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Stretch Ground Beef Dishes with Beans for 5-Star Budget-Friendly Meals

By Carl Hanson
Updated October 08, 2020
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Mexican Quesadilla Casserole
Credit: Allrecipes Magazine

The idea's simple: Replace half the ground beef in a recipe with beans. Yes, beans are a genius dinner move. They're super healthy, positively loaded with fiber and nutrients. They're a terrific source of protein, which means they make a smart substitute for meat if you're trying to cut back a bit. They're also cheap. And if you buy canned beans, they're quick and super easy. Adding beans is also a particularly good way to go when you're dealing with serious meat-and-potatoes peoplewho can't quite condone meatless meals. It's the quiet approach. Bottom Line: The Great Bean Scheme is easy, satisfying, and a healthier way to go.

 

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It's Chili by George!!

It's Chili by George
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Of course, you probably already know some recipes that are down with this idea. Take chili, for example. Chili mixes beef and beans with delicious results. "I cut the beef in half," says BUNNYGIRL67, "and added black beans. My friends, who eat a lot of chili, said, 'This is the best chili we've ever had.'"

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Fabulous Wet Burritos

Fabulous Wet Burritos
Credit: lachiquis
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Or consider the beef-and-bean burrito -- a tasty combo that's been getting it done since the chuckwagon days: "The sauce was great," says Barbara. "The bean filling had a wonderful flavor. I put it all together and baked it in the oven until hot."

 

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Beef and Bean Chimichangas

Beef and Bean Chimichangas
Credit: Beef and Bean Chimichangas
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And let's not forget the beef-and-bean burrito's first cousin, the beef-and-bean chimichanga. "I'm a vegetarian," says Stacy. "So I do not make these with beef, I just add extra beans. These have been a huge hit with my family."

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Taco Salad III

You may also have seen beans mingling with beef in taco salads. "Loved this taco salad," says Kari Anne. "I used black beans along with the pinto beans."
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You may also have seen beans mingling with beef in taco salads. "Loved this taco salad," says Kari Anne. "I used black beans along with the pinto beans."

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Mexican Quesadilla Casserole

Mexican Quesadilla Casserole
Credit: Allrecipes Magazine
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When the quesadilla and beefy casserole collide, the result is Mexican-style comfort food at its best. This recipe combines ground beef with pantry favorites like black beans, whole kernel sweet corn, tomato sauce, chopped green chiles, flour tortillas, and RO*TEL. 

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One-Skillet Hearty Chili and Cornbread

Kidney beans and black beans extend a pound of seasoned ground beef in this comforting one-skillet meal. While the chili warms up in the skillet, whisk up the simple cornmeal topping, drop dollops of cornbread batter over the top of the chili, and slide the skillet in the oven for about 20 minutes. Dinner's ready in about 45 minutes. SunnyDaysNora says, "It's the perfect quick and easy comfort food on a cool evening! Start on the stovetop and finish in the oven."
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Kidney beans and black beans extend a pound of seasoned ground beef in this comforting one-skillet meal. While the chili warms up in the skillet, whisk up the simple cornmeal topping, drop dollops of cornbread batter over the top of the chili, and slide the skillet in the oven for about 20 minutes. Dinner's ready in about 45 minutes. SunnyDaysNora says, "It's the perfect quick and easy comfort food on a cool evening! Start on the stovetop and finish in the oven."

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Nacho Pie II

And then there's nachos in outrageous pie form! "My kids love it," says coffeecup321. "I usually add a pie crust. I mix the beans and the sauce and pour over the beef mixture."  
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And then there's nachos in outrageous pie form! "My kids love it," says coffeecup321. "I usually add a pie crust. I mix the beans and the sauce and pour over the beef mixture."

 

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Pasta e Fagioli a la Chez Ivano

Pasta e Fagioli a la Chez Ivano
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And then there's the Italian way of doing beef-and-bean business. "Absolutely delicious," says GINABEAR1. "I used fresh minced garlic and used more ditalini and the beans I used were cannelini. We loved it!"

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Taco Mix with Black Beans

Beans help stretch taco filling for days! Rock_lobster waxes poetic: "Taco Mix w/ Black Beans Haiku: "Gave us leftovers, by stretching one pound of meat. Thought it was quite good."
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Beans help stretch taco filling for days! Rock_lobster waxes poetic: "Taco Mix w/ Black Beans Haiku: "Gave us leftovers, by stretching one pound of meat. Thought it was quite good."

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Betsy's Black Bean Chili

With this recipe, two cans of black beans extend a pound of ground beef, along with tomato sauce, salsa, and chili seasoning mix. It's ready in about 30 minutes. "A great quick recipe for a rainy night," says Lynne. 
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With this recipe, two cans of black beans extend a pound of ground beef, along with tomato sauce, salsa, and chili seasoning mix. It's ready in about 30 minutes. "A great quick recipe for a rainy night," says Lynne. 

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Super Nachos

Super Nachos
Credit: Allrecipes Community
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And don't forget nachos! "Delicious," says Sheila. "I added the beans to the meat mixture before spreading." The recipe submitter Melanie says, "This makes a huge meal-sized tray of nachos with lots of good stuff! You can adjust ingredient quantities to suit your preference."

 

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Calico Bean Casserole

Calico Bean Casserole
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Three beans get it done here! Kidney beans, baked beans, and butter beans mix it up with ground beef, bacon, and onions. "It's thick, hearty, and tasty too!" says Dee Dee. "This can also be done in a slow cooker."

 

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Tex-Mex Pantry Casserole

Tex-Mex Pantry Casserole
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A half pound of ground beef stretches for miles with the addition of Tex-Mexy pantry staples like taco seasoning, black beans, corn, Spanish rice mix, salsa, and broth. Top with shredded sharp Cheddar cheese and bake for about 20 minutes. And garnish with sour cream and sliced avocado. Dinner's ready in about 45 minutes.

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Beefed-Up Baked Beans and Bacon

Beefed-Up Baked Beans and Bacon
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Sweet and smoky baked beans achieve main dish status with crumbled bacon, ground beef, butter beans, pork and beans, and red kidney beans. "Beefed-up baked beans. Sprinkle with shredded cheese and complete the meal with a side salad and cornbread," says Angela. 

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More Ways to Stretch Ground Beef

Sloppy Joes II

Try cutting half (or more!) of the ground beef from these top contenders and add some beans. Canned beans are a great choice; just rinse them thoroughly and add at the end of cooking time.

  • Sloppy Joes II
  • Chef John's Stuffed Peppers
  • Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Beef
  • Tacos in Pasta Shells
  • Easy Vegetable Beef Soup with Ground Beef

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    1 of 15 It's Chili by George!!
    2 of 15 Fabulous Wet Burritos
    3 of 15 Beef and Bean Chimichangas
    4 of 15 Taco Salad III
    5 of 15 Mexican Quesadilla Casserole
    6 of 15 One-Skillet Hearty Chili and Cornbread
    7 of 15 Nacho Pie II
    8 of 15 Pasta e Fagioli a la Chez Ivano
    9 of 15 Taco Mix with Black Beans
    10 of 15 Betsy's Black Bean Chili
    11 of 15 Super Nachos
    12 of 15 Calico Bean Casserole
    13 of 15 Tex-Mex Pantry Casserole
    14 of 15 Beefed-Up Baked Beans and Bacon
    15 of 15 More Ways to Stretch Ground Beef

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