25 EASY WAYS TO USE A POUND OF GROUND BEEF

Ground beef is great . . . for meals from meatballs to burritos. Kids and adults alike love ground beef - it's delicious, versatile, easy, quick cooking and economical.

Fiesta Burgers - Add ground cumin, garlic powder and chopped onion to 1 pound ground beef; shape into four 1/2-inch thick patties. Pan-broil in skillet over medium heat 10 to 12 minutes, turning once for medium doneness, until no longer pink in center. Serve with warm flour tortillas, fresh or prepared salsa and shredded Colby or Monterey Jack cheese.

Sloppy Joes - Brown 1 pound ground beef and 1 small onion, chopped, over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes or until beef is no longer pink. Pour off drippings. Season with salt and pepper to taste; stir in 3/4 cup prepared barbecue sauce and heat through. Serve in hamburger buns or over cornbread squares.

BBQ Wrap - Add favorite prepared barbecue sauce to cooked ground beef crumbles* and heat through (mixture should be thick). Spoon deli coleslaw into large flour tortillas; top with beef mixture and fold enchilada-style.

Spaghetti Sauce - Brown 1 pound ground beef and 1 small onion, chopped, over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes or until beef is no longer pink. Pour off drippings. Stir in favorite prepared spaghetti sauce and heat through. Choose from the variety of sauces available - vegetable, roasted garlic, mushroom, basil, etc. Serve over spaghetti or other pasta.

Easy Nachos - Arrange tortilla chips in single layer on baking sheet; mix cooked ground beef crumbles* with prepared tomato salsa; spoon over chips and top with shredded Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeno peppers. Place in 400°F oven to melt cheese; serve with sour cream, additional salsa, sliced ripe olives and pickled jalapeno slices.

Easy Ground Beef Stir-Fry - Brown 1 pound ground beef, 1 small onion, chopped, and 1 clove garlic, crushed, over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes or until beef is no longer pink; remove from skillet with slotted spoon. Pour off drippings. Add favorite frozen vegetable mixture (defrosted) to skillet and stir-fry until crisp-tender. Return beef to skillet. Stir in prepared sauce to taste (honey-Dijon barbecue sauce, prepared stir-fry sauce, etc.) and heat through.

Ground Beef Pilaf or Couscous - Prepare packaged, seasoned pilaf or couscous mix according to package directions; stir in cooked ground beef crumbles* and garnish with sliced green onions.

Quick Salisbury Steak - Combine 1 pound ground beef, 1/3 cup finely chopped onion, 1/4 cup saltine cracker crumbs, l egg white, 2 tablespoons milk, 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish and 1/4 teaspoon salt, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Shape into four oval 1/2-inch thick patties. Cook patties in preheated large skillet over medium heat 10 to 12 minutes, turning once for medium doneness, until no longer pink in center. Serve with jarred mushroom gravy and mashed potatoes.

Beef Fried Rice Wrap - Brown 1 pound ground beef, 2 cloves garlic, crushed, and 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes or until beef is no longer pink, breaking up into 3/4-inch crumbles; remove from skillet with slotted spoon. Pour off drippings. In same skillet, heat 2 tablespoons water. Add 1 bell pepper, chopped, and 1 package (6 ounces) frozen peapods; cook until water is evaporated. Add 3 cups cold cooked rice and heat through. Season as desired with soy sauce and sesame oil. Spoon into large warm flour tortillas; fold enchilada-style.

Tortilla Pizza - Brown 1 pound ground beef and 1 medium onion, chopped, over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes or until beef is no longer pink. Pour off drippings. Stir in 1 teaspoon dried oregano and 1 teaspoon salt. Brush 4 large tortillas lightly with vegetable oil; place on baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 3 minutes. Spoon beef mixture over each tortilla; top with chopped tomato, fresh or dried basil and shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake 5 minutes or until tortillas are lightly browned and cheese is melted.

Quick Beef Soup - Stir cooked ground beef crumbles* into a favorite canned or prepared soup such as vegetable, minestrone, black bean or lentil.

Beefy Mac 'n' Cheese - Stir cooked ground beef* into prepared macaroni and cheese.

