Ground beef: new ideas

Ground beef is frequently on sale, and is a great budget-friendly meat option. However, the thought of serving up another pot of chili or making hamburgers may be losing its lustre.

Here are some new takes on old dishes to use up that ground beef in your freezer flavourfully

Southwestern Shepherd’s Pie

Brown about a pound of ground beef with some chopped onions. Once no longer pink, drain. Add two cans of enchilada sauce, a couple of tbsp. of flour, and 1tsp each of cumin and paprika. Bring to boil and simmer for five minutes.

Heat a few cups of mashed potatoes (maybe you have left over from another meal). Mix in 2 cups of Mexican style shredded cheese until melted.

Pour the beef mixture into a greased 9X13 pan and add a cup of corn. Top with potato mixture and sprinkle with chopped green onions. Bake covered for about 15 minutes, and then uncovered for about 10 until top is golden brown.

Pizza Bake

Cook one cup of elbow macaroni according to package directions.

Brown a pound of beef along with whatever pizza veggie toppings you like (mushrooms, peppers, onions). Once cooked through, stir in a package of sliced pepperoni and a cup of pizza sauce. Add cooked macaroni to meat mixture and turn to coat.

Put in a baking dish and top with about a cup of mozzarella cheese. Bake, uncovered for about 20-30 minutes.

Beef Stroganoff

Who says that Beef Stroganoff has to use cubed meat? You can have a similar dish using ground beef, which is much cheaper.

Oh- and in this one you get to use your slow cooker too.

Brown a couple of pounds of ground beef.  After it is no longer pink, drain.

In your slow cooker add a chopped onion and a cup of chopped mushrooms, a can of beef broth, 3 tbsp of tomato paste and 2tsp of garlic powder. Add cooked beef and stir until well mixed.  Cook for 4-6 hours.

Add a half cup sour cream. Let heat for 20 minutes. Serve over cooked egg noodles.