1. **Preparation:** Start by removing the ground beef from the packaging and breaking it up into smaller pieces. If desired, you can season the ground beef with salt, pepper, and any other desired herbs or spices.
2. **Preheat the Pan:** Heat a skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, add a small amount of oil or butter to prevent sticking.
3. **Cooking:** Add the seasoned ground beef to the hot pan, breaking it up with a spoon or spatula to ensure even cooking. Cook the ground beef for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it is browned and cooked through. The internal temperature of the ground beef should reach 160°F (71°C) to ensure it is fully cooked and safe to eat.
4. **Drain Excess Fat (Optional):** Depending on the fat content of the ground beef, you may need to drain off excess fat from the pan during cooking. Use a spoon or spatula to carefully remove the fat from the pan and discard it.
5. **Seasoning (Optional):** Once the ground beef is cooked, you can season it further with additional salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, or other spices to taste.
6. **Serve:** Once the ground beef is cooked and seasoned to your liking, you can use it in a variety of dishes. Serve it immediately as a topping for tacos, nachos, pasta, or salads, or use it as an ingredient in recipes like chili, spaghetti sauce, meatballs, or stuffed peppers.
Enjoy your deliciously cooked ground beef in your favorite dishes!