The Recipe Rebel / Dinner
written by Ashley Fehr
Last updated on March 18, 2024
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Loads of Ground Beef Recipes that are easy and perfect for busy weeknights! Including slow cooker recipes, one pot dishes and make ahead meals.
When it comes to hearty, healthy comfort food meals to make, anything involving ground beef is always at the top of my list. These Ground Beef Recipes are just some of my favorite ways to cook ground beef.
We’ve got pasta dishes, pasta bakes, meatballs or burgers, soups, loaded fries, and more.
So, whether you’re looking for a crockpot meal, a one-pot meal, or a meal-prep option, I’ve got you covered.
Check out 25+ Ground Beef Crock Pot Recipes and 30 Easy Baked Chicken Recipes for more easy dinner ideas!
Tips for Cooking Ground Beef
- Brown it first. Browning/searing the meat before cooking gives it a richer flavor. Browning ground beef in particular gives it a chance to release some of that excess grease so you can drain it out before adding it to your meal.
- Drain the grease. No one likes oily food! Be sure to drain any excess grease off the beef after browning.
- Season after browning. While we’re on the topic of draining the grease, keep in mind that if you season before browning, you’ll also be draining off a ton of flavor. I recommend seasoning however after your brown it.
- Check the temp. The recommended temperature of ground beef is 160ºF. I like to use a meat thermometer to double check that it’s there before serving!
- Don’t over-work the meat. As with all meat, it’s best not to over-handle it. If you’re forming meatballs or burger patties with your ground beef, be careful not to over-work it. Over-worked meat can become dry and tough.
Tips for Buying Ground Beef:
- Buying ground beef: When it comes to figuring out what ground beef to buy, it kind of just depends on your preferences. Lean ground beef is going to be less fatty and therefore have less oil you need to drain after you cook it. Beef with a higher fat percentage is going to have a little more flavor. It’s totally your call!
- Get extra! Ground beef is great to have on-hand for easy dinners throughout the week. I like to buy a family size pack to freeze uncooked.
- Prep ahead of time. I also like to prep ahead of time and cook/season it for tacos, nachos, etc. If you know what you’ll need it for, go ahead and prep it in advance, store it in the freezer, then all you have to do is that and reheat it!
Ground Beef Recipes
Slow Cooker Baked Ziti
This Slow Cooker Baked Ziti is actually made completely in the crockpot — even the pasta! It is so much easier than the traditional version but packs all of the same flavor!
Check out this recipe
Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe – easy one pot pasta!
This Easy Homemade Hamburger Helper is a savory, one-pot meal that's better than the original! Made with tender elbow pasta, savory ground beef, cheese, tomato sauce, and veggies, it's ready in 30 minutes or less!
Check out this recipe
Lasagna Soup recipe
This Lasagna Soup Recipe is a spin off of a classic! It's packed with all of the best lasagna flavors, but in a one-pot soup. Made with lean ground beef, veggies, and three types of cheese!
Check out this recipe
One Pot Goulash
This One-Pot Goulash is an American classic that's ready in just 30 minutes! It's made up of macaroni noodles, tender ground beef, and veggies simmered in a rich and flavorful tomato-based sauce.
Check out this recipe
Sloppy Joes
This Sloppy Joes Recipe is a classic comfort food dinner that's ready in a total of 20 minutes! Tender and juicy ground beef is simmered with peppers and onions in a sweet and spicy tomato sauce.
Check out this recipe
Ground Beef Casserole recipe
Ground Beef Casserole is cheesy, hearty, and flavorful as can be! A boldly seasoned ground beef tomato sauce is served with plenty of tender pasta under a layer of gooey melted cheese. Freezer friendly and great for making ahead!
Check out this recipe
One Pot Beef and Tomato Macaroni Soup
This One Pot Beef and Tomato Macaroni Soup is a classic! It’s a healthy, one pot meal made in 30 minutes or less and loaded with vegetables.
