Healthy Ground Meat Meals

Fyi... Red meat isn't good to eat on a daily basis. Chicken, fish, and turkey are much lower in fat and easier for your body to digest.
One recipe that I do love made with ground beef is Picadillo. It's a traditional Cuban meal consisting of ground beef over rice. It is DELICIOUS!!! You can use brown rice instead of white. Also for pasta we now use the gold Barilla box . Dont remember what it's called and I dont have any here to check right now. But I actually like the consistency of it better than regular pasta. I am one that does not like the taste or consistency of wheat pasta, so I was thrilled to discover this one. It is high in fiber.
Also for tacos... the Mission brand of tortillas has one that is very high in fiber... 11 grams to be exact for one tortilla. It is called Carb Balance with a light blue label. They are very good.
Remember... high fiber, no sugar, lots of fruit and veggies with every meal!
Happy Hunting. : )

Healthy portion controlled meatloafs.

MIx about 1-lb uncooked ground meat with sauteed veggies (acrrots, green peppers, celery and onion even used zuccinni before). Add 1 -2 cups cooked brown rice, 2 eggs a small can of tomato sauce (check for consistence after this) if too dry add some water - too wet add some bread crumbs or more brown rice.

Fill sprayed muffin tins. Top with a squirt of ketchup or remaining tomato sauce. Bake 350 until browned and cooked through.

Cheapskate monthly's Mary Hunt suggests boiling large quantities of meat then packaging in 1 lb freezer bags to use later.

I make crock-pot enchiladas.
Spray crock-pot liner.
Layer enchilada sauce (have used regular salsa but like flavor of ench. sauce), corn tortillas, meat, rinsed black beans, cheese ending with more sauce and cheese.
Serve with a salad.

Stuffed Peppers

Green peppers cut in half and clean out insides (I cut in half from stem to bottom so there are more servings).
Stuff with a mix of ground beef, tomato sauce, sauteed onions, rinsed black beans and cooked brown rice.
Cover with more tomato sauce, place foil over, bake in over 350 until peppers are done. I usually used cook ground beef because it is faster but some of the flavor is lost because the meat has been drained. *My mother in law uses a box of zataran's dirty rice to stuff her peppers with. Lots of sodium but easy and very tasty.

Mom always made hamburger patties and topped with a can of cream of mushroom soup then covered and let simmer to make a sauce. Not super healthy but a way to use ground beef.

***My advice is to make veggies your main meal focus and add the meat as the side. Saves money and fat. I started keeping cut veggies in the fridge - carrots, celery, radishes, broccoli, cauliflower and serve with hummus or made at home ranch dip. My kids love it and I like the veggies w/ hummus. We always cook broccoli for dinner, have a salad with dinner (and I mean spinach and romaine with tomatoes and vinegar or homemade caesar). PM if you want the recipe. Try to serve two veggies, a fruit and a small salad then the meat dish. Better yet - put berries, oranges or grapefruit on the salad!

Good luck!

Hi S.,
I have a delicious taco soup recipe. I am not sure of the caloric in-take but you can cut down by not adding cheese,sour cream and tortillia strips before you eat it. It is good without all of that as well.
1 pound lean ground beef
1 onion chopped
1 package of dry ranch style dressing mix
1 package of taco seasoning mix
1 cup water
2-14.5 oz cans of rotell tomatoes and chilies
2-15 oz can pinto beans
1-15 oz can black beans
1-15 oz can of cream style corn
Brown beef with onions in med size pot Drain excess grease. Add remaining ingredients and simmer for 20 min.
This does make a huge pot of soup so when I want to cut down a little I only add 1 can of ro-tell and 1 can of pintos.
Enjoy!! Your only problem should be not wanting seconds!!
J.

Hi S.. This is just a suggestion, but I love this sight! Try going to Sparkpeople.com. It is a FREE websight for weightloss, but it has everything. They have fantastic, healthy recipies of all kinds, plus an exercise tracker for tracking how many calories you burn and a food tracker so you can put in the foods you eat to see how many calories (among other things) that you are consuming. This is such a wonderful sight, even for just the recipies. Good luck to you and your husband on losing weight and becoming more healthy!! If you decide to join, look me up. My name on there is Mel-O-Yellow. I would be glad to help with any questions you might have. Have a blessed day.

