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As autumn arrives, the smell of slow-cooked ground beef fills your home. It’s perfect for spaghetti sauce, sloppy joes, or chili. The slow cooker makes ground beef into delicious meals your family will enjoy.
With a few ingredients and some time, you can make ground beef in your slow cooker. It’s amazing. It’s great for Mexican dishes like enchiladas and tacos. It’s also perfect for comforting meals like beef stew and meatballs.
Slow Cooker Ground Beef Spaghetti Sauce
Make your pasta night memorable with this slow cooker spaghetti sauce. It’s made with ground beef and Italian sausage. You can use it with any pasta shape you like.
The secret to this freezer-friendly sauce is slow cooking. Let it simmer in your crockpot for 6 hours on low. You’ll get a rich, flavorful tomato sauce.
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Ground Beef Spaghetti Sauce
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- One yellow onion, diced
- 1 white onion, diced
- 4-6 cloves of garlic, minced
- One 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes
- Two 15-ounce cans of tomato sauce
- Two 6-ounce cans of tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- Two tablespoons sugar
- Two teaspoons of dried basil
- Two teaspoons of dried oregano
- One teaspoon of fennel seeds
- One teaspoon of dried parsley flakes
- One teaspoon of onion powder
- One teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
After cooking, let the sauce cool. Then, put it in a freezer-safe container. Cover and freeze for up to 3 months. It’s ready for a quick ground beef sausage sauce meal anytime.
Tamale-Style Ground Beef Casserole
Get ready to enjoy the flavors of tamales without the hassle. This ground beef casserole with a tamale-style twist is perfect for your slow cooker. It’s a delicious mix of seasoned ground beef, cornmeal, and melted cheese that will satisfy your Tex-Mex cravings.
The secret to this Mexican-inspired casserole is the cornmeal-beef mixture. It gives it the signature tamale texture. Layer the mixture in your slow cooker, then top it with melted cheese, sour cream, and diced jalapeños for a burst of flavor.
This dish is easy because you don’t have to prepare individual tamales. The slow cooker does all the work, blending the flavors over a few hours. Serve it with your favorite toppings, like sliced avocado, fresh cilantro, and crushed tortilla chips, for a satisfying Tex-Mex experience.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ground beef (90/10 lean) | 1 1/4 lb. |
| Black beans, rinsed and drained | 15-ounce can |
| Mexican cheese blend | 8-ounce package (approximately 2 cups) |
| Cornmeal | 1/2 cup |
| Avocado, sliced | 1 medium (8 oz.) |
Prepare this tamale-style casserole in your slow cooker for a hassle-free, flavorful meal. Your family will love it, and you’ll enjoy the taste of tamales without all the work!
Classic Slow Cooker Sloppy Joe
Sloppy Joes have been a favorite family meal since the 1930s and 40s. The classic slow cooker version is the epitome of comforting Crockpot cooking. It’s made with ground beef, onions, and green peppers, showing how your slow cooker can turn simple ingredients into a delicious dish.
To make these slow cooker sloppy joes, start by browning the ground beef in a skillet. Once cooked, transfer it to your crockpot. Add diced onions, green peppers, tomato sauce, ketchup, barbecue sauce, and herbs and spices. Let it cook for 2-3 hours on high or 4-6 hours on low. You’ll get a rich, flavorful sloppy joe filling perfect for soft, toasted buns.
If you want to lighten it up, use ground turkey for a sloppy Jane version. Whichever protein you choose, drain any excess grease before adding it to the slow cooker. If the sauce is too thin, whisk in a small amount of cornstarch or flour until it thickens.
Sloppy Joes are the ultimate in crockpot comfort food. Serve them with extra toppings like sweet pickles, onions, and more. This tasty, easy meal is sure to please the whole family.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ground Beef | 2 lbs |
| Green Bell Pepper | 1 |
| Onion | 1/2 |
| Garlic Cloves | 2 |
| Tomato Sauce | 8 oz |
| Ketchup | 1/2 cup |
| BBQ Sauce | 1/2 cup |
| Herb and Garlic Seasoning | 1 tbsp |
The slow cooker cooking time for these ground beef sloppy joes is 2-3 hours on high or 4-6 hours on low. Leftover sloppy joe sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. This recipe serves eight people, with each serving containing approximately 264 calories.
“Sloppy Joes are the ultimate in crockpot comfort food. Serve them up with plenty of extra toppings and get ready to enjoy a tasty, easy-to-prepare meal that’s sure to be a hit with the whole family.”
Quinoa and Black Bean Chili
Chili lovers, rejoice! This hearty slow cooker chili recipe gets a nutritional boost from quinoa. The nutty, protein-rich grain pairs well with ground beef and black beans. It makes a quinoa chili that’s both satisfying and wholesome.
To make this black bean chili:
- Start by sautéing onions and garlic in olive oil.
- Add spices like chili powder, cumin, and paprika.
- Add diced tomatoes, black beans, and vegetable broth.
The quinoa cooks in the slow cooker, soaking up all the flavors.
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Vegetable Broth | 2 ½ cups (600ml) |
| Uncooked Quinoa | ½ cup (90g) |
| Black Beans, drained | 15 oz can (425g) |
| Diced Tomatoes | 14 oz can (411g) |
| Red Bell Pepper, chopped | ¼ cup (35.43g) |
| Green Bell Pepper, chopped | ¼ cup (35.43g) |
| Onion, chopped | ½ cup (42.52g) |
| Vegan Cashew Sour Cream | ½ cup soaked cashews, 3-4 tbsp water |
For a vegetarian version, just leave out the ground beef. You can make it spicier by adding more jalapeños or hot sauce. And remember, excellent toppings like sour cream or avocado help balance the heat.
This quinoa chili is not just tasty but also full of nutrients and fiber. It’s great for a cozy night in or a crowd-pleasing dish for game day. Its hearty ingredients and customizable spice level make it perfect for any occasion.
slow cooker ground beef
Making slow cooker cabbage rolls is super easy with your slow cooker. Just fill crisp-tender cabbage leaves with a tasty ground beef and rice mix. Then, let the slow cooker do the rest. This way, you get to enjoy delicious flavors without all the hard work.
To make these slow cooker ground beef cabbage rolls:
- Mix ground beef, rice, onions, and spices like chili powder and garlic powder.
- Wrap this mix in cabbage leaves and place them in your slow cooker.
- Add a sauce made from tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth.
- Let it cook for a few hours.
This dish is both comforting and satisfying. Serve it over mashed potatoes or with crusty bread for a complete meal. Adding cream cheese towards the end makes it even creamier.
Want to try something different? Use ground turkey or mix beef and pork. You can also add diced peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms to the filling. The options are endless for your slow cooker ground beef cabbage rolls.
Give this easy recipe a try. Your slow cooker makes homemade cabbage rolls easy and delicious. Impress your loved ones with your slow-cooked creations!
Beef and Vegetable Stew
When it gets cold outside, a slow cooker beef stew is perfect to warm you up. This ground beef stew is easy to make and full of hearty veggies and rich flavors. Your family will definitely want more.
This slow cooker beef and vegetable stew uses browned ground beef, tender potatoes, carrots, and a tasty broth. You’ll need 1 pound of ground beef, three large russet potatoes, and three large carrots. For the broth, use 2 cups of beef broth, 6 ounces of tomato paste, and 14.5 ounces of petite diced tomatoes in juice.
The secret to this slow cooker beef stew is the seasoning. It’s seasoned with two teaspoons of sugar, two teaspoons of Italian seasoning, 1 1/2 teaspoons of garlic salt, one teaspoon of pepper, and one teaspoon of onion powder. Let it simmer for 6 hours on low or 4 hours on high. This lets the flavors mix perfectly.
The end result is a hearty beef stew full of flavor and texture. Serve it with crusty bread or cornbread for a cozy meal. This slow cooker beef and vegetable stew will be a hit on cold days when you need warmth and nourishment.
Layered Beef Enchilada Casserole
If you’re craving a comforting and flavorful Mexican dish, this slow cooker layered enchilada casserole is perfect. You can use flour or corn tortillas, whichever you like. You can also mix enchilada sauce for a more accessible option instead of tomatoes, chiles, and spices with the ground beef.
Slow Cooker Perfection
This slow cooker enchilada casserole is great for families. It’s easy to make and has delicious layers of beef and tortillas. You’ll love how simple it is to make a tasty ground beef enchilada casserole for dinner.
Once you get the hang of this basic recipe, you can add your favorite toppings. Try shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, or fresh cilantro. You can also use ground turkey or shredded chicken for a change. The slow cooker makes it easy and flexible.
“This layered enchilada casserole is a game-changer! The slow cooker makes it so easy, and the flavor is out of this world.”
