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Ground Beef Recipes - Easy, Comforting Meals for Busy Nights

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef (80%–90% lean; choose 85% for a good balance of flavor and less grease)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced (any color)
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4–1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (may skip if using 80% lean beef)
  • 1/2 cup beef broth or water
  • Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
  • Serving options: cooked rice or pasta, tortillas, buns, baked potatoes, or lettuce wraps

Method
 

  1. Prep the aromatics: Chop the onion and bell pepper. Mince the garlic. Open the tomatoes and measure spices so everything’s ready.
  2. Brown the beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add olive oil if using lean beef. Crumble in the ground beef and cook, stirring, until mostly browned, about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat if there’s a lot.
  3. Add vegetables: Stir in onion and bell pepper. Cook until softened and lightly golden, about 4–5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
  4. Season it right: Sprinkle in cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Toast the spices for 30–60 seconds to wake up their flavor.
  5. Build the sauce: Stir in tomato paste and cook 1 minute. Add diced tomatoes and beef broth. Scrape up any browned bits from the pan for extra flavor.
  6. Simmer and thicken: Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens and the flavors meld. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
  7. Finish and serve: Remove from heat. Stir in chopped cilantro or parsley if you like. Spoon over rice or pasta, tuck into tortillas, pile onto buns for sloppy joes, or use as a hearty filling for stuffed peppers.