25+ Quick & Easy Ground Beef Recipes

Ground beef is so versatile that you can make a ton of dishes from it and never repeat the same one.

And while we love ground beef, you can also make any of these recipes with ground turkey or even ground chicken. One thing we like to do is cook up several pounds of ground beef and freeze it in freezer bags in two-cup portions. This makes for quick weeknight meals.

From fancy to humble, these quick ground beef recipes will have dinner ready in no time and still taste absolutely delicious.

Mexican tacos with beef

Ground beef is a versatile and budget-friendly ingredient that can be found in various cuisines worldwide. With its adaptability, it’s no surprise that there are countless ground beef recipes to explore and indulge in. Whether for a quick weeknight dinner, a fun family meal, or a gathering with friends, these recipes can cater to all occasions and satisfy all taste buds.

If you have a lot of errands to run but still need a quality meal for the family, these dinner ideas with hamburger meat will leave the entire table satisfied.

These ground beef dinner ideas are also inexpensive to make, so you don’t have to break the bank to make a meal for everyone.

If you find a good sale at the store, you could buy several packs and freeze them to use another night.

Here are 24 super easy ground beef recipes that will save you time, money, and energy to make.

Source: closetcooking.com

1. Mongolian Ground Beef

If you want a little more exotic meal for your ground beef, try this Mongolian recipe.

The flavors are packed in each bite and if you really want this dish to fill you up, serve it with a side of white rice so that it can soak up all the flavors.

Source: closetcooking.com

2. Sloppy Joe Frito Pie

Do you know what’s better than having a regular sloppy joe? Having one stuffed with Fritos!

You might think right off the bat these crunchy chips can be thrown in a sloppy joe, but once you have the salty treats in your sandwich, you’ll never have them without.

You can make your own sloppy joes filling and season it just how you like, which makes this dish even better.

Don’t forget to cover the entire thing in cheese to make it extra gooey and messy!

Source: thepioneerwoman.com

3. Flatbread Mexican Pizza

Flatbreads are a great way to get an individual-sized pizza that everyone in the family will enjoy.

Each flatbread pizza can be cooked exactly how everyone likes it.

Buying a pre-made flatbread will make this process a lot easier and quicker.

Throw all your toppings on top and stick them in the oven for everything to meld together.

Source: dwardcooks.com

4. Cheeseburger Pasta

Who doesn’t love cheeseburgers? Who doesn’t love pasta? Not put the two together and you have a guaranteed meal to please the whole family.

This is one of the more satiating meals on this ground beef dishes list.

You can whip this meal up in no time, so it’s a perfect one to make when you’re low on time.

The best part about this cheeseburger pasta is your ability to make it any way you like.

You can throw all your favorite classic cheeseburger toppings like tomatoes, mustard, onions, and mayor.

Don’t forget the cheese on top, which really puts this dish over the top.

Source: natashascooking.com

5. Chili

Who can forget the classic chili recipe when thinking of ground beef?

On a cold night, nothing beats a good bowl of hearty chili.

You can mix up this recipe any way you like and add any ingredients that you prefer.

Throw some corn, spinach, cheese, or even sour cream to make your chili that much more flavorful.

Source: lydioutloud.com

6. Leftover Chili Cornbread Casserole

Did you make a huge pot of chili and you’re tired of eating the same meal every day?

Now you have a recipe where you can take those chili leftovers and turn them into a cornbread casserole.

The crumbly and dry texture of the cornbread already pairs beautifully with the chili, so sticking together in one dish is perfection.

Instead of throwing a ton of food in the trash and being wasteful, you can eat up all the leftovers with an entirely brand new meal.

If chili is already in your main meal rotation, adding this recipe to your list will help stretch that dollar a little further.

Source: thekitchenmagpie.com

7. Leftover Meatloaf Quiche

Just made a huge meatloaf dish and have a ton of leftovers you don’t think you’ll finish?

This quiche recipe is the perfect way to get rid of them.

A breakfast quiche with some meatloaf inside is a wonderful way to use up your leftovers while creating an equally as good dish.

It’s healthy, filling, and you can make it pretty much any way you want to.

Source: jennyswwjourney.com

8. Mexi-Mac Skillet

This is one of the hamburger meat recipes that you absolutely have to try!

The creamy gooey deliciousness of mac and cheese mixed in with the savory complex flavors of a Mexican ground beef skillet meal all rolled into one dish.

This dish is loaded with all your favorite Mexican flavors like seasoned ground beef, tomatoes, tomato sauce, bell pepper, and if you’re feeling a little crazy, some chorizo.

This is like the ultimate hamburger helper meal that you wish you had your entire childhood.

The good news is that now your kids can enjoy it along with you.

What makes this dish great too is the cleanup. You’ll hardly have any dishes left to wash after this wonderful meal.

Source: modernmealmakeover.com

9. Meatloaf

A good classic meatloaf is a staple in any family’s meal plans.

The hearty and filling meatloaf goes well with a little sauce thrown on top and it’s filled with great ingredients.

This is the perfect way to add some veggies to your kid’s meals without them even realizing it.

Throw in some spinach or chopped asparagus and watch as your kids gobble it up without a second glance.

Source: saltandlavender.com

10. Taco Stuffed Pasta Shells

Along the same lines as the Mexican skillet meal, this easy ground beef recipe really brings out all the classic Mexican cuisine flavors.

You might not normally think pasta fits in with Mexican cuisine, but you’d be wrong!

The flavors in this meal are so good that no matter how picky your table guests are, they are sure to enjoy it.

Instead of having a ton of strong flavors from the meat, veggies, and taco seasoning, you will also add a bit of cream cheese to smooth everything out.

You get the perfect blend of flavors between savory and creamy.

Just don’t forget the salsa to top off your dish at the end so that you have a little kick with each bite.

Source: cookiesandcups.com

11. Tater Tot Casserole

It’s hard to stop eating some tater tots once you get started, but throw in some ground beef and savory flavors and you’ll be making this dish every week.

It’s a great one for kids too, because it’s so good you really can’t deny the flavors.

Instead of throwing out that bag of tater tots that have been sitting in your freezer, now is your chance to get rid of them.

Easy to make and simple to serve, this is a great ground beef recipe to add to your weekly meals.

Source: mommyhatescooking.com

12. Lipton Onion Soup Burgers

This one sounds a little weird. How do you make a soup burger?

But this Lipton recipe just takes the seasoning mix from an onion soup and uses it on the burger so that you have a flavor-packed experience.

You can use this Lipton seasoning in a variety of meals from roast to dips or this burger recipe.

When you’re making your burger you have to be careful not to overmix your combination.

The more you work on it the dryer it will get, so take your time getting it just right.

Throw on your favorite burger toppings and you’ll have a perfect ready-to-go burger for dinner.

Source: lecremedelacrumb.com

13. Beef Empanadas

Beef empanadas are the perfect in-between dish for appetizers and an actual meal.

The crunchy and flaky crust balances out the savory ground beef filling so much that it’s hard to stop eating.

To make this dish even more delicious, you could make your own homemade dough. If you don’t have enough time, buying a store-bought dough will be good enough.

Be generous with your cheese because it will make the empanada really stand out and you can, of course, dip it in some salsa or guacamole when you’re done!

Source: bakerbynature.com

14. Meatballs

Who doesn’t appreciate the tasty, savory flavors of a classic meatball?

Wondering what to make with ground beef? Meatballs are an easy and quick solution you make at the beginning of the week so you can have some to pick on throughout the week.

You can mix up your meatballs with a variety of ingredients depending on your personal tastes.

That’s what makes them so perfect for the family is that you can make them any way you all prefer.

Meatballs shouldn’t just be left alone either. Mix them into a sandwich, a spaghetti dish, or slather some BBQ sauce and go to town.

Source: jocooks.com

15. Beef Tamale Casserole

Instead of making individual tamales and spending all your time stuffing them precisely, use this ground beef casserole recipe to cut down on time.

Not only is it a lot easier to make, but it also tastes just as good.

You’ll layer all your ingredients in a casserole dish and then throw it in the oven to bake all the flavors together.

The best part is, after it’s done, you can top it off with some sour cream or salsa to give it that extra bit of flavor.

Source: therecipecritic.com

16. Korean Beef and Rice

This Korean beef and rice is one of the perfect ground beef dinner ideas because it takes practically no time to make.

You don’t need a lot of ingredients and it won’t cost you a fortune to make, but when you have a bite you’ll realize why you needed to try this dish.

The sweet flavors of the brown sugar blend perfectly with the soy sauce, ginger, and red peppers.

Your rice game needs to be on point, but you can use steamed, brown rice, white rice, or fried rice in order to make this dish work.

To make this dish even healthier for you, add in some of your favorite veggies so that you can balance all the dense flavors of your Korean beef and rice.

Source: notenoughcinnamon.com

17. Ground Beef and Broccoli Fried Rice

This is another one of those super-cheap meals that don’t take a long time to make.

So, if you need a last-minute dinner replacement, this should be your go-to choice.

All you need is the classic fried rice ingredients with some broccoli and ground beef.

The ginger and soy sauce make this dish salty and flavorful.

For a real treat, throw in a tiny amount of fish sauce to give it that umami kick.

Source: punchfork.com

18. Un-stuffed Cabbage Bowls

Stuffed cabbage isn’t a favorite among house cooks because it takes too long to make.

But when you try this un-stuffed cabbage bowl, you’ll understand how easy the process can really be.

You’ll have the same great flavors as a regular stuffed cabbage bowl but without having to spend all that extra time.

The seasonings are where this dish really shines so don’t be afraid to have a heavy hand when you’re throwing them into the dish.

Source: thepetitecook.com

19. Bolognese Sauce

Most of the recipes on this list are pretty down to earth but if you want to elevate your dinner meals to another level, try out this bolognese meat sauce.

Serve it up with a side of classic pasta and you’ll have a taste of Italy right in your home.

This dish serves up Italian classic flavors with cremini mushrooms and ground pork with pancetta.

The best way to go is to make a huge batch so you can stick it in the freezer and have a later time.

Source: thisisnotdietfood.com

20. Bisquick Cheeseburger Pie

Nothing warms up the stomach more than a golden-brown crust with all the classic flavors of a cheeseburger inside.

You might love this recipe so much that it will become the new favorite in the home.

The reason why is because it takes practically no time to make, but the taste is out of this world.

Throw your main ingredients into a pie plate topped off with some cheese. Then, you’ll pour the Bisquick mixture right on top of everything and then throw it all in the oven.

In less than 30 minutes, you’ll have a filling dish the entire family will enjoy. Serve up a side of mashed potatoes with it to really put the family to sleep.

Source: thereciperebel.com

21. Cheeseburger Pizza

You can throw ground beef on practically anything and this cheeseburger pizza is a perfect blend of flavors.

Burgers are already supposed to have a generous amount of cheese and what better way to make that fact known than sticking your burger in your pizza.

Try to find a pizza crust that’s already made to save you some time.

Throw on your classic burger toppings like tomatoes, meat, cheese, and lettuce.

If you really want to go wild, try some ketchup or mustard on your burger pizza.

Source: feelgoodfoodie.net

22. Ground Beef Tacos

This is a classic ground beef dinner recipe.

The real decision is whether or not you make hard shell or soft shell tacos. The choice is yours, but not everyone in the family might agree.

Tacos are the best for large meals because you can cook a ton without spending a lot of money and have leftovers throughout the week.

All you have to do is prep your ingredients and then throw them all into a pot to let simmer.

When the tacos are ready, you can throw in your favorite toppings like sour cream, guacamole, jalapenos, salsa, or diced tomatoes.

Source: easylowcarb.com

23. Cheeseburger Salad

Salads are known for having a ton of savory flavors that make your mouth water, but that’s the case with this cheeseburger salad recipe.

This is the healthiest cheeseburger you’re bound to have because it’s low carb and gluten-free.

You still have all your classic burger toppings like tomatoes, cheese, and pickles.

When you add the special dressing, you’ll be sure to get yourself a second bowl of this delicious salad.

Source: eatingonadime.com

24. Taco Soup

There is a lot of taco recipes on this list but none of them involve soup.

Similar to a chili, your taco soup is filled with protein and delicious taco ingredients that make it hard to put down.

Throw in some of your favorite tortilla chips and you could be dipping all night long.

The flavors are all packed together and if you don’t want to waste your time prepping everything by hand, you can buy some pre-diced veggies or canned items from the store.

If the soup isn’t tasting exactly how you like it, go ahead and add in some more of your favorite flavors because you can make this dish any way you like.

Top it off with some cheddar cheese and serve with some tortilla chips on the side.

Mexican tacos with beef

Our BEST 25+ Quick & Easy Ground Beef Recipes (+Ground Beef Tacos)

These recipes are sure to please. So, gather your family and friends and enjoy. Let us know your thoughts!
5 from 8 votes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 240 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 tsp. dried cumin
  • 2 tsp. red chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp. oregano
  • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper
  • 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup water

Instructions
 

  • Cook ground beef with all ingredients.
  • Serve on taco shells or tortillas.

Notes

Select your favorite recipe.
Organize all the required ingredients.
Enjoy the food.

Nutrition

Calories: 240kcal
Keyword ground beef recipes, ground beef tacos
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book "Healthy Eating Through the Garden" will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Cassie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.
Cassie Marshall
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