Check out this recipe
Healthy One Pot Spaghetti and Meat Sauce
This One Pot Spaghetti and Meat Sauce is a healthy, easy and delicious meal for any night of the week! Made healthier with hidden veggies and one other secret ingredient I bet you’ll never guess! www.thereciperebel.com
Check out this recipe
Easy Hamburger Soup recipe
This Hamburger Soup recipe is hearty and comforting for chilly days! It’s loaded with vegetables, ground beef, potatoes and can be cooked on the stove top or the crock pot!
Check out this recipe
Taco Mac
This Taco Mac is an easy one pot meal made in 30 minutes! With ground beef, macaroni, taco seasoning, and loads of cheddar cheese, it's an instant favorite!
Check out this recipe
Healthier One Pot Skillet Lasagna: a 30 Minute Meal!
This Healthier Skillet Lasagna is loaded with sneaky veggies, ground chicken or turkey, and a homemade tomato sauce making it an easy, healthy dinner that’s ready in 30 minutes!
Check out this recipe
Taco Pizza
This Taco Pizza is made with a homemade pizza crust, topped with refried beans, salsa, taco-seasoned ground beef, cheese and all your favorite taco toppings!
Check out this recipe
Easy Meatball Recipe
This easy Meatball Recipe is tender, juicy and flavorful! Bake them, fry them, or slow cook — they work with any sauce you enjoy!
Check out this recipe
The Best Burgers
These are the BEST Burgers! Made with a mix of ground beef and ground pork, caramelized onions, balsamic vinegar, chili powder and MORE that makes them so much more flavorful than other burgers!
Check out this recipe
Nacho Fries
These Nacho Fries are better than Taco Bell! Perfectly seasoned and topped with taco beef, lots of cheese, peppers, and green onions.
Check out this recipe
Swedish Meatballs
This Swedish Meatballs recipe is made with juicy homemade meatballs, simmered in a rich and creamy beef gravy — perfect for serving or noodles or mashed potatoes!
Check out this recipe
Easy Lasagna
This Easy Lasagna recipe is made with oven ready lasagna noodles, jarred tomato sauce and a couple special ingredients that bring LOADS of flavor! Includes step by step recipe video so you can make this simple lasagna at home.
Check out this recipe
BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Nachos
BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Nachos: the best nachos you’ve ever had! Barbecue sauce, ground beef, bacon, cheddar cheese, green onions and all the burger toppings you want. Perfect for movie night or game day! www.thereciperebel.com
Check out this recipe
Rigatoni Pasta Bake
This Rigatoni Pasta Bake is a hearty and comforting casserole made up meat sauce, rigatoni pasta and cheese! Meal prep and freezer friendly.
Check out this recipe
BBQ Chili Shepherd’s Pie
A new twist on an old favourite — sweet and savory bbq beef and vegetable filling topped with creamy mashed potatoes and cheese.
Check out this recipe
Taco Lasagna
This Taco Lasagna recipe couldn’t be easier! It’s made with oven ready lasagna noodles, seasoned taco ground beef, salsa and cheese! It’s perfect for weekend meal prep and freezer friendly.
Check out this recipe
FAQs
What should I make with my ground beef?
There are so many ways you can use up ground beef you have on-hand. Try it in pastas, soups, as sloppy joe sandwiches, on pizza, in meatballs, as burgers, in tacos, over loaded fries or nachos, you name it! The possibilities really are endless.
What is the best way to season ground beef?
That totally depends on how you’re serving it! Ground beef will soak in whatever flavor you want to give it, so season accordingly.
How to store:
Most recipes made with ground beef can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months.
Meet Ashley
My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!
Read More
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Maggie says
It gets very hot here in Reno in the summer, and I was wondering if you have any recipes that I can cook in my toaster oven. I hate heating up the house and would appreciate any ideas, or how to convert time and temp on recipes I already have from you. Thanks in advance.
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The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Maggie, I don’t normally use a toaster oven but it’s likely that many of my recipes that calls for cooking in the oven, could be cooked in the taster oven as well.
