19 Ground Beef Recipes That Are Easy to Make (And To Enjoy)
Ground beef is the quiet MVP of weeknight dinners. It’s budget-friendly, super versatile, and nearly foolproof, even for beginner cooks like me.
I’ve rounded up my go-to easy ground beef recipes that have rescued more than a few chaotic evenings. These dishes are quick, satisfying, and will have you looking like a kitchen pro with minimal effort.
1. Classic Spaghetti Bolognese
Nothing beats the comforting aroma of simmering meat sauce on a chilly evening. Brown your beef with onions and garlic, add crushed tomatoes and herbs, then let magic happen while you boil pasta.
My kids rate dinner by clean plate count, and this dish consistently scores perfect marks. The leftovers taste even better the next day—if they survive that long!
2. Juicy Homemade Hamburgers
Burger perfection starts with quality ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio), minimal handling, and simple seasonings. Mix in salt, pepper, and maybe Worcestershire sauce, then form patties with a slight dimple in the center.
Cook in a scorching hot skillet or grill until desired doneness. Top with melty cheese and serve on toasted buns with your favorite fixings for dinner bliss!
3. Grandma’s Meatloaf Miracle
Meatloaf gets a bad rap, but done right, it’s pure comfort food gold. Mix ground beef with breadcrumbs, eggs, diced onions, and bell peppers, then shape into a loaf and slather with tangy ketchup glaze.
I still remember my grandmother’s kitchen filling with its irresistible aroma. Her secret was adding a splash of milk to keep everything moist.
Pair with mashed potatoes for the ultimate nostalgic dinner.
4. 30-Minute Beef Tacos
Taco Tuesday becomes the highlight of your week with this speedy recipe. Brown beef with taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade), then serve in warm tortillas with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, and sour cream.
Set up a DIY taco bar and let everyone build their perfect bite. The beauty lies in its customizability—add avocado, jalapeños, or whatever makes your taste buds dance!
5. Stuffed Bell Peppers
These colorful vessels transform humble ground beef into something special. Halve bell peppers and fill with a mixture of browned beef, cooked rice, diced tomatoes, and spices, then top with cheese.
Bake until peppers soften and cheese forms a golden crust. The first time I made these for my partner, I accidentally doubled the garlic—turns out that was the best mistake ever! Now it’s our signature version.
6. Shepherd’s Pie Shortcut
This British classic gets an easy makeover without sacrificing flavor. Cook ground beef with onions, carrots, and peas, then top with either homemade mashed potatoes or—don’t tell anyone—the instant kind when you’re in a rush.
Broil until the potato peaks turn golden brown. The savory meat mixture bubbling underneath creates the ultimate comfort food experience. Perfect for meal prep too!
7. Beef and Bean Chili
Chili night is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser in my household. Brown beef with onions and garlic, add kidney beans, tomatoes, and your preferred heat level of chili powder. Let it simmer until flavors meld.
The longer it cooks, the better it tastes. I once forgot about a pot simmering for three hours—what emerged was the best chili I’ve ever made!
Serve with cornbread for maximum satisfaction.
8. Quick Beef Stroganoff
Forget fancy versions that take hours—this weeknight wonder delivers all the creamy, savory goodness in just 30 minutes. Brown ground beef, add mushrooms and onions, then stir in sour cream and beef broth for that signature tang.
Serve over egg noodles for a hug-in-a-bowl experience. The sauce clings perfectly to the noodles, ensuring every bite delivers maximum flavor without fussy techniques or exotic ingredients.
9. Lazy Lasagna Skillet
Craving lasagna but dreading the assembly line? This one-pan wonder delivers all those Italian flavors without the fuss. Brown beef with Italian seasoning, add pasta sauce and uncooked pasta, then simmer until tender.
Dollop with ricotta and sprinkle with mozzarella, cover until melty. You get all the layered flavors of traditional lasagna in a fraction of the time. No more waiting hours for dinner—this is ready in about 30 minutes!
10. Beef Empanadas
These handheld meat pies make dinner fun and portable. Mix browned beef with olives, raisins (trust me!), and spices, then spoon into store-bought pie crust rounds. Fold, crimp, and bake until golden.
