These ground beef tacos are easy to make and taste great. They also cook up quickly so you can serve them to hungry people.
Everywhere I look, I see leak-proof containers and mason jars teeming with ingredients for the (busy) week ahead. How has this pervasive trend totally eluded my family??.
I think the fact that I dont know what I want day-to-day plays into it greatly. Who am I to say what I want for breakfast three days from now? I can’t even decide what to eat for dinner thirty minutes from now.
On days we go swimming, I lose track of time easily. Before I know it, it’s 4 p.m., and I still haven’t thawed my protein or made my rice. I guess thats where the meal prepping comes into play.
If you ever find yourself in a similar situation for dinner, these ground beef tacos are a tasty, quick, and easy way to get food on the table.
I usually have Trader Joe’s shells already made (12 for $2 and NO canola oil!) so all I have to do is make some taco meat, get some veggies and guacamole ready, and serve!
Often, I have these Charro Beans on hand, which are a nice addition. If you want to really finish off the meal, my Tex-Mex Rice would also be great!
On some nights, I mix lettuce, grated carrot, chopped cherry tomatoes, taco meat, guacamole, sour cream, and lime juice to make a low-carb taco salad. This is a great corn-free way to enjoy it.
Ground beef is a dinnertime staple appreciated for its versatility hearty flavor and budget-friendly price. But many classic beef dishes like sloppy joes meatballs and chili rely on tomato sauce or tomatoes for moisture and flavor. If you’re looking to omit the tomatoes, have no fear – there are plenty of tasty options!
From savory meatloaves to satisfying casseroles and pasta bakes, you can still make the most of ground beef without the tang of tomato sauce or chunks. Keep reading for 21 juicy delicious ground beef recipes sans tomatoes.
Why Cook Ground Beef Without Tomatoes
There are a few good reasons you may want to prepare ground beef dishes without tomatoes
- Dietary restrictions – Some avoid nightshade vegetables like tomatoes
- Food sensitivities – Raw tomatoes can trigger acid reflux
- Recipe change up – Variety from the norm can be refreshing
Luckily, ground beef stands on its own with its robust, meaty flavor. With the right sauce substitutions and seasoning, it shines without tomato products.
Tomato Substitutes for Moisture and Flavor
When removing tomatoes from a recipe, you’ll need to replace their moisture and flavor. Here are excellent tomato stand-ins to use in ground beef dishes:
- Broth – Beef, chicken or vegetable broth
- Wine or beer – Opt for white wine or amber beers
- Cream – Heavy cream, half and half or creme fraiche
- Purees – Butternut squash, cauliflower or sweet potato
- Juice – Pineapple, apple, orange or cranberry juice
- Non-marinara sauces – Pesto, mushroom gravy, béchamel or cheese sauce
Now let’s highlight some specific recipes that perfectly pair ground beef with non-tomato ingredients for maximum flavor.
Savory Ground Beef Casseroles
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Beef and Rice Casserole – Cooked white or brown rice combined with seasoned ground beef, mushrooms, peas and creamy mushroom soup for a hearty, comforting bake.
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Tater Tot Casserole – A kids’ classic, combining ground beef with mixed vegetables like corn and peas, topped with creamy soup and a crispy layer of tater tots.
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Shepherd’s Pie – Ground beef cooked with onions, carrots and peas, topped with fluffy mashed potatoes and melted cheddar cheese for a warm, cozy dinner.
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Beefy Mac and Cheese – Cheese sauce-coated elbow macaroni tossed with sautéed ground beef, onions and spinach, with a crunchy panko topping.
Flavor-Packed Ground Beef Pasta Bakes
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Baked Ziti – Al dente pasta tubes baked in a meaty ragu of ground beef, Italian sausage, red wine, garlic, herbs and ricotta and mozzarella cheeses.
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Beef Stroganoff Casserole – Egg noodles in a rich mushroom and beef sauce topped with sour cream, then baked until bubbly and golden.
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Rigatoni Bolognese – Hearty pasta tubes coated in a umami-packed meat sauce of ground beef, red wine, browned mushrooms and nutmeg.
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Cheddar Ranch Noodles – Creamy cheddar cheese sauce coats noodles and ground beef seasoned with ranch packet seasoning for a quick and tasty dish.
Savory Pies and Pitas with Ground Beef
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Cheeseburger Pie – A “crust” of mashed potato topped with cheesy ground beef mixed with pickles, onions and mustard for all the flavor of a burger in pie form.
