How to Cook With Ground Beef

Ground beef goes well in many different dishes.

Ground beef refers to meat from different parts of a cow that has been processed or "ground up." It is often made from less tender cuts, and extra trimmings from more popular cuts. The USDA claims that ground beef sold in the United States can have no more than 30 percent fat content, and must be inspected before hitting the shelves. Ground beef is a good base for several different dishes.

Things You'll Need

• Mixing bowl
• Sauté pan
• Spatula
• Soap

Instructions

1. Mix ground beef in a bowl with egg, breadcrumbs and your favorite spices to form patties for hamburgers. Make balls with your hands, and flatten out to ¼-inch to ½-inch thick patties. Cook in a sauté pan or on your grill until they are cooked through.

2. Place ground beef in a sauté pan and break it up with a spatula as it cooks. Drain the fat into a separate bowl, and add a bit of water and taco seasoning to make tacos. Let the water simmer until it has evaporated, leaving you with seasoned beef.

3. Add cooked ground beef to tomato sauce to go with spaghetti or other pasta.

4. Form raw ground beef into balls and cook slowly in a sauté pan or in a 350-degree Fahrenheit oven to make meatballs for spaghetti and meatballs, sweet and sour meatballs or Swedish meatballs. Cook the meatballs all the way through.

Tips & Warnings

• Wash your hands well with hot water and soap after handling raw ground beef. Wash off any utensils, bowls or cutting boards, too.

References

• USDA: Ground Beef and Food Safety
• Canadian Living: How to Cook Ground Beef