Recipe: Ten Fast and Easy Things to do with a Package of Ground Beef

Ten Fast and Easy Things to do with a Package of Ground Beef
Source: Frantic Family Cookbook: Mostly Healthy Meals in Minutes by Leanne Ely

MAKE HAMBURGERS:
Shape one pound of meat into four 1/2-inch thick patties. Cook as usual and serve with all your favorite fixins.

MEXI-BEEF ON RICE:
Brown beef, drain fat and add taco seasoning. Serve on top of brown rice with a little cheese. salsa and a tortillas for pushing.

QUICK NACHOS:
Brown beef, drain fat and add taco seasoning. Serve on top of tortilla chips. Add salsa and shredded cheese. Bake for 5 minutes in a 400 degree oven, or until cheese is melted. Serve with additional salsa and sour cream.

A PEEK OF GREEK
Brown beef, drain fat and add Greek seasoning. Serve with pita bread, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions and plain yogurt.

NO-BRAINER SPAGHETTI
Brown beef, drain fat and season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Add favorite canned or jarred spaghetti sauce.

EASIER THAN EASY LASAGNA:
Do the same as above, but layer uncooked noodles swiped with ricotta in a 9x11-inch pan, alternating with meat sauce, noodles with ricotta, mozzarella, sauce. etc.. till done. Don't top with cheese. Cover with tented foil and bake 1 hour on 375 degrees. When finished, top with mozzarella cheese and continue baking for 5 minutes more, till cheese is melted.

CURRIED BEEF ON RICE:
Brown beef, drain fat and season with curry powder, garlic, salt and pepper to taste, add 1 small can (6 oz) tomato sauce, correct seasoning and serve on prepared rice.

QUICK HAMBURGER SOUP:
I have a similar recipe in my first book,
Healthy Foods: An Irreverent Guide to Understanding Nutrition and Feeding Your Family Well. This one is even easier: brown beef, drain fat and season with garlic powder, thyme, salt and pepper to taste. Add 1/2 cup chopped onion, 1 can chopped tomatoes with juice. 1 can chicken broth and 1 cup frozen veggie medley. Top with a little cheese when finished cooking.

FRISCO BURGERS:
Make long, skinny burgers and serve on grilled sourdough with cheese and sauteed onions, along with Thousand Island dressing for dipping.

SLOPPY JOES:
Brown beef, drain fat, and season with garlic powder, salt and pepper. Add 1/2 an onion and cook a little more, then add 1/2 cup barbecue sauce, 1 (6 oz.) can tomato sauce and simmer for 5 minutes. Serve on top of hamburger buns.
VARIATION: to make it a Sloppy Jos , add 3/4 cup salsa instead of the tomato sauce and substitute tortillas for hamburger buns.