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Beef Pot Pie – Flaky puff pastry tops a filling of browned ground beef, potatoes, carrots, peas and thyme in a rich beef gravy.
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Beef Gyros – Seasoned ground beef cooked with onions and Greek seasoning served over naan or pita bread with lettuce, tomato and tzatziki sauce.
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Beef Empanadas – Savory pastry pockets stuffed with spiced ground beef, potatoes, onions, garlic, raisins and green olives for a handheld snack.
More Creative Ground Beef Mains and Sides
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Beef Enchiladas – Corn tortillas rolled around seasoned ground beef and enchilada sauce, then smothered in melted cheese for a Tex-Mex treat.
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Cheesy Beef and Potatoes – Sliced potatoes baked in a creamy beef and onion mixture, topped with stretchy melted mozzarella.
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Beef Lasagna Rolls – Lasagna noodles rolled up with a filling of ricotta, ground beef, spinach and Italian spices for an easy, tasty bake.
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Cabbage Rolls – Savory seasoned ground beef and rice wrapped in tender cabbage leaves and simmered in broth make an impressive comfort food.
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Bierocks – These German stuffed pockets combine ground beef, onions and cabbage seasoned with dill and garlic inside a bread dough wrapping.
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Baked Egg Rolls – Crisp egg roll wrappers encase ground pork and beef, cabbage, carrots, onion, ginger and garlic baked for a crunchy alternative to fried.
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Beefy Stuffed Peppers – Bell peppers filled with seasoned ground beef, rice, onions and cheese make a hearty, healthy meal.
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Samosas – Flaky pastries enclose curried ground beef and potatoes seasoned with warm spices like cumin, turmeric, ginger and garlic.
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Meatballs – Finally, flavored ground beef rolled into balls can be served baked in a flavorful sauce over pasta or on a sub sandwich.
With a little creativity and flavor finesse, ground beef can star in all types of mouthwatering meals minus tomato products. Next time you want to hold the tomatoes, try one of these 21 tasty options.
Ground Beef Taco Meat (No Tomato!)
- 1 ¼ pounds ground beef (85% is what I use)
- ½ yellow onion chopped
- ½ – 1 inch piece of jalapeno pepper chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 Tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- ½ tsp oregano
- 1/2-1 tsp sea salt
- ¼ cup water
- Heat a non-stick or steel skillet over medium high heat.
- Put in the garlic, onion, jalapeño, and beef. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, until the beef is browned and fully cooked.
- Drain and discard any excess grease.
- After adding the spices, 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt, and 1/4 cup of water, cook for another 3 to 5 minutes, or until the meat has soaked up all the water.
- Serve the meat as desired. Season with more salt as needed.
Use the jalapeno according to your desire for heat. I like a one-inch piece with just a few of the seeds, which is where the heat is!.
Some addition ideas: lettuce, tomato, cheese, guacamole, sour cream, grated carrot, lime juice. obviously, keep the chopped tomatoes out of the toppings if youre allergic. Just wanted to address that, as the meat is what is tomato-free. .
A quick tip to help your sour cream go further. mix it with a little water and create more of a drizzle.
5 Ground Beef Recipes That Are NOT Burgers, Tacos, or Meatballs | Allrecipes
Can you make ground beef tacos without tomato sauce?
Ground Beef Taco Meat (No Tomato!) Flavorful ground beef tacos made without any added tomatoes or tomato sauce. A fast and delicious dinner that pleases all! Heat a non-stick or steel skillet over medium high heat. Add in the beef, onion, jalapeno, and garlic, and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through.
Can you use non-tomato sauce on ground beef pasta?
Shapes like fettuccine, penne, or farfalle work well with non-tomato sauces. Keep an eye on pasta to prevent overcook pasta. You can add your favourite veggies like carrots, bell peppers or mushrooms. Allow the ground beef pasta recipe to cool completely at room temperature before storing.
Can you make beef stuffed peppers without tomato sauce?
Beef stuffed peppers are a classic recipe that most of us ate growing up, made with white rice, tomato sauce, and ground beef. A lot of older recipes called for canned tomato soup in the filling. This recipe is just as tasty (we think they are even more delicious) made without tomato sauce. I love the simplicity of this bell pepper recipe.
How do you make tomato-free ground beef pasta sauce?
This tomato-free ground beef pasta sauce is quick and easy to make and tastes great on any pasta. Bring a pot of water to a boil and boil or steam the broccoli florets to desired doneness. Meanwhile heat the oil in a nonstick pan or a cast iron skillet until shimmering. Add onion and cook until starting to soften (about 2 minutes).