It’s 6:30 p.m., and you’ve just come home from work. The kids are hungry. There’s nothing to prepare. Or is there? If you’ve got ground beef, you’ve got a meal, even if there is little else in the pantry or refrigerator. You might also try these ideas when you have plenty of unique ingredients on hand; your next super-secret, family favorite recipe might be just around the corner, since these recipes encourage substitution and experimentation.
Hamburger Soup
If you have tomato products available, try hamburger soup — it’ll take the chill off even the coldest winter day. A rich and hearty meal, its preparation is simple: grab a pound (or more) of hamburger meat, brown it in a skillet, then throw it in a large pot. Add a liquid base. Tomato sauce, about five small or two medium cans, works well. So does a medium can of crushed tomatoes or tomato paste mixed with the same amount of water. You can even add two cups of water and a couple of freshly diced raw tomatoes. Bring the soup to a simmer and add vegetables, either canned or fresh. Potatoes, green beans and peas work well, but almost anything you have on hand is fine. Serve alone or with crackers, sliced bread, corn bread, or biscuits.
Meatballs
You need very little to throw meatballs together. Add an egg and a quarter cup of breadcrumbs to each pound of meat you have, shape into balls, and place in a skillet to brown. And if you don’t have eggs, omit them and the breadcrumbs, then shape and brown. Create a sauce while the meat is browning. Start with a cup of catsup and add a quarter cup of soy sauce, a dash of Worcestershire sauce, and a quarter cup of brown sugar. Missing ingredients? Start with the catsup and build a base to taste using ingredients found in your refrigerator, such as sweet mustard, steak sauce, or whatever is on hand. Place the meatballs in the sauce and simmer until they’re cooked through, about 20 to 25 minutes. Serve with a vegetable and potatoes or buttered noodles.
Cheesy Hamburger Patties
You might not keep hamburger buns in the house, but you can still serve hamburger patties. Prepare and season your meat mixture, either with egg or without, then halve it. Create the same number of patties from each half. Now, get creative. Place cheese, cream cheese, jalapeños or olives on one half, then place the second half on top and seal by pinching the edges together. Cook the patties on the grill or in a skillet, being careful not to break them open. Serve with a salad, mashed potatoes, chips or vegetables.
Meatloaf
With seasoning, an egg, and ground beef, you can have meatloaf. Mix a pound and a half of meat, an egg, a quarter cup of breadcrumbs (optional) and seasoning in a bowl. Line a medium-sized loaf pan with two slices of bread, which will soak up some of the grease for a leaner meal. Place the meat in a loaf pan and cook for 50 to 55 minutes at 350 degrees. Top with plain catsup or catsup mixed with a touch of brown sugar and serve with vegetables, noodles or potatoes.