I also use ground turkey, but have found that if you use the leanest ground beef (93/7 or 96/4) it is almost as healthy. In Weight Watchers, the points are the same for both. The internet is absolutely the best way to go. Just search "healthy ground beef recipes" and you will come up with an endless amount. Just remember to keep the sodium and sugars to a minimum. I use lots of Mrs. Dash and substitute recipes for things like taco seasoning.

Make goulash....

Brown your meat with a sliced up potato, onions, and garlic and then drain all the fat.

Add a can of diced tomatoes drained, a can of tomato sauce, and some frozen mixed veggies. Season with salt and pepper and let stew for a bit.

It's pretty good and has a lot of veggies.

Some other tips:

You have got to quit using white pasta, right now! Switch to whole wheat ASAP, there is so much fiber and protein in it. Use whole wheat everything... especially bread!

Drink a lot more water!

Go thru your house and get rid of all the junk right now. Do not buy unhealthy items just because they are cheap. Frozen veggies, in season produce, and lean meats are just as cheap as hamburger helper.

Good luck!

When eaten in moderation hamburger helper can be part of a healthy meal plan and it is cheap. Soft tacos are a better choice than corn chips bc the tortillas count as a starch. The chips count as a fat. Here are a couple of things that I make....
Green enchiladas
brown ground beef, drain, wash, return to pan (you can cook onion in w/ meat if desired)
add grn chilies, cream of mushroom soup
spray your baking dish
fill tortillas w/ meat mixture and cheese
fill your baking dish
top the tortillas w/ left over mix and cheese
bake at 350 until everything is hot

something I made up.......
brown ground beef, drain, wash and return to pan
add fresh minced garlic (pressed, whatever)
turn off heat and cover

boil frozen broccoli
make some instant rice

In a bowl add desired amounts of rice, broccoli, and meat mixture.....stir all together and top w/ some soy sauce

This is yummy and very healthy

As with any meal you need to plan a main entree....eaten in moderation with a choice of veggies and fruit makes a really healthy meal.
I go by a diabetic meal plan and eat more than ever, but healthy.....and lose weight. You have to be diciplined in eating on a schedule. The biggest sabotage to weight loss is not staying on a schedule. Each meal should contain protein, starch, fruit, veggie (w/ the exception of breakfast)....twice a day low fat milk and mid morning have a fruit for snack.
Good luck to you! Eating healthy seems expensive, but when you get into the swing of things and get on a schedule you will eat out a lot less and save money. If you need any more tips don't hesitate to contact me.
J.

One of our favorite dishes with ground beef is mixing the cooked/drained beef into Rice A Roni just after you add the water. It keeps the meat moist instead of just mixing it in after the Rice A Roni is cooked. I've used the beef (low sodium), herb & butter, rice pilaf flavors. We often add picante sauce too which is low calorie and good for you.

You received lots of good suggestions, especially the ones about adding veggies to everything, including meatloaf.

My idea is to not make the main course the biggest part of your meals. Try to eat a salad first, drink water, and wait before eating the main course. You will realize that you are not as hungry as you first were. Several small meals a day are better than the three main meals we've been taught is right. I try to eat a high protein breakfast, have some yogurt around 10:00 am, different lunches, some type of snack (preferable high protein) mid-afternoon, then regular dinner (preferably by 7:00 pm). I think you're not supposed to eat after that time, or possibly have more yogurt or an apple/orange if you need a snack. Increasing your exercise/walking will also help your energy levels.

Good Luck to you and your husband!

A.