The sweet-savory filling creates an unexpected flavor explosion. I made these for a potluck, and people thought I’d spent hours in the kitchen! Little did they know the filling took just 15 minutes to prepare.
11. Pizza Pasta Casserole
When pizza cravings hit but delivery isn’t an option, this mashup saves the day. Brown beef with pepperoni and pizza seasonings, mix with cooked pasta and sauce, then top with obscene amounts of cheese.
Bake until bubbly and golden. Add whatever pizza toppings your family loves—olives, bell peppers, mushrooms. It’s like having pizza in pasta form, and somehow it tastes even better the next day!
12. Swedish Meatball Magic
Skip the IKEA trip and make these meatballs at home! Mix ground beef with breadcrumbs, grated onion, and nutmeg (the secret ingredient!), then form into bite-sized balls and brown in a skillet.
The real star is the creamy gravy—beef broth, a splash of cream, and a dollop of lingonberry jam if you’re feeling fancy.
Serve over egg noodles or mashed potatoes for pure comfort food bliss.
13. Taco Soup Surprise
When you can’t decide between tacos and soup, this brilliant hybrid comes to the rescue. Brown beef with taco seasonings, then add beans, corn, tomatoes, and broth. Let everything simmer until flavors meld.
The magic happens with the toppings—crushed tortilla chips, sour cream, cheese, and avocado. I accidentally created this recipe during a pantry cleanout day, and now it’s requested weekly by my family!
14. Cabbage Roll Casserole
Traditional cabbage rolls are delicious but labor-intensive. This deconstructed version delivers identical flavors with minimal effort. Layer chopped cabbage with a mixture of beef, rice, and tomato sauce in a casserole dish.
Bake until the cabbage softens and flavors meld. My grandmother would probably raise an eyebrow at this shortcut, but even she admitted it tastes remarkably authentic when I finally confessed my cooking hack!
15. Picadillo with a Twist
This Cuban-inspired dish combines ground beef with surprising flavor partners: olives, raisins, and sometimes potatoes. The sweet-salty-savory combination might sound odd, but creates magic in your mouth.
Simmer with tomato sauce, cumin, and a dash of cinnamon. Serve over rice for a dinner that feels exotic but uses pantry staples. The first time I made this, my spice-averse friend requested the recipe—it’s that good!
16. Sloppy Joe Sensation
Embrace the mess with these nostalgic sandwiches that never fail to please kids and adults alike. Brown beef with onions and bell peppers, then add the sweet-tangy sauce mixture—ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.
Pile onto toasted buns and prepare for delicious chaos. I once served these at a backyard gathering with fancy toothpick flags, creating the perfect high-low dining experience that had everyone talking!
17. Loaded Baked Potato Casserole
This mashup combines two comfort food favorites—loaded potatoes and ground beef—into one glorious casserole. Layer thinly sliced potatoes with seasoned ground beef, then top with cheese, bacon bits, and green onions.
Bake until potatoes are tender and the top is golden and bubbly. Each forkful delivers the perfect ratio of creamy potatoes, savory beef, and cheese.
My picky nephew declared it “better than fast food”—the ultimate compliment!
18. Enchilada Casserole Shortcut
All the flavors of enchiladas without the rolling! Layer tortillas with seasoned ground beef, beans, enchilada sauce, and plenty of cheese in a casserole dish, then bake until bubbly and golden.
The tortillas soften and absorb the sauce, creating layers of flavor in every bite. I started making this when my toddler was going through a picky phase—the familiar flavors in a different format were just the trick to expand his palate!
19. Beef Lettuce Wraps
Light yet satisfying, these Asian-inspired lettuce cups are perfect for hot evenings. Brown beef with water chestnuts, mushrooms, and a sauce of hoisin, soy, and garlic, then spoon into crisp lettuce leaves.
The contrast between warm, savory filling and cool, crunchy lettuce creates textural magic. I serve these with extra sauce on the side and somehow, miraculously, manage not to spill on my shirt—at least sometimes!