If excess fat accumulates, carefully drain it off.
  5. Add bell peppers and spices: Stir in diced bell peppers, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon oregano. Cook for 4-5 minutes until peppers start to soften.
  6. Incorporate canned tomatoes and beans: Pour in the canned diced tomatoes and their juices, along with the drained beans if using. Stir well, bring to a simmer, and cover the skillet. Let it simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld and peppers are tender.
  7. Adjust seasoning: Taste the mixture and add more salt, pepper, or chili powder if desired.
  8. Serve: Spoon over cooked rice or pasta, or enjoy as is with a sprinkle of shredded cheese and fresh herbs.

Notes

Brown the beef slowly with onions and garlic to build flavor. Cover the skillet while simmering to trap moisture and soften peppers. Add a splash of broth or water if the mixture is too thick. Leftovers taste better the next day after flavors meld. Reheat gently with added liquid if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef, easy dinners, healthy meals, weeknight meals, skillet recipes, budget-friendly, quick meals, family-friendly

Find it online: https://zorbmeal.com/easy-ground-beef-meals-to-stretch-a-pound-into-4-healthy-dinners/