Meal Planning with Ground Beef: 5 Recipes to Try

I’m fairly certain that you know how difficult it is to eat healthy, home-cooked meals during a busy week. There’s simply no time! That’s where the magic of meal prepping comes in! Today, we’re going to explore the wonderful world of ground beef, a versatile and budget-friendly ingredient that can transform your meal prep game.

Ground beef is a true kitchen hero, offering endless possibilities for creating delicious and satisfying dishes. With a little planning and some simple recipes, you can have a week’s worth of healthy and flavorful meals ready to go in no time. So, let’s roll up our sleeves and get cooking!

1. Mediterranean Beef & Orzo Salad

This vibrant and refreshing salad is packed with Mediterranean flavors and textures. It’s a perfect light lunch or dinner option that will keep you feeling energized throughout the week.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs (dill and parsley)
• Lemon vinaigrette (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions

1. Cook the orzo according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Drain any excess grease.
3. In a large bowl, combine the cooked orzo, ground beef, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, red onion, and fresh herbs.
4. Toss the salad with lemon vinaigrette until well coated.
5. Divide the salad into individual containers and refrigerate.

Meal Prep Tip

To keep the salad fresh for longer, store the lemon vinaigrette separately in a small container or drizzle it over individual portions just before serving. This will prevent the orzo from becoming soggy.

2. Asian-Inspired Beef Lettuce Wraps

These lettuce wraps are a fun and healthy way to enjoy Asian-inspired flavors. They’re also a great option for those following low-carb or gluten-free diets.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• Sriracha (optional, to taste)
• Lettuce leaves (butter lettuce or Bibb lettuce work well)
• 2 carrots, shredded
• 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 3 green onions, chopped

Instructions

1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Drain any excess grease.
2. Add the ginger and garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional minute, until fragrant.
3. Stir in the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and Sriracha (if using). Simmer for a few minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly.
4. Wash and prepare the lettuce leaves.
5. To assemble the lettuce wraps, spoon the beef mixture into the lettuce leaves and top with shredded carrots, bell pepper, and green onions.

Meal Prep Tip

For optimal freshness and crispness, store the beef filling, shredded vegetables, and lettuce leaves separately in airtight containers. Assemble the lettuce wraps just before eating.

3. Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Mexican Beef

These stuffed sweet potatoes are a hearty and satisfying meal that’s packed with flavor. They’re also a great way to sneak in some extra veggies!

Ingredients

• 4 medium sweet potatoes
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
• Salsa, for serving
• Avocado, diced, for serving
• Cilantro, chopped, for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pierce the sweet potatoes with a fork and bake for 45-60 minutes, or until tender.
2. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Drain any excess grease.
3. Stir in the taco seasoning and cook for an additional minute, until fragrant.
4. Add the black beans and corn to the skillet and cook until heated through.
5. Cut a slit lengthwise in the top of each baked sweet potato. Fluff the flesh with a fork.
6. Fill each sweet potato with the beef mixture. Top with salsa, avocado, and cilantro.

Meal Prep Tip

Bake a large batch of sweet potatoes at the beginning of the week and store them in the refrigerator. Prepare the Mexican beef filling and store it separately. When ready to eat, simply reheat both components and assemble!

4. Beef & Veggie Frittata Muffins

These frittata muffins are a fantastic grab-and-go breakfast or snack option. They’re packed with protein and veggies, and they’re super easy to make!

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 10 large eggs
• 1 cup chopped spinach
• 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a muffin tin.
2. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Drain any excess grease.
3. Add the spinach, bell pepper, and onion to the skillet and cook until softened.
4. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, cheese, salt, and pepper.
5. Stir the beef and veggie mixture into the egg mixture.
6. Divide the mixture evenly among the muffin tins.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until set.

Meal Prep Tip

These muffins freeze beautifully! Bake a big batch, let them cool completely, and then freeze them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Grab one or two and reheat in the microwave for a quick and healthy breakfast or snack.

5. Deconstructed Cheeseburger Bowls

Get ready for a fun and interactive meal prep experience with these deconstructed cheeseburger bowls! This recipe is all about customization and letting everyone build their own perfect bowl.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• Cooked rice (or cauliflower rice, for a low-carb option)
• Shredded lettuce
• Diced tomatoes
• Pickles, chopped
• Shredded cheese
• “Special sauce” (mix of mayo, ketchup, mustard, and relish)

Instructions

1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Drain any excess grease and season to taste.
2. Prepare the rice or cauliflower rice according to package directions.
3. Wash and chop the lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles.
4. Prepare the “special sauce” by mixing together mayo, ketchup, mustard, and relish.
5. To assemble the bowls, layer the ingredients, starting with rice or cauliflower rice, then ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, cheese, and a drizzle of special sauce.

Meal Prep Tip

Cook a large batch of rice or cauliflower rice at the beginning of the week. Portion out the ground beef, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, chopped pickles, shredded cheese, and special sauce into separate containers. When it’s time to eat, simply let everyone assemble their own bowl with their desired portions of each ingredient.

Conclusion

So there you have it – meal prepping with ground beef doesn’t have to be boring or repetitive! These five recipes offer a delicious variety to keep your taste buds happy and your weeknights stress-free. With some planning and simple meal prep tips, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying wholesome, home-cooked meals even on the busiest days.