Substituting ground beef for the spicy Italian sausages will not be as good, Jimmy Dean's Spicy Pork Sausage may be used in place of the spicy Italian sausages --- although I have listed black beans red kidney beans also work well or you may use what you like, or if you are not a lover of beans you may omit, can also add in a 4-ounce can green chilies, I use lots of garlic for this you may reduce amount if desired