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Supriya Kutty says
Love your recipes. They really are easy to make and damn delicious!! I love the variety and mixture of ethnic foods, all foods are healthy and will keep us fresh all day.great share
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Ashley Fehr says
Thank you so much!
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ruchi rai says
Good and easy cook
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Riya Panday says
Awesome recipes! I like this post and the article and ideas to make tasty Lightened Up Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup. Thank you so much to this post.
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Justin J. P. says
I’m 14 and I make dinner for my family every Saturday, and this page saved me from a bland dinner. Thank you so much!
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Ashley Fehr says
So glad to hear that! There are some awesome options!
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Danielle says
I’m overwhelmed by all the recipes. They are all so amazing, where will I ever start! I have so many favorite ground beef recipes…tacos, lasagna and meatloaf all stand out to me. Pinned for later! I can’t wait to check some of these out!
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Zainab says
So many great ideas!
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Aysegul Sanford says
A fantastic round up of recipes and seeing one of mine amongst them makes me so SO happy. Thanks so much Ashley.
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Ashley Fehr says
Hey, any time!
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I’ve definitely got no beef with beef! I love all the recipes in this beefy delicious round up.. only problem is where to start! Probably with your hamburger helper, because that totally pulls at my adolescent heart strings! Thanks for sharing so much yum… and making me drool! Cheers, Girlie!
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Ashley Fehr says
Haha, right?! I am all about the childhood favorites here! They just have to be homemade 🙂
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Kelly says
This is such an awesome round-up, Ashley! So many delicious recipes! I can’t wait to try so many of these for my family! 🙂
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Danielle says
We eat ground beef on a regular basis around here, so I’m loving this roundup! So much delicious dinner inspiration too!
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Summer says
Wow! All these look so nice ♥
summerdaisy.net
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These are all great because ground beef is a staple in our house, but the same old recipes tend to get boring after awhile. Thanks for including me! And now I won’t be eating PB for awhile 🙁 Ha ha!
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Ashley Fehr says
Haha! I wouldn’t swear off peanut butter completely just yet… 😉 It just might not be a great meal all on its own! Lol
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This round up is making me so hungry! I want to try every single one of these recipes! Thanks for including my lasagna! 🙂
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Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Kristine! Is it crazy that I’ve never made lasagna in the slow cooker?!? Totally on my to try list!
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Beef dinners are ALWAYS a hit around here, so I have a feeling I have dinner all figured out for awhile here. 😉 Love LOVE this round-up Ashley! So many great ways to make a pound of ground beef more fun! Thanks for including my skillet ziti, friend! xoxo 🙂
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Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Sarah! I am definitely going to have to try it sometime!
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Ami@NaiveCookCooks says
Ashley this is a great delicious round up!!
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Ashley Fehr says
Thank you Ami!
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Ashley, we love beef too!!! my family more than me but I still love it too!! I always have lean ground beef on hand! I’ve got to try your Taco Beef and Potato Skillet!!! oh my gawd, looks soooooo good!!! thanks for the round-up!
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Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Alice! It’s so quick to thaw and quick to cook! Though it’s hard to go wrong with any cut and any recipe 🙂
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Dorothy Dunton says
Hi Ashley! Even though meat prices have soared in recent years, ground beef is still a good deal because it goes so much further in recipes like these! I can quite often get pot roast cheaper than ground beef and since I have a grinder attachment for my mixer, I buy that and grind my own beef. I will be making some of these dishes soon! 🙂
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Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Dorothy! I agree — it definitely goes a long ways! I have been dreaming about getting my own grinder attachment for my mixer! Maybe someday… there are so many fun things to add on to them these days!
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My husband and I make a lot of ground beef dishes, too! I secretly like it more than chicken. Thanks for including my chili! I’m definitely pinning a bunch of this deliciousness for some new inspiration!
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Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Gayle! I definitely need to try your chili soon — the weather is slowly warming up but it’s still COLD! