The Ultimate Ground Beef Crockpot Meal for Busy Weeknights
Are you tired of spending hours in the kitchen after a long day? Do you crave a hearty, satisfying meal that practically cooks itself? Look no further! This ground beef crockpot meal is a total game-changer. It’s incredibly easy to prepare, packed with flavor, and perfect for feeding the whole family. Imagine coming home to a delicious, ready-to-eat dinner – that’s the magic of the slow cooker!
Why You’ll Love This Ground Beef Crockpot Meal
- Effortless Cooking: Just dump in the ingredients and let the crockpot do the work!
- Family-Friendly: Even picky eaters will love this hearty and flavorful meal.
- Versatile: Customize the ingredients to suit your taste preferences.
- Budget-Friendly: This recipe is made with affordable ingredients you probably already have on hand.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Make a big batch on Sunday and enjoy leftovers all week long!
- Delicious & Comforting: It’s the ultimate comfort food with minimum efforts.
Ingredients for Ground Beef Crockpot Meal
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 ounce) can corn, drained
- 1 bell pepper, chopped (any color)
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade blend)
- 1 cup beef broth (or water)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, cilantro
Substitutions: To make this a keto crockpot recipe, omit the beans and corn and add more vegetables, like zucchini and cauliflower. For a vegetarian crockpot recipe, use a plant-based ground beef substitute.
How to Make Ground Beef Crockpot Meal
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until cooked through. Drain off any excess grease. This step adds flavor and prevents the meat from clumping together in the crockpot, though if you are very short on time you can skip it.
- Prep the Veggies: Chop the onion and bell pepper. Mince the garlic.
- Layer in Crockpot: Add the browned ground beef to the crockpot. Then, add the chopped onion, minced garlic, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, corn, and bell pepper.
- Season and Add Broth: Sprinkle in the taco seasoning, salt, and pepper. Pour in the beef broth.
- Mix Well: Stir all ingredients together to ensure everything is evenly distributed.
- Slow Cook: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- Shred (Optional): For a more shredded texture, use two forks to shred the beef before serving.
- Serve: Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Pro Tips & Variations
- Don’t skip the browning of the beef! It adds so much flavour.
- Low and slow is best: Allow the crockpot recipes slow cooker to cook on low for maximum flavor development.
- Add some heat: For a spicier dish, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some chopped jalapeños.
- Use a Liner: To make cleanup a breeze, line your crockpot with a disposable liner.
- Spice it Up: Add a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies for extra flavor and heat. Want even more heat? Mix in a spoonful of your favorite hot sauce.
Variations: For a chicken crockpot recipes variation, substitute ground beef with ground chicken. For a fall crockpot recipes rendition, add a can of pumpkin puree and some pumpkin pie spice for a warm, comforting twist.
Serving Suggestions
This ground beef crockpot meal is delicious on its own, but it’s even better with some tasty sides! Here are a few ideas:
- Over Rice or Quinoa: Serve over a bed of fluffy rice or quinoa for a complete meal.
- With Tortilla Chips: Enjoy as a hearty dip with tortilla chips.
- In Tacos or Burritos: Use as a filling for tacos or burritos.
- Topped with Avocado and Sour Cream: Add a dollop of sour cream and some sliced avocado for extra richness and flavor.
- As a Soup: Add extra beef broth for a delicious crockpot soup recipes
Storage & Reheating
Storing: Leftover ground beef crockpot recipes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, freeze in an airtight container for up to 2-3 months.
Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat until warmed through. If frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
FAQ about Ground Beef Crockpot Meal
- Can I use frozen ground beef in this recipe?
- It’s always best to brown ground beef, I highly suggest browning it before putting it in the crockpot as to ensure doneness and flavor. Adding frozen ground beef directly to the crockpot may result in uneven cooking and bacteria growth.
- How do I make this a high protein crockpot recipe?
- To increase the protein content, add an extra pound of ground beef or ground turkey. You can also add a can of black beans or chickpeas for added protein and fiber.
- Can I add pasta to this ground beef crockpot meal?
- If you want to have crockpot pasta recipes, Yes, you can add cooked pasta to the crockpot during the last 30 minutes of cooking time. Be sure to use a sturdy pasta shape like rotini or penne that won’t get mushy.
- Is this recipe suitable for a dump and start crockpot meal?
- Yes, this is a fantastic crockpot dump recipes. You can throw everything into the crockpot without pre-browning the beef if you’re short on time, but browning the beef adda flavor.
Final Thoughts on Ground Beef Crockpot Meal
This ground beef crockpot meal is a lifesaver for busy weeknights! Not only is it incredibly easy to make, but it’s also a crowd-pleaser that the whole family will love. With endless customization options and simple cleanup, it’s sure to become a staple in your recipe rotation.
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Ground Beef Crockpot Meal
Equipment
- skillet,
- Slow Cooker / Crockpot
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 large onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 15 ounce can tomato sauce
- 15 ounce can kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 15 ounce can corn drained
- 1 bell pepper chopped, any color
- 1 packet taco seasoning or homemade blend
- 1 cup beef broth or water
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional toppings shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, cilantro
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until cooked through. Drain excess grease. This adds flavor and prevents clumping. Skip if short on time.
- Prep the Veggies: Chop the onion and bell pepper. Mince the garlic.
- Layer in Crockpot: Add browned beef, onion, garlic, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, corn, and bell pepper to the crockpot.
- Season and Add Broth: Sprinkle in taco seasoning, salt, and pepper. Pour in beef broth.
- Mix Well: Stir all ingredients to combine evenly.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Shred (Optional): Use two forks to shred beef before serving for a shredded texture.
- Serve: Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
