Stretch Ground Meat Further: My Secret Ingredient for Tacos, Chili & Pasta Sauce
Stretch ground meat further with my secret ingredient for tacos, chili, and pasta sauce. Say goodbye to expensive, wasteful recipes! If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken and S’mores Pie.
Why This Stretch Ground Meat Further: My Secret Ingredient for Tacos, Chili & Pasta Sauce Is Pure Comfort
- Saves money on groceries
- Reduces food waste
- Easy to incorporate into your favorite recipes
What You'll Need for Stretch Ground Meat Further: My Secret Ingredient for Tacos, Chili & Pasta Sauce
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 lb ground meat
- 1 cup cooked oats
- 1 tbsp taco seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Shredded cheese
- Optional: Diced onions
- Optional: Sour cream
📝 Ingredient Notes
- ground meat: Use any type: beef, turkey, or a mix.
- cooked oats: Instant oats work best.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Oats — Cooks quickly and evenly → See on Amazon
- Taco Seasoning — Adds authentic flavor → See on Amazon
How to Make Stretch Ground Meat Further: My Secret Ingredient for Tacos, Chili & Pasta Sauce
- Cook oats: Cook 1 cup of instant oats according to package instructions. Let them cool.
- Mix ingredients: In a large bowl, combine cooked oats, ground meat, taco seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Cook the mixture: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meat and oat mixture. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Stretch Ground Meat Further: My Secret Ingredient for Tacos, Chili & Pasta Sauce
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the oats. They'll become mushy and affect the texture of your dish.
- Time-saving tip: Prepare the oats ahead of time and store them in the fridge until ready to use.
- Nutrition tip: Use lean ground turkey or chicken to reduce fat and calories.
Storing & Reheating Stretch Ground Meat Further: My Secret Ingredient for Tacos, Chili & Pasta Sauce
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the oat mixture up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to use.
Freezing Stretch Ground Meat Further: My Secret Ingredient for Tacos, Chili & Pasta Sauce
Freeze cooked meat for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Adding a beaten egg to the mixture can help bind the ingredients together.
- Best substitution: Use cooked quinoa or bulgur as an alternative to oats.
- Make-ahead: Cook the oats and mix with the meat up to 2 days ahead.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled.
- Troubleshooting: If the mixture is too dry, add a little water or broth. If it's too wet, add more oats or breadcrumbs.
Want to level up this recipe?
Meat Thermometer — Ensures your meat is cooked to a safe temperature → Check price on Amazon
Stretch Ground Meat Further: My Secret Ingredient for Tacos, Chili & Pasta Sauce
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground meat
- 1 cup cooked oats
Seasonings
- 1 tbsp taco seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Toppings
- Shredded cheese
- Diced onions
- Sour cream
Instructions
- Cook oats: Cook 1 cup of instant oats according to package instructions. Let them cool.
- Mix ingredients: In a large bowl, combine cooked oats, ground meat, taco seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Cook the mixture: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meat and oat mixture. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat.
Notes
- Chef tip: Adding a beaten egg to the mixture can help bind the ingredients together.
- Best substitution: Use cooked quinoa or bulgur as an alternative to oats.
- Make-ahead: Cook the oats and mix with the meat up to 2 days ahead.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled.
- Troubleshooting: If the mixture is too dry, add a little water or broth. If it's too wet, add more oats or breadcrumbs.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked meat for up to 3 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: Prepare the oat mixture up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to use.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 250
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Cholesterol: 60mg
- Sat. Fat: 3g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Stretch Ground Meat Further: My Secret Ingredient for Tacos, Chili & Pasta Sauce FAQs
No, using raw oats can lead to an unpleasant texture and may cause digestive issues.
Overcooking the oats or not adding enough liquid can cause the meat to dry out. Make sure to cook the oats properly and add enough water or broth when cooking the meat.
Yes, cooked meat can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Yes, cook the meat and oat mixture in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Cooked quinoa, bulgur, or breadcrumbs can be used as an alternative to oats.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Stretch Ground Meat Further: My Secret Ingredient for Tacos, Chili & Pasta Sauce and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
