Quick and Easy Recipes - Just Add Ground Beef

This isn't the kind of food Julia Childs would approve of, but who really wants to deal with endless ingredient lists and cooking techniques that require a Cordon Bleu culinary school education? You're hungry, you don't have a lot of time to spend slaving over the stove, and your recipe knowledge is limited to what you learned in a college dorm (Ramen anyone?). I have two words for you: ground beef. With a pound of seasoned browned lean ground beef, be prepared to host your first dinner party...or at least satisfy your hunger with easy-to-prepare food that is leaps and bounds beyond Ramen noodles. First of all, please say that you are indeed capable of browning some ground beef and adding some black pepper and garlic salt. Good. Now be prepared to eat well with the following three easy recipes, my friend.

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Chile con Carne
Brown your pound of beef in a good sized sauce pan. Add to that a can of kidney beans, a can of diced tomatoes, a small can of tomato sauce, and one of those chili flavoring packets. If you want to make it fancy, also add a diced bell pepper. Let that come to a boil, then simmer for about 20 minutes (or until your growling stomach demands that you dive in). That's it. You've got some pretty tasty chili con carne.

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Spaghetti
First things first. Get some water boiling for your pasta. It can take forever, so you definitely want to get your pasta started first. Like the chili, brown your pound of beef in a medium to large saucepan. Dump in a jar of your favorite pasta sauce. Stir and let simmer for as long as it takes for your pasta noodles to be cooked al dente (that's fancy talk for just shy of done--a little firm). Grab a bowl of pasta and top with your meaty sauce. Dee-lish.

Mexicali Cornbread
This recipe is a little advanced, but it still falls into the category of quick and easy food. First, grab a couple of boxes of cornbread mix, and follow the directions to make the cornbread batter (you'll likely need some eggs and milk). Pour 1/2 of the batter into a baking pan. Layer the browned ground beef, a drained can of corn, and some shredded cheese (I like cheddar jack). Top that off with the remaining cornbread batter. Bake it until the top is golden brown. It might sound weird, but it's sure to become a delicacy in your kitchen.

Who said tasty food has to involve toiling in the kitchen for hours? Who has time for that? With ground beef and a few other basic ingredients, you can easily and quickly make foolproof dishes that are sure to satisfy your hunger (and maybe impress your friends).

Quick and Easy Recipes - Just Add Ground Beef

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