Name: $5 Dinners Ground Beef $10 Meals Feed Family Of 4 Cheap Dinners Under $10 Cost Breakdown
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 lb Ground Beef (73/27 or 80/20 mix for best value) – $4.50; 3 large Russet Potatoes, cubed – $1.50; 1 medium Yellow Onion, diced – $0.60; 1 cup Frozen Peas or Green Beans – $0.75; 2 cloves Garlic, minced (or 1 tsp Garlic Powder) – $0.10; 1 cup Beef Broth (made from bouillon) – $0.15; 2 tbsp Vegetable Oil or Beef Drippings – $0.10; Salt, Pepper, and Dried Thyme (pantry staples) – $0.20; Total Estimated Cost: $7.90

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb Ground Beef (73/27 or 80/20 mix for best value) – $4.50
3 large Russet Potatoes, cubed – $1.50
1 medium Yellow Onion, diced – $0.60
1 cup Frozen Peas or Green Beans – $0.75
2 cloves Garlic, minced (or 1 tsp Garlic Powder) – $0.10
1 cup Beef Broth (made from bouillon) – $0.15
2 tbsp Vegetable Oil or Beef Drippings – $0.10
Salt, Pepper, and Dried Thyme (pantry staples) – $0.20
Total Estimated Cost: $7.90

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes and Aromatics Start by washing your Russet potatoes thoroughly. Peel them if you prefer, but leaving the skins on adds extra nutrients and saves time. Cube the potatoes into small, half-inch pieces; smaller cubes cook faster and ensure every bite has a bit of potato. Dice your onion and mince the garlic. Having everything chopped and ready prevents the beef from overcooking while you struggle with the knife work.
Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and the diced onions. Cook until the beef is fully browned and the onions are translucent and fragrant. If you are using a higher fat percentage beef, do not drain all the fat. Leave about a tablespoon in the pan to help fry the potatoes, as this adds immense flavor and saves you from using extra oil. Stir in the garlic during the last minute of browning.
Step 3: Sauté and Simmer the Skillet Add the cubed potatoes to the skillet with the beef. Season generously with salt, pepper, and dried thyme. Stir the potatoes to coat them in the beef drippings. Pour in the beef broth and cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for about 12 to 15 minutes. This steaming process ensures the potatoes become fork-tender without burning the bottom of the pan.
Step 4: Final Addition and Plating Once the potatoes are soft, remove the lid and stir in the frozen peas or green beans. The residual heat will cook the frozen vegetables in about 2 to 3 minutes. Increase the heat slightly for the last minute if you want to crisp up the edges of the potatoes. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Serve hot directly from the skillet to keep the meal warm and minimize dishes.

Cook Time: 35 minutes