I also use ground turkey. It's cheaper in most cases that ground sirloin which is what I used to use. A casserole that our family makes is: brown the meat with onion, drain. Boil 4-5 potatoes until soft and slice. Take a can of cream of mushroom soup and add a can of milk to make a gravy mixture (you can use the low-fat gravy and low-fat milk). You will probably need 2 cans to 2 cans of milk. Layer in a casserole dish the meat, sliced potatoes, low-fat mozzarella cheese, frozen veggies, then the gravy. Probably will get another layer of each in the dish. Top with cheese. Bake in oven at 350 deg until cheese is melted. Yummy good! I change up the veggies depending on whose eating, i.e. my children don't like peas, but like green beans, etc. Good luck!

Eating healthy on a budget is hard but it can happen. Remember to always wash (yes wash) your ground meat after you cook it. That will take all the extra grease off the meat. I put my cooked ground meat in the strainer and literally run very hot water over it and then pat it dry.
Also when making spaghetti make sure you use whole grain noodles and don't over do it with the meat. You should also serve a small salad with your meals because you need the extra veggies. A wonderful salad dressing to use on your salad is the Salad Spritzers. THere are several different flavors and they are very good and cheap. Also to make your tacos a little more on the healty side try using a can of Rotel instead of the taco seasoning. That adds veggies and cuts down on some of the sodium. Make sure you have copped lettuce to go on them and cut out the cheese or use reduced fat cheese. I am not a fan of the fat free chesse products but love the fat free sour cream on tacos and taco salad. A nice veggie soup w/ gound meat would be good for you. Again wash your ground meat and add tomatoe sauce, Rotel tomatoes, cabbage, carrots, green beans, etc. You can also use the ground meat with just a can of Rotel and make a "sloppy joe" out of it. You can put that on a nice wheat bun and it would be great. You can also do a nice rice dish w/ ground meat. The best rice out there is Uncle Bens Whole Grain rice. Make your rice and add ground meat. You can also add some cooked onion and diced tomatoes and serve with a small salad. One other suggestion is brown your meat (wash it) mix in a can of Rotel and place the mixture in a bell pepper. Cook it in the oven on 350 for about 30 minutes or until the pepper is soft. Cooking the meat first will cut WAY down on the fat and the juice of the Rotel will keep the meat from drying out while cooking. I am a BIG fan of using Rotel because is has veggies and it spices your food up so it is not so blan. It truly is great stuff and it comes in mild, hot, original and one with cilantro. Another great ingredient is garlic. You can add garlic to anything and it give it a great flavor. ALso get a bottle of Mrs Dash seasoning. It is salt free and full of flavor. You can add it to your favorite steamed veggie and it is wonderful. Another great topping for steamed veggies is chopped cilantro with some lemon juice. You cook it for a few just a few minutes and pour over the veggie. Is may sound a little weired but it is really tasty. Just remember to eat more veggies and cut down on the portions of meat. Your plate should consist of more veggies than meat. You should also try buying a bag of the store brand frozen chicken breats. Chicken is not expensive and you can do many things with it.

I have a great recipe! Brown 1 lb hamburger meat. Then cut up different kind of veggies that you like. I always use frest mushrooms, cucumbers, tomatoes and red onions. Put meat and veggies in a big bowl. Drain 1 can of red kidney beans and pour in the the bowl with everything else. Pour about 1/2 cup to grated cheese (you can get fat free cheese I believe). Use about a 1/4 of a bottle of fat free catilina dressing. The fat free in this is WONDERFUL, it's the only dressing I can eat fat free! A 1/4 may be a little much, you just to start pouring and stirring and tasting to see how much you want in it. You serve this with fat free or baked dorito chips. My husband and I always crunch our doritos in the bottom of our bowl, then scoop the mixture on top and stir it. Tah Dah! This is probably one recipe I have got the most compliments on, and everyone ask the recipe. My mom actually came up with it, and I have just used it for years since I have been an adult! It was always my favorite when I was a kid! Gotta love moms!

I will share one of my healthy Gr Beef receipes with you Take a Glass mixing bowl add Gr Beef, finely chopped onion, jalapeno or Bell Pepper any colored, Garlic,Ginger, cilantro and finely chopped Mint leaves, salt / pepper, paprika / Ground cinnamon spread this mixture in a baking Pan and decorate it with thin slices of Tomoato... Broil or Bake in the oven till Brown.. Eat with a nice Greek or any other healthy Salad...

