22 Ground Beef Recipes for Busy Weeknights

Save

Ground beef recipes are the workhorse of my kitchen. Ground beef is affordable, it cooks fast, and it turns into almost anything from tacos to lasagna. When the week gets busy, a pound of beef in the fridge means dinner is already half decided.

Here are 22 ground beef recipes, from pasta bakes and cozy casseroles to tacos, burgers and soups. Each one has a short note on how to make it and one trick for better results.

Need more fast ideas for tonight? Try our 30 minute dinners or these quick and easy dinner ideas. If you like a creamy skillet meal, our creamy cajun chicken pasta is a good one too.

1. Spaghetti with meat sauce

Save

Credit: Budget Bytes

A big bowl of spaghetti with a rich beef tomato sauce is the dinner almost everyone says yes to. The sauce simmers while you boil the noodles, so it is no trouble at all.

Brown the beef until it has some color before the tomatoes go in. That small step makes the sauce taste like it cooked all afternoon.

2. Classic meat lasagna

Save

Credit: Jo Cooks

Layers of noodles, beefy sauce, ricotta and melted mozzarella make the best kind of Sunday dinner. It feeds a crowd and the leftovers are even better the next day.

Let the lasagna rest for about 15 minutes before you cut it. The layers set up and slice neatly instead of sliding apart.

3. Ground beef tacos

Save

Credit: RecipeTin Eats

Seasoned beef tucked into crisp shells with lettuce, tomato and cheese is a weeknight classic. Everyone builds their own, which makes picky eaters happy.

Add a splash of water when the taco seasoning goes in. It forms a light sauce that coats the meat instead of leaving it dry.

4. Hearty beef chili

Save

Credit: Simply Recipes

Ground beef, beans and tomatoes simmer into a thick chili that warms the whole house. It is cheap, filling and tastes better the second day.

Toast the chili powder in the pot for a minute before adding the liquid. It deepens the flavor. Serve it with shredded cheese and onions on top.

5. Stuffed peppers

Save

Credit: Spend With Pennies

Bell peppers get filled with seasoned beef, rice and cheese and baked until soft. They look pretty and make a complete meal in one dish.

Parboil the peppers for a few minutes first so they cook through at the same pace as the filling. Cheese goes on for the last ten minutes.

6. Italian meatballs

Save

Credit: An Italian in My Kitchen

Tender meatballs simmered in tomato sauce are a classic you can freeze and pull out all winter. Serve them over pasta or tucked into a sub roll.

Do not overmix the meat. A light hand keeps the meatballs soft. Soaking the breadcrumbs in milk helps too.

7. Cheesy ground beef dip

Save

Credit: Spend With Pennies

Seasoned beef and melted cheese turn into a bubbling dip that tastes like a cheeseburger. It is a crowd pleaser for game day and holiday parties.

Serve it hot from the oven with tortilla chips or toasted bread. A scatter of fresh tomato and green onion on top keeps it bright.

8. Meatloaf cupcakes with mashed potato

Save

Credit: RecipeTin Eats

Meatloaf baked in muffin cups cooks fast and gets crisp edges all around. A swirl of mashed potato on top makes each one look like a cupcake.

Pipe the potatoes on after the meatloaf is done and give them a few minutes under the broiler. Kids love eating dinner that looks like dessert.

9. Baked spaghetti

Save

Credit: Spend With Pennies

Spaghetti is tossed with meat sauce, topped with cheese and baked until golden and bubbly. It turns the usual pasta night into a casserole you can make ahead.

Stop boiling the noodles a minute early. They keep cooking in the oven and will not turn mushy.

10. Ground beef enchiladas

Save

Credit: Spend With Pennies

Flour tortillas get rolled around seasoned beef and cheese, then covered in red sauce and baked. The tops turn bubbly and a little crisp at the edges.

Warm the tortillas for a few seconds before you roll them. They bend without cracking. Top with avocado and sour cream right before serving.

11. Baked rigatoni with meat sauce

Save

Credit: Spend With Pennies

Rigatoni tubes catch the meat sauce in every bite, and a blanket of melted cheese finishes the dish. It is comfort food that reheats well for lunch.

Undercook the pasta slightly and use plenty of sauce. Dry baked pasta is the thing to avoid.

12. Cottage pie

Save

Credit: RecipeTin Eats

Seasoned ground beef and vegetables sit under a golden crown of mashed potatoes. This is the cozy kind of meal for a cold evening.