Burgers - Shape 1 pound ground beef into four 1/2-inch thick patties. Pan-broil in skillet over medium heat 10 to 12 minutes, turning once for medium doneness, until no longer pink in center. Serve on favorite bun with topping of choice - cheese; condiments (such as Dijon or flavored mustard, prepared pesto, barbecue sauce, salsa, chutney, jardinière, corn or pickle relish, olives, mayo, Deli or herbed cheese spread); lettuce; tomato; grilled or sautéed onions; slaw; fresh or sautéed mushrooms.

Southern Skillet - Toss cooked ground beef crumbles* with canned, drained black-eyed peas and sliced green onions. Add canned, drained corn kernels and cooked sliced carrots. Season with hot sauce and heat through. Just before serving add packaged spinach leaves, cooking just enough to wilt spinach. Serve with cornbread.

Mini Broccoli and Cheese Skillet Meatloaves - Combine 1 pound ground beef, 1/2 cup uncooked oats, 1/4 cup ready-to-serve beef broth, 1-1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Shape into four 1/2-inch thick patties. Combine 1/2 cup frozen chopped broccoli, thawed, and 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese; place an equal amount in center of each patty. Bring up edges to seal, forming an oval loaf. Place loaves in heated nonstick skillet; brown 3 minutes on each side over medium heat. Add additional 1/4 cup broth; reduce heat to medium-low. Cover; simmer 12 to 14 minutes or until beef is no longer pink.

Chili 'n ' Greens - Prepare favorite ground beef chili from scratch or from a mix. Top mixed greens with warm chili; sprinkle with shredded Monterey Jack cheese and sliced green onions. Serve with prepared salsa, prepared guacamole and tortilla chips.

Beef 'n ' Rice Dinner - Stir cooked ground beef* into favorite prepared rice side dish to transform it into a quick, easy main dish.

Quick Burrito - The Original "Wrap " - Fill warm flour tortillas with black beans, cooked ground beef crumbles*, prepared salsa and a sprinkling of shredded Cheddar cheese; fold burrito-style. Serve with a dollop of sour cream.

Beef 'n' Pasta - Toss together a favorite cooked pasta side dish, cooked ground beef crumbles* and vegetables cooked crisp-tender. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.

Meatballs - Combine 2 pounds lean ground beef, 1 cup soft bread crumbs, 2 eggs, 1/4 cup chopped onion, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Shape into 24 meatballs; place on rack in broiler pan. Bake in 350°F oven 25 to 30 minutes or until no longer pink in center. Combine with prepared spaghetti sauce and serve over pasta, or with a marinara sauce for meatball sandwich filling.

Mini Meatball Soup - Shape favorite ground beef meatball mixture into mini-size meatballs; cook until no longer pink in center. Add to favorite homemade or prepared soup.

Asian Beef & Noodles - In large skillet combine noodles from 2 packages of Oriental Flavor Instant Ramen Noodles, 1 seasoning packet, 2 cups water, 2 cups frozen vegetables and 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger. Bring to a boil; cover and simmer 3 minutes or until noodles are tender, stirring occasionally. Toss remaining seasoning packet with cooked ground beef crumbles*; add to noodle mixture and heat through.

Layered Taco-Style Dip - Combine cooked ground beef* with taco seasoning; layer on large platter with guacamole, canned refried beans (heated), prepared salsa, shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese and sour cream. Top with sliced canned jalapeno peppers and/or finely chopped red and green bell peppers. Serve with tortilla chips for dipping.

Danish Style Beef & Rice Soup - Add 2 teaspoons seasoning from 1 package (6.8 ounces) Spanish Rice Mix to cooked ground beef crumbles*. In Dutch oven, combine remaining seasoning and contents of rice mix package, 5 cups water and 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) chili-seasoned diced tomatoes. Bring to a boil; cover tightly and simmer over medium-low heat 15 to 17 minutes until rice is tender. Add seasoned beef to soup and heat through; sprinkle with chopped cilantro or parsley.

Greek Pita Sandwich or Wrap - Toss cooked ground beef crumbles* with crumbled fete cheese, Greek seasoning and chopped red onion. Stuff into warm pita pockets and serve with sauce of plain yogurt mixed with chopped, seeded cucumber. Or, serve sauce and ground beef mixture "wrapped" in warm pita breads (without pockets).

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Michigan Beef Industry Commission
2145 University Park Drive, suite 300
Okemos, Michigan 48864
(517)347-0911 FAX: (517)347-0919
MIBeef@aol.com