Quick Reference Frozen Ground Beef Crock Pot Recipes Overview:
Crank up your crock pot and create scrumptious family-favorite dishes! Spark your ground beef meal memories with several timeless recipes, from classic meatloaf and burger patties to juicy meatballs and lasagne. Explore the benefits and tasty crock pot results.
Quick Reference Frozen Ground Beef Crock Pot Recipes Overview:
| Recipe | Key Ingredients | Allergy Information |
| Meat Loaf | Thawed and browned ground beef, BBQ sauce, herbs and spices | Dairy, gluten, eggs |
| Italian Style Meat Balls | Thawed and browned ground beef, Mediterranean herbs | Dairy, gluten, eggs |
| Sweet and Sour Asian Meatballs | Thawed and browned ground beef, low sodium soy sauce, pineapple juice | Sesame, soy, eggs |
| Cowboy Chili | Thawed and browned ground beef, can of kidney beans, aromatic herbs and chili spices | Dairy, legumes |
| Sloppy Joes | Thawed and browned ground beef, fresh vegetables, herbs and spices | None |
| Spaghetti Bolognese | Thawed and browned ground beef, red wine, seasoning | None (alcohol) |
| Lasagne | Thawed and browned ground beef, parmesan, ricotta and mozzarella cheese, herbs | Dairy, gluten, egg |
| Cheeseburger Macaroni | Thawed and browned ground beef, pasta | Dairy, gluten |
| Hamburger Patties – Egg and Gluten Free | Thawed and browned ground beef, fresh vegetables, herbs and spices | None |
| Stuffed Bell Peppers | Thawed and browned ground beef, bell peppers, seasoning | Dairy |
In particular, ground beef offers the best results when browned before cooking in a crock pot.
Don’t worry; keep reading to learn more about safe and tasty ground beef crock pot recipes with our handy tips!
Do you want to know how to cook your ground beef family favorites in a crock pot?
Nowadays, working from home has become the norm. Therefore, the crock pot’s slow cooking process is ideal while you tend to your work commitments, knowing that dinner will be ready on time.
Our list of nostalgic family favorite crock pot recipes steadily releases the flavor for all to savor around the dinner table.
Let’s get cooking!
Frozen Ground Beef Crock Pot Recipes
Before we get to our recipes, let’s explore how to maximize ground beef recipe results in a crock pot.
Tips for Making Frozen Ground Beef Crock Pot Recipes
- Ensure the ground beef is thawed thoroughly.
- Always brown the ground beef before adding it to a crock pot for the optimal results.
- You can add thawed ground beef to a crock pot without browning it. However, all the fat and juices will leak into the sauce, making your dish bland and greasy.
- Although it is not recommended to cook ground beef from frozen, if you find yourself in a pickle, pre-heat the crock pot at the highest temperature for 1 hour and put in the frozen ground beef with the lid on, check and stir the ground beef every hour until cooked thoroughly; remove the excess juices once cooked, and add the other ingredients.
As you can see, browning ground mince before crock pot cooking is highly advantageous.
It saves you time, lowers food-borne illness risk substantially, and brings optimal flavor results.
Right, it’s time to get dinner going!
Timeless Family Favorites
1. Sweet and Tangy Meatloaf
Meatloaf has spread far and wide from its German origin.
We love that the glaze in this recipe uses pantry-ready ingredients with flavors children adore, namely ketchup, BBQ sauce, and Worcestershire sauce.
You need to get hand mix with the ground beef mixture, ensuring all the ingredients combine thoroughly.
If you battle with the feeling of meat on your hands, use a clean or disposable pair of kitchen gloves.
The result is a sweet, tangy meal that pairs perfectly with flash-fried green beans, creamy mashed potato, or potato wedges. On warmer evenings, serve with a baby leaf mixed green salad.
Pro-Tip: save some glaze as a gravy for the mashed potatoes.
Related Beneficial Article: The Best Ketchup Substitutes
Allergy information: dairy, gluten, eggs
2. Juicy MeatBalls
A meal including meatballs is bound to be on your weekly menu.
This crock pot recipe uses parmesan cheese in the actual meatballs. Doing so gives the meatballs a pleasant and robust cheesy taste.
Also, the marinara sauce has a strong Mediterranean influence with dried herbs such as oregano, basil, and Italian seasoning.
Of course, using a store-bought marinara sauce is a suitable quick fix for rushed days.
Serve with spaghetti, creamy mashed potatoes, quinoa or polenta.
Pro Tip: garnish with freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley and sweet basil leaves.
Related Beneficial Article: Is Herbs de Provence the Same as Italian Seasoning?
Allergy information: dairy, gluten, eggs
3. Sweet and Sour Asian Meatballs
Asian-inspired ingredients and condiments pair well with ground beef.
We understand that the “familiar” tomato-based sauce is a popular go-to. Even so, creating something new and exciting may tantalize the family’s taste buds.
This recipe goes to town with soy sauce and pineapple juice. What a super combo!
That said, a sweet and sour sauce can be intensely rich for some. For this reason, we recommend you serve these little guys as appetizers or meaty afternoon snacks.
If you enjoy a sweet and sour meal, serve it with fluffy white long-grain rice, cauliflower rice, or polenta.
Pro Tip: garnish with freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley and sprinkle a few red chili flakes for a touch of heat.
Related Beneficial Article: Top Pineapple Juice Substitutes.
Allergy information: sesame, soy, eggs
4. Cowboy Chili
When a chili craving hits, a hearty bowl of chili loaded with meat, beans, and aromatic spices will surely hit the spot!
