Easy Ground Beef Recipe With Few Ingredients For Two

Are you in a hurry but don’t know what to make for dinner, for two using ground beef? You’re in luck. The recipe below is very easy and only calls for a few ingredients most of which you probably already have in your kitchen.

Ideal for any night of the week or a time when the mood for cooking a huge meal is not present, it will leave your stomach full and wallet heavy. Unlike other meat recipes that can take hours to prepare, you should be able to see results in thirty minutes at most.

Be it for a couple to have their own supper or for having lunch for the next day, this recipe is perfect. Get ready to discover how to cook this delicious ground beef dinner for two! I have 20 years of experience in cooking. So you can trust me.

Ingredients Needed for This Simple Ground Beef Recipe

Essential Components

You will only require a few ingredients to make this simple ground beef meal that feeds two people. And of course, the star of the show all the time is ground beef. For more flavors and health-conscious lean ground beef, select 80/20 or 85/15. For two servings, you will need about 1/2 pound of the product.

First of all, you’ll need something as simple as salt and pepper. You’ll always need salt and black pepper, however, I also recommend adding garlic powder and onion powder. Some black pepper is usually beneficial while a pinch of red pepper flakes can add the kind of spice people desire.

Pantry Staples

For that part, you will require some basic ingredients which are usually kept in the kitchen’s pantry. One tablespoon of olive oil or vegetable oil will allow for browning in the meat. For a sauce base, you are going to need a can of diced tomatoes or tomato sauce.

If you feel so daring, a few drops of Worcestershire sauce will make all the difference due to the depth of the flavors.

Optional Add-ins

However, the bare ingredients are quite tasty on their own in this recipe, but of course, you can add more. Perhaps try dicing onions or bell peppers for additional vegetable content. This goes a notch higher if it is mixed with a sprinkle of shredded cheese.

To make it a full entree, spoon it over rice or pasta and serve or scoop it into taco shells for a quick Tex-Mex supper.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Cooking Ground Beef for Two

Preparation and Seasoning

First of all, gather your ingredients and your equipment. To prepare the ground beef you will require half a pound of this corned beef salt, freshly cracked pepper, and any other spices that you fancy. In a large skillet, heat about medium-high. As the pan warms to temperature season the ground beef with salt and pepper, and stir gently to make sure all sides are evenly seasoned.

Cooking Process

After about five minutes or when the skillet turns hot, you fry the seasoned ground beef. As the meat cooks, it will become easy to flip; use a wooden spoon or spatula to break the meat into smaller pieces. You should turn the ingredients occasionally to make sure that they get a uniform color. Simmer for 8-10 minutes, until the beef is cooked through, the last longer for about 160°F (71°C).

Draining and Finishing

After quality ground beef is well browned, the skillet should not be placed back on the heat source. If you want to, discard extra fat in the skillet by tilting the pan/ pouring off fat with a spoon, or use colander/paper towels to do it. Put the beef back into the pan, and season to taste, adding extra sauces for further seasoning. Stirring well to mix and allowing it to sizzle for five more seconds to blend the flavors.

Ground beef for two perfectly cooked can easily be used in your preferred recipes or eaten independently. However, bear in mind that cooking time will slightly differ depending on a stove’s strength and meat thickness, therefore it is always best to judge by appearance and internal temperature.

Tips for Adding Flavor and Stretching the Ground Beef

Enhance Flavor with Simple Ingredients

For a quick and easy way to make your ground beef dish more luxurious, try using products you likely already have in your pantry. To enrich the gravy, people add some Worcestershire sauce; to add more of garlic’s essence, people use garlic powder or fresh minced garlic.

For an extra bite add a spoonful of Dijon mustard or a dash of balsamic vinegar to the dressing. These enhancers of flavor are superb because they do not overpower the beef taste as other agents would.

Stretch Your Meal with Fillers

Get more portion sizes by stretching your ground beef or cut your expenses by incorporating healthy additions to your recipes. Soft lentils or finely chopped mushrooms do not interfere at all and add to the volume and nutritional value of the meal.

Spreading grated carrots, zucchini, or any coarse vegetable not only economizes on the meat but lends a colorful touch to your dish. For a more substantial meal, rice and cooked noodles can also be added or, for added texture and modified nutritional value, cooked quinoa or bulgur wheat may be used since both are great in terms of flavor enhancement and additional fiber nutrition.

Create Versatile Leftover Options

Using a larger amount of proportions, turn your ground beef into multiple meals to save you time. For example, season the meat with just salt and pepper and distribute the meat for different occasions. Take a portion for taco filling, another portion for a quick pasta sauce, and the third portion for stuffed bell peppers towards the end of the week.

