Since I'm no Betty Crocker ...
You're going to have to speak in Beginner's terms >>>

Mom’s Meatloaf
* 1 lb. ground turkey
* 1 lb ground beef
* 1 lb. ground venison
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Tator tot casserole
* 1 pound ground beef
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GERMAN SKILLET DINNER
* 1 lb. lean ground beef
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Sheppard's Pie
* 1lb ground beef
* Brown ground beef and season with salt & pepper & garlic powder & onion powder.
* When completely cooked ???? AND DRAINED or keep juices????
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So the Dumm Question for today is:

When some form or Raw Meat is specified, is it "assumed" that da Cook will
PRE-Cook ("Brown")
and then DRAIN said raw meat before tossing in with the other "stuff" -
(thereby reducing the grease & fat in the dish) -
OR is it supposed to go in raw, uncooked, and juice capable??

My Hamburger HELPER boxes all TELL me to Pre-Cook & DRAIN the Hamburgler.