Bushra Griffith
Minced meat is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from lasagne to Thai stir-fries. It is a great option for fuss-free, weeknight dinners that are packed with flavour. When cooking with minced meat, it is important to ensure that it has some fat content to avoid dryness and chewyness. Adding cheese to minced meat is a great way to enhance its flavour and create a comforting dish. Cheesy minced meat can be used in sandwiches, such as the chopped cheese sandwich, or served with rice and vegetables, like in the Tex-Mex-style minced beef recipe. For a simple and quick option, a cheesy ground beef skillet can be made by browning the meat, adding seasonings and vegetables, and then sprinkling cheese on top.
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What You'll Learn
Cheesy ground beef skillet
This recipe is a quick and easy one-pot wonder that is sure to satisfy your comfort food cravings. It's a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of cheeses and is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner or a lazy weekend lunch.
Ingredients:
- Ground beef
- Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a combination of your choice)
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic (fresh or powder)
- Onion
- Tomato paste/sauce
- Parsley
- Chilli flakes (optional)
- Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- Pasta or rice (optional)
- Kidney beans (optional)
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add ground beef to the skillet and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until the beef is browned and crumbly, stirring occasionally.
- If using pasta or rice, cook it according to the package directions separately. Drain and set aside.
- Season the beef with salt, black pepper, and garlic (fresh or powder). You can also add onions, chilli flakes, and Worcestershire sauce for extra flavour.
- Stir in tomato paste/sauce and simmer until the meat is tender.
- If using pasta or rice, add it to the skillet and toss with the beef and sauce.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle cheese over the top. You can also add some cheese to the sauce and stir to combine.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Tips:
- If using shredded cheese, add it after the meat is browned to avoid burning and sticking to the pan.
- For a creamier sauce, grate your own cheese instead of using pre-shredded cheese.
- This recipe can be doubled and frozen for a quick and easy meal on busy days.
- For a heartier dish, serve the cheesy ground beef over a bed of buttery sliced potatoes.
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Cheesy ground beef and potatoes
This hearty, comforting dish is a perfect weeknight dinner for the whole family. It's a one-pan meal, so it's easy to cook and there's very little cleanup afterward. The recipe can also be adapted to your taste, with different cheeses, spices, and vegetables.
Ingredients:
- Ground beef
- Potatoes
- Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or a mix)
- Butter
- Salt
- Pepper
- Onion
- Bell pepper
- Tomato paste
- Garlic
- Seasonings (Italian seasoning, mustard, pepper flakes, paprika, cayenne, etc.)
- Broth
- Tomato sauce
- Cream
- Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- Hot sauce, chopped jalapeños, or extra red pepper flakes (optional, for extra spice)
Method:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Spray a 9x13-inch casserole dish with nonstick spray.
- Slice your potatoes thinly, about 1/2" or 1 cm thick.
- Place the sliced potatoes in a large bowl and pour melted butter over them. Sprinkle with salt and mix until the potatoes are coated.
- Line the bottom and sides of the casserole dish with the potatoes, overlapping as needed.
- Bake the potatoes in the oven until they are fork-tender, about 20 to 30 minutes.
- While the potatoes are baking, cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat. Stir until the beef is browned and crumbly, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Drain and discard any grease from the beef.
- In a separate bowl, mix the cooked beef with condensed soup, milk, and 3/4 cup of shredded cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
- Remove the potatoes from the oven and pour the beef mixture on top.
- Return the casserole to the oven and bake until heated through, about 15 minutes.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top and bake for another 4 to 5 minutes, until the cheese is melted.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or green onions, if desired.
- Serve and enjoy!
Tips:
- You can soak the potatoes in water before cooking to remove the starch and make them firmer and more flavourful.
- Try adding other vegetables like mushrooms, broccoli, or carrots to the mix.
- If you like your food spicy, add some red pepper flakes, hot sauce, or chopped jalapeños.
- For extra flavour, add a dash of Worcestershire sauce.
- This recipe can be adapted to your taste—feel free to experiment with different cheeses and spices!
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Chopped cheese sandwich
The chopped cheese sandwich is a unique creation, a specialty of New York City, that combines a cheeseburger, a cheesesteak, and a Sloppy Joe sandwich. It's a simple yet delicious sandwich that can be made in about 10 minutes. Here's how to make it:
Ingredients
- Ground beef (preferably an 80/20 or 85/15 blend for flavour and moisture)
- Butter
- Onion, finely chopped
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- American cheese, sliced
- Hoagie roll or hero roll
- Lettuce, shredded
- Tomatoes, sliced
- Mayonnaise (optional)
Instructions
- Halve the buns and lightly toast them. Spread one side with mayonnaise, if desired.
- In a non-stick pan, add butter and melt. Add the chopped onion and cook until fragrant. Push the onion to one side of the pan.
- Add the ground beef and do not break it apart. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Sear for 4 minutes, flip, and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Slowly break apart the beef and fold in the onions. Continue cooking until there is no more pink in the centre.
- Divide the beef mixture into four equal portions. Add 2 slices of American cheese over each portion and cook for about 2 minutes, until the cheese is melted and gooey.
- Use a spatula to "chop" the cheese into the meat mixture.
- Transfer each portion into the buns and add shredded lettuce and sliced tomatoes.
Tips and Variations:
- The chopped cheese sandwich is traditionally cooked on a large griddle or flat-top griddle. However, at home, you can use a skillet or pot instead.
- If using a leaner blend of ground beef, you may want to add a drizzle of oil to the pot or skillet before cooking.
- For a more authentic experience, use sliced American cheese. However, feel free to experiment with other cheeses like Pepper Jack, mozzarella, or any cheese you have on hand.
- You can also add other toppings like pickles, ketchup, or mayo to suit your taste.
- Leftover chopped cheese filling can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
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Tex-Mex-style minced beef
This Tex-Mex-style minced beef recipe is packed with flavour and is a great family meal that can be served in many ways. It's a one-pan dish with a rich, tangy, spicy tomato sauce, peppers, black beans, and melted cheese. It's best served with rice and all the toppings!
Ingredients
- 1 onion
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 yellow bell pepper
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 10%-15% fat minced beef
- Salt and pepper
- 3 tbsp fajita seasoning mix
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 beef stock cube
- 2 tbsp hot pepper sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato puree
- 400 g jar passata
- 400 g tin black beans
- 1 tsp light brown sugar
- 120 ml water
- Cheese, grated
- Rice, cooked according to package instructions
Method
- Add a glug of oil to a large pan and place over medium heat. Add the onion, red and yellow bell peppers, and garlic to the pan and cook for a few minutes until softened.
- Add the fajita seasoning, smoked paprika, beef stock cube, hot sauce, and tomato puree. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring continuously.
- Add the minced beef, salt, and pepper to the pan. Cook for 5 minutes, breaking up any large bits, until the beef is browned.
- Pour in the passata, black beans, sugar, and water. Stir everything together, bring to a simmer, then turn down the heat and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Once done simmering, sprinkle on the cheese, then cover and leave to cook for another 2 minutes before serving.
- Serve with cooked rice and toppings of your choice. Enjoy!
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Cheesy mince dumplings
Ingredients
- Minced meat (beef or pork)
- Dumplings (pre-made or made from flour, suet, and cheese)
- Oil (olive or vegetable)
- Onion
- Celery
- Carrot
- Garlic
- Tomato puree
- Red wine
- Tomatoes
- Stock
- Worcestershire sauce
- Bay leaves
- Dried herbs
- Salt and pepper
- Cheese
Instructions
Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add chopped onions, celery, and carrots, and cook until soft. Add the minced meat and cook until browned. Stir in the garlic and tomato puree, then add the red wine, tomatoes, stock, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, and dried herbs. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer the mixture for 25 minutes until the liquid has reduced slightly.
Meanwhile, prepare the dumplings. If using pre-made dumplings, follow the package instructions. If making dumplings from scratch, combine flour, suet, and cheese in a large mixing bowl. Season with pepper and add cold water to form a dough.
After the minced meat mixture has simmered for 25 minutes, carefully drop the dumplings on top. Cover and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes until the dumplings are cooked through and plump.
Remove the pan from the heat and sprinkle grated cheese over the top. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot. Enjoy!
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Frequently asked questions
You can make a simple, tasty dish with minced meat and cheese by preparing a cheesy ground beef skillet. Heat olive oil in a large skillet, add ground beef, and cook until it is crumbly and no longer pink. Add cooked rice, tomato sauce, and kidney beans. Reduce the heat, cover, and cook for 8 minutes. Remove from heat and sprinkle cheese over the top.
Contrary to popular belief, fat equals flavour, so it is best to use mince with a bit of fat. Mince with less than 10% fat is considered lean, and it can be dry and chewy. Mince with about 15% fat is a good balance as it is not too fatty but not too lean.
It is not recommended to add cheese to the minced meat while browning it as the cheese will likely burn and stick to the pan. Instead, brown the meat, add other ingredients, add the sauce, and then take the pan off the heat before stirring in the cheese.