Rough up the top of the potatoes with a fork before baking. All those little ridges turn crisp and brown.

13. Sloppy joes

Save

Credit: The Pioneer Woman

Ground beef simmered in a sweet and tangy tomato sauce is piled onto a toasted bun. Messy, fast and loved by kids and adults alike.

Toast the buns in a skillet with a little butter so they hold up. A pickle on the side cuts the sweetness.

14. Spaghetti Bolognese

Save

Credit: Jo Cooks

This slow cooked style meat sauce uses beef, a little cream and tomato for a silky finish. Stir it into spaghetti and finish with fresh parmesan.

Let it simmer low and slow if you have the time. Even 30 minutes gives you a deeper sauce than a quick dinner.

15. Taco soup

Save

Credit: Spend With Pennies

Ground beef, beans, corn and tomatoes simmer in one pot with taco seasoning. It takes about 30 minutes and makes plenty for leftovers.

Set out bowls of sour cream, cheese and crushed tortilla chips so everyone can top their own. A squeeze of lime wakes it up.

16. Cheeseburgers with burger sauce

Save

Credit: Damn Delicious

Juicy beef patties with melted cheese, pickles and a tangy sauce are hard to beat. They take about 15 minutes on a hot skillet or grill.

Press a small dimple in the center of each patty. It keeps the burger flat as it cooks instead of puffing up.

17. Ground beef stroganoff

Save

Credit: Natasha’s Kitchen

Egg noodles, mushrooms and ground beef come together in a creamy sauce, all in one skillet. It tastes rich but costs very little.

Stir the sour cream in off the heat so it does not curdle. A little Dijon mustard gives the sauce some zip.

18. Salisbury steak

Save

Credit: Taste of Home

Seasoned beef patties simmer in a mushroom and onion gravy until they are fork tender. Serve them over mashed potatoes to catch every drop.

Brown the patties well before adding the gravy. Those browned bits are what make the sauce taste so good.

19. Classic homemade hamburgers

Save

Credit: Tastes Better From Scratch

A thick burger with a toasted bun, tomato and a slice of cheese is a backyard summer favorite that also works well in a skillet. Fresh ground beef makes all the difference.

Handle the meat as little as you can. Salt the outside right before cooking, not in the mix, for a tender burger.

20. Cabbage roll casserole

Save

Credit: Taste of Home

All the flavor of stuffed cabbage rolls without any rolling. Cabbage, ground beef, rice and tomato sauce bake together in one dish.

Chop the cabbage fine so it softens fully. A scattering of cheese melts over the top at the end.

21. Ground beef fried rice

Save

Credit: Dinner at the Zoo

Leftover rice, ground beef, peas and carrots turn into a fast dinner with a savory soy sauce flavor. It uses what you already have in the fridge.

Use cold rice for the best texture. Fresh rice is too soft and clumps together in the pan.

22. Beef empanadas

Save

Credit: Laylita’s Recipes

Flaky pastry pockets stuffed with seasoned beef bake until golden. They are perfect for parties and freeze well before baking.

Seal the edges with a fork and brush with egg wash for a shiny finish. Serve with a fresh herb sauce for dipping.

Tips for Cooking Ground Beef Recipes

• Break the meat into small crumbles with a wooden spoon so it browns evenly.
• Do not crowd the pan. Cook in two batches if you need to, so the beef browns instead of steaming.
• Drain extra fat after browning, but keep a spoonful for flavor.
• Season at the end of browning so the meat does not toughen.
• Cook ground beef to 160°F inside, and make sure there is no pink left.

How to Store and Freeze Ground Beef Meals

Cool cooked dishes within two hours and keep them in the fridge for up to four days. Casseroles, meatballs, chili and soups freeze well for about three months. Thaw them in the fridge overnight and reheat until steaming hot.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best ground beef for these recipes? An 80/20 blend gives the most flavor for burgers and meatballs. Leaner 90/10 works well in sauces and skillets where you drain the fat.

Can I use ground turkey instead? Yes, in most of these dishes. Add a little extra oil or broth since turkey is leaner.

How do I keep ground beef from getting dry? Do not overcook it, and add a little liquid such as broth or tomato sauce to dishes that cook for a while.

Which of these recipes freeze best? The meatballs, chili, taco soup, lasagna and baked pasta all freeze well.