Make-Ahead Ground Beef Recipes

A Pampered Chef consultant that spoke at one of our MOPS meetings gave a hand out with these recipes on it. They are very yummy and easy and don't require a lot of ingredients.....

3 lbs 90% or 93% lean ground beef (you can also substitute with ground turkey)
3 medium onions
3 cloves of garlic pressed

Chop onions. Place ground beef, onions, and garlic into large skillet. Cook over medium heat for 15-18 minutes or until beef is no longer pink being sure to crumble beef as it cooks. Divide into 3 equal portions.

Use 1 portion for you dinner the night you prepare it and place the other portions in a freezer safe Ziplock bag to be used at a later time. It is freezer safe for 3 months.

Chili

To 1 portion of Make-Ahead Beef as already prepared, add:

1 can 16oz chili beans in sauce

1 can 14oz petite diced tomatoes

1 1/2 cups of water

1 6 oz can tomato paste

1 packet of chili seasoning mix

Combine ingredients in skillet and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Spoon chili onto bowls and top with desired toppings, such as shredded cheese, sour cream, sliced green onions, or serve over baked potatoes. Cornbread is a great side for this meal.

Sloppy Joes

(I haven't tried this one yet)

To 1 portion of Make-Ahead Beef as already prepared, add:

1 cup of ketchup

1 tbsp prepared yellow mustard

Hamburger buns

Combine ingredients in skillet and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Divide mixture over 6 hamburger buns.

Italian Beef Hoagies

To 1 portion of Make-Ahead Beef as already prepared, add:

1 green and red pepper, diced

1/4 cup of water

2 tbsp red wine vinegar

1 packet of onion soup mix

1 tbsp Italian Seasoning

Shredded or sliced provolone cheese

Hoagie or hamburger buns

Combine ingredients in skillet and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded provolone cheese or lay thin slices of provolone over beef mixture. Cover with lid and simmer 1-2 minutes or until cheese melts. Spoon over 6 warm hoagie rolls.

Easy Beef Stronganoff

To 1 portion of Make-Ahead Beef as already prepared, add:

80z sliced mushrooms

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1/4 cup water

1 tsp ground paprika

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

80z sour cream

Combine all ingredients in skillet and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Stir 8 oz sour cream into beef mixture. Cook 1lb egg noodles; drain. Toss with 1/4 cup snipped parsley and 2 tbsp melted butter. Spoon stroganoff over noodles and sprinkle with additional paprika if desired.

Italian Wedding Soup

Soups are one of my favorite things to eat for dinner. When I'm in the mood for something light I like to make this soup. I took this recipe and tweaked it to my liking:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_28928,00.html

Here is my tweaked version:

Meatballs:

• 1 small onion, grated
• 2 tablespoons any dried parsley or 1/3 cup fresh chopped
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 slice fresh bread torn into small pieces or use a food processor
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1lb ground lean ground beef
• black pepper

Soup:

• 1 cup dried Acini di pepe pasta (tiny bead-shaped pasta, can be found at Lowes Foods or SuperTarget)
• 12 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 pound frozen chopped spinach
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan, plus extra for garnish
• Salt and pepper

To make the meatballs: Stir the first 6 ingredients in a large bowl to blend. Stir in the cheese, beef and pork. Using 1 1/2 teaspoons for each, shape the meat mixture into 1-inch-diameter meatballs. Place on a baking sheet.

To make the soup: Boil pasta according to package directions. Bring the broth to a boil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and spinach and simmer until the meatballs are cooked through, about 8 minutes. Whisk the eggs and cheese in a medium bowl to blend. Stir the soup in a circular motion. Gradually drizzle the egg mixture into the moving broth, stirring gently with a fork to form thin strands of egg, about 1 minute. Add cooked pasta and boil for and additional minute.

Season the soup to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve. Finish soup with parmesan cheese if desired.

Sloppy Joe Pasta Bake

• 1 box of rotini noodles (I use the Barilla plus brand in the yellow box, its made out of bean flour and have lower carbs)


• 1lb ground beef or turkey


• 2-3 cans Del Monte sloppy joe sauce (store brand tastes funny to me) use 3 cans if you like pasta more saucey


• 2 or more cups of shredded chedder cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions and drain. Brown meat. Add sauce. Combine pasta and meat sauce in a baking dish. Top with desired amount of shredded cheese. Bake at 375F until cheese is melted about 15-20min. Can't get any easier than that! My kids love this!