I am a single mom and I often cook with hamburger meat as well. I will take the hamburger and fry it along with sliced potatoes drain it and then add taco seasoning and make a soft taco with cheese. I also buy Velveta Macoroni and cheese and cook it while frying the hamburger meat(seperate) when all is done I mix it all together with a can of Rotel, my kids love both of these things. I know its not really healthy but it works and its hard to fix healthy with hamburger meat. Also you can make patties and fry them with onions on top and then simmer in brown gravy once the burgers are done, I call it hamburger steak.

Not sure the caloric amount, but meatloaf is pretty easy. You can add chopped veggies in it. My grandmother used to put carrots and celery in hers. (I thought it was yucky, but some people like it)

Hi S., I understand your situation , been there and it isn't fun, but it is possible. I used to cook the meat and please drain it on towels to remove the grease. I have used celery, noodles,onions,tomatoes,and or tomato sauce, then mix together or forget the noodles and go with a rice sometimes. We just always called it my goulash ?
However all that was before the days of internet, so now, go to Kraft Kitchen, and look for recipes, or there's a place to ask them to remake one for you that is healthy. Mayo Clinic also has dieticions ? and you tell them if you're watching sodium, or fats, or carbs. then print it out. Quick and good too. Hope this helps.

I would advise against Ramen meals. They have MSG in the seasoning packets which is never digested. That will not help you lose weight. Try using half a pound of ground beef with your meals and eat mostly veggies on the side. For example if you make tacos add corn or tomatoes to stretch out the filling and for hamburgers add oats.

Good luck!

There are two tricks I learned for getting the fat off the ground beef. First, throw a pound in a pot of water and boil it till it's cooked. Stir it from time to time to help break it up, but don't worry, it'll cook all the way through and you can crumble afterwards, then mix into whatever you're making.

Second, cook it in a skillet, drain it, then rinse it in a collander under hot water. You will loose a little meat.

For both, it will take away some of the flavor, but fat is where the flavor is so... you can add Knorr's Beef Flavor, just a little and it'll make up for the lack of fat.

Easy recipes.. Asian Beef and Noodles. Made with Ramen (also cheap) and tastes yummy.

http://www.cooksrecipes.com/gmeat/asian_beef_&_noodle...

S. you must try a taco soup receipe. It has all the great high figer beans, corn, stewed tomatoes and beef. The great thing about this receipe is that you can modify it however you like, my sister puts a lot of fresh veggies and peppers in hers. I just use the basic because it is so cheap!! Plus it makes the best leftovers ever!!!

I make a meat loaf that is fairly healthy.

1 lb of ground beef (the leaner the better)
1 can of Rotel tomatoes
1 egg
Saltine crackers (crushed)

Just mix everything up. Add as many crackers as you need, but just make sure you don't add enough that it is dry. (I think I usually use 3/4 sleeve. I also put cheese in the middle (cheddar block), but that may add unwanted fat for you. Bake at 375 for 50-60 minutes.

My husband never liked meat loaf until I made this. We use hot Rotel b/c we like spicey.

Go to Allrecipes.com, they have a hugh varity of recipes. Ground beef is good but alot of recipes tend to be high in fat, but chicken breast from Sams is a bit more but you can really make it stretch out for casseroles, soups, etc. Also pound out the chicken breast and then you can get 2 servings from one breast. It is alot healthier and averages out to about the same.

