Budget Beef Recipes

[Debbie]

If you are in a hurry....and I always am.....meatballs can be cooked in the microwave. Line a microwave safe dinner plate with a paper towel. Arrange the meatballs on the plate, with a bit of space between, and cook on high for 3-5 minutes-depending on the size of plate, the number of meatballs etc. I like them not to be 'dry', so 3 minutes is usually enough. If there are LOTS, I'll turn them top to bottom half way through the cooking process. Don't forget microwave foods continue cooking for a bit after the buzzer DINGS (oops, wrong thread- )

Meatballs can be used immediately or frozen for later use.

We use them for: spaghetti and meatballs, crockpot meatballs (add some BBQ sauce, put 'em in the crockpot, and heat), pizza subs etc.

 

[amberdansmom]

We get chicken for free, but he doesn't eat chicken!! So any beef recipes, especially ground beef would be great.

Thanks!!

Ok, my dh is a bit picky but he LOVES my baked Ziti! It is cheap too. 1 lb oz Ground beef, 1 pack (8oz) shredded motz cheese, 1 box ziti noddles, and 1 cn hunts spaghetti sauce. Brown the beef and drain boil noddles and drain. Mix noodles, beef and sauce then spread in a 9x13 baking pan and sprinkle entire bag of cheese all over the top bake at 350 until cheese is melted or 10 mintues. yummy

 

[amberdansmom]

I LOVE www.meals.com and www.kraftkitchen.com

 

[KLAIT]

NOt a ground beef recipe, but a very easy stew meat receipe.

I dump the stew meat into my crock in the morning with a bit of grill seasoning. Add a can of beef stock..cook on low all day. When I get home from work I add a package or 2 of gravy mix, set the crock to high and cook while I make either noodles or mashed potatoes...everyone in my family loves this.

You can vary this if need be..add onion in the am and sour cream when you get home ~

 

[pigget74]

Beef tips in crock pot. Brown a container of beef tips with salt and pepper. Drainand place in crock pot. Add 3 packets brown gravy mix with 3 cups water. Mix and add to meat. Cook on low for a coupole of hours. I serve with rice or mashed potato.


Roast in crock pot--brown roast and place in crock pot. Put in 1 can cream of mushroom and 1 can cream of celery. I cut up potato and carrots to add as well. If the roast is very big I add another can ofcream of mushroom. Let cook on low all day and you are ready for dinner later. You can cook onhigh for 5 hrs.

Pork tenderloin----place in casserole dish and add worchester sauce to cover about half of meat. Smash brown sugar onto the top. Add liquid smoke. Cover with foil and cook on 250 for about 4 hrs.

 

[HeatherC]

Here's a soup recipe with ground beef that goes a very long way! It is taken from Olive Garden's Pasta Fagioli soup.

Brown 1lb ground beef.
Cut up some carrots, celery and onion. Saute in olive oil.

Throw everything in one big pot and add 48oz beef broth, 28 oz can diced tomatoes. (I use the ones that have italian seasoning.)

Add 1 jar favorite spaghetti sauce. I use the Del Monte canned kind that is extra chunky with garlic and herbs.

Add 1 can red kidney beans
Add 1 can white beans. (I prefer great northern beans, but you can use cannelini, etc.)

Simmer for at least 30 minutes.

About 1/2 hour before you want to serve, add 1/2 cup small pasta. You can also use rice if you prefer.

Serve and sprinkle with fresh grated parmesan.

You can certainly cut the recipe in 1/2. But we love this so much I'll make it on like a rainy day and we eat if for a couple of days. Kids like it in a thermos for lunch.

Very healthy too.

Heather C

 

[branv]

You know, I am a big fan of "cuisine" but there are just some comfort foods from my youth that I have to have sometimes involving ground beef. They are following:

Beef n Rice

1 lb ground beef
1 can cream of mushroom
1 can french onion soup
instant rice
salt and pepper
skillet with lid

Brown ground beef (I tend to season the beef with some Lawry's, but that's your choice) in skillet. Drain.

Return to pan, add soups. Fill one empty can with instant rice, add to pan. Fill one can halfway with water, add to pan. Stir together, turn heat to medium. Season to taste with salt and pepper. When food begins to simmer, put lid on top and turn off heat. Leave sitting for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, taste to make sure rice is tender. Serve.

BEEF AND BEAN STEW

This sounds so basic it must be boring, but it's really quite good. If you're feeding more than 3, I'd consider doubling the batch

1 lb ground beef
1 can pinto beans (or kidney beans)
1 can black eyed peas
2 cans Rotel (choose heat based on what kind of spice you like)
salt and pepper

Brown ground beef (I tend to season the beef with some Lawry's, but that's your choice..otherwise season with salt and pepper) in skillet. Drain and return to stew pot.

Add beans (with juice) as well as 1 1/2 to 2 cans of Rotel. Season to taste. Bring to a boil, then simmer on low medium with lid on for 20 minutes.

I ALWAYS serve this with cornbread (non sweet variety, like Gladiola/Martha White) But in my family, any beef stew is always eaten with a piece of cornbread broken into it.

EASY BEEF ENCHILADAS

These measurements aren't exact, for me it's always by "sight"...I want to say this makes about 9-11 enchiladas, but it will depend on the size of tortilla, how much you stuff each tortilla with beef, etc.

1 lb ground beef
2 cans red enchilada sauce (choose heat level to suit you)
bag of pre-grated monterrey jack/colby blend (or whatever suits you)
package of CORN tortillas (yellow or white, doesn't really matter)

Season beef with a little chili powder, salt and pepper (I use Lawrys). You can also brown with some onions, that would be good (I don't b/c DH hates onions). Brown ground beef and drain.

In a 9x13 or so pan, pour enough enchilada sauce to coat the bottom a little.

Make sure the ground beef, the cheese and a plate for rolling tortillas is at hand and near the pan.

Take 10-12 corn tortillas and wrap in paper towels that you have moistened (moist, not dripping). Put in microwave and heat for around 40 seconds. (The goal here is to get the tortillas soft so they won't split as much when you roll them and it's alot healthier then frying them in oil).

When the tortillas are ready, begin to roll them one by one around a spoonful of ground beef and some cheese. Place in pan (seam side down of course) as you do each one. When you are finished, pour enchilada sauce over enchiladas. Just eyeball it. Each enchilada should get sauce over it and there should be a little pool of it in the bottom of the pan. Don't drown them. Then, cover with a layer of cheese.

Cover with foil. Bake in a 375 degree oven for about 30 minutes, remove foil and bake another 5-10 minutes.

Let cool a little before serving. They will break apart a little, but messy is still yummy

 

[branv]

Oh yeah, and on Foodtv.com, Paula Deen has a Beef Mac recipe that I LOVE. The only thing I do different is that I don't add the green pepper and I mix cheese inside the dish, not just on top. (I've also done it without the cumin, and it's perfectly fine...I just add more of the rest of the seasonings)

1-pound box elbow macaroni
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups chopped green bell pepper
2 cups chopped onion
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
2 pounds lean ground beef
3 cups canned crushed tomatoes
Salt and pepper
1 teaspoon each dried basil, ground cumin, and dried oregano
2 to 3 cups grated Cheddar

Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Cook the macaroni according to package directions; drain and set aside. Heat the oil in a skillet; add the peppers, onion, and garlic, and saute until soft. Add the ground beef and saute until browned. Add the tomatoes, salt and pepper, to taste, and the basil, cumin, and oregano. In a large bowl, combine the macaroni and the beef mixture. Spread this mixture into a 9 by 13-inch baking dish. Top with the cheese and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is lightly browned and bubbly.

 

[Busy B]

Ok, my dh is a bit picky but he LOVES my baked Ziti! It is cheap too. 1 lb oz Ground beef, 1 pack (8oz) shredded motz cheese, 1 box ziti noddles, and 1 cn hunts spaghetti sauce. Brown the beef and drain boil noddles and drain. Mix noodles, beef and sauce then spread in a 9x13 baking pan and sprinkle entire bag of cheese all over the top bake at 350 until cheese is melted or 10 mintues. yummy

That sounds so yummy! Thanks

 

[Busy B]

Oh yeah, and on Foodtv.com, Paula Deen has a Beef Mac recipe that I LOVE. The only thing I do different is that I don't add the green pepper and I mix cheese inside the dish, not just on top. (I've also done it without the cumin, and it's perfectly fine...I just add more of the rest of the seasonings)

1-pound box elbow macaroni
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups chopped green bell pepper
2 cups chopped onion
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
2 pounds lean ground beef
3 cups canned crushed tomatoes
Salt and pepper
1 teaspoon each dried basil, ground cumin, and dried oregano
2 to 3 cups grated Cheddar

Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Cook the macaroni according to package directions; drain and set aside. Heat the oil in a skillet; add the peppers, onion, and garlic, and saute until soft. Add the ground beef and saute until browned. Add the tomatoes, salt and pepper, to taste, and the basil, cumin, and oregano. In a large bowl, combine the macaroni and the beef mixture. Spread this mixture into a 9 by 13-inch baking dish. Top with the cheese and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is lightly browned and bubbly.

OOh that does sound really good. I will have to try it! I love the browned and bubbly cheese part... YUM!

 

[Busy B]

Hi everyone! Thanks so much for the great ideas. They all sound so delicious. Keep 'em coming!

 

[crazelion]

oooh great ideas everyone! When the weather cools down I am so making beef stew. Of course, I'm in Texas, so that may be - hmm end of October? LOL

Yes we live in the South of course it will not get cool until November. That mean put pants instead of shorts.

My Bad Bad southern joke. lol

 

[lazydazy8]

This recipe my Gramma and mothe would both make a lot... If you don't have a crock pot, it works great just wrapped tight in foil and baked in the oven (put foil wrapped beef in a pan in case it leaks)...

It is the easiest pot roast ever. I made it every few weeks just after my daughter was born b/c I could prepare it in the morning when she'd nap and be ready to eat it for dinner with no prep! If you aren't a big fan of handling raw meat, this one works well, too, b/c you simply drop it in.

Best Pot Roast:

Bottom of crock put baby carrots
Place roast (rump or any cut) on top of carrots.
Layer chunks of onion and potato around the roast.
Pour can of cream of mushroom soup on top.
Sprinkle dry onion soup mix over top.
Cover and cook!

When the meat falls apart, it's done. The gravy it makes is fab! Now, I want it....