ground beef Archives - Family Dinners

How To Cook Frozen Ground Beef In The Instant Pot

Andrea + Stef — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 07:28:00 +0000

This quick and easy Instant Pot ground beef provides a convenient way of cooking fresh meat or even frozen beef. Cooked ground beef is super versatile and can be used in a variety of yummy recipes. Using the hands off pressure cooking method, your ground beef is ready in less than 30 minutes. With the sauté method cook time is even less, with only 5 minutes. Cooking a pound of ground beef in the Instant Pot can be a real time saver when dinner time is fast approaching.

Why You’ll Love This

Notable: ground beef cooked to perfection in a pressure cooker to use in chilis, soups or nachos
Main Ingredients: ground beef, water
Cooking Method: Instant Pot
Nutrients: rich in high quality protein
Cooking Time: Pressure Cooking Method: 30 minutes, Sauté Method: 5 minutes
Pairs well with: soups, nachos, tacos, chilis, casseroles, pasta sauces, stir fry
Diets: keto friendly, gluten free, dairy free
Special Equipment Needed: Instant Pot, metal trivet, potato masher (optional)

Ingredients

You may have all of these ingredients for this easy Instant Pot ground beef in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store! If this is your first time making this cooked ground beef you might want to read the possible variations before deciding on your ingredients.

Ingredients

1 – 2 pounds ground meat, frozen or defrosted
1 cup water

Variations and Substitutions

Ground beef: Cook fresh ground beef or frozen ground beef. You can also substitute ground chicken or ground turkey for the ground beef.

Water: Substitute chicken broth for the water.

Spices: Add some garlic powder or onion powder to the fresh or frozen meat.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love cooking beef in the Instant Pot, then you’ll love our Instant Pot Beef Tips. It is easy to make, the beef falls apart in your mouth and the rich brown gravy with mushrooms and onions is the perfect pairing.

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Instant Pot– This recipe requires an Instant Pot or other electric pressure cooker. This Instant Pot isn’t the fanciest you can buy but we love it and it will work for most people’s needs. If you’re looking for one with all the bells and whistles, this 10-in-1 Instant Pot is amazing. Make sure your sealing ring is in good shape. You can buy replacement silicone sealing rings if you need one. These seal the pot and keep the pressure inside the machine.

Pressure Cooking Instructions

This section shows how to pressure cook ground beef in the Instant Pot, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full step-by-step instructions, photos and nutritional information see the recipe in the recipe card below.

SET MEAT TO PRESSURE COOK: Start by placing the trivet into the electric pressure cooker. Then, add 1 cup of water to the bottom of the pot. For 8 qt. pots add 1.5 cups of water. Next, remove all packaging and plastic and place ground beef on top of the trivet. Lock the lid of the pressure cooker. Set the vent to sealing position.

NATURAL RELEASE: Set to high pressure for 20 minutes for frozen (1-inch thick) or 25 minutes for 2-inch thick or vacuum sealed frozen beef. Afterwards allow a 10 minute natural release. Then, carefully open the valve to quick release pressure.

FINISH: Use an instant read meat thermometer to check if the internal temperature has reached at least 160°F. If it is not fully cooked, add 3-5 minutes of cook time. Finally remove the trivet with beef from the insert. Discard the cooking liquid and beef drippings. Use a potato masher or wooden spoon to break up the beef.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love Instant Pot recipes then you’ll love our Instant Pot Carnitas. These tender, juicy and crispy on the outside carnitas melt in your mouth and burst with flavor.

Sautéing Instructions

This section shows how to sauté ground beef in the Instant Pot pressure cooker, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full step-by-step instructions, photos and nutritional information see the recipe in the recipe card below.

COOK MEAT: Firstly, set the Instant Pot to sauté setting. Then place ground beef into the inner pot. In case you are using frozen meat, flip it over every minute, scrape off the cooked beef from the bottom of the Instant Pot and break it up. Repeat until the beef block is soft enough to break up with a spatula.

FINISH: Afterwards, keep moving the beef to brown on all sides and prevent burning, until it is fully cooked. Finally, drain excess grease from the pot.

Pros for Instant Pot Ground Beef

Pros for Sauté Method:

Frozen ground beef and fresh ground beef cooks quickest with the sauté method.
This method helps beef retain some fat and moisture.

Pros for Pressure Cooking Method:

Frozen ground beef cooks hands-off in the pressure cooking method.
Almost all grease and moisture is cooked out of the beef in this method. This is great if you’re adding it to soups or other dishes with a lot of liquid.

Andrea says….

I always use the saute method over the pressure cooking method if I can help it. The pressure cooking method leaves the meat too dry for my preference.

What To Serve With Instant Pot Ground Beef

We love to use cooked ground beef for various scrumptious meals. Try one of these delicious recipes:

Soups and Stews: Add this cooked beef to our Easy Chili, Beef and Vegetable Soup or Instant Pot Tortilla Soup.

Mexican Dishes: Pressure cooked meat also works well for Ground Beef Taco Filling and Loaded Beef Nachos.

Pasta Dishes: Traditionally, Marinara Sauce is served without meat. However, it would also taste great with brown ground beef. Additionally you can add this yummy beef to Easy Lasagna.