Several chili recipes use kidney beans. While this type of bean is ideally suited for chili, you can use any beans in your pantry, such as black or cannellini beans.
Spicy and soul-satisfying, this recipe is best served with freshly baked cornbread or hot-out-the-oven crispy bread rolls.
Pro Tip: garnish with a dollop of sour cream or mascarpone cheese for extra indulgence.
Related Beneficial Article: What Can I Substitute for Cumin?
Allergy information: dairy, legumes
5. Sloppy Joes
Are you planning a friends or family gathering to watch a sports game?
If so, this Sloppy Joe recipe is ideal for feeding the masses. We love the bright and colorful red pepper and carrot. Oh, and the yellow mustard brings a super tart and tangy flavor.
Cooked slowly to tender perfection, serve on any hamburger rolls you fancy.
We love freshly baked Portuguese rolls. These rolls crisp beautifully, complementing the texture of the ground beef contents.
Pro Tip: add a teaspoon (5ml) of chili or red pepper flakes for a subtle hot bite.
Related Beneficial Article: Chili Flakes vs. Red Pepper Flakes: The Best Guide!
Allergy information: none
6. Spaghetti Bolognese
What would our list be without a spaghetti bolognese?!
We can thank Italian cuisine for introducing this pasta dish to the world. Moreover, cooking it in a crock pot enhances the flavor and tenderness of the meat.
This recipe keeps to traditional bolognese ingredients, with the addition of Worcestershire sauce to complement the Western palate.
If you run out of Italian seasoning, you can use dry mixed herbs or a combination of dry oregano and basil.
Pro Tip: garnish with fresh parsley and grated parmesan cheese. Delicious!
Related Beneficial Article: Top 10 Condiments to Substitute for Worcestershire Sauce
Allergy information: alcohol (you can exclude the red wine, but remember, alcohol evaporates when cooked and is an excellent flavor enhancer, especially for bolognese sauce!)
7. Lasagne
Of all the crock pot recipes that are kiddy-friendly, lasagne is high on the list.
Okay, we hear you; big kids (aka adults) love a heart-warming and soul-nourishing lasagne too!
Preparing this recipe after school drop before you start working is a great way to ease into the day.
The layering process is rather relaxing, and when you pop the lid on, you can attend to your work commitments with total peace of mind.
We love the 3-cheese mix, namely mozzarella, parmesan, and ricotta. A triple cheesy taste of Italy in one meal!
Serve with a crisp green garden salad and golden sourdough garlic bruschetta.
Pro Tip: once cooked, leave the lid ajar for at least 30 – 45 minutes before serving. This method helps the lasagne to solidify.
Allergy information: dairy, gluten, egg
8. Cheeseburger Macaroni
When you need a crock pot recipe to feed a crowd, try out this fun and cheesy pasta dish.
This recipe is packed with beefy and cheesy flavor. Although the recipe calls for Velveeta cheese, you can use healthier, less processed alternatives.
For a mild taste, consider American cheese or Monterey Jack. Opt for cheddar or Swiss cheese if you enjoy a more robust flavor.
Serve with a mixed baby leafy green salad and bread sticks to bulk it up.
Pro Tip: substitute the canned cream of potato soup with the same amount of herbal full-fat cream cheese. Give the cream cheese a good mix and thin it down by adding 2 tablespoons (30ml) of milk at a time until you reach the same consistency as canned soup. Super duper creamy!
Related Beneficial Article: What Is a Good Substitute for Sweet Paprika?
Allergy information: dairy, gluten
9. Hamburger Patties – Egg and Gluten Free!
By now, you can see that traditional ground beef recipes often include eggs and gluten (bread crumbs) as a binding agent.
On the other hand, this hamburger crock pot recipe has mastered the art of egg and bread-crumb-free patties that bind well.
The recipe calls for Italian seasoning. Again, you can use mixed herbs or a combination of any two mild dry green herbs as a suitable substitute.
Serve with your favorite burger trimmings and relish alongside air-fried sweet potato chips. Indeed, it is the perfect family Friday movie night meal!
Pro Tip: add a teaspoon (5ml) of yellow mustard to the mixture for an extra tang.
Related Beneficial Article: The Best Healthy Frozen Foods for Air Fryer: 10 Creative and Delicious Ideas!
Allergy information: none
10. Stuffed Bell Peppers
Stuffed bell peppers make a filling and well-rounded nutritious meal.
While a stuffed pepper may look small on a dinner plate, depending on your fillings, your appetite will definitely be satisfied.
This recipe calls for rice, marinara sauce, herbal seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce topped with mozzarella cheese. Indeed, it is a flavorsome and texture-rich combination.
You can use quinoa, buckwheat, or any other grain instead of rice. Also, we suggest you opt for red or yellow pepper, as the sweetness they offer complements the filling.
That said, green pepper is kinder on your budget and yields a tasty result.
Pro Tip: if you have time, brush the hollowed-out peppers with extra-virgin olive oil and roast them in the oven or air fryer for about 20 minutes at 350F before stuffing them. This method draws out the pepper flavor beautifully.
Allergy information: dairy
FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions)
Crock Pot Recipe Conclusion
Let’s recap!
Crock pot cooking allows you the freedom to work your meals into the day effectively, yields delicious results, and is a super ti saver.
We understand you want to provide tasty and nourishing meals for your family with as little mess and fuss. Hence, many home kitchens have jumped onto the crock pot cooking bandwagon!
What is your family’s favorite frozen ground beef crock pot recipe? Let us know!
We would love to hear from you.