This strategy makes work easier and guarantees you always have your protein source right for those fast, different meals.

Pairing Sides Dishes and Toppings for the Ground Beef

Complementary Sides

Whenever you are preparing your easy ground beef dish to accompany it, it’s better to select other tasty dishes but basic. Grain dishes such as steamed rice or fluffy mashed potatoes can soak up the flavorsome liquids and make a meal firm.

If you’re not a fan of potatoes, try a simple green salad to make the rich taste of the beef a little adorable. Carrots, zucchini, bell peppers, and other vegetables when roasted make any plate colorful and full of nutrients.

Elevating with Toppings

Deliver your ground beef creation to the next level when it comes to toppings. Usually, a spoonful of sour cream or Greek yogurt on top helps to set off the creaminess well. Finally, add a lift in terms of freshness by adding apposite amounts of freshly chopped herbs such as cilantro or parsley.

For those more sensitive to spices, sliced jalapeños or a little hot sauce will add the heat necessary for those who appreciate the flavor. Crumbed cheese like feta or cheddar softens in beef when it is hot to provide a chewy feel.

Bread and Wraps

Do not underestimate the capability of bread in the ability to turn your ground beef into a handheld meal. Soft warm tortillas make your dish more easily converted into tacos or burritos. Otherwise, you can serve the beef over toasted buns making it a sloppy joe-style beef. If the desire is to keep the carbs low, one could try placing the mixture in large lettuce leaves the texture being ideal with a satisfying crunch.

Leftover and Freezer Options for This Easy Recipe

Storing Leftovers Safely

To help those readers who may be lucky enough to have leftovers when the ground beef meal is over, the recipes provide measures on how to prepare them. Don’t let them go to waste! You should pack any leftovers in air-tight containers and reheat within two hours to avoid bacterial build-up.

When stored in the right way, your leftovers should be good for consumption for not more than four days in the refrigerator. For the best quality, alternatively, it is best microwaved or heated on the stovetop until steaming hot.

Freezing for Future Meals

This is a simple meal preparation dish that you can prepare using ground beef and then freeze. If required, to freeze, let the cooked mixture cool, to room temperature, and then, transfer it to freezer-safe bowls or resealable, heavy-duty freezer bags.

Take out as much air as you can to avoid the occurrence of freezer burn. Writing on the container: date and contents of the container. Your ground beef priced at a freezer will be at its best quality if consumed within the next three months.

Creative Ways to Repurpose Leftovers

Check out how to recycle your leftover ground beef into new recipes to try. It may be used in the preparation of tacos, and burritos as well as for stuffing peppers. It can be added to a thick get chili or soup. Have a baked potato or salad in a rush.

When you start using your leftovers, lean will spend far less of your time and money in the kitchen and still be able to have a diverse diet throughout the week. As always, remember that food safety is important – that’s why you must reheat your leftovers to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

Conclusion

All in all, that simple ground beef recipe gives a proper meal for two that can satiate your hunger with few ingredients and steps. It’s that easy and by following the steps highlighted below, you’ll be able to prepare flavorsome dishes great for weeknight meals or informal dinners.

The greatest thing about ground beef is that users can easily adjust depending on their preferences. Regardless of whether you are cooking for two people and a couple, or planning the next several days’ meals, this recipe is quite useful without compromising on the taste.

This is because this recipe is relatively inexpensive bearing in mind the ingredients used in preparing it, it only takes a very short time to prepare and it is something one would wish to order now and then.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I substitute ground turkey for beef?

Absolutely! Ground turkey is very lean like ground beef and can be used with predominately the same recipes that use ground beef. Once again, turkey tastes much less saturated than what it’s a reminder of, so the type of seasoning you’re using might have to change. And, well, pick a turkey blend with, roughly, the same fat content as the beef in this recipe.

How long can I store leftover cooked ground beef?

Ground beef that has been cooked must be refrigerated and the best place to store it is in an airtight jar. It should not last more than 3 – 4 days. This can be held off for up to 3 months at some point and is freezable for longer storage. Another thing is always that one more step you should take to heat the food to its 165°F / 74°C temperature.

What’s the best way to thaw frozen ground beef?

The riskiest is to take ground beef from the freezer directly and then take it from the fridge and leave it at room temperature for several hours. To quickly thaw it put your package in a plastic wrap and place it in cold water, changing the water after every 1/2 an hour.

Foods that are thawed at room temperature should not be because this promotes bacterial growth and your food will not be safe to eat. If you’re in a pinch and don’t have time to list it you can do so directly but it will take about 50% longer.

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