More Instant Pot Recipes

If you are looking for more easy Instant Pot recipes full of flavor, then try our Chicken Thighs with Lemon Butter Sauce or Pork Roast:

How To Store

Refrigerate: Let the ground beef cool completely before transfering into an airtight container or ziploc bag. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freeze: Instant Pot ground beef leftovers can be frozen in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Divide beef into individual servings before freezing, for easy portion control when defrosting.

Defrosting: Thaw in the fridge overnight.

How To Reheat

You can reheat ground beef leftovers in the microwave, air fryer or on the stovetop.

Common Questions

What are other ways to use Instant Pot Ground Beef?

Cooked ground beef is a very versatile ingredient. There are a lot of ways to use this delicious hamburger meat for a scrumptious quick meal. Add some taco seasoning for taco night or use it as a base for sloppy joes or cottage pie. Moreover, you can add it to homemade or store bought tomato sauce for a yummy spaghetti sauce.

Can Instant Pot ground beef speed up meal prep?

Yes, precooking fresh ground meat can be a great way to safe time when cooking dinner on busy days. Simply cook the meat up to 3 days ahead of time and store it in the fridge until ready to use. You can even freeze cooked ground meat up to 3 months for future use.

Instant Pot Ground Beef

Perfectly tender ground beef made in a pressure cooker that can be added to soups, stews, nachos and so much more.

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American

Diet Gluten Free, Low Lactose, Low Salt

Keyword ground meat cooked in the pressure cooker, how to cook ground meat in the Instant Pot, how to pressure cook frozen ground beef, how to sauté ground beef in the Instant Pot, Instant Pot ground meat

Cook Time 30

Total Time 30

Servings servings

Calories 288kcal

Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

Instant Pot
metal trivet

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef

Instructions

Pressure Cooking Instructions:

Place the trivet in the Instant Pot.
Add 1 cup of cold water to the bottom of the pot. For 8 qt. pots add 1.5 cups of water.
Remove all packaging and plastic. Place ground beef on the trivet.
Lock the lid of the pressure cooker. Set the vent to seal.
Set to high pressure for 20 minutes for frozen (1-inch thick) or 25 minutes for 2-inch thick or vacuum sealed frozen beef…
Allow a 10 minute natural release.
Carefully open valve for a quick pressure release.
Use an instant read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the ground beef. It should be at least 160°F. If it is not fully cooked, repeat the sealing process and cook for 3-5 more minutes.
Remove the trivet with beef from the insert. Discard the cooking liquid and beef drippings.
Break up beef.

Sautéing Instructions:

Set Instant Pot to sauté setting.
Place ground beef (frozen or fresh) into the Instant Pot.
If your ground beef is frozen, flip it over every minute and scrape off the cooked beef and break it up. Repeat until the beef block is soft enough to break up with a spatula.
Using your spatula, break up the ground beef and stir while cooking to get all sides browned. Keep moving the beef to prevent burning.
When all the pink is gone and beef is brown, turn off the Instant Pot.
Drain grease from the pot.

Notes

Pros for saute method:

Frozen ground beef and fresh ground beef cooks quickest with the saute method.
This method helps beef retain some fat and moisture.

Pros for pressure cooking method:

Frozen ground beef cooks hands-off in the pressure cooking method.
Almost all grease and moisture is cooked out of the beef in this method. This is great if you’re adding it to soups or other dishes with a lot of liquid.

Nutrition

The post How To Cook Frozen Ground Beef In The Instant Pot appeared first on Family Dinners.

Ground Beef Vegetable Soup Recipe

Andrea + Stef — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 01:21:00 +0000

This amazing ground beef vegetable soup is a staple in our meal rotation. It only takes 10 minutes of hands on cooking to make this delicious hearty soup, that is best served with crusty white bread. Besides beef, this yummy one-pot meal is packed with potatoes, celery, carrots as well as peas, corn and green beans. It is therefore a great way of introducing more vegetables to your diet. This is hands down the best vegetable soup with ground beef and your whole family will love it.

Why You’ll Love This

Notable: immensely flavorful one-pot meal that is chock-full of veggies and ground beef
Main Ingredients: ground beef, yellow onion, celery stalks, garlic, canned diced tomatoes, carrots, Russet potatoes, frozen mixed vegetables, beef broth, spices
Cooking Method: stovetop
Nutrients: great source of fiber
Cooking Time: 10 minutes prep time, 30 minutes cooking time
Pairs well with: crusty bread, garlic bread, cheesy bread, cooked noodles
Diets: keto friendly, gluten free, dairy free
Special Equipment Needed: dutch oven (or other large pot, such as stock pot or soup pot), cooking spatula

Ingredients

You may have all of these ingredients for this easy vegetable soup with ground beef recipe in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store! If this is your first time making this easy vegetable beef soup you might want to read the possible variations before deciding on your ingredients.

Ingredients

1 pound of ground beef
½ yellow onion, diced
2 celery stalks, chopped
3 cloves garlic, pressed
14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes
3 large carrots, diced
2 Russet potatoes, peeled and diced
16 oz bag frozen vegetables
4 cups beef broth
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
½ teaspoon dried oregano

Variations and Substitutions

Ground beef: You can substitute ground chicken or ground turkey for the ground beef.

Broth: If you prefer, you can use chicken broth instead of beef broth.

