dinner suggestions (quick!) for 2 lbs ground beef in crockpot?

[patandchickens]

But it CANNOT be chili or sloppy joe, because the kids won't eat 'em. I made crockpot meatloaf last night, and am out of ideas.

Will need to start Real Soon Now, as it is currently 1 pm local time and we eat around 6

Thanks for any suggestions,

Pat, who just got a crockpot after not having one for, oh, probably 12-15 years, and has totally forgotten the whole repertoire

 

[Javamama]

Tacos? I don't usually use ground beef in the crockpot, so I really don't know.

 

[adoptedbyachicken]

Often with ground I do a Shepard's pie bottom type of mix, and the potatoes on the cooktop of course. What goes into it on any occasion varies with what I have handy, what I need to use up, or what frozen vegy mix was on sale. Package of french onion soup mix, or a gravy mix, or seasoning made up by me, it all depends on the batch.

 

[patandchickens]

Ooo, that sounds useful! How juicy does the bottom mixture need to be to avoid Bad Things happening; and can I put the potato topping on right from the beginning? (I happen to have some already-cooked smashed potatoes sitting in the fridge right now)

Tacos sounds good too, Javamama, but to my kids, taco meat is in the same category as chili and sloppy joes, alas

Pat

 

[Wifezilla]

Kids that don't like sloppy joes, tacos or chili? Must be Canadian brain freeze. Did you forget their hats one day when it was really cold?

Will they eat spaghetti or alfredo? We had hamburger alfredo many time when the kids were little.

 

[miss_thenorth]

Might be a Canadian thing--dd does not like tacos, chili or sloppy joes, althoughshe will eat tacos and sloppy joes. (under duress) Ds is fine. And my porr dd has to surrfer for supper tonight, because tacos are on the menu.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

I was going to suggest shepherd's pie too!

 

[mrscoyote]

A stroganoff of sorts aka beef and noodles. or porcupine balls ( ground beef seasoned like meatloaf with rice mixed in and covered with tomato sauce or paste or soup) When cooked the rice looks like quills sticking out of the meat balls.

 

[adoptedbyachicken]

How juicy does the bottom mixture need to be to avoid Bad Things happening; and can I put the potato topping on right from the beginning?
Pat

That depends on the fit of your slow cooker lid. My smaller one I'd have to start with it sloppy and it would dry up a bit, my big one the water that comes out of the vegies will be more than enough!

I don't see why you could not have the potatoes ready to add. I think I'd wait till I had stirred a few times and ensured my spice with a taste test but ya, then put them on, and cheese on top too if you want. or I stir Parmesan into the potatoes sometimes.

 

[FarmerChick]

I have never crockpotted ground beef?
is that a word--crockpotted?


ground beef for me is the easy cook on the stove top

in spaghetti/meatballs/or toaster oven for meatloaf or burgers, etc

I have never put ground beef in a crockpot cause it just seems like the easiest meat to cook fast.....now the bigger guys like chuck roast etc hit the crockpot.