After a long day at the hospital (or let’s be honest, just surviving the 3 p.m. energy crash while helping with math homework), I need dinner to be EASY. But I’m also not about to serve up something that feels like a sad freezer meal. That’s why ground beef is one of our ultimate weeknight heroes around here.
It’s affordable, cooks fast, and is endlessly versatile. From cheesy skillet meals to comforting casseroles to kid-friendly tacos that even our pickiest eater devours without negotiation (miracles do exist).
We’re talking hearty meals that actually bring your family to the table.
This list has a little bit of everything:
- One-pan wonders you can throw together in 30 minutes or less
- Freezer-friendly options for the meal-preppers among us
- Cozy classics that’ll make you feel like it’s Sunday night at Grandma’s
So if your ground beef stash has been sitting in the fridge like, “Uh, you gonna use me or nah?”—this one’s for you.
Trust us, you’re going to want EVERY SINGLE RECIPE in this lineup.
Ready to meet your new dinner staples?
(Let’s just say meatloaf is about to glow up.)
16 best ground beef recipes for quick & easy dinners
We’ve all had those nights. You open the fridge, see a pack of ground beef, and think, “Okay… now what?” THAT’S the magic of this list, we’re solving that exact dinner dilemma with 16 no-fuss, flavor-packed ideas that are actually doable on a weeknight (even when the kitchen looks like a Lego explosion met a snack-time crime scene).
These recipes aren’t trying to be fancy. They’re the kind of meals that get everyone around the table, asking for seconds before you even sit down.
And let me tell you—WHEN MATTHEW STOPS TALKING WHILE EATING, I know dinner’s a hit. The man treats meatloaf like a Michelin-level review (no pressure, right?).
And don’t even get me started on our son. One minute he’s “not hungry,” and the next he’s on taco number three like it’s a race. So yeah, these recipes? KID-TESTED, HUSBAND-APPROVED, AND MOM-SANITY-SAVING. That’s the trifecta we live for. Just sayin’…
Hoisin Beef Noodles
"Hoisin Beef Noodles – This recipe is made with an easy sauce, tender ramen noodles, crunchy veggies, and lots of beef, all ready in 30 min."
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Enchilada Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
"After the off-the-charts popularity of my Paleo Stuffed Sweet Potatoes, my brain has been on stuffing things lately! I want to do something lasagna stuffed next, but first – this Enchilada Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe!"
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Arayes (Middle Eastern Stuffed Pita)
"Arayes are pita breads stuffed with ground beef (or lamb) — they’re a classicLebanese street food. This recipe is delicious and easy to make!"
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Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheeses
"Sloppy joe filling gets the grilled cheese treatment for the ultimate saucy, crispy sandwich."
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Teriyaki Ground Beef and Broccoli with Yum Yum Sauce
"We clearly love easy one pan meals around here, and it doesn’t get much easier than this teriyaki ground beef and broccoli. The broccoli is slightly charred in the pan before browning ground beef and seasoning with garlic, ginger, and your favorite teriyaki sauce for convenience. Then everything is served over rice with a simple spin on homemade yum yum sauce for a complete meal."
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Mexican Cheesy Taco Beef and Rice Skillet
"This Cheesy Taco Rice Skillet is a hearty, one-pan meal that brings all your favorite Tex-Mex flavors together in under 30 minutes. This Mexican Taco Skillet is loaded with seasoned ground beef, uncooked rice, and diced tomatoes—then simmered in a savory blend of beef broth and spices until perfectly tender and topped with melted cheese. A total crowd-pleaser for families and busy weeknights."
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One Pot Cheesy Cajun Beef Rice
"One Pot Cheesy Cajun Beef Rice, where tender beef, fragrant Cajun seasoning, and sweet peppers simmer with rice, topped with melted cheese and finished with a creamy, spicy Cajun mayo drizzle."
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Beef Banh Mi Bowl
"A deconstructed version of the popular Vietnamese sandwich, this beef banh mi bowl with spicy jalapeno sauce is flavorful and easy to make!"
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Spaghetti Stuffed Garlic Bread
"This Spaghetti Stuffed Garlic Bread recipe is the perfect pairing of the classic multi-part Italian meal, combined into one delicious complete dish! Made with simple ingredients, it is so easy to create these crispy boats of garlic bread that hold a spaghetti and meat sauce filling, bubbling with melted cheese as it bakes into the ultimate finger food!"
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Bulgogi Beef Lettuce Wraps
"Ultra crispy and smothered in a soy-based sauce studded with rich brown sugar, sweet mirin wine, and brimming with heat from Sambal Oelek, these Beef Lettuce Wraps are my new favorite way to do lettuce. With easy-to-find ingredients, and minimal prep and cook time, they’re also the perfect way to get dinner on the table without much effort."
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Stuffed Shells With Ground Beef
"Stuffed Shells with Ground Beef is a hearty baked pasta made with lots of cheesy goodness and a beef marinara sauce. It’s the ultimate comfort food!"
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Ground Beef Zucchini Boats
"These ground beef zucchini boats are a delicious low-carb summer dinner that’s hearty, easy to make, and loaded with flavor. They’re the perfect way to enjoy garden-fresh zucchini in a healthy, satisfying meal. With a savory ground …"
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Ground Beef Casserole
"Family-pleasing ground beef casserole, with flavorful ground beef, vegetables, pasta, and lightened creamy sauce, baked with cheese on top."
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CRUNCHY BAKED GROUND BEEF TACOS
"All the crunchiness of a fried taco without the excess oil and grease, these Crispy Baked Beef Tacos are great for a crowd. This healthier option is also gluten-free and dairy-free!"
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Cheeseburger Pizza
"This Cheeseburger Pizza recipe turns everyone’s favorite burger into a pizza! A sesame seed pizza crust is topped with rich pizza sauce, ground beef, cheese, pickles, and creamy burger sauce!"
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Homemade Meatballs
"These baked meatballs simmered in the best homemade marinara sauce are a comforting dinner that tastes just like home."
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