This slow cooker enchilada casserole is a hit with its layers of tortillas, seasoned ground beef, and melted cheese. Serve it with a fresh salad or Mexican rice for a complete meal. Prepare to impress your taste buds with this easy yet tasty slow cooker dish!
Italian-Style Beef Meatballs
Indulge in the tender, juicy Italian meatballs made in your slow cooker. These beef meatballs are a classic comfort food. They’re great on pasta or as a tasty appetizer.
The secret to delicious slow cooker meatballs is the right mix of ingredients. Ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, milk, and egg come together. Add herbs and spices like parsley, oregano, garlic, and onion powder for that authentic Italian taste.
Slow cooking these beef meatballs makes them tender and flavorful. Unlike oven-baked ones, which take 20-25 minutes, slow cooking only takes 3-4 hours.
Enjoy these Italian meatballs on spaghetti, in a sub, or as an appetizer. They keep well in the fridge for 7 days or in the freezer for 6 months. This makes them perfect for quick meals.
“The best meatballs are held together with breadcrumbs and a touch of egg. When you cook these beefy meatballs in the slow cooker, they become even more tender and flavorful.”
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Ttotal Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 16
Calories per serving: 98 kcal
Ingredients for Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup milk
- One large egg
- One teaspoon of dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
Ingredients for Sauce:
- 1 ½ cup onions, diced
- Ten cloves garlic, minced
- Two cans (28 oz each) of tomato sauce
- Two cans (28 oz each) of crushed tomatoes
- Two teaspoons salt
- Two teaspoons of garlic powder
- One teaspoon basil
- One teaspoon of Italian seasoning
- One teaspoon parsley
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Enjoy the rich, savory flavors of these slow cooker meatballs in your Italian-inspired dishes. They’re perfect with pasta, on a sandwich, or as a standalone appetizer. These beef meatballs are sure to delight.
Conclusion
Cooking ground beef in the slow cooker is a game-changer. It makes delicious, time-saving meals easy to make. With the right seasonings and a few hours, you can turn ground beef into many tasty dishes.
These dishes range from spaghetti sauce to sloppy joes and stews. The slow cooker makes ground beef tender and versatile. It’s great for busy weeknights or relaxed weekends.
Try different seasonings and mix-ins to make the recipes your own. This way, you can enjoy the convenience of having a big batch ready for the week. Whether you need easy meals or something quick, the slow cooker has many options.
Use the slow cooker’s versatility to make meal planning easier. You’ll always have a delicious, nutritious meal ready. With a bit of prep and your slow cooker, you’ll make meals that everyone will love.
FAQ
What are some delicious slow cooker ground beef recipes?
Explore a range of tasty slow cooker ground beef recipes. Try spaghetti sauce, tamale-style casserole, and classic sloppy joes. Also, enjoy quinoa and black bean chili, cabbage rolls, beef and vegetable stew, layered enchilada casserole, and Italian-style meatballs.
How can I make a hearty slow cooker spaghetti sauce with ground beef?
Make a rich spaghetti sauce with ground beef and Italian sausage. It’s perfect over pasta. Plus, it freezes well so that you can enjoy it for months.
What is a tamale-style ground beef casserole?
This casserole tastes like tamales but is quicker to make. It’s a mix of ground beef and cornmeal, layered with cheese, sour cream, and jalapeños. It’s a flavorful Tex-Mex dish.
How do I make classic slow cooker sloppy joes?
Classic sloppy joes are a comfort food favorite. They’re made with ground beef, onions, and green peppers. For a lighter option, use ground turkey instead.
Can I make chili in the slow cooker with ground beef and quinoa?
Yes, you can make chili with ground beef and quinoa. Quinoa adds protein and nutrients. You can also make it vegetarian by skipping the beef.
How do I make slow cooker cabbage rolls with ground beef?
Slow cooker cabbage rolls are easy to make. Just roll ground beef and rice in cabbage leaves. Then, let the slow cooker cook them.
What is a slow cooker beef and vegetable stew?
This stew is a simple, one-pot meal for cold days. Brown the ground beef first. Then, add frozen veggies and pantry staples to the slow cooker.
How do I make a layered, slow cooker enchilada casserole with ground beef?
This casserole is a family-friendly dish. Use flour or corn tortillas. Mix in enchilada sauce for a more straightforward recipe.
How do I make Italian-style meatballs with slow cooker ground beef?
Meatballs are best with breadcrumbs and eggs. Cooking them in the slow cooker makes them tender and flavorful.