For hundreds of years, beef and potatoes has been one of the most reliable combinations in cuisine around the world. Here in the United States, in particular, home cooks have enjoyed a wide variety of delicious dishes based on them.

When it comes to comfort food, Grandma picks ground beef as a go-to ingredient. These are her favorite recipes, from soups and chilis to hearty casseroles.

I love a good kitchen hack as much as the next person, but after more than 25 years of working in kitchens — both private and professional, and with chefs far more knowledgeable than myself — I thought I’d heard all the best ones.