Taco Soup

2 lb. Hamburger (or 1 lb. Hamburger and 1 lb. Venison)
2 Cans Ranch Style Beans (not drained)
1 Pkg Taco Seasoning
1 Pkg Hidden Valley Ranch Mix
1 Can Whole Kernel Corn (not drained)
3 Cans Stewed Tomatoes
1 Can Rotel Tomatoes (The degree of “heat” is up to you)
½ or so Medium Chopped Onion
Chile Powder (season to taste, start with 1 tsp.)
Topped with Shredded Cheese (or use sliced cheese on crackers)

Brown meat and onion. Drain. Add rest of ingredients (except Cheese) and simmer til hot. Top with Cheese & Serve with hot tortillas with butter or just crackers.

meatloaf, beef enchiladas, marzetti. try allrecipes.com they have great recipes on there
you may have already heard this, but if you are looking to make extra money you could think about selling Avon. I started when my daughter was 4 months old because I wanted to stay at home with her and we were broke too. I started in Aug 07. I have not went back to work and now i make more than I did before I had my baby. It's so easy, I only work about 10 hours a week. look at my website www.youravon.com/suzannewebb or email me ____@____.com and I would be happy to forward you some info. there is no commitments, no need to buy stock and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg to start up....only $10. with that you get everything you need to start. I know how you feel...I hate not having money to do things. hope to hear from you

I like stroganoff its easy to make home made just cook hamburger meat drain greese add about 2 cups water and beef bullion to taste or 2 cups beef broth either one I prefer the bullion richer flavor then add 1 cup milk you can add sliced potatoes or nooodles which ever you like cook till it starts to boil then turn it down and let it simmer or slow cook til potatoes or noodles are done its great. lasagna is another option layer spaghetti sauce with meat already cooked with mozzerella cheese cottage cheese spinach and cooked lasagna noodles then bake 35-50 min depending on your oven to ensure its hhot all the way through

I never never ground meat anymore I use ground turkey which is a lot healthier and better for you.

I suggest hamburgers, meat loaf, spagettie, tacos, meat balls, casseroles.

Good Luck and i hope this helps.

no clue myself-
I feel for ya, we are in the same spot, so I will be checking for good posts.
but have you checked allrecipies you can go to the advanced search side and put in ground beef and what ever else you may have.. like corn or noodles and see what it comes up with you can also put what you dont want like noodles if to fatting for ya
good luck :)

If you are a spaghetti person but want to cut down on the calories of the pasta, try spaghetti squash! This is what I do:

Cook the spaghettic squash but cutting in half lengthwise. Put it cut-side down in a microwaveable dish with a bit of water. Microwave for 10-12 minutes (or until soft). Do the same for the other half. When done, scoop out the 'spaghetti' with a fork and/or large spoon. You should be able to get quite a bit out of one squash.

Now what to put with it:

I saute together onions, garlic, and just about whatever else I have on hand. Earlier this week I also threw in some green peppers, red peppers, & diced tomatoes. Add seasoning to taste. Brown meat. Mix all ingredients together (squash, vegetables, meat). This is pretty low in calories & fat. I usually add in a bit of cheese and then a bit on top. Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes. This served my husband, myself, our 3 little boys for 2 dinners. Yum!

I think you should try to buy ground turkey instead of ground beef. It's healthier and cheaper. You can't tell a difference in the taste when you cook with it either. I've put it in spaghetti and tacos and my husband doesn't even know the difference. If you're trying to lose weight I would definitly stay away from ground beef. However, to use up what you have, you can go to Allrecipes.com to find new recipes. They have a section called Healthy living that will give you low calorie recipes. I hope this helps.

I have to do the same thing (short on money). What i try to do is make what i can. The good thing is to make you some beans, smash with beaters & add cooked hamburger meat, Put on corn tortillias' You have some good burritos. Then i try & walk that helps a lot. My husband & i are over weight as well plus cholesterol. So we have to be careful. You can add tomatoes ,onions etc.. on the burritos.Always drain the grease!

We make quesadilla's with ground meat. I could go on but you could try www.kraftfoods.com. They have many healthy meal choices that are easy to make. You can sign up for thier free cookbook that they send out each season.

Oh, my son also enjoy's mac and cheese with meat. I also add sauted tomatoes, squash and zuchinni to this.

Hope this helps a little.

Be careful on your choice of beef. A healthier choice would be grass fed (we sell this) and or the leanest meat you can find.