What is Ground Beef
Ground beef is beef that has been finely minced or ground, making it versatile for a wide variety of recipes. It is the main ingredient in dishes like burgers, meatballs, tacos, spaghetti bolognese, and Middle Eastern kofta
dinner with ground beef
How to Make a Ground Beef Meal for Beginners
Tools You Need
A medium frying pan or pot
A wooden or silicone spoon for stirring
A pot for boiling pasta
A strainer to drain water
Ingredients (Serves two to three people)
About half a pound of ground beef
About seven ounces of spaghetti pasta
Two tablespoons of vegetable oil or olive oil
One small onion, finely chopped
Two garlic cloves, minced
One cup of tomato sauce or diluted tomato paste
A pinch of salt and black pepper
A pinch of spices (optional: oregano, paprika)
Grated cheese for serving (optional)
Cooking Steps
First: Boil the pasta
Fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil
Add a little salt and a spoon of oil
Place the spaghetti and cook for eight to ten minutes until soft
Drain the pasta using a strainer and set aside
Second: Cook the ground beef
Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat
Add the chopped onion and stir until it becomes soft and translucent
Add the garlic and stir briefly
Add the ground beef and stir continuously until the color changes from red to brown
Third: Add the sauce
Pour in the tomato sauce
Season with salt, pepper, and your choice of spices
Let it simmer on low heat for about ten minutes so the flavors combine
Fourth: Assemble and serve
Place the pasta on a serving plate
Pour the ground beef sauce on top
Sprinkle with grated cheese if desired
Serve hot with a simple green salad
Beginner Tips
Keep stirring the beef to avoid burning
Always taste before serving to check the salt
You can add chopped vegetables like carrots or bell peppers for extra nutrition
Don’t worry if it doesn’t look like a restaurant dish—the taste is what matters
minced meat recipes
Easy Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe (Beginner-Friendly)
Ingredients (Serves 3 people)
Half a pound of ground beef
Seven ounces of spaghetti pasta
One small onion, finely chopped
Two garlic cloves, minced
One cup of tomato sauce or diluted tomato paste
Two tablespoons of olive oil or vegetable oil
A pinch of salt and black pepper
A pinch of herbs (optional: oregano, basil)
Grated cheese for serving (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
First: Cook the pasta
Bring a pot of water to a boil
Add a little salt and one spoon of oil
Add the spaghetti and cook for about ten minutes until soft
Drain the pasta using a strainer and set aside
Second: Cook the ground beef
Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat
Add the onion and stir until soft and translucent
Add the garlic and stir briefly
Add the ground beef and cook while stirring until it turns brown
Third: Make the sauce
Pour the tomato sauce into the beef mixture
Season with salt, pepper, and herbs
Let it simmer on low heat for about ten minutes so the flavors blend together
Fourth: Serve
Place the pasta on a serving plate
Pour the Bolognese sauce with ground beef on top
Sprinkle grated cheese if you like
Serve hot with a simple green salad
Helpful Tips
You can add grated carrots or bell peppers for extra flavor and nutrition
Use lean ground beef if you want a healthier version
For an authentic Italian touch, add a little basil or oregano at the end
Homemade Burger Recipe
Ingredients (Makes 4 burgers)
One pound of ground beef (preferably 80% meat, 20% fat for juiciness)
One teaspoon salt
Half a teaspoon black pepper
One teaspoon onion powder or garlic powder (optional)
Four burger buns
Four slices of cheese (optional)
Lettuce, tomato slices, and onion rings
Ketchup and mayonnaise to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
First: Shape the patties
Place the ground beef in a large bowl
Add salt, pepper, and optional seasonings
Mix gently and form into equal-sized patties (about 2 cm thick)
Place the patties in the fridge for 30 minutes so they firm up
Second: Cook the burgers
Heat a pan or grill over medium heat
Cook each patty for about five to seven minutes on each side until fully cooked
If using cheese, place a slice on top of each patty during the last minute to melt
Third: Assemble the burger
Lightly toast the burger buns
Place the cooked patty on the bottom bun
Add lettuce, tomato slices, and onion rings
Spread ketchup or mayonnaise as you like
Cover with the top bun and serve hot
Tips for the Perfect Homemade Burger
Don’t press down on the patties while cooking; this keeps them juicy
For extra flavor, mix in a teaspoon of soy sauce or mustard with the beef
Serve with fries, potato wedges, or a fresh salad for a complete meal
Potato and Kofta Casserole Recipe
Ingredients (Serves 4 people)
One pound of ground beef
One medium onion, grated
One teaspoon salt
