Welcome to Betty Cooks! I’m Betty, and I’m passionate about creating delicious, stress-free meals that bring families together. If you’re looking for easy recipes with ground beef that don’t sacrifice flavor, you’ve come to the right place. This Creamy Butter Chicken is one of my favorite weeknight easy recipes with ground beef—it’s a fantastic twist on a classic that simplifies the process without losing any of the rich, comforting taste.
Table of Contents
- Why This Recipe Works
- Choosing Your Main Ingredient
- The Secret to the Sauce
- Serving Suggestions and Variations
- A Reminder to Have Fun
- Find More Ground Beef Inspiration
- The Recipe
- Notes and Tips
Key Takeaways
- Fast & Flavorful: This dish comes together in about 40 minutes, making it a perfect solution for busy weeknights.
- Family-Friendly Twist: Using ground beef creates a familiar texture that kids and adults alike will enjoy, while the creamy, spiced sauce delivers authentic Indian-inspired flavor.
- Versatile & Customizable: Easily adapt the recipe to your taste or pantry—use chicken, adjust the spice level, or swap in different creams.
- Perfect for quick and easy recipes seekers: It requires minimal prep and uses common ingredients, proving that impressive meals don’t need to be complicated.
Why This Recipe Works
Traditional butter chicken is amazing, but it can be time-consuming. My version streamlines everything. By using ground beef easy recipes as a base, you skip the step of cubing and searing meat, which cuts down on both prep and cook time significantly. The marinade infuses the beef with deep flavor quickly, and the sauce—a luscious blend of tomatoes, cream, and warm spices—comes together in one pan. It’s the ultimate example of how simple, healthy easy recipes can still feel indulgent and special.
Choosing Your Main Ingredient
While I developed this as one of my top dinner recipes featuring ground beef for its convenience and kid-friendly appeal, don’t feel limited! The beauty of this recipe is its adaptability. If you prefer, you can absolutely use boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces—just brown them well before proceeding. For a lighter take, lean ground turkey works wonderfully too. The marinade and sauce are so flavorful that they pair beautifully with a variety of proteins. Explore more simple pasta easy recipes and other dishes on my site for more weeknight inspiration.
The Secret to the Sauce
The soul of this dish lies in its creamy, aromatic sauce. Don’t rush the onions—cooking them slowly until they’re soft and golden is crucial for building a sweet, deep foundation. The combination of ginger, garlic, garam masala, and a touch of tomato creates a complex flavor profile that’s balanced by the rich cream. A pinch of sugar might seem unusual, but it’s the secret weapon that rounds out the acidity of the tomatoes and ties all the spices together perfectly.
Serving Suggestions and Variations
This creamy butter chicken is incredibly versatile. For a classic experience, serve it over a bed of fluffy basmati rice or with warm, buttery naan bread to soak up every last drop of sauce. If you’re looking for easy recipes that can stretch a bit further, try it tossed with cooked penne or served alongside roasted vegetables. Feeling adventurous? Stir in a handful of spinach at the end for a pop of color and nutrients, or add a splash of coconut milk in place of some cream for a subtly tropical twist.
A Reminder to Have Fun
Cooking should be enjoyable, not stressful. This recipe is forgiving. Forgot to marinate the beef? Even 15 minutes will help. Don’t have heavy cream? Half-and-half or full-fat coconut milk are great substitutes. The goal is to get a delicious, satisfying meal on the table that makes everyone happy. Don’t be afraid to make it your own—that’s how the best easy recipes with ground beef are born!
Find More Ground Beef Inspiration
If you love this take on butter chicken, you’ll find plenty of other creative and simple ideas in my collection of ground beef easy recipes. From hearty casseroles and stuffed peppers to flavorful skillet meals, ground beef is a weeknight superhero, and I’m here to help you cook it in new and exciting ways. Head over to Betty Cooks to discover your family’s next favorite meal.
The Recipe
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Easy Recipes with Ground Beef: Creamy Butter Chicken
Ingredients
For the Marinade
- 1.5 lbs ground beef
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 2 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp chili powder (optional)
For the Sauce
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp ginger, minced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14 oz) can tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp sugar
- Salt to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
Marinate the Beef
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef with yogurt, lemon juice, ginger, garlic, turmeric, garam masala, and chili powder.
- Mix well, cover, and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours for deeper flavor).
Cook the Dish
- In a large skillet or pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft and golden, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the minced ginger and garlic, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add the marinated ground beef to the pan. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, heavy cream, and sugar. Season with salt to taste.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and let the sauce simmer gently for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving. Best enjoyed over basmati rice or with warm naan bread.
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