Stretch 1 Pound of Ground Beef & Make This Casserole For Dinner
With ground beef prices at an all-time high, finding ways to stretch a grocery budget without sacrificing a hearty, comforting dinner is a major pain point for families right now. In this video, Iβm showing you exactly how to stretch 1 pound of ground beef into a delicious, satisfying dinner to feed four people!
Today, I am making two distinct, budget-friendly ground beef recipes. First up is a comforting, layered ground beef and potato casserole covered in a rich bechamel sauce and melted cheese. The second recipe is a quick, one-pot stovetop lasagna that gives you all the nostalgia of a homemade Hamburger Helper lasagna, but made with simple ingredients. Both of these easy dinner ideas are perfect for busy weeknights when you want to bulk up a single pound of meat into a filling family meal.
*TIMESTAMPS*
0:00 Intro
0:13 Cook The Ground Beef
1:19 Canned Tomato Paste Hack
2:16 Thinly Slice Potatoes
2:52 Make The Bechamel Sauce
4:11 Top the Casserole And Bake
5:27 Homemade Hamburger Helper Lasagne
*Ground Beef Potato Casserole*
1 pound lean ground beef
1 lb potatoes
12 oz of mixed veggies
2 Tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
4 Tbsp unsalted butter
5 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1 to 1 1/2 cups of whole milk
pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
salt to taste
6 oz cheese of choice
*Stovetop Lasagna*
1 lb lean ground beef
1/2 small onion
2 cloves garlic
2 tsp Italian herb blend
1 tsp salt
1/2 cracked black pepper
3 cups low-sodium beef broth
24 oz jar of marinara sauce
12 oz mini lasagna pasta (or break sheets of lasagna pasta)
8 oz low-moisture mozzarella
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 cup heavy cream
Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish with fresh parsley
If you are looking for cheap dinner ideas, frugal meal prep tips, or just want to know how to save money on groceries while beef prices are sky-high, these recipes are for you. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more easy budget recipes!
Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas
If You Have Potatoes And Ground Beef…Make This!

45 Comments
My girl at it again, love your recipes and methods. I always share your videos with my daughter in law. Keep them coming π
I've stopped buying ground beef, now I buy ground turkey. It's cheaper and it tastes amazing β€
Not seeing the video…just the still shot of the final product.
They both look delicious. Have a wonderful weekend βοΈ βοΈ
Does anybody know if the lasagna recipe would work with oven ready lasagna noodles?
Love the recipe and the tip for the extra tomato paste.β€β€β€ Thank you Angel! π
Appreciate you, from NW NMβ€πβ€, thank you*
Love the lasagna idea, however, I think I would have put it under a broiler for a short bit, to brown the cheese .
I take my leftover paste and put it into a ziploc bag. Squeeze all the air out, seal it, then use your hands to flatten the paste and separate into square shapes. Use the side of your hand, like a karate chop, and create βrowsβ in the paste for lack of a better description. Then when you need some just pop out however many frozen squares that you need.
Thank you for these simple ideas during complicated times <3
Great one pot dishes. They look so good I will have to try them out.
Thanks for sharing ππ½π
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Thanks for your wonderful recipes. I canβt wait to try them. β€
Acidic stuff like tomatoes I don't think should be cooked in cast iron…
Listen, you tell me what to buy & what to make w/ it?? I will do what you say!! πβ€β€β€
What is table cream?
I love your one pot lasagna I make it all the time.β€β€β€
I subbed awhile back but rarely get to watch some of these channels. 1.9M subbers! I am one of them and with this video, I see why I subbed , then.
Thank you for helping us all save money with your wonderful dishes!
Wow! Both of these recipes look great! I am definitely going to make these!π
Oooooβ¦I girl after my own taste buds. So that ground beef dish is a staple in my house. I use that base for empanadas (add lots of cumin), onions and green olives with Pillsbury dough. I use it for Sheppard pie and cheese on top a lot like you did. I also do it with the Pillsbury dough and the cheese under the dough. So many versions. You cook like a real old school mom. β€π
Hello again, I love a skillet or one pan meal. I have been making skillet banana bread every time I donβt feel like making muffins lately. It is just a little easier. Will definitely make both these recipes to enjoy both convenience and deliciousness! Thank you
Looks delicious π
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Yesterday I found out that Wal-Mart sells Festive brand frozen ground turkey for $1.98. In the store I go to most, it's back by the milk "in a bunker," which is one of those open-top cooler/freezer things without doors. I bought 3 pounds today. I will be going back when I get paid again and get 10 or 12 pounds of ground turkey.
ΔΉooks like great, easy. Lasagna.
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Hey Mama, thank you for more great recipes β€.
I always trust your videos. When I decide to make one that I feel like trying, I'm never disappointed. You're one of my "go-to" people on YouTube for new ideas. And I always trust your Mexican dishes, even if it's a little different than my own. It's always nice to try something a little different.
Could you use rutabagas or turnips instead of potatoes?
Nice to see that Iβm not the only one who has DIY hamburger helper copycats in their regular rotation.
going to try these both for my daughter and i, thank you!
I need a deal on ground beef. Itβs gotten crazy expensive. Weβve been eating chicken and pork lately. Beef is better for my anemia though!
Excellent recipe ideas thank youβ€
I am thankful for your recipes. Having said this, is there anyway you can show us recipes without meats, especially in this day and and age of high costs? Thank you so much for your content. Been watching for years. β€
I agree with other commenters; simple recipes like these are what we really need. "More, Please"!! Thank you…πΊπΈ πβ
Thank you ! πΌππΌ
I always love π your videos especially the ones that your grandma gave you! I treasure them! If you have time could you please do the P F Changs lettuce wraps that are vegetarian? Thanks for all you do!!
They look delicious!! I especially loved how to freeze the tomato paste!! Thank you so much!!β€β€β€π
Two excellent recipes!
Thank you β€
Great idea with left over tomato paste! Thanks β€β€β€
Hi Angelica, both recipes look so tasty. I especially like the lasagna. Putting it on my list. Ty.
I'm not much of a commenter – but I want to tell you thank you for your videos, you're such a good cook and got your game down on making dishes, saving people money with amazing ideas!
I quite often use 1/2 pound of ground meat for similar recipes, and bulk with extra veggies or beans, depending on the recipe. Will be trying these!!