Better Homes And Gardens Lasagna Bolognese

Beef Stew with Cheddar Biscuits

Credit: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Ground beef is one of the most versatile and affordable meats to cook with, especially when you're trying to get dinner on the table fast. It's a staple ingredient that you can stock the freezer with, and rely on at any moment's notice for an easy and satisfying dinner without stressing a lengthy cook time. Whether you are in the mood for a casserole, burgers, or even a salad, ground beef has got you covered. You can sauce it, stew it, bake it, and crumble it for an unlimited list of crave-worthy dishes. Here are some of our favorites.

Taco-Tot Casserole

Taco-Tot Casserole image

Credit: Gina DeSimone; Food Styling: Blakeslee Giles; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Taco-Tot Casserole Recipe

Tex-Mex meets tater tots in this easy, inexpensive, and all-around comforting one-dish dinner. Our spicy twist on the classic tater tot casserole consists of a succulent ground beef filling—featuring creamy black beans, crisp-sweet corn, cheese, and mild green chiles for a kick—topped with crispy tater tots, and finished with a drizzle of an addictively spicy and tangy sour cream sauce. Top this fiesta of a casserole with fresh garnishes, such as avocado, tomato, jalapeño, and cilantro, and it's as perfect to serve at your next football feast as it is for a casual weeknight meal. We use 85/15 lean ground beef for this recipe and recommend that you do not go with anything leaner, as the higher fat percentage both contributes to the filling's rich flavor and keeps it from drying out while baking.

Pan-Fried Beef and Scallion Dumplings

Pan-Fried Beef and Scallion Dumplings image

Credit: Gina DeSimone; Food Styling: Paige Grandjean; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Pan-Fried Beef and Scallion Dumplings Recipe

These easy beef dumplings are an excellent use for extra-lean ground beef, and are great served as an appetizer or as a simple entree alongside a couple of vegetable sides, like Sesame-Soy Green Beans or Mixed Mushrooms with Fish Sauce. It's important to use a leaner ratio of ground beef for this recipe in order to avoid excessive grease releasing during the steaming process .(If your beef is too fatty, you'll end up with soup dumplings filled with beef grease.) The dumplings can be made a few hours in advance, simply cover with a damp paper towel and hold in the fridge until you're ready to cook.

Ground Beef and Pasta Casserole

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Ground Beef and Pasta Casserole Recipe

This casserole is perfect for your busy week when getting in and out of the kitchen needs to be a snap. With very simple prep work, it will become a weeknight staple in your household.

Quick and Easy Nachos

Economic Nachos image

Credit: Daniel Agee; Food Styling: Julia Levy; Prop Styling: Kashara Johnson

Quick and Easy Nachos Recipe

This platter of goodness represents the lowest-effort end of the homemade nachos spectrum. That said, "low-effort"—by no stretch of the imagination—means a low YUM-factor here. Although this game day-perfect platter of beefy, cheesy nachos comes together quickly and relies largely on store-bought shortcuts, it delivers the classic meld of flavors and textures that you want from everyone's favorite appetizer. For this nachos recipe, we combine the meat and nacho cheese elements to create a Ro*Tel Dip-inspired, beefy cheese sauce. This guarantees an even distribution of the hearty toppings and keeps you from having to crank up the oven. However, if you prefer melted, shredded cheese over a nacho cheese sauce, simply cook your ground beef in a skillet on the stovetop, drain, and distribute over the nachos on a sheet pan. Then, top the platter with shredded cheese and pop it under the broiler until melty and glorious (no Ro*Tel required).

Beef, Cheese, and Noodle Bake

Credit: Lee Harrelson

Beef, Cheese, and Noodle Bake Recipe

Trick the picky "noodles only" eaters at the table with this macaroni and cheese casserole. It's packed with lean sirloin, shredded veggies, and lots of calcium–each serving has 200 milligrams. Serve with a green veggie or side salad.

Burger Patty Salad

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: MIndi Shapiro Levine

Burger Patty Salad Recipe

We love the richness that a little ground lamb offers, but you can use all beef or even ground turkey instead.

