10 Cook Once and Eat Twice Ground Beef Recipes

Cook once and eat twice Ground Beef recipes take meal planning to the next level. Cook a batch of Ground Beef that lasts for multiple meals throughout the week.

Most ideas for my posts on M2MN come for YOU. My loyal friends and readers. When texting with a girlfriend this past weekend, I asked her what she needed support with when it comes to getting meals on the table for her family. Her response? More time. So that’s where this cook once and eat twice with ground beef idea came about. How does it work? Plan meals based around a food prepared in larger amounts for use in a recipe one day and an entirely different recipe within the next day or two.

4 Advantages to Cooking Once and Eating Twice

1. Saves time when planning meals.
2. Larger quantities of food may cost less than individual or small quantities.
3. Foods may taste better as a new dish than they do as leftovers.
4. It provides greater variety in the foods that you eat, which means less boredom with food and more nutrition.

While you can obviously use this cook once and eat twice approach with a variety of protein options, I chose Ground Beef because, well, if you know me you don’t even have to wonder why. The versatility of Ground Beef has made it one of America’s all-time favorite go-to cuts. From hamburgers to lasagna, tacos to meatloaf, pasta sauce to wraps, it offers quick, easy, and delicious options for any meal and for any occasion.

Cooking the Ground Beef

I typically cook Ground Beef with this simple skillet cooking method: Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Add beef to skillet and cook 8-10 minutes. While cooking, break into 3/4 inch crumbles and stir occasionally. Learn more about skilling cooking.

Storing the Ground Beef

Fresh Ground Beef can be stored in the refrigerator for 1-2 days (3-4 days if cooked) or in the freezer for 3-4 months (2-3 months for cooked). To thaw frozen Ground Beef, refrigerate for 12 hours or microwave using our simple steps. Learn more about storing Ground Beef.

All About the Grind

I usually use 93% lean Ground Beef or leaner if I’m making a recipe and eating right then and there. But because this cook once and eat twice with Ground Beef cooking method has you storing and saving the Ground Beef for additional meals [reheating too], I prefer using 80-85% lean. When properly cooked, it is moist and juicy and has a slightly firm texture.

Cook Once and Eat Twice Ground Beef Recipes

Ok. Now to the tasty part! Once you’ve cooked a batch of Ground Beef, stored it in an airtight container in your refrigerator, it’s time to pull it out and add to meals that are sure to please the entire family!

Cooked Ground Beef + Montreal Steak Seasoning:

Ground Beef Hoagies with Peppers and Onions

Lean Beef Cheesesteak Skillet

Beef and Kale Stir-Fry

Mushroom and Ground Beef Skillet

Cooked Ground Beef + Taco Seasoning

Oven-Baked Tacos

Ground Beef Skillet Nachos

Mexican Beef and Potato Soup

Beef Burrito Skillet

Cooked Ground Beef + Italian Seasoning

Italian Beef Skillet Dinner

Italian Beef Tortellini Soup

And just like that, 10 recipes to add to your meal rotation made with one simple staple: Ground Beef. While these all happen to be recipes from the M2MN archives, be sure to send me your favorites!