All of my recipes always call for cooking the ground beef prior to putting it in the crockpot, so I always wondered how it would cook in the crockpot, so I wouldn't have to dirty up another pan! ..... a soup can for disposal), then put it in the crockpot with whatever's on hand. But it cooks either way. Boy, crockpots are nice. Almost any combo of meat and veggies can make 4 or 5 meals without a fuss. Last week it was a corned beef and cabbage -- came out just perfect. ...
Source: http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115166