Ground beef is a kitchen staple in many households thanks to its versatility, affordability and hearty flavor. Whether you have a half pound leftover from a recipe or picked some up from the grocery store, there are endless quick and delicious meals you can whip up with this basic ingredient.
From flavorful tacos to comforting casseroles and savory meatballs, read on for 18 amazing recipes to make with just 1/2 pound of ground beef
Easy Weeknight Meals
When time is short and you need dinner on the table fast, ground beef is your secret weapon for putting together a tasty meal in a hurry. Here are some quick and satisfying ground beef dinner recipes that come together in 30 minutes or less:
1. Beef Tacos
You can’t go wrong with classic tacos for a fast and family-friendly dinner. Cook 1/2 lb ground beef with taco seasoning and your favorite toppings like shredded lettuce diced tomatoes, cheese and salsa wrapped in warm tortillas. Add some rice and beans on the side for a complete meal.
2. Beef and Vegetable Stir-Fry
For a lighter option, stir-fry thinly sliced flank steak with broccoli, carrots, onions and a savory sauce. Serve over rice for a meal that’s better than takeout.
3. Cheesy Ground Beef Skillet
This one-pan wonder combines ground beef, pasta and veggies topped with melted cheese. Simple ingredients come together for a hearty and comforting 30-minute meal.
4. Beef Sliders
No need to wait for a summer BBQ to enjoy these flavorful mini burgers They come together fast in a skillet and pair perfectly with potato wedges.
5. Beef and Potato Hash
This protein-packed hash is a great way to use up leftover cooked potatoes. Brown the ground beef and mix with potatoes, peppers, onions and spices for a hearty one-skillet meal.
Family Favorite Casseroles
When you have a half pound of ground beef, casseroles are a great way to transform it into a hearty baked dish the whole family will love. Here are some top-rated recipes to try:
6. Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole
This classic casserole combines ground beef, rice, cream of mushroom soup and melted cheese for ultimate comfort food.
7. Chili Cheese Beef and Cornbread Casserole
Mix chili-seasoned ground beef with cornbread batter and cheddar cheese for a hearty casserole with a kick.
8. Beef and Rice Stuffed Peppers
Fill colorful bell peppers with a savory mix of ground beef, rice, marinara sauce and Italian seasonings for a family favorite.
9. Beef Enchilada Casserole
Layers of tortillas, ground beef, beans, enchilada sauce and cheese create a tasty Tex-Mex casserole everyone will devour.
10. Beef and Zucchini Lasagna Rolls
For a lighter spin, wrap ground beef and shredded zucchini in lasagna noodles and cover in tomato sauce and cheese.
Easy Handheld Meals
When you’re hosting a crowd or need an easy meal on the go, ground beef is a perfect starting point for handheld foods like sandwiches, burgers and meatballs.
11. Classic Beef Burgers
Grill up juicy, seasoned patties on brioche buns for an easy backyard BBQ. Add a burger bar with toppings to please all tastes.
12. Italian Meatball Subs
Simmer beef and turkey meatballs in marinara sauce, then pile high on crusty rolls for an easy hot sandwich.
13. Beef Gyros
Season ground beef Greek-style, stuff into warm pitas with tzatziki sauce and load up on fresh toppings for a handheld feast.
14. Beef Sliders
Whip up flavorful mini burgers on Hawaiian rolls for easy appetizers or sandwiches with pickle chips on the side.
15. Cheesy Beef Quesadillas
Fill tortillas with seasoned ground beef, beans, and melted cheese for a quick and delicious Mexican-inspired meal.
Global Flavors
Take your ground beef to the next level by incorporating ethnic spices and ingredients like in these internationally-inspired recipes:
16. Greek Beef and Vegetable Pitas
Cook ground beef Greek-style with oregano, garlic, lemon, and spinach for a zesty filling for warm pitas.
17. Italian Meatball and Tomato Soup
Simmer little beef and pork meatballs in a tomato broth packed with Italian flavors and Parmesan cheese.
18. Mexican Picadillo
Sauté ground beef in a smoky, tangy sauce with raisins and potatoes for this flavorful Latin American dish enjoyed taco-style.
19. Moroccan Beef Tagine
Warm spices like cumin and cinnamon infuse ground beef and chickpeas simmered in a rich tomato sauce for this exotic yet easy one-pot meal.
20. Korean Beef Bowl
Top rice with a quick Korean-style ground beef sauté featuring soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic and veggies for an anything-but-ordinary dinner.
With just half a pound of ground beef, you can easily whip up quick weeknight dinners, family-friendly casseroles, handheld meals for a crowd or globally inspired dishes. Follow any of these delicious recipes for satisfying meals that make the most of this versatile staple ingredient.
Ideas for Leftover Ground Beef
Before we dive into the recipes, I wanted to share some of my favorite non-recipe ideas to use up leftover ground beef. These work especially well for smaller amounts, like a half pound or less.
- Sprinkle it on pizza! Cooked hamburger is a great addition to homemade pizza. You can even add it to frozen pizza for extra flavor and protein.
- Add it to an egg burrito. We love adding cooked ground beef to an egg scramble and using it for Frozen Mexican Breakfast Burritos.
- Toss it in a salad. A little ground beef can go a long way in a salad! Its great for some added protein. Try making a single serving of our Big Mac Salad or Ground Beef Taco Salad.
- Make tacos for one! Leftover ground beef is great for tossing in a taco or two for lunch. Just sprinkle with some of our homemade taco seasoning.
½ lb. Ground Beef Recipes
Shipwreck Ground Beef Skillet – Fast, Cheap, and Good
FAQ
What to do with leftover ground beef?
- Make it Mexican. …
- Stuff it into veggies.
- Stir it into chili. …
- Transform it into soup. …
- Whip up a casserole. …
- Roll up some meatballs.
- Dish it up in pasta. …
- Make it as easy as pie.
Is 1lb of ground beef enough for 2 people?
One pound of ground beef typically yields about 4 servings. This can vary depending on the portion size you choose, but a common serving size for cooked ground beef is around 4 ounces. If you’re using the ground beef in dishes like tacos or pasta, you might adjust the serving size accordingly.
What do you use extra lean ground beef for?
However, Extra Lean meats work best in recipes that you can’t drain, like meatloaf, cabbage rolls and casseroles.
How to stretch 1 pound of ground beef?
- Rice: When browning ground beef for anything like tacos, chili, or sloppy Joes, add one cup of cooked rice for every pound of meat, just after draining the grease from the meat.
- Potato:
- Bulgur Wheat:
- Pureed Vegetables:
- Lentils or Beans:
- Stale Bread or Crackers:
- Turkey: