15 Simple and Delicious Recipes to Make with Lean Ground Beef

Lean ground beef is a versatile and healthy ingredient that can be used to make a variety of delicious meals. With just a pound of lean ground beef, you can whip up quick weeknight dinners, meal prep lunches, and even freezer-friendly casseroles.

Here are 15 of my favorite recipes to make with lean ground beef:

1. Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

This 30-minute beef and broccoli stir fry is a healthier takeout fakeout. Lean ground beef is cooked with garlic, ginger, and soy sauce, then stir-fried with fresh broccoli florets. Serve it over brown rice for a fast, protein-packed dinner.

2. Loaded Nachos

Nachos don’t have to be unhealthy. This fresh, vegetarian-friendly recipe layers lean ground beef black beans, tomatoes avocado, and shredded cheese over baked tortilla chips. The toppings make it so you only need a small amount of ground beef.

3. Zucchini Lasagna Rolls

Lasagna rolls get a veggie boost with the addition of zucchini noodles. Lean ground beef mixes with ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, and spinach for the filling. The zucchini rolls bake up melty, saucy, and full of flavor.

4. Taco Stuffed Peppers

Bell peppers become the perfect vessel for taco fillings in this fun, kid-friendly dish. Lean ground beef cooks with taco seasoning, beans corn and tomatoes to stuff the peppers. Top with shredded cheese and sour cream.

5. Spaghetti Bolognese

A classic spaghetti bolognese uses lean ground beef as the base for a rich, meaty tomato sauce. Cook the beef low and slow with onions, garlic, tomatoes, wine, and warm Italian spices. Toss with whole wheat spaghetti and parmesan.

6. Beef and Barley Soup

Beef and barley is a hearty soup combination. Sirloin beef simmers in broth with carrots, celery, and barley. For a healthier soup, be sure to trim the beef of excess fat before cooking. Garnish bowls with parsley.

7. Lettuce Wrap Tacos

Skip the tortillas and use lettuce leaves for lighter tacos. Cook seasoned lean ground beef and your favorite taco toppings like diced onions, salsa, guacamole, and queso. Stuff into butter lettuce or romaine leaves for low-carb tacos.

8. Loaded Baked Potatoes

Baked potatoes make the perfect healthy vessel for lean ground beef and veggies Top russet potatoes with cooked ground beef, broccoli, shredded cheddar, bacon, and a dollop of Greek yogurt

9. Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry

Try this quick and easy stir fry with lean ground beef and superfood cabbage. Beef cooks up fast in a skillet with garlic and ginger. Add chopped cabbage and stir fry until tender. Serve over brown rice or cauliflower rice.

10. Cabbage Roll Casserole

Enjoy the flavors of cabbage rolls without all the work in this easy casserole. Lean ground beef and cooked rice bake with seasoned tomato sauce and savoy cabbage. Top with feta or parmesan cheese.

11. Chili Cheeseburger Skillet

This one-skillet meal combines two family favorites: cheeseburgers and chili! Lean ground beef cooks with onions, beans, tomatoes, and spices. Stir in cooked macaroni and top with shredded cheddar for a fast weeknight dinner.

12. Beef and Vegetable Soup

This soup is chock-full of veggies like carrots, celery, green beans, tomatoes, and spinach. Lean ground beef provides protein while the veggies pack in nutrients. Season with garlic, oregano, basil and red pepper flakes.

13. Meatballs and Marinara

Homemade baked meatballs are surprisingly easy to make with lean ground beef. Form into balls and bake until browned. Then simmer the meatballs in a simple marinara sauce. Serve over zucchini noodles or whole wheat pasta.

14. Stuffed Peppers

Bell peppers get a flavorful filling of lean ground beef, rice, onion, garlic, and Parmesan. Bake the stuffed pepper halves until tender. Top with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese for the last 5 minutes of baking.

15. Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd’s pie is comfort food at its finest. Lean ground beef cooks with veggies like peas, carrots, and corn. Top with creamy mashed potatoes and bake until bubbly and browned. A sprinkle of shredded cheese on top is optional.

Tips for Cooking with Lean Ground Beef

When shopping for lean ground beef, look for packages labeled “90% lean” or “95% lean.” This indicates the meat is 90-95% lean protein and just 5-10% fat.

Be sure to use ground sirloin or ground round, not ground chuck. Ground chuck often has a higher fat content around 15-20%.

Drain off any excess fat after browning lean ground beef. Use a colander to drain the meat before adding it to dishes like tacos, pasta sauce, or casseroles.

Add flavor boosters like garlic, spices, herbs, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, or tomato paste. Since lean ground beef is lower in fat, it can benefit from extra seasonings.

Lean ground beef cooks faster than higher fat ground beef. Be careful not to overcook it. Cook just until no longer pink and the meat reaches 160°F internally.

Let lean ground beef rest for 5 minutes after cooking. This allows the juices to redistribute so the meat stays nice and moist.

Mix in a little olive oil when cooking. The added fat will help keep lean ground beef tender and prevent it from becoming dry.

So there you have it – 15 delicious, diet-friendly recipes to make with lean ground beef. With a little creativity, lean ground beef can be so much more than just burgers. Give some of these tasty recipes a try for easy, nutritious meals.