Some recipes just feel like home. The kind of dinners your grandmother made on a weeknight without a second thought. The casseroles that showed up at every church potluck. The simple, satisfying meals that families have been making for generations because they work.
This collection is all about those classics. Old-school ground beef recipes that are worth making again (and again). They’re not fancy or trendy. They’re just good, honest comfort food made with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand.
Meatloaf Recipe with Oatmeal
If you love old-fashioned comfort food, this easy meatloaf recipe with oatmeal is a keeper. The oats keep the beef tender and juicy, while a sweet ketchup glaze adds the perfect finish. Plus, there’s just 10 minutes of prep!
Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
With only 15 minutes of prep, this Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak with mushroom gravy is an easy dinner any night of the week! The simple Crock Pot meal is made with French onion soup mix, cream of mushroom soup, and fresh vegetables for a well-loved retro classic!
Hamburger Steak (Poor Man’s Steak)
Total comfort food! This easy hamburger steak with mushroom gravy (also known as “poor man’s steak”) is a flavorful, affordable dinner that the whole family can enjoy!
Stuffed Peppers with Rice
Classic stuffed peppers with rice, ground beef, two different types of cheese, and Italian herbs are baked in tomato sauce until tender and flavorful!
American Chop Suey
With just 10 minutes of prep and a few pantry staples, my grandmother’s one-pot American chop suey is a quick and easy comfort food dinner that kids and adults will love! Top it with cheddar or Parmesan cheese, and serve it alongside a salad, cornbread, or biscuits. The made from scratch pasta and ground beef skillet is always a weeknight winner.
Swedish Meatballs
A family favorite for generations, Aunt Bee’s Swedish meatballs with a creamy gravy is classic homemade comfort food. Serve them with egg noodles, mashed potatoes, lingonberry preserves, or cranberry sauce.
Ground Beef Stroganoff
Serve this simple and cozy Ground Beef Stroganoff over a bowl of hot egg noodles or rice for an easy dinner recipe that the whole family will love! The dish is made from scratch with sour cream (no cream of mushroom soup necessary), but thanks to quick-cooking ground beef, it’s ready in less than an hour!
Beef Chili Recipe
Your search for the best chili recipe stops here! With just the right amount of zesty seasoning, this simple and easy beef chili recipe is thick, rich, and incredibly flavorful.
One-Skillet Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
A cozy and flavorful cheeseburger tater tot casserole comes together in one pan for an easy weeknight dinner! Melted cheddar cheese and crispy potatoes top a ground beef filling that includes tomatoes, onions, ketchup, mustard, and pickles.
Hamburger Casserole {Sour Cream Noodle Bake}
This Amish hamburger casserole is a comforting dinner that’s full of ground beef, pasta, vegetables, and three different types of cheese. My mom served the layered sour cream noodle bake when I was growing up, and my own kids now love the easy meal, too. Pair it with a simple green salad, broccoli, cornbread, or a crusty loaf of bread!
Bisquick Cheeseburger Pie (Impossible Cheeseburger Pie)
This vintage Bisquick Cheeseburger Pie comes straight from Grandma’s recipe box! It’s an impossibly easy 1970s classic that’s cozy, cheesy, and full of retro charm.
Tamale Pie
This easy tamale pie recipe is a delicious dinner that’s ready for the oven in about 15 minutes. The zesty ground beef filling is topped with a cheesy Jiffy cornbread crust for a classic casserole that’s old-school, American comfort food!
Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes Recipe
This old fashioned Sloppy Joes recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes for a quick and easy dinner — even on your busiest nights. A handful of simple pantry staples like ketchup, mustard, and cider vinegar create a homemade sweet and tangy sauce that’s so much better than the canned stuff!
Taco Pie
This easy taco pie is a family-friendly dinner with bold Tex-Mex flavor! Made with ground beef, veggies, cheese, and a Jiffy cornbread crust, it’s a quick weeknight win.
The Best Spaghetti Sauce Recipe
The best spaghetti sauce recipe includes ground beef, Italian sausage, red wine, and a medley of herbs. It simmers for hours on the stovetop, developing a bold, rich flavor that’s impossible to resist!
Classic Patty Melt
A Patty Melt is the perfect cross between a hamburger and a grilled cheese sandwich! Add caramelized onions and a special sauce, and this retro classic becomes a delicious, flavorful meal that you can easily prepare at home. The griddled sandwich with gooey melted cheese and a burger patty makes everyone at the table smile!
Whether you’re cooking for your family on a busy weeknight or bringing a dish to share, these recipes deliver every time. They’re the kind of meals people ask for seconds of and remember long after the plates are cleared.
Tips for Cooking with Ground Beef
A few simple things can make a big difference when you’re working with ground beef.
Keep it moist. The key to juicy meatloaf, meatballs, and hamburger steaks is not overworking the meat. Mix just until everything is combined. For meatloaf and meatballs, a binder like oatmeal, breadcrumbs, or crushed crackers helps hold in moisture and keeps things tender.
Brown it right. When browning ground beef for casseroles, chili, or skillets, let it sit in the pan for a minute before stirring. This helps build flavor and gives you those nice browned bits. Break it into smaller pieces as it cooks, and drain off excess grease if needed.
Choose the right fat content. For most of these old-school recipes, 80/20 ground beef (80% lean, 20% fat) is the sweet spot. It has enough fat for flavor and moisture without being greasy. Leaner beef can work, but your meatloaf and casseroles may turn out a little drier.
What to Serve with Old-School Ground Beef Dinners
These classic dinners pair well with simple, no-fuss sides. Here are a few ideas:
- Sour cream mashed potatoes (always a winner with Salisbury steak, meatloaf, or Swedish meatballs)
- Buttered egg noodles (perfect alongside stroganoff or meatballs)
- Green beans (the canned kind if you’re feeling nostalgic, or fresh if you prefer)
- Simple side salad (iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, and ranch dressing keeps it old-school)
- Dinner rolls or biscuits (for soaking up gravy and sauce)
- Corn on the cob or buttered corn (a classic pairing with chili or casseroles)
- Coleslaw (especially with Texas Hash or anything with a little kick)
More Comfort Food to Try
If you love these old-school ground beef recipes, you might also enjoy:
