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Quick-cooking, affordable, and family-friendly, you can’t beat these easy ground beef recipes! From casseroles to burritos, spaghetti sauce to chili and meatloaf, there’s a simple dinner idea for every occasion. Healthy options, kid-friendly options, 5-star favorites, skillet dinners, Crock Pot meals, and more — they’re all here!
Recipes with Ground Beef
Ground beef is a staple protein that many of us keep on hand in the fridge or freezer for simple last-minute suppers. Whether you’re feeding a small household of one or two, or offering a big meal to a hungry group, this crowd-pleasing, versatile ingredient has a place on your menu. Here we’ve pulled together more than 70 of our favorite easy ground beef recipes with few ingredients to inspire new options on your family’s table!
What can be made from ground beef?
One of the greatest aspects of ground beef is its versatility! If you’ve got some meat in your freezer, there’s so much that you can do with it. Use it in ground beef tacos, add it to soups or chili, include it in a casserole or lasagna, make patties for burgers, hamburger steak, or mini meatloaf, stir together a pot of goulash, and serve it on salads or tortilla chips for nachos. The options are truly endless. What’s on your menu for dinner tonight?!
What should I season my ground beef with?
Season your ground beef with cumin, paprika, chili powder, and cayenne for a Mexican or southwest-style meal; use garlic powder, onion powder, basil, parsley, and oregano for Italian-inspired dishes; or keep it simple with salt, pepper, garlic, and onion — or just our favorite all-purpose seasoning blend. Worcestershire sauce always pairs nicely with the red meat, too!
Dinners with Ground Beef
I’ve organized these easy ground beef recipes into sub-categories so that you can find exactly what you’re looking for! In this convenient roundup, you can choose between:
- 5-Star Recipes
- Kid-Friendly Recipes
- Simple Recipes
- Healthy Recipes
- Skillet Recipes
- Crock Pot Recipes
- Casseroles
5-Star Ground Beef Recipes
These favorite recipes have earned 5 stars from readers like you!
Best Spaghetti Sauce
The best stovetop spaghetti sauce is packed with ground beef and Italian sausage. The tomato-based sauce is rich and hearty, the perfect topping for any spaghetti recipe.
The Best Stuffed Pasta Shells Recipe
The best stuffed pasta shells are full of ground beef, three different types of cheese, and a secret ingredient that adds tons of flavor!
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!
Homemade Sloppy Joes
Homemade Sloppy Joes come together in less than 30 minutes for a quick and easy dinner — even on your busiest nights!
Italian Ground Beef Casserole
This easy Italian ground beef casserole with noodles, marinara sauce, cheese, and crispy, flavorful seasoned breadcrumbs is pure comfort food!
One Pot American Chop Suey (American Goulash)
You only need 10 minutes of prep and one pot for my grandmother's easy American Chop Suey recipe!
Southern Meatloaf Recipe
Classic comfort food with a Southern twist! You just can't beat a moist, flavorful, tender Southern meatloaf recipe that brings your family together around the table.
Homemade Salisbury Steak
This easy homemade Salisbury Steak is an updated and upgraded version of the classic TV dinner!
Ground Beef Recipes for Kids
These kid-friendly dinners are approved by my 3 hungry boys…and many other enthusiastic young eaters, too!
Homemade Meatballs
Treat your family to spaghetti and meatballs tonight! These easy Italian meatballs are truly the best — and so simple!
One Pot Creamy Beef and Shells
Total comfort food! This one pot creamy beef and shells recipe is an easy dinner made from scratch with ground beef and shell pasta in a cheesy tomato sauce.
Dorito Casserole (Ground Beef Taco Bake)
A fun twist on taco night, this ground beef Dorito casserole is an easy dinner that will make your family smile!
One Pan Homemade Hamburger Helper
Just 5 minutes of prep for a homemade Hamburger Helper that's healthier and tastier than the store-bought version!
The Best Grilled Hamburger Recipe
An easy recipe and all of the tips that you need for perfect, juicy grilled hamburgers!
Easy Bolognese Sauce
A classic Bolognese sauce that simmers on the stovetop for a quick weeknight dinner!
Homemade Nachos with Ground Beef
A tray of these easy homemade nachos with ground beef makes a fun weeknight dinner or a festive party appetizer.
Baked Meatballs
These easy baked meatballs in homemade marinara sauce are perfect for busy weeknights!
Bacon Cheeseburger Pockets
These Bacon Cheeseburger Pockets are a quick and easy dinner that the whole family will love! Plus, they’re freezer-friendly!
Classic Patty Melt
Taco Quesadillas
Two of your favorite Mexican-inspired meals come together in one delicious and easy dinner recipe — cheesy ground beef Taco Quesadillas!
Taco Pizza
Bring the family together with an easy dinner recipe that combines two of your kids' favorite meals — tacos and pizza!
Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta
This Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta called "Chuckwagon Mac" is a hearty, satisfying, and easy dinner recipe that the entire family will love!
Baked Taquitos
With just 4 ingredients, this Baked Taquitos recipe is the perfect easy dinner for busy families. The beef and cheese taquitos are also freezer-friendly!
Simple Ground Beef Recipes
These recipes keep it really simple — with one pot, just a few ingredients, or minimal hands-on effort!
One Pot Chili Mac
With just 10 minutes of prep and a few pantry staples, this one pot chili mac is a quick and easy dinner recipe that kids and adults will love!
Porcupine Meatballs
You only need 10 minutes of prep for these easy old-fashioned porcupine meatballs!
Easy Beef Enchilada Casserole
This easy Beef Enchilada Casserole requires just 4 simple ingredients and about 15 minutes of prep!
Dump-and-Bake Ground Beef Casserole with Rice
Let the oven do the work, and just stir together the raw ingredients for this Dump-and-Bake Ground Beef Casserole with Rice — an easy and healthy dinner!
4-Ingredient Ground Beef Casserole
This easy 4-ingredient ground beef casserole with a crescent roll crust is always a family favorite!
The Easiest Burrito Recipe
This is truly the easiest burrito recipe to make at home — and they're freezer-friendly! Keep a stash in your kitchen and you can satisfying your Mexican food cravings any night of the week.
Dorito Taco Salad
This retro favorite is a blast from the past! If you're a child of the 80's, then you've definitely enjoyed this Dorito taco salad on a number of different occasions!
Meatloaf Recipe with Oatmeal
This old-fashioned meatloaf with oatmeal is a simple, easy dinner that comes together with just 10 minutes of prep!
Beef Enchiladas
​​​​​​​Easy beef enchiladas are a perfect weeknight dinner!
5-Ingredient Taco Casserole
Your busiest weeknights just got a little bit easier, thanks to this 5-Ingredient Taco Casserole! Thanks to a crescent roll crust, it's an easy dinner recipe that's on the table in about 30 minutes!
Bisquick Cheeseburger Pie {“Impossible Cheeseburger Pie”}
This easy Bisquick Cheeseburger Pie, also called "Impossible Cheeseburger Pie," is one of those great old-fashioned dinners that the entire family will love!
Cheeseburger Soup
Cozy, comforting and full of flavor! Your family will love this easy Cheeseburger Soup with bacon, potatoes and herbs.
Taco Biscuit Cups
These kid-friendly, freezer-friendly, prep-ahead 5-Ingredient Taco Biscuit Cups will please everyone at your dinner table! For those crazy nights when you need a quick meal right now, you can’t beat the convenience of a simple and delicious taco dinner!
Mini Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf
Classic comfort food gets a major flavor upgrade! Bacon-wrapped meatloaf starts with a blend of ground beef, breadcrumbs and seasonings that are covered with bacon, brushed with a sweet ketchup glaze, and baked until crisp on the outside and tender on the inside!
Healthy Ground Beef Recipes
Use extra-lean ground beef and enjoy these lightened-up options that still satisfy hearty appetites!
Grandmother’s Hamburger Soup
This simple, healthy, and easy hamburger soup is pure comfort in a bowl, and it has stood the test of time for generations!
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!
Egg Roll in a Bowl
All of the delicious flavors of your favorite fried Chinese restaurant appetizer come together in a lighter, faster, one skillet meal! This “Egg Roll in a Bowl” is a quick and healthy dinner that’s ready in about 20 minutes!
Stuffed Pepper Soup
This easy Stuffed Pepper Soup recipe is a perfect weeknight dinner!
Ground Beef Dinner with Summer Vegetables
This healthy and easy Ground Beef Dinner with Summer Vegetables is a one-pot 30-minute meal!
Cabbage Roll Soup
Healthy Mini Meatloaf
This Healthy Mini Meatloaf bakes in a muffin pan for an easy dinner recipe that’s ready in 30 minutes!
Ground Beef Skillet Recipes
These easy ground beef recipes come together in a skillet!
Hamburger Steak
This Hamburger Steak with Mushroom Gravy (or "Poor Man's Steak") is an affordable, easy dinner recipe that the whole family can enjoy!
Skillet Lasagna
This cast iron skillet lasagna with Italian sausage, pesto, and three different types of cheese, is a shortcut version of the classic comfort food dinner!
Frito Pie
A cozy chili cheese casserole topped with crunchy corn chips! This Frito Pie comes together in one pan with about 15 minutes of prep.
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!
Stuffed Cabbage Roll in a Bowl
All of the delicious flavors of your favorite old fashioned dish come together in a lighter, faster, one skillet meal! This Stuffed Cabbage Roll in a Bowl is a quick and healthy dinner with just 10 minutes of prep!
Beef Pot Pie with Cheddar Biscuits
A cozy beef pot pie includes a ground beef and vegetable filling that's coated in a rich gravy and topped with fluffy, cheesy drop biscuits. Total comfort food!
Taco Skillet with Rice
This cheesy Taco Skillet with rice is an easy dinner that cooks entirely in one pan!
Crock Pot Recipes with Ground Beef
Take advantage of the convenience of the slow cooker with these easy recipes!
Lasagna Soup {Slow Cooker or Stovetop}
Whip up this flavorful and easy lasagna soup in the slow cooker or on the stovetop!
Slow Cooker Chili
Your search for the best slow cooker chili recipe stops here! Use ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken to make it your own.
Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce
An easy slow cooker dinner that the whole family will love!
Easy Taco Soup
Simmer a pot of easy taco soup on the stovetop or in the Crock Pot for a healthy and satisfying dinner with just 10 minutes of prep!Â
Pumpkin Chili {Slow Cooker or Stovetop}
On the stovetop or in the slow cooker, this Pumpkin Chili recipe is an easy and healthy dinner that's perfect for fall!
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!
Crockpot Meatloaf
Just set it and forget it! You can "bake" a classic comfort food dinner in your slow cooker with this easy crockpot meatloaf recipe.
Crockpot Cabbage Soup with Hamburger
It doesn't get much easier than a healthy, nourishing Crockpot Cabbage Soup with hamburger, beans, and loads of veggies!
Ground Beef Casserole Recipes
There’s something so cozy and comforting about a ground beef casserole!
Amish Hamburger Casserole {Sour Cream Noodle Bake}
This Amish hamburger casserole is a comforting sour cream noodle bake that the whole family will love!
Beef Noodle Casserole
Easy, cheesy, and flavorful, this beef noodle casserole is a family-friendly dinner for busy nights!
Homemade Lasagna
The best homemade lasagna recipe includes thick layers of noodles, sausage, ground beef, ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses in a made-from-scratch sauce!
Ground Beef Casserole with Cornbread Crust
An old-fashioned ground beef casserole with cornbread crust is an easy dinner that everyone at the table can agree on!
Easy Ground Beef Noodle Casserole
Easy, cheesy, and flavorful, this Ground Beef Noodle Casserole is a family-friendly dinner for busy nights!
Mexican Lasagna
This easy Mexican lasagna is a hearty casserole made with layers of tortillas, seasoned ground beef, beans, corn, salsa, and cheese!
Cheeseburger Casserole
You only need about 20 minutes to assemble a Cheeseburger Casserole that your whole family will adore!
Crescent Roll Taco Bake
This cozy crescent roll taco bake is an easy dinner that's ready in 30 minutes!
Cabbage Roll Casserole
An easier twist on my great grandmother’s classic dish, this lazy, unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole is a simple dinner with so much delicious flavor!
Beef Stroganoff Casserole
All of the flavors that you love from the traditional dish come together in this cozy and hearty Beef Stroganoff Casserole!
Hamburger Casserole with Rice
This creamy, cheesy Hamburger Casserole with Rice is an old-fashioned, easy dinner with just 15 minutes of prep! Perfect for busy weeknights!
Stuffed Pepper Casserole
This easy casserole is a perfect weeknight dinner! The comforting, flavorful meal includes ground beef, Italian sausage, sweet bell peppers, tender white rice, and plenty of cheese in a zesty Italian tomato sauce.
Taco Bake Casserole
All of your favorite taco ingredients come together in one dish with this easy Taco Bake Casserole — and it's ready in 30 minutes!
Cottage Pie
A ground beef and vegetable filling is coated in flavorful gravy and topped with mashed potatoes, making this Cottage Pie a nourishing, cozy and easy dinner!
Shipwreck Casserole
Shipwreck Casserole is a vintage ground beef recipe that comes together easily with layers of hamburger, potato, kidney beans and tomato soup. Zesty taco seasoning, bacon, cheese, and a buttery Corn Flake topping finish off the flavorful dish!
Hamburger Potato Casserole
An old-fashioned comfort food dish — this cheesy and creamy Hamburger Potato Casserole is an easy dinner that the whole family can agree on!
Tamale Pie
Classic comfort food! This ground beef casserole is topped with a cheesy cornbread crust for an easy dinner with about 15 minutes of prep.
More Ground Beef Recipes
Do you have even more easy ground beef recipes to share? Leave a note in the comments below and let us know how you like to use this popular ingredient. We’re always looking for new ideas!
Blair, you don’t know how supportive you are in my cooking endeavors. I thank you from the bottom of my confused, exhausted heart. I’m re-learning to cook, still learning to navigate my new town, not as young as I used to be, AND trying to figure out my way around new supermarkets. I find the meat section of supermarkets to me the most confusing of all. You know, there is SO much product, you want to find the Right Item to take home and the meats are comparatively expensive so you don’t want to buy the wrong item. I may need to lean heavy on these great ground beef recipes for a while. I was trying to shop yesterday and got some essentials but the meat section bewildered me. I looked you up this morning, as I do everyday, and there was your collection! My daze receded and I thought “Oh, YES. Ground beef”. You came through again. I can always do something with ground beef, even if I forget my plan in the store.
One thing for sure. I’m going to have to do my cooking homework ahead of time, and make and remember to take a shopping list. When I lived in Texas, I had shopped for nearly 50 years at one particular store and I could afford to think on my feet and wing it. For now, that just won’t work for me in a new store because I’m so distracted.
You can tell Spencer I thought happy thoughts about him at the store. Close to the fron’t of the store were full size skeleton decorations and they reminded me of him and his skeleton. I smiled about it for hours.
This warms my heart, Marion. I’m so glad that it’s helpful! Give yourself time — you’ll adjust to your new surroundings eventually. 🙂 In the meantime, a meal plan and a shopping list will go a long way! Thanks for thinking of Spencer, too. Skeleton’s still sittin’ on our porch!