Green Chile Tamale Pie

Credit: John Autry; Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

The Cheeseburger Salad

Credit: Jennifer Causey Styling: Claire Spollen

The Cheeseburger Salad Recipe

Classic burger elements become a fast, fun salad--a deconstructed take on a diner favorite. Instead of four burger patties, we cook just two, then chop and sprinkle them over the top. A handful of crushed potato chips adds crunch. Kick up the dressing with a pinch of ground red pepper.

Cowboy-Style Beef and Vegetable Ragout

Cauliflower Polenta

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen

Cowboy-Style Beef and Vegetable Ragout Recipe

Think of this savory meat sauce as a cross between beef stew and sloppy joe filling. Add pearl onions to soups and stir-fries, or saute in a skillet with a little olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and sugar. The perfect pairing for this ragout is our Cauliflower Polenta. While the stock mixture for the polenta comes to a boil, begin cooking the beef mixture. As your finish the ragout, the polenta will be cooking away. The addition of cauliflower to traditional polenta lightens the recipe. To add more vegetables to this ragout, add carrots and parsnips during the fall.

Sheet Pan Beef and Black Bean Nachos

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Sheet Pan Beef and Black Bean Nachos Recipe

Load up the nachos on a baking sheet, then bring straight to the table for easy serving and a great presentation. While we love melted shredded cheese, we found that it makes the nachos a bit unwieldy. Instead, a creamy cheese sauce coats each chip and makes it easier to separate from the pack. Topping potential is endless, but we like sliced avocado and jalapeño.

Meatball and Ziti Bake

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Meatball and Ziti Bake Recipe

Whole-wheat pasta holds up well in this cheesy, saucy pasta bake.

Quinoa Bibimbop Bowls

Quinoa Bibimbop Bowls image

Credit: Jennifer Causey

Quinoa Bibimbop Bowls Recipe

Bibimbop is a Korean dish that means "mixed rice." For this version, we took a hearty grain like quinoa and served it with crunchy vegetables and a fried egg. Jalapeño seeds add heat to the spicy-sweet beef mixture; remove the seeds and membranes before mincing for sensitive palates. Let the family build their own bowls, so this way, everyone's happy.

Spiced Beef Tostadas with Cilantro-Lime Rice

Credit: Greg Dupree; Styling: Claire Spollen

Spiced Beef Tostadas with Cilantro-Lime Rice Recipe

These tostadas are inspired by classic taco night toppers and sides. Our version amps up the spice while keeping sodium numbers in check.

Cheesy Meat Loaf Minis

Credit: Johnny Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

Cheesy Meat Loaf Minis Recipe

We add white cheddar cheese to this comfort-food favorite making it seem more indulgent than it actually is at less than 300 calories per serving (no joke!).

Chorizo-Beef Nachos

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Chorizo-Beef Nachos Recipe

The ultimate crowd-pleaser, nachos were invented in 1943 by a maître d' in Piedras Negras, Mexico (just south of the Texas border). Ignacio "Nacho" Anaya, working a solo shift at the Victory Club restaurant, cobbled together a pile of tortilla chips topped with melted cheese and pickled jalapeños for a group of U.S. military wives in for a snack. His creation became hugely popular, paving the way for massive concession-stand revenues across America.

Southwestern-Style Meatballs

Credit: Greg Dupree; Styling: Claire Spollen

Southwestern-Style Meatballs Recipe

These meatballs are made with onion, minced garlic, corn tortilla, egg, ground sirloin, and chipotle chile.

Chili for a Crowd

Credit: Rob Howard; Styling: Marcus Hay

Chili-Topped Potatoes

Credit: William Dickey; Styling: Cindy Manning Barr

Speedy Shepherd's Pie

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Speedy Shepherd's Pie Recipe

Making the most of supermarket convenience items gets this family favorite on the table in a flash. Precut matchstick carrots are easier to chop into small pieces quickly, and using prepared mashed potatoes for the topping is a good trick for when you don't have leftover mashed potatoes on hand.

Extra-Easy Lasagna

Credit: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro, Laura Martin

Extra-Easy Lasagna Recipe

When we say easy, we mean easy. You don't even have to cook the noodles for this speedy yet impressive lasagna that always gets rave reviews. Lasagna is a family favorite, but this version is extra-special because it only requires 5 quick ingredients: ground beef, pasta sauce, lasagna noodles, ricotta cheese, and shredded mozzarella (we don't count the water!). It's rated 5 stars for a reason. Pro tip: Make a double batch: Enjoy one now and freeze one for a quick meal on a busy weeknight.

Slow-Cooker Bolognese Sauce over Pappardelle Pasta

Credit: Greg Dupree; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Slow-Cooker Bolognese Sauce over Pappardelle Pasta Recipe

Traditionally, Bolognese sauce requires hours of babysitting as it simmers on the stove, but our recipe is virtually hands-off.

Greek Baked Ziti (Pastitsio)

Credit: Oxmoor House

Greek Baked Ziti (Pastitsio) Recipe

In the Greek version of baked ziti, the noodles are mixed with two sauces: a lamb-and-tomato sauce and a milk-and-cheese sauce. I lightened the cream sauce by using 2% milk and fewer eggs. The casserole keeps for days in the refrigerator and cuts into neat little squares for reheating.

Tomato 'n' Beef Casserole With Polenta Crust

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Caroline Murphey

Roasted Vegetable and Mini Meatball Pappardelle

Credit: Iain Bagwell

Roasted Vegetable and Mini Meatball Pappardelle Recipe

Although it's pricier than ordinary ground beef, grass-fed (which is what you usually find at farmers' markets) goes a long way when rolled into mini meatballs.

Meatballs in White Wine Sauce with Rustic Bread

Credit: Kate Sears; Stylist: Amy Wilson

Meatballs in White Wine Sauce with Rustic Bread Recipe

Meatballs in White Wine Sauce with Rustic Bread gives new life to an ingredient staple--lean ground beef. These meatballs are pumped with flavor with the addtion of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, ricotta cheese, and sundried tomatoes--and then simmered in white wine.

Gyro Burgers

Photographer Victor Protasio, Prop Stylist Mindi Shapiro, Food Stylist Anna Hampton

Credit: Victor Protasio

Gyro Burgers Recipe

Up your grilling game this summer with a burger that's sure to impress—i.e. a Gyro Burger. Inspired by the classic Greek sandwich, we've upgraded ground beef with bold seasoning and a new home inside of a pita pocket, rather than typical sesame bun, with lettuce, tomato, red onion, feta cheese, and generous drizzle of toasty tahini sauce. Before assembling, wrap your pita rounds in a foil packet and throw them on the grill for a couple of minutes if you'd like a warm pocket for your burger and toppings. And if you are a lamb fan, we'd highly recommend substituting ground lamb for half of the beef called for here. Serve these beauties up with fresh grilled veggies like eggplant and zucchini.

Burger With Mushrooms and Radicchio

Credit: Romulo Yanes

Burger With Mushrooms and Radicchio Recipe

Burger With Mushrooms and Radicchio delivers a great-tasting meal with just 500 calories. Shiitake and other mushrooms provide rich antioxidants and help reduce cholesterol--plus you'll feel satisfied thanks to the protein and 7 grams of fiber in this fabulous burger.

Beef-and-Mushroom Meatloaf

Thai Beef Cabbage Cups

Credit: John Autry

Thai Beef Cabbage Cups Recipe

In Thailand, the spicy ground beef mixture is called larb. Serve with lime wedges.

Baked Italian-Style Cauliflower

Credit: John Autry; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Eggplant Lasagna

Eggplant Lasagna image

Credit: Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Adam Hickman

Eggplant Lasagna Recipe

Our eggplant lasagna is a delicious, crowd-pleasing dinner that results from swapping traditional lasagna noodles for slabs of fresh eggplant. Besides being a great gluten-free and low-carb alternative to classic lasagna, this comforting casserole is the perfect way to put a load of summer eggplant to good use. The best eggplant to use in this lasagna recipe are the most tubular-shaped that you can find, as these will give you the most even planks of eggplant (vs. the eggplants with large, round bottoms). This cheesy eggplant bake also gets bonus points for being make-ahead friendly. You can prepare and assemble the eggplant lasagna and refrigerate for up to two days before baking; just plan on the lasagna needing a couple of extra minutes in the oven.

Slow Cooker Beef-and-Sweet Potato Chili

Hummus Soup

Credit: Jennifer Causey

Slow Cooker Beef-and-Sweet Potato Chili Recipe

Leaving the peels on the sweet potatoes has three benefits: Prep is faster, you add more fiber, and the potatoes hold their shape better after the 7-hour simmer. Besides, the peels get so tender that you barely notice they're there. If you'd like to change things up, try parsnips in place of the sweet potatoes; they have a similar sweetness and earthier flavor. For less sweetness, you can try small red potatoes or baby Yukon Golds. You don't need to fully cook the ground beef before it goes into the slow cooker; just cook it enough to "set" the shape of the crumbles.

Taco Mac & Cheese

Taco Mac & Cheese image

Credit: Jen Causey; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Pam Lolley

Taco Mac & Cheese Recipe

When taco night meets mac and cheese, magic happens. Melty cheese, hearty ground beef, and a creamy Tex-Mex inspired sauce come together in this taco-mac skillet for a maximum comfort food meal. You can absolutely prep this cheesy dinner bake ahead of time to make for even easier weeknight prep; simply assemble (following the recipe through step 4), then cover tightly and refrigerate until you're ready to bake (add a few minutes to the bake time if you're going from the fridge to the oven). You can typically find taco skillet sauce shelved near the dry taco seasoning and tortillas in the supermarket.

Easy Taco Salad

Easy Taco Salad image

Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Marianne Williams

Easy Taco Salad Recipe

Perfect for hectic weeknights, this easy taco salad recipe is something both kids and adults will love. The beauty of taco salad is that it's entirely customizable to your favorite taco components, so feel free to stray from the recipe to accommodate whatever you're craving and/or the ingredients you already have on hand. For example, you can easily swap in some diced avocado for the prepared guacamole. Pro-tip: Allowing the ground beef to sear before crumbling helps it to brown nicely without steaming.

Homemade Sloppy Joes

Homemade Sloppy Joes image

Credit: Aaron Kirk; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Robby Melvin

Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe

Once you try these homemade sloppy Joe's, there's no going back to the can. Sloppy Joe's have secured their place as a tried-and-true family favorite for good reason—they're quick, they're easy, and they're a weeknight dinner the whole family can get behind. Our homemade version is simply a wholesome, full-flavored rendition of the savory-sweet sandwich you know and love from childhood. A blend of ground chuck and ground sirloin provides just the right level of beefy flavor and richness to stand up to the sweetened tomato sauce. Be sure to chop your onion, carrot, and bell pepper as finely as you can so that they'll blend seamlessly into the mix (and pickier eaters won't even know they're there).

Easy Tex-Mex Shepherd's Pie

mr-Easy Tex-Mex Shepherd’s Pie Image

Credit: Jen Causey; Prop Styling: Kay Clark; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

Easy Tex-Mex Shepherd's Pie Recipe

Shepherd's pie just got easier. This comfort dish takes advantage of a few shortcuts that don't lesson the flavor or quality of the meal, like refrigerated mashed potatoes and pico de gallo, so you can get dinner on the table fast. Make sure to brown your meat nicely, since it builds flavor. Substitute cheddar cheese for pepper jack, if you prefer it.

Beef Stew with Cheddar Biscuits

Credit: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Beef Stew with Cheddar Biscuits Recipe

This skillet beef stew is made even better when topped with homemade cheddar biscuits. You can easily swap out the beef for ground turkey if you prefer. When buying cheddar, color isn't an indicator of flavor—white, orange, and yellow taste the same. Instead, pay attention to the sharpness. Mild cheddar contains the most moisture and melts the best, making it a good choice for baked goods, grilled cheese, or mac and cheese. Sharp cheddar is aged longer for a tangier punch, but it has less moisture, so it's not ideal for melting.

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