Half a teaspoon black pepper
Half a teaspoon mixed spices
Three medium potatoes, sliced thinly
Two cups of tomato sauce or blended tomatoes
One tablespoon vegetable oil or olive oil
One cup hot water
Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
First: Prepare the kofta
Place the ground beef in a bowl
Add the grated onion, salt, pepper, and spices
Mix well until combined
Shape into medium-sized kofta fingers or balls
Second: Arrange the casserole
Grease a baking dish with a little oil
Place the potato slices in the bottom as the first layer
Add the kofta pieces on top of the potatoes
Third: Add the sauce
Mix the tomato sauce with hot water and a pinch of salt
Pour the sauce over the kofta and potatoes until partially covered
Fourth: Bake
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C)
Place the dish in the oven and bake for about forty to fifty minutes, until the potatoes are soft and the sauce is absorbed
Fifth: Serve
Remove from the oven and sprinkle with fresh parsley
Serve hot with white rice or fresh bread
Tips for Success
For richer flavor, lightly fry the kofta and potato slices before baking
You can add sliced bell peppers or carrots along with the potatoes for variety
Make sure the potato slices are thin so they cook evenly
Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Beef and Rice
Ingredients (Serves four)
One pound ground beef
One cup short-grain rice, washed and soaked for thirty minutes
Four large bell peppers (green or mixed colors)
One small onion, finely chopped
One cup grated or pureed tomatoes
Two tablespoons vegetable oil or olive oil
One teaspoon salt
Half a teaspoon black pepper
Half a teaspoon mixed spices
One and a half cups hot water or chicken broth
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step One: Prepare the peppers
Wash the bell peppers thoroughly
Cut off the tops (keep as lids) and remove the seeds inside
Set aside, ready for stuffing
Step Two: Make the filling
Heat oil in a pan over medium heat
Add chopped onion and sauté until soft
Add the ground beef and cook until browned
Stir in the grated tomatoes, salt, pepper, and spices
Add the soaked rice and mix well for about five minutes
Pour in half a cup of water and simmer for ten minutes until the rice starts to soften (but not fully cooked)
Step Three: Stuff the peppers
Fill each bell pepper about three-quarters full with the mixture (the rice will expand while cooking)
Cover each pepper with its lid
Step Four: Cook the stuffed peppers
Arrange the stuffed peppers in a pot or baking dish
Add about one cup of hot water or broth until it covers the peppers halfway
Cover and cook on low heat for about forty minutes, or bake at three hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit (one hundred eighty degrees Celsius) until the rice and peppers are fully cooked
Step Five: Serve
Serve hot with plain yogurt or a fresh green salad
Tips for Success
Use colorful bell peppers (red, yellow, orange) for a more attractive dishAdd some fresh parsley or dill to the filling for extra flavor
Don’t overfill the peppers to prevent the stuffing from spilling out
Fried Kibbeh with Ground Beef and Pine Nuts
Ingredients (Serves four)
For the kibbeh shell
Two cups fine bulgur (soaked in water for thirty minutes)
One pound finely ground beef
One small onion, grated
One teaspoon salt
Half a teaspoon black pepper
Half a teaspoon cinnamon or mixed spices
For the filling
One pound coarsely ground beef
One small onion, finely chopped
One quarter cup toasted pine nuts
One tablespoon oil or ghee
Half a teaspoon salt
One quarter teaspoon black pepper
For frying
Enough vegetable oil for deep frying
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step One: Prepare the filling
Heat oil or ghee in a pan
Add the chopped onion and sauté until soft
Add the ground beef and cook until browned
Season with salt and pepper, then add the toasted pine nuts
Let the filling cool completely before using
Step Two: Make the kibbeh shell
Place the soaked bulgur in a food processor
Add the finely ground beef, grated onion, salt, pepper, and cinnamon
Blend until you get a smooth, firm dough-like mixture
If the mixture is too soft, add a teaspoon of flour
Step Three: Shape the kibbeh
Wet your hands with water to prevent sticking
Take a small ball of the dough and hollow it out with your finger to form a thin shell
Add one teaspoon of the filling inside
Seal it and shape into an oval (like a small football)
Step Four: Fry the kibbeh
Heat deep frying oil until hot
Fry the kibbeh in batches until golden brown and crispy
Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil
Step Five: Serve
Serve hot with plain yogurt, tabbouleh, or a fresh salad
Tips for Success
The kibbeh shell should be thin so it doesn’t taste too doughy
Always cool the filling before stuffing to avoid breaking the shell
You can freeze uncooked kibbeh and fry it whenever needed