Big Batch Cooked Ground Beef Food

BIG BATCH COOKED GROUND BEEF

Steps:

• Cook ground beef in stockpot or Dutch oven, using medium-high heat for 9 to 10 minutes, breaking into small chunks with back of spoon until browned and completely cooked.
• Drain in colander.
• Return to pot and add onion and garlic; simmer uncovered for 12 to 15 minutes until vegetables are soft.
• Spread mixture out in a single layer onto several foil-lined baking trays; cover loosely with plastic wrap and freeze just until meat is firm (about 1 hour).
• Loosen frozen beef into chunks and scoop into freezer bags or containers.
• Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Add frozen beef to recipes calling for browned ground beef, you may need to increase the recipe’s cooking time slightly.

BIG-BATCH SEASONED GROUND BEEF

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over high. Add one-quarter (1 lb.) of the ground beef in an even layer, using your hands to break up large pieces and leaving some gaps to encourage browning (instead of steaming). Season with 1 tsp. salt. Cook, undisturbed, until bottom is deeply browned, about 3 minutes. Turn and break into smaller pieces and cook until the other side is browned, 2-3 minutes. Push over to one side of pot. Repeat with another one-quarter (1 lb.) of ground beef, seasoning uncooked meat with 1 tsp. salt. Using a wooden spatula or spoon, break meat into smaller pieces and stir to combine.
• Season remaining 2 lb. beef with 2 tsp. salt, then add to pot and cook over medium heat, stirring often and breaking into small pieces, until all meat is cooked through and most (but not all) of the liquid is evaporated from bottom of pot, 12-15 minutes. Let cool to room temperature.
• Do Ahead:
• Ground beef can be made 5 days ahead. Divide among airtight containers and chill, or freeze up to 3 months.

BIG-BATCH MEATBALLS AND RED SAUCE

Steps:

• For the sauce: Swirl the oil and garlic in a medium saucepan over medium heat until the garlic is just lightly browned and fragrant, about 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes and 1 cup water, and bring to a high simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low, add the basil and 2 teaspoons salt and simmer, uncovered, until thickened, 20 to 25 minutes. Set aside and keep warm.
• For the meatballs: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Tear the bread into very small pieces and put it in a small bowl. Pour the milk over the bread, and let sit until the bread is soft, about 5 minutes.
• Combine the bread mixture with the beef, pork, Parmesan, eggs, onions, parsley, garlic, 2 teaspoons salt and red pepper flakes in a large bowl, and thoroughly mix with your hands. Divide the mixture evenly into 36 mounds, and roll each into a ball.
• Brush 2 rimmed baking sheets generously with oil. Evenly divide the meatballs between the sheets, and roll them around to coat in oil. Bake until golden brown and cooked through, rotating the sheets halfway through if needed, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Transfer the meatballs to the warm sauce, and cook for 5 minutes over medium-low heat. Let the meatballs and sauce cool completely, divide evenly among four 1-quart containers and freeze for up to 1 month.
• To reheat: Let a container of the meatballs and sauce thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Transfer them to a microwave-safe container, and microwave in 2-minute increments, gently stirring after each, until the meatballs are heated through.

BIG-BATCH BEEF SAUCE

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook beef, onions, celery and garlic until meat is no longer pink and vegetables are tender; drain. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 1 to 1-1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. Cool. , Transfer to freezer bags or containers, about 2 cups in each. May be frozen for up to 3 months.