Ground beef is one of the most versatile and budget-friendly ingredients to cook with. It’s easy to find at the grocery store freezes well, and can be incorporated into so many quick and tasty meals. From hearty casseroles and pasta bakes to soups sandwiches and more, ground beef transforms everyday ingredients into comforting dinners the whole family will love.
If you’ve got a package (or two) of ground beef in the fridge or freezer and aren’t sure what to make, keep reading We’ve rounded up 26 delicious ground beef recipes to inspire your weeknight dinners.
Easy Ground Beef Casseroles
Casseroles are one of the ultimate comfort foods, and ground beef helps create that cozy, hearty flavor. These ground beef casserole recipes are family-friendly, freezer-friendly, and full of flavor.
Cheesy Ground Beef and Potato Casserole
This cheesy ground beef casserole combines potato slices, ground beef, cream of mushroom soup, cheese and seasonings for an easy 30-minute meal. Kids and adults alike will love this tasty dinner. Serve it with a side salad or steamed vegetables.
Chili Cheeseburger Casserole
If you love cheeseburgers and chili, this casserole is for you. It’s made with lean ground beef, kidney beans, corn, cheese and a blend of spices for a hearty, mildly spicy flavor. Top it with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes and sour cream for a fun chili cheeseburger-in-a-dish.
Taco Casserole
For a twist on Taco Tuesday, try this easy taco casserole. Seasoned ground beef, refried beans, tortilla chips, cheese and taco sauce come together to create a colorful layered casserole that tastes just like tacos – no shell required.
Pasta Bakes with Ground Beef
Carb lovers rejoice – these pasta bakes are sure to satisfy. Ground beef adds a meaty depth of flavor to cheesy, saucy pasta. Try these recipes for family-friendly fare the kids will devour.
Baked Spaghetti
Baked spaghetti gets an extra flavor boost from savory Italian sausage and ground beef. Topped with mozzarella and Parmesan, this cheesy pasta bake is sure to become a new family favorite.
Cheeseburger Pasta Bake
All of the cheeseburger flavors come together in this fun pasta dish – ground beef, onions, pickles, cheese and a special sauce mix it up with macaroni noodles. Definitely a kid-pleaser!
Pizza Pasta Bake
This pizza-inspired pasta dish has it all – ground beef, pepperoni, bell peppers, onion, marinara sauce, cheese and rotini pasta. It tastes just like pizza, but in comfort food casserole form.
Quick and Easy Skillet Meals
Thanks to ground beef, complete meals can come together quickly right in one skillet. These skillet recipes make dinner a cinch.
Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Skillet
This easy skillet dinner combines ground beef, rice, tomatoes, cheese, and taco seasoning for a mildly spicy Tex-Mex meal. Assemble it in less than 30 minutes for a fast family dinner.
Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
Satisfy your craving for beef with broccoli without the takeout bill. This quick and easy stir fry is ready in just 20 minutes. Serve it over steamed rice for a fast weeknight meal.
Taco Skillet
Everything you love about tacos comes together in one skillet – ground beef, onions, taco seasoning, tomatoes, beans, rice, cheese, lettuce, salsa and more. Customize it with your favorite taco toppings.
Soups and Stews with Ground Beef
Ground beef makes hearty, comforting soups and stews even more satisfying. Try these delicious ground beef soup recipes to warm up on chilly nights.
Chili
Homemade chili is so flavorful and better than anything from a can. Ground beef, beans, onions, tomatoes, chili powder and other spices come together to make this hearty soup perfect for fall.
Taco Soup
All of the taco flavors blend together in this easy soup – ground beef, tomatoes, beans, corn, salsa, spices and cheese. Top with crunchy tortilla chips, avocado and sour cream for a fun twist on taco night.
Vegetable Beef Soup
This classic vegetable soup gets a protein punch from ground beef. Celery, carrots, potatoes, beans and cabbage simmer in a savory tomato broth flavored with beef for a cozy, hearty soup.
Sandwiches Stuffed with Ground Beef
Ground beef makes the ultimate sandwich filling. Slip it between bread or tortillas for an easy, hand-held meal.
Sloppy Joes
Messy, saucy Sloppy Joes just scream comfort food. Ground beef simmers in a sweet and tangy tomato sauce, then gets piled onto soft buns for an easy dinner kids adore.
Meatball Subs
Homemade meatballs topped with marinara sauce and melty mozzarella cheese turn basic sub sandwiches into a hearty meal. Add sautéed bell peppers and onions for even more flavor.
Cheesy Burritos
These beef and bean burritos are loaded with flavor. Filled with seasoned ground beef, Mexican-blend cheese, lettuce and diced tomatoes, they’re an easy dinner everyone will love.
More Ground Beef Dinners
Ground beef is very versatile. Here are even more ways to put it to delicious use.
Beef Tacos
Ground beef tacos are a go-to for Taco Tuesdays! Seasoned ground beef, shredded lettuce, cheese, salsa, guacamole, sour cream…what’s not to love? The toppings make it.
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Homemade meatballs elevate a basic plate of spaghetti into a fabulous dinner. Simmer ground beef meatballs in tomato sauce for added flavor, then toss them with hot pasta.
Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s pie transforms leftovers into a hearty, humble casserole. Cooked ground beef and vegetables are topped with creamy, buttery mashed potatoes and melted cheese for pure comfort food.
Stuffed Peppers
Ground beef, rice, onions, garlic and cheese stuff vibrant bell peppers in this hearty, healthy dinner. Roasting or baking the peppers brings out their natural sweetness.
Lasagna
Meaty lasagna layered with noodles, cheese and tomatoes is amazing, but a bit of ground beef mixed into the sauce makes it sublime. The extra flavor really takes it over the top.
Beef Enchiladas
Ground beef enchiladas are fun, flavorful and freezer-friendly. Fill tortillas with seasoned ground beef, top with enchilada sauce and cheese, then bake until hot and bubbly.
Meatballs
Versatile meatballs can be simmered in sauce, baked, grilled or cooked any way you like. Mix ground beef with breadcrumbs, egg, and herbs for a flavorful base then build from there.
Hamburger Steak with Gravy
For an easy but elegant dinner, cook ground beef patties, then smother them in savory onion gravy. Roast some veggies on the side and you’ve got comfort food covered.
With just a pound of ground beef, minced garlic, onions and basic spices, you can make so many fast, family-friendly meals. Ground beef is handy to have on hand, freezes beautifully and helps stretch meals further. Whatever you make, your family is sure to love it.
More Skillet Meal Recipes
And if you love delicious beef with rice, try taking it to the next level with my Beef Tips recipe. It uses sirloin steak and gets a fantastic gravy to tie it all together.
Adding Onto The Add-ins
Besides the beef and rice, I include onion and garlic because they help add richness and depth to almost everything. I also add tomatoes and beef broth for flavor, and to give the rice some liquid to soak up as it cooks.
On top of those basics, I add diced green pepper, but you could switch it up and use red or yellow bell peppers, or make it with other veggies, like peas and carrots, or even a frozen veggie mix. Whatever you decide on, stick to one or two cups worth.
While the Ground Beef and Rice Skillet is cooking, throw together a green salad and maybe some garlic bread. And before you know it, your easy-to-love dinner is served. Enjoy! – Christine
Easy & Healthy Ground Beef Rice Bowls
FAQ
What meal can I make with ground beef?
- Salisbury Ground Beef. …
- Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry. …
- Ground Beef Hummus Bowls. …
- One-Pan Beef and Chickpeas. …
- One-Pot Taco Pasta. …
- Easy Beef Krapow. …
- Baked Ground Beef Tacos. …
- Easy Taco Casserole.
What can I make with 1 pound of ground beef?
- 01 of 25. Ground Beef with Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix. …
- 02 of 25. Ground Beef and Cabbage. …
- 03 of 25. Asian Lettuce Wraps. …
- 04 of 25. Chef John’s Stuffed Peppers. …
- 05 of 25. Mini Meatloaves. …
- 06 of 25. Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Beef. …
- 07 of 25. Easy Chili. …
- 08 of 25.
What is ground beef best for?
Ground beef is an excellent source of iron to help prevent anemia, rich in zinc for immunity, high in protein, and offered in leaner cuts, which are great choices for balancing red meat consumption with leaner choices.
What to make with too much ground beef?
- Spicy Chipotle Beef Enchiladas.
- Spicy Eggplant & Beef Chili.
- Kitchen Sink Hamburger Soup.
- Big Batch Shepherd’s Pie.
- Beef & Mushroom Skillet Lasagna.
- Mini Meat Pies.