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Easy Stretch Ground Beef Recipes: 6 Quick Dinners for Busy Weeknights

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These easy stretch ground beef recipes are quick, flavorful, and perfect for busy weeknights. They use simple ingredients to stretch ground beef with fillers like rice and beans, creating comforting, crowd-pleasing meals in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 g) ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio recommended)
  • Finely chopped onions
  • Minced garlic
  • Cooked rice (white or brown)
  • Rinsed and drained beans (black beans or kidney beans)
  • Tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
  • Shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese (optional)
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Smoked paprika
  • Chili powder
  • Cumin
  • Italian herbs
  • Finely diced vegetables (bell peppers, zucchini, carrots)
  • Beef or chicken broth or stock
  • Bread crumbs or oats (for binding in meatloaf-style dishes)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients by finely dicing onions, garlic, and any vegetables you’re adding. Measure out cooked rice or beans and shred cheese if using (about 10 minutes).
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until nicely browned, breaking it apart with a spatula. Drain excess fat if needed but keep some for flavor (8-10 minutes).
  3. Add onions and garlic to the skillet. Stir and cook until softened and fragrant (2-3 minutes).
  4. Stir in cooked rice, beans, and diced vegetables. Mix well to evenly stretch the beef into the fillers (3-5 minutes).
  5. Season generously with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, or Italian herbs. Pour in about 1/4 cup (60 ml) of broth or tomato sauce to keep the mixture juicy.
  6. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let the mixture simmer and meld together for 5 minutes.
  7. Optional: For casseroles or meatloaf-style dishes, transfer mixture to a greased baking dish. Top with cheese and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes until bubbly and golden.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or spices as needed before serving.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan when browning beef to avoid steaming. Drain fillers like beans and rice well to prevent watery dishes. Add broth or tomato sauce sparingly to keep moisture without sogginess. Prepping rice or beans ahead saves time. Leftovers taste better after flavors meld and can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef recipes, quick dinners, easy weeknight meals, stretch ground beef, budget meals, family dinners, comfort food

Find it online: https://jodierecipes.com/easy-stretch-ground-beef-recipes-6-quick-dinners-for-busy-weeknights/