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Savory Ground Beef with Fillers Recipe

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A budget-friendly, hearty ground beef recipe stretched with fillers like breadcrumbs and beans for a flavorful, satisfying meal perfect for weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 or leaner)
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (about 50g), plain or seasoned
  • 1/2 cup cooked or canned beans (130g), drained and rinsed (black beans or kidney beans)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1/4 cup milk or dairy-free alternative (60ml)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil

Instructions

  1. Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic. Drain and rinse the beans, then lightly mash them with a fork or potato masher, leaving some texture. Beat the egg in a small bowl.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, mashed beans, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, garlic, beaten egg, and milk. Add Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper.
  3. Mix gently but thoroughly using hands or a wooden spoon until just combined. The mixture should feel moist but hold its shape when pressed.
  4. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Warm until shimmering but not smoking.
  5. Spoon the mixture into the pan in small batches or as one large patty. Break apart with a spatula to create crumbles. Cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes, then stir and continue cooking until browned and cooked through, about 15-20 minutes total.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or Worcestershire sauce if needed.
  7. Optional: Stir in a splash of beef broth or tomato sauce and simmer for 2-3 minutes for a saucier dish.

Notes

Do not overmix the meat to avoid tough texture. Use fillers like beans or oats to stretch the beef and add moisture. Brown meat in batches to avoid steaming. Adjust moisture with breadcrumbs or milk as needed. Leftovers reheat well with a splash of broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef recipe, budget dinner, easy dinner, fillers, beans, breadcrumbs, quick meal, savory beef, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://siennaspoon.com/savory-ground-beef-with-fillers-recipe-easy-budget-friendly-dinner-idea/