Ground Beef

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. For side dishes, mix grated carrots into deli macaroni salad, and pass corn on the cob. Strawberry ice cream with chocolate sauce and sliced strawberries is a sweet ending.

Green peppercorns can be found packed in brine in the specialty foods section of most large supermarkets.

At the restaurant, the gnocchi are shaped in a time-honored manner that includes pressing each short dough piece against the tines of a fork. Home cooks may find it simpler to roll the dough along the wires of a whisk, as outlined here. Also, if you can't get ground chuck, buy a boneless chuck roast, and ask the butcher to grind it for you.

Known as bifteck haché in France, this dish would go well with potatoes au gratin from the freezer case and buttered, lightly steamed spinach. End with chocolate mousse.

Like American-style chili, picadillo is great over rice or with warm tortillas.

This recipe is from Winnie Spazano, my second mom/housekeeper, who by day ran an elementary school cafeteria and by night cooked "something special" for my brothers and me. The following is a standout. As it was placed in front of my nine-year-old face, I thought, "I can't each something this large!" To this day, I don't understand the name.

Sichuan peppercorns are officially banned from import because they come from a plant that is susceptible to citrus canker. Although there's no substitute for their woodsy citrus flavor, the recipe is delicious without them. Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 30 min

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

A can of pumpkin purée adds richness, body, and an autumnal hue to this speedy chili, letting the flavors of the spices, aromatics, and ground beef shine.

Be the cookout MVP with our recipe for Coney dogs—beef franks topped with meat sauce, chopped onions, and a squidge of yellow mustard.

The original surf-and-turf, this rustic Spanish dish combines tender seafood and beefy meatballs in a thick, savory stew.

A homemade black bean sauce is better than anything you can find in the grocery store. Plus, the 15-minute dinner you can make with it.

Inspired by the flavors of Vietnamese pho, this ground beef and rice noodle soup comes together in just 20 minutes.

A fresh take on a Midwest staple, featuring homemade gravy and plenty of vegetables.

Our best Salisbury steak recipe takes the nostalgic dish up a notch thanks to caramelized shallots, mushroom gravy, zippy mustard powder, and lots of parsley.