Tomatoes: Substitute crushed canned tomatoes instead for diced tomatoes if you prefer.

Seasoning: Use Italian seasoning instead of oregano.

Noodles: Add cooked pasta to the soup if you like.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you loved this beef and vegetable soup recipe, try our Instant Pot White Chicken Chili. You’ll love it because it is full of flavor and warms you with a slight kick of spice. Made with chicken, canned beans, vegetables and spices, this chili cooks up in the pressure cooker in 15 minutes.

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Dutch Oven — We love making this soup in a Dutch oven, because it perfectly cooks the beef and vegetables to tender perfection.

Instructions

This section shows how to cook easy beef and vegetable soup on the stove top, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full step-by-step instructions, photos and nutritional information see the recipe in the recipe card below.

BROWN BEEF AND VEGGIES: Firstly, in a large dutch oven over medium heat, brown the ground beef in some olive oil. When the hamburger meat is halfway cooked, add onion and celery to the pan. As soon as the beef is fully cooked, drain the excess fat. Afterwards add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.

COMBINE AND COOK: Next, add the rest of the ingredients. Then turn the heat up to medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Afterward, simmer on low heat for 20 minutes or until the potatoes and carrots are tender.

SEASON AND SERVE: Finally, remove the soup from the heat and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love nothing more than a steaming bowl of soup then you’ll love Stef’s Easy Pumpkin Soup. It’s creamy, comforting, healthy, and full of spices and fall flavors. Plus it’s ready in just 30 minutes on the stovetop.

Make Ahead

This mouthwatering vegetable beef soup is a great recipe to make ahead. You can completely finish the soup and store it in the fridge until ready to reheat and serve. It keeps in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Moreover, you can freeze individual portions of soup for up to 3 months.

Recipe Tips

Follow these tips to make the best soup with vegetables and ground beef.

Tip: Make sure you brown the beef properly before adding the broth. It adds immense flavor to the soup.
Tip: Cut all your vegetables approximately the same size. That way they will all be done at the same time.
Tip: Taste the soup before serving and adjust the seasonings if necessary.

What To Serve With Ground Beef Vegetable Soup

We love to eat vegetable soup with ground beef all by itself. But sometimes you need to serve this easy dinner recipe as a complete meal. Try one of these delicious recipes:

Bread: Serve ground beef vegetable soup with crusty bread or soft dinner rolls. Garlic French Bread is made with fresh parmesan cheese and store-bought french bread. If you have extra time make delicious Copycat Lion House Rolls or Cheesy Garlic Rolls.

Salad: Pair this delicious soup with a fresh salad. A fresh green salad like our Easy Italian Salad or Strawberry Avocado Salad with poppyseed dressing. Or even a Chopped Asparagus Salad with lemon vinaigrette.

Noodles: Even though, the soup tastes great as is, it would also taste scrumptious with some cooked pasta added.

More Soup Recipes

A warm bowl of soup is the ultimate comfort food on a chilly day. We love cooking homemade soups in the Instant Pot because the meat comes out incredibly tender and the soup is done in only a couple of minutes.

How To Store

Refrigerate: Store ground beef and vegetable soup leftovers in an airtight container or ziploc bag in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Freeze: Store in an airtight, freezer-safe container. If you’re storing in a zip top plastic bag, try to get as much air out as possible. Freeze for up to 3 months. Divide into single serve portions before freezing, for easy portion control when defrosting.

Defrosting: A great way to thaw beef and vegetable soup is in the refrigerator overnight.

Andrea says….

We love soup for dinner. This vegetable soup is perfect for when you’re low on time. We also love making this potato and kale soup. It’s a family favorite.

How To Reheat

Reheat leftovers in a pot on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Common Questions

What other vegetables can I add to this soup?

You can pretty much add all your favorite veggies to this yummy beef vegetable soup recipe. You can try diced bell pepper or butternut squash, broccoli florets, cauliflower, white beans, or chopped cabbage, for example. Additionally, you can also add leafy greens, such as kale, collard greens or spinach to this hearty ground beef vegetable soup.

How do I serve this easy hamburger soup?

We love serving this healthy soup with crusty French bread, garlic bread or cheesy bread. However, you can also serve some salty cracker with it or a grilled cheese sandwich. In case you want to make this hamburger soup recipe extra special, sprinkle it with some freshly grated parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley. Moreover, you can add some red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.

Ground Beef Vegetable Soup Recipe

Comforting soup loaded with veggies and tender beef that is quick and easy to make and full of flavor. With only 10 minutes of hands-on prep time, this vegetable beef soup is an excellent weeknight meal.

Course Main Dish, soup

Cuisine American

Keyword ground beef vegetable soup, vegetable soup with ground beef

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Servings servings

Calories 343kcal

Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

large pot or dutch oven
cooking spoon or spatula

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
½ yellow onion chopped
2 celery stalks chopped
3 cloves of garlic pressed
14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes
3 carrots diced
2 Russet potatoes peeled and diced
16 oz frozen vegetables
4 cups beef broth
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
½ tsp dried oregano

Instructions

In a large pot or saucepan over medium heat, brown ground beef.
When beef is halfway cooked, add onion and celery to the pan.
Once the beef is cooked, drain the excess fat.
Add garlic, saute for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add canned tomatoes and the juices, carrots, potatoes, frozen vegetables, beef broth, salt, pepper, and oregano. Turn heat up to high to bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to simmer for 20 minutes or until the potatoes and carrots are tender.
Remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve.

Notes

Serve with crusty bread, cheesy bread or noodles.
Sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese, chopped fresh parsley or red pepper flakes, if desired.

Nutrition

The post Ground Beef Vegetable Soup Recipe appeared first on Family Dinners.

Easy Ground Beef Taco Casserole (Mexican Lasagna Recipe)

Andrea + Stef — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 18:38:34 +0000

This super delicious Mexican taco casserole with ground beef is incredibly easy to make and a real crowd pleaser. It only takes 15 minutes of hands-on prep time to make this easy weeknight meal. You can even prep it the day before! Mexican lasagna combines all your favorite Mexican flavors, such as taco meat, refried beans, salsa, melty cheese and sour cream. If you love Mexican food, then this layered Mexican casserole recipe with ground beef will definitely become a family favorite. It is the best Mexican taco bake recipe you have ever tasted.

What is Mexican Taco Casserole?

Mexican taco casserole or Mexican lasagna is a layered dish like a traditional lasagna but with a Mexican-inspired flare. It combines flour tortillas with layers of taco-seasoned ground beef, salsa, sour cream, and melty cheese. Baked to perfection in the oven, this mouthwatering comfort food makes a perfect dinner for busy weeknights. Everyone will love it! This is really the best Mexican lasagna recipe out there. In this Mexican casserole recipe ground beef plays a starring role. Combined with spices, salsa, and refried beans, the filling is juicy and delicious.

Why You’ll Love This

Notable: easy to make taco bake that combines all your favorite Mexican flavors
Main Ingredients: ground beef, refried beans, salsa, taco seasoning, water, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, flour tortillas, tomatoes, cilantro
Cooking Method: oven baked
Nutrients: excellent source of protein with 38g per serving
Cooking Time: 15 minutes prep time, 25 minutes cooking time
Pairs well with: guacamole, salsa, pico de gallo, leafy salad
Special Equipment Needed: skillet, mixing bowls, 9×13-inch baking dish

Ingredients

You may have all of these ingredients for this Mexican lasagna recipe in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store! If this is your first time making this ultimate Mexican casserole you might want to read the possible variations before deciding on your ingredients.

Casserole Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 can refried beans
1 ½ cups salsa, divided
¼ cup taco seasoning (or 1 packet)
- ¾ cup water
1 cup sour cream
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
6 burrito size flour tortillas

Optional Garnish

2 fresh tomatoes, diced
¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
¼ cup chopped green onions
¼ cup sliced black olives

Variations and Substitutions

Ground beef: You can substitute ground chicken or ground turkey for the ground beef.

Flour tortillas: Substitute yellow corn tortillas or almond flour tortillas for the flour tortillas if preferred.

Refried beans: Make your own easy homemade refried beans in the Instant Pot. Use 2 cups of homemade beans.

Salsa: Make your own easy restaurant style salsa for this recipe. If desired, a great option is to substitute for red enchilada sauce mixed with some canned green chiles.

Cheddar cheese: Substitute some cheddar cheese for Monterey Jack cheese or Pepper Jack cheese.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you want to turn this delicious Mexican taco bake into a whole meal, serve our incredible Mexican Hot Chocolate Cupcakes for dessert. It is a really easy recipe. They are fluffy with just the right amount of spices and topped with the most amazing Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting.

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Casserole Dish — We love using this glass baking dish as it cooks food evenly, you can easily see the food while it cooks and it also looks good as a serving dish.

Instructions

This section shows how to cook this Mexican burrito casserole recipe in the oven, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full step-by-step instructions, photos and nutritional information see the recipe in the recipe card below.

MAKE BEEF MIXTURE : Firstly, in a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef. Drain grease. Then add water and taco seasoning to the ground beef. Mix and simmer for a 2-3 minutes. Next, add refried beans and ½ cup of salsa to the cooked ground beef mixture. Stir to combine and remove from heat.

PREPARE OVEN AND OTHER TOPPINGS: In a separate medium bowl, combine 1 cup salsa with 1 cup sour cream. Stir and mix well. Then preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.

LAYER THE CASSEROLE: Firstly, lay 2 tortillas in the bottom of the baking dish. Then spread ⅔ cup sour cream mixture over tortillas, followed by ⅓ of taco beef mixture. Afterwards sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over top of beef mixture. Top with a layer of tortillas. We tear the tortillas to make sure all parts of the cheese layer are covered without the tortilla going up the side of the dish. Then, repeat sour cream, taco meat mixture and shredded cheese layers and top again with tortillas. Add a last layer of sour cream and beef mixture, and finally finish by topping the casserole with 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese.

Stef says….

I prefer to use flour tortillas in my Mexican lasagna. However, you can substitute for corn tortillas if you prefer.

BAKE AND SERVE: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese has melted in all the layers. No need to cover with aluminum foil. Finally, remove from oven and sprinkle with cilantro and fresh diced tomatoes, if desired.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love the combination of Mexican flavors in this casserole then you’ll also love our Loaded Beef Nachos. These colorful and mouthwatering loaded nachos are an amazing game day and party snack and most likely the best homemade nachos you have ever tasted.

Great Make Ahead Meal

This amazing Mexican meal is perfect for making ahead of time. In case you are not planning on baking the casserole immediately, we recommend letting the meat mixture cool completely before assembling the dish. Afterwards finish layering the casserole completely. Then cover tightly with cling wrap or plastic foil. Store in the fridge for up to 2 days before baking. Otherwise freeze for up to a month. Whenever you are ready to bake the casserole, let it thaw in the fridge overnight. Then bake at 350ºF for about 20-30 minutes. The casserole is rather cold when it comes out of the fridge, and therefore needs a bit longer in the oven.

Andrea says….

I love to use spicy refried beans when we make this burrito casserole dish. We make our own refried beans in the Instant Pot. They’re really easy and you can adjust the spiciness.

Recipe Tips

Follow these tips to make the best Mexican casserole with ground beef.

Tip: Drain the ground beef after it is browned. This will prevent your Mexican beef casserole from being too greasy.
Tip: Tear the tortillas to make a mostly single layer of tortillas. If your tortilla layer is too thick it will be chewy.
Tip: Make sure the liquid layers cover the tortillas completely or they will get crispy.
Tip: Don’t skimp on the cheese!

What To Serve With Mexican Ground Beef Casserole

We love to eat Mexican taco casserole with ground beef all by itself. However, sometimes you need to serve it as a meal. Try one of these delicious recipes:

Sides: Mexican rice, cilantro lime rice or Instant Pot black beans would be great side dishes to serve with taco casserole.

Salad: Pair this easy Mexican casserole recipe with a fresh salad. A green salad like our easy Italian salad or Stef’s delicious Taco Salad Shells.

Sauces: Traditionally, Mexican lasagna is served with guacamole, restaurant style salsa or pico de gallo. It would taste great with mango habanero salsa as well.

More Mexican Inspired Recipes

If you also love Mexican cuisine as much as we do then you have to try some spicy Sausage Rotel Dip and chips or these crowd pleasing recipes:

How To Store

Refrigerate: Let the Mexican taco casserole with ground beef cool completely before transferring into an airtight container or ziploc bag. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freeze: Taco lasagna leftovers can be frozen in a freezer safe container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Cut the taco bake into individual servings before freezing, for easy portion control when defrosting.

Defrosting: Thaw in the fridge overnight.

How To Reheat

You can reheat Mexican burrito casserole in the microwave, air fryer or oven.

Common Questions

Is it possible to use homemade refried beans and salsa for this recipe?

While we used store bought beans and salsa for convenience, you can of course use homemade refried beans and restaurant style salsa as well.

Can this casserole be baked in a disposable casserole pan?

Of course. Especially when you are making this dish for a party or potluck, we recommend baking it in a disposable aluminum casserole pan. That way you don’t have to worry about your dish breaking or being returned afterwards. It turns out just as delicious.

Can I add vegetables to Mexican layered casserole?

Yes, you can. You can easily stir fry a veggie blend of chopped bell peppers, diced white or red onion, sweet corn and even cut up zucchini. Then add a layer of the vegetable blend on top of the ground meat mixture before topping it with the shredded cheese. Additionally you can also add some whole beans such as black beans, pinto beans or kidney beans. Finally you can sprinkle the baked dish with sliced black olives alongside the fresh tomatoes and cilantro.

Easy Layered Ground Beef Mexican Taco Casserole Recipe

Everything you love about tacos in a quick and easy Mexican lasagna with ground beef that feeds the whole family. This easy weeknight dinner gets rave reviews.

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American, Mexican

Keyword burrito casserole recipe, ground beef layered Mexican casserole recipe, layered Mexican casserole, Mexican lasagna recipe, taco casserole

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 25

Total Time 40

Servings servings

Calories 563kcal

Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

large skillet
9×13-inch casserole dish
mixing bowls

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 can refried beans
1½ cups salsa divided
¼ cup taco seasoning
¾ cup water
1 cup sour cream
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
6 burrito size flour tortillas

Optional Garnish:

2 fresh tomatoes diced
¼ cup cilantro chopped

Instructions

In a large skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef. Drain grease.
Add water and taco seasoning to the ground beef. Mix and simmer for a 2-3 minutes.
Add refried beans and ½ cup of salsa to the taco beef mixture. Stir to combine. Remove from heat.
In a separate medium bowl, combine 1 cup salsa with 1 cup sour cream. Stir and mix well.
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Then spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
Lay 2 tortillas in the bottom of the baking dish.
Spread ⅔ cup sour cream mixture over tortillas.
Spread ⅓ of taco beef mixture over sour cream layer.
Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese over top of beef mixture.
Layer with 2 more large tortillas. We tear the tortillas to make sure all parts of the cheese layer are covered without the tortilla going up the side of the dish.
Repeat sour cream, taco beef mixture and shredded cheese layers.
Layer with 2 more tortillas.
Repeat sour cream and taco beef mixture.
Top with 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese.
Bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted in all the layers. Remove from oven.
Optional: sprinkle with cilantro and fresh diced tomatoes.

Notes

Tips:

Drain the ground beef after it is browned. This will prevent your Mexican beef casserole from being too greasy.
Tear the tortillas to make a mostly single layer of tortillas. If your tortilla layer is too thick it will be chewy.
Make sure the liquid layers cover the tortillas completely or they will get crispy.
Don’t skimp on the cheese!

Nutrition

The post Easy Ground Beef Taco Casserole (Mexican Lasagna Recipe) appeared first on Family Dinners.

Frito Pie with Ground Beef

Andrea + Stef — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 23:14:15 +0000

This amazing Frito pie with ground beef is loaded with juicy beef, melty cheese and crunchy Frito chips. While quick and easy to make, this family-friendly one pan meal is bursting with flavor. So, if you are looking for a less-mess and less-hassle weeknight dinner, then this crowd pleasing Frito pie recipe is perfect for you. It is ready in less than 30 minutes and your whole family will want to have seconds and thirds.

We have also included instructions on how to turn this scrumptious recipe into the always popular “walking tacos” for your next party.

What is Frito Pie with Ground Beef?

A Frito pie is basically a thick hearty chili, made with ground beef, onions, ranch-style beans and tomatoes. The chili base is topped with gooey cheese and Frito corn chips. This delicious dish is the ultimate comfort food. Moreover, it comes together in only one pan and is ready to eat in less than 30 minutes.

Why You’ll Love This

Notable: succulent beef chili topped with melty cheese and crunchy Fritos
Main Ingredients: ground beef, diced onion, taco seasoning, water, kidney beans, fresh tomatoes, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, Fritos, cilantro
Cooking Method: stovetop
Nutrients: great source of protein, with 42g per serving
Cooking Time: 10 minutes prep time, 10 minutes cooking time
Pairs well with: Mexican rice, guacamole, pico de gallo, taco salad
Special Equipment Needed: skillet with cover, cooking spatula or spoon

Ingredients

You may have all of these ingredients for this cheesy frito taco skillet recipe in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store! If this is your first time making this easy Frito pie recipe you might want to read the possible variations before deciding on your ingredients.

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
½ cup onion, diced
¼ cup taco seasoning (or 1 packet)
¾ cup water
15 oz canned ranch style kidney beans (chili beans)
1 cup fresh tomatoes, diced (about 2-3 Roma tomatoes)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 bag of Fritos corn chips

Optional Garnish

1 fresh tomato, diced
¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
dollop of sour cream

Variations and Substitutions

Ground beef: You can substitute ground chicken or ground turkey for the lean ground beef.

Cheddar cheese: Substitute some cheddar cheese for Monterey Jack cheese or Pepper Jack cheese.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love this Frito pie recipe, try our Loaded Beef Nachos. These colorful and mouthwatering loaded nachos are an amazing game day and party snack and most likely the best homemade nachos you have ever tasted.

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Skillet — We love making this dish in a cast iron skillet, because it is perfect for browning the beef. Additionally it works well as a serving dish, because it keeps the Frito pie warm for a while.

Instructions

This section shows how to cook ground beef Frito casserole on the stovetop, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full step-by-step instructions, photos and nutritional information see the recipe in the printable recipe card below.

MAKE BEEF MIXTURE: Firstly, in a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Drain grease. Then add the chopped onions and stir. Next add the water and taco seasoning to the ground beef. Mix and simmer for 5 minutes. Finally, add the beans and diced tomatoes to the cooked ground beef mixture. Stir to combine and heat through for 3-4 minutes.

LAYER DISH: Spread the bean and meat mixture out evenly and top with 1½ cups of shredded cheese. Then add 2 handfuls of Fritos to top the cheese. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the Fritos.

COOK AND SERVE: Cover with a lid and continue heating on the stovetop over low heat for about 5 minutes or until the cheese has melted. Garnish with diced tomato, cilantro and sour cream. Serve.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love Mexican inspired meals with crunchy chips then you’ll love our Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup. This hearty and spicy chipotle chicken soup is quick and easy to make and a family favorite all year round.

Make Ahead

You can prepare the chili base for the Frito pie up to 3 days ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Whenever you are ready to serve your Frito pie, start by reheating the chili in a skillet. Then top with a layer of cheese, Fritos and some more cheese and finish according to the recipe.

Stef says….

I prefer this stovetop method of making Frito pie so that I don’t have to turn on the oven and, most importantly, the chips stay crunchy and fresh. Casserole versions with chips on the bottom leave soggy chips and a dry casserole.

Melting the Cheese in the Oven

If you prefer, you can also melt the cheese under the broiler of your oven. Just make sure you keep a close eye on it, so the corn chips and cheese do not burn. For this method we recommend using an oven-proof skillet.

Recipe Tips

Follow these tips to make the best Frito pie casserole.

Tip: Add chili beans instead of plain pinto beans or black beans, as they add immense flavor to the meat mixture.
Tip: Only add Fritos to the top of the pie. This way they stay nice and crunchy, instead of getting soft and soggy.
Tip: Serve warm and garnish with all your favorite taco toppings, such as more cheese, sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo or sliced black olives.

What To Serve With Frito Pie

We love to eat classic Frito pie all by itself. But sometimes you need to serve it as a meal. Try one of these delicious recipes:

Bread: Serve Frito Pie Casserole with freshly baked cornbread. Our delicious Cornbread Muffins are fluffy and have a perfect crumbly texture. They are just the right amount of sweet and savory.

Salad: Pair this Frito chili pie recipe with a fresh salad. A green salad like our easy Italian salad or Stef’s delicious Taco Salad Shells taste amazing with this delicious meal.

Sides: Another great side dish with Frito pie is rice. Have you tried our scrumptious Mexican rice or cilantro lime rice?

Toppings: Crockpot Frito pie tastes great garnished with tomatoes, cilantro and sour cream, but you can additionally top it with guacamole, restaurant style salsa or pico de gallo.

More One Pan Recipes

One pan recipes can be a real lifesaver, because they do not require any fancy equipment, come together quickly and taste absolutely scrumptious. Whether you are looking for a quick meal for busy weeknights or an easy dinner recipe to cook on vacation, you have to try our Sheet Pan Fajitas or Meatball Pasta Bake.

How To Store

Refrigerate: While Frito pie with ground beef is best eaten fresh, you can store leftovers in an airtight container or ziploc bag in the fridge for up to 3 days. However, the Fritos might get soft during storage and taste more like tortillas. We therefore recommend storing just the chili beef mixture by itself. Add cheese and Fritos only when you are ready to serve the dish.

Freeze: You can freeze the ground beef and bean mixture in a freezer safe container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. You can also add the cheese before freezing if you prefer. We do not recommend freezing the Fritos. Add them fresh to keep them super crispy.

Defrosting: Thaw chili mixture in the refrigerator overnight.

Andrea says….

I love this dish, because it comes together quickly and most importantly it is a ONE pan meal!

How To Reheat

Reheat the bean and beef mixture in a skillet on the stovetop, then top with cheese and Fritos and continue heating until the cheese is melty.

Hearty ground beef taco casserole with crunchy corn chips in a cast iron skillet.

Common Questions

What are “Walking Tacos”?

Walking tacos are a popular way of serving Frito pie at parties. Prepare the beef and bean mixture as described in the recipe. Then transfer to a crockpot or Instant Pot to keep warm during the party. Provide mini Fritos or single serve Frito bags and complete your walking taco station with all your favorite taco toppings, such as sour cream, salsa, guacamole, pico de gallo, sliced black olives, sliced jalapeños, cilantro… Guests tear open the Frito bags, scoop some warm chili mixture on top of the crunchy Fritos and add as many of their favorite toppings as they like. Yum yum!

Can this dish be made ahead of time?

You can prepare the chili beef mixture up to 3 days ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. We recommend adding the cheese and Fritos only right before finishing the dish.

Can I add Fritos to the beef mixture as well?

Of course you can add additional Fritos to the beef mixture as well. However, these chips will not stay crunchy. They will get soft and resemble tortilla strips.

Frito Pie with Ground Beef Recipe

This yummy, quick and easy comfort food combines perfectly seasoned beef and beans with melty cheese and crispy Frito chips. A classic ground beef taco casserole cooked in one skillet makes a great weeknight meal.

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American, Mexican

Keyword frito pie recipe, frito pie recipe with ground beef, frito pie with ground beef, how to make frito pie with ground beef

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Servings servings

Calories 920kcal

Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

skillet with cover
cooking spatula or spoon

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
½ cup onion diced
¼ cup taco seasoning one packet
¾ cup water
15 oz canned ranch style kidney beans chili beans
1 cup fresh tomatoes diced, 2-3 Roma tomatoes
2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
1 bag Fritos

Optional Garnish:

1 fresh tomato diced
fresh cilantro chopped
sour cream

Instructions

In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Drain grease.
Then add chopped onions and mix with the browned beef.
Add taco seasoning and water. Stir until combined. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Add beans and diced tomatoes. Then heat through, 3-4 minutes.
Spread out beef mixture into an even layer within the skillet and top with 1½ cups of cheese.
Add 2 handfuls of Fritos to top of cheese.
Sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheese.
Continue heating on the stovetop over low heat. Cover. Heat for about 5 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
Garnish with chopped tomatoes, cilantro and sour cream. Serve.

Notes

You can substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for the ground beef.
Add chili beans instead of plain pinto beans or black beans, as they add immense flavor to the meat mixture.
Only add Fritos to the top of the pie. This way they stay nice and crunchy, instead of getting soft and soggy.
Serve warm and garnish with all your favorite taco toppings, such as more cheese, sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo or sliced black olives.

Nutrition

The post Frito Pie with Ground Beef appeared first on Family Dinners.

Ground Beef Taco Filling

Andrea + Stef — Fri, 20 May 2022 19:46:19 +0000

If you love Mexican food as much as we do, this out of this world delicious ground beef taco filling will be your new go to recipe when it comes to tacos, burritos, nachos and more.

Ready in only 15 minutes and made without any pre-made seasoning packets, this scrumptious and keto friendly taco meat is the perfect combination of juicy beef, creamy refried beans and fresh salsa.

Beef and bean taco filling is a great quick and easy weeknight dinner, and pairs well with Air Fryer Taco Shells for an incredible Taco Tuesday meal. We have included a list of our favorite taco toppings and links to amazing recipes for guacamole, salsa and pico de gallo below. It also makes an excellent beef and bean burrito filling.

❤️ WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS TACO FILLING RECIPE

✔️ Our recipe works great with ground beef, ground turkey or ground chicken. You can even use a vegan alternative.

✔️ It only takes 15 minutes to make this keto friendly taco meat with beans.

✔️ We don’t use any pre-packaged spice blends. Pre-packaged spice blends often include fillers and other ingredients that aren’t necessary.

✔️ This versatile and gluten free beef and bean filling can be used for tacos, nachos, burritos and more.

GROUND BEEF TACO FILLING INGREDIENTS

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for beef and bean taco filling, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

You may have all of these taco beef filling ingredients in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store. See recipe card below for ingredient amounts.

Ground Beef: We recommend using a lean blend with 80-90% lean meat. You can also try ground turkey or chicken for this recipe.
Water
Chili Powder
Cumin
Onion Powder
Garlic Powder
Paprika: We used regular paprika, but if you like a bit of a smokey flavor, use smoked paprika.
Dried Oregano
Salt
Black Pepper
Cayenne Pepper
Refried Beans: Use our easy to make Instant Pot Refried Beans or your favorite store bought brand.
Restaurant Style Salsa: Try our super quick and delicious Restaurant Style Salsa recipe or use ready made salsa from the grocery store.

INSTRUCTIONS

This section shows how to cook easy taco meat on the stovetop, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full instructions, nutritional information, to print the recipe or to have the recipe scaled to double or triple, see the recipe card below.

PREPARE MEAT: Brown the ground beef and then drain the grease.

🔴 TIP: Measure out spices, Combine all the measured out spices in a small bowl before you start browning the meat. This way you can take your time to measure them out exactly and won’t forget anything.

FINISH BEEF MIXTURE: First, add water and spices, then stir to combine and coat the meat with the spice mixture. Add refried beans and salsa. Stir again until well blended.

🔴 TIP: You can use this ground beef filling for many dishes, It tastes great as filling for tacos and burritos, but also as a topping for loaded beef nachos.

HOW TO MAKE BEEF TACO FILLING AHEAD

Beef and beans can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat slowly on the stove before serving it. Add a tablespoon of water to thin out, if necessary.

TIPS FOR THE BEST TACO FILLING

Follow these tips to make the best ground beef taco meat.

✔️ Use lean meat. To make sure your taco meat doesn’t end up overly greasy use ground beef with 80-90% lean meat. Drain the grease after browning.

✔️ Measure out spices. Combine all the measured out spices in a bowl before you start browning the meat. This way you can measure exactly and won’t forget anything.

✔️ Use high quality salsa. Add your favorite store bought salsa or give our delicious homemade restaurant style salsa a try.

STORAGE TIPS

Refrigerate: Ground beef taco filling can be stored in an airtight container or ziplock bag in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freeze: Leftovers can be frozen in a freezer safe container or bag for up to 3 months.

Defrosting: Beef and beans taco filling thaws well in the refrigerator over night.

Reheat: Reheat gluten free taco filling slowly on the stove before serving it. Add a tablespoon of water to thin out, if necessary.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH TACO FILLING

Tacos are a great meal to feed a crowd. You can serve this scrumptious beef and bean taco filling with Air Fryer Taco Shells and alongside all your favorite fillings, so everyone can build their own mouthwatering taco.

We love serving our homemade taco meat with:

Cilantro Lime Rice
Instant Pot Mexican Rice
Inst ant Pot Black Beans
Mexican cheese blend
Guacamole or cut up avocado
Pico De Gallo
Salsa: mango habanero salsa, restaurant style salsa, salsa verde
Sour cream: cilantro lime sour cream, dairy free sour cream
chopped lettuce
Jalapeños
Fresh cilantro and lime wedges

You can also use this juicy and flavorful beef and bean filling to make the world’s best Loaded Beef Nachos.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

For perfect results every time, here are answers to the most common questions about cooking ground beef burrito filling.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare this gluten free taco filling up to 3 days in advance. It also freezes well and can be reheated on the stove.

What is the best meat to use for taco filling?

We recommend using lean ground beef. Either a 80/20 or 90/10 lean meat to fat ratio works well. To get rid of any excess fat, make sure you drain the meat after browning. If you are looking for a lighter option, try ground turkey or chicken, for example.

Are there other uses for beef and bean filling besides tacos?

Yes, this insanely delicious meat mixture also tastes amazing in burritos or on loaded beef nachos. You can use it to fill enchiladas, empanadas or even as a taco pizza topping.

Ground Beef Taco Filling

Delicious and versatile ground beef taco filling is perfect for tacos, burritos, nachos and more.

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American, keto, Mexican

Keyword beef and bean burrito filling, beef and bean taco filling, ground beef taco filling, homemade taco meat, taco beef filling

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Total Time 15

Servings servings

Calories 128kcal

Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

large skillet
cooking spatula or spoon

Ingredients

1 lb lean ground beef
3 tablespoon water
2 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 cups refried beans (or one 16 ounce can)
½ cup restaurant style salsa

Instructions

In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef. Then drain the grease.
First, add the water, chili powder, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper. Stir to combine and coat the meat with all the spices.
Then add refried beans and salsa. Stir until combined and heated through.
Serve as a filling for tacos, burritos or topping for nachos.

Notes

Try using ground turkey or chicken for this recipe.
It makes the cooking process a lot quicker and easier if you measure out all the spices before you start browning the meat.
This beef and beans mixture tastes amazing on our Loaded Beef Nachos.

Nutrition

The post Ground Beef Taco Filling appeared first on Family Dinners.