Let's face it, meat can be a large part of your grocery budget. It takes a savvy shopper to get the most of the hard earned money. The trick is to watch sales for those items you want. Ground meats tend to be cheaper alternatives to other cuts of meat. They also cook more quickly so you can have dinner on the table in no time. By combining ingredients you can provide a nice meal for your family with little cost. Today we'll look at ways to stretch your dollar with ground meat recipes.
BEEF RICOTTA CASSEROLE
You will love the cheesy goodness of this dish.
1 lb. extra lean ground beef
8 oz. sliced mushrooms
1/4 red onion, small dice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 c. tomato sauce
1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
15 oz. part skim ricotta cheese
1/2 c. shredded part skim mozzarella cheese
1 tbsp. grated parmesan cheese
2 tsp. fresh oregano, chopped
2 tsp. fresh rosemary, chopped
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium high heat until brown and cooked through; then add the mushrooms, onion and garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the mushrooms start to soften.
Add the tomato sauce and vinegar and simmer on low for 5 minutes. Add the mixture to a 2qt. oven safe casserole dish.
In a medium bowl, combine the three cheeses, oregano and rosemary; mix well. Add the mixture on top of the meat mixture; then bake for 30 minutes until hot and bubbly.
https://www.carriesexperimentalkitchen.com/beef-ricotta-casserole/
BEEF STROGANOFF
Up the protein with this dish by using lentil or chickpea noodles.
1 package gluten-free egg noodles
1 pound grass-fed ground beef
¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
1½ cup mushrooms, chopped
½ cup plain, grass-fed goat or sheep yogurt
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
2 teaspoons sea salt or Himalayan pink salt
2 teaspoons pepper
1 tablespoon arrowroot starch
¼ cup water
Cook egg noodles according to package instructions.
In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, add in ground beef.
Using a wooden spoon, break up ground beef into equal pieces and cook for 5 minutes, or until beef is almost done.
Add in Worcestershire sauce and mushrooms and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
Reduce heat to medium-low.
Add in remaining ingredients, except the noodles and water and simmer for 10–12 minutes.
Slowly add in water until desired thickness is reached.
Add in the noodles, stirring until well-combined.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Top with additional parsley if desired
https://draxe.com/recipes/gluten-free/gluten-free-beef-stroganoff/
GREEK BURGER
You could mix lamb and beef burger in this dish if you wish.
1½ pounds of ground beef
¼-1/2 cup of feta cheese, crumbled
⅓ cup sliced black olives
⅓ cup sundried tomatoes, cut into chunks
4 cloves of garlic, chopped
2 t. Greek Spice Blend (try Cavender’s salt free version)
Press ground beef out flat. I used my grilling tray, covered with foil, so I wouldn't have to wash a separate bowl.
Top with all remaining ingredients.
Press ingredients down into meat slightly.
Fold meat in half over the fillings.
Press out meat again, and fold over, repeating until ingredients are incorporated evenly through the meat.
Or, you can toss everything into a bowl and mix it up...your call.
Form patties into an oval or football shape, indenting the centers with your thumb. This will keep them flat while grilling!
Grill to perfection.
Zip together Tzatziki sauce to serve with your amazing Greek Burgers.
https://gwens-nest.com/greek-burger-recipe/
MEXICAN BEEF AND ZUCCHINI
This quick skillet is an easy go to on a busy night. Use whatever veggies you have on hand.
2 medium zucchini sliced and quartered
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
2 cloves garlic minced
10 ounces Mexican style diced tomatoes with green chilis (salsa or diced tomatoes could be used), canned
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Brown ground beef with minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
Cook over medium heat until meat is browned.
Add tomatoes and remaining spices. Cover and simmer on low heat for another 10 minutes.
Add the zucchini. Cover and cook for about 10 more minutes until zucchini is cooked, but still firm.
https://lowcarbyum.com/mexican-zucchini-and-beef/
MOZZARELLA STUFFED MEATBALLS
Um..... YUM!! Eat these alone or over zucchini noodles.
1 and 1/2 pounds ground beef
1/3 cup almond flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 egg
2 tablespoons water
6 ounces mozzarella cheese cut into 1/2 inch cubes
3 cups marinara sauce homemade or store bought, warmed
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Avocado oil spray
Preheat the broiler. Line a sheet pan with foil and coat the foil with cooking spray.
Place the beef, almond flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, oregano, egg and water; mix until thoroughly combined. You may need to add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, to get a smooth mixture.
Take approximately 2 tablespoons of the meat mixture and roll it into a ball. Press a cube of cheese into the ball of meat, making sure that the meat completely surrounds the cheese. Place the meatball on the sheet pan and repeat with remaining meat and cheese.
Spray the tops of the meatballs with cooking spray. Broil for 10 minutes or until meatballs are just done - do not overcook or the cheese filling may start to spill out.
Place the meatballs on a plate and pour the marinara sauce over the top, Sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately.
https://therecipecritic.com/mozzarella-stuffed-meatballs/
KOREAN SPICY BEEF WITH CAULI RICE
Grated zucchini will work great for the base.
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1 pound grass fed ground beef
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 coconut aminos
1 tablespoon coconut sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups cauliflower rice
2 tablespoons chopped green onions
Green Onions (Scallions) 1 Bunch
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir ground beef and garlic in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes.
Combine coconut aminos, coconut sugar, ginger, and black pepper in a bowl; whisk until well combined. Pour over ground beef; simmer until the sauce thickens, about 3 minutes.
Serve over cauliflower rice. Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds.
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/263744/easy-keto-korean-beef-with-cauli-rice/
BEEF TERIYAKI SKILLET
I'd add spinach or beet greens or collard greens to this dish. I add greens to just about everything.
1 lb. grass fed beef
1 cup finely diced onion
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger or about ¼ teaspoon dried ground ginger
¾ cup thick teriyaki sauce such as Soy Vay Veri Veri Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce
Optional Garnish: sliced green onion toasted sesame seeds
For Serving: rice tortillas, or lettuce wraps
In a large skillet preheat 1 teaspoon sesame oil over medium-high heat for about 1 minute. The sesame oil adds great flavor to the dish, but if you don’t have any you can substitute with avocado or coconut oil.
Add beef, onion, garlic and ginger to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat as you stir, until the beef is no longer pink and the onion is tender (about 5-7 minutes). Drain, and return meat to skillet.
Stir teriyaki sauce into the beef mixture. Bring to a low simmer and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, just until sauce thickens slightly.
Serve over rice, in tortillas, or in lettuce wraps.
https://www.theseasonedmom.com/10-minute-beef-teriyaki-skillet/#wprm-recipe-container-35225
A good mix of proteins will bring the most nutritional benefit. Add grass fed beef to rotation. You'll gain benefits like:
fewer calories
better fats
heart benefit
no hormones or antibiotics used because the cows aren't sick - they are eating what they are supposed to eat
better for the environment
potential cancer fighter
https://www.countryarcher.com/blogs/the-range/6-benefits-of-100-grass-fed-beef
If you are not in to red meat, ground chicken and turkey will work in all of these recipes. Try these quick recipes this week. You'll be glad you did.
Here's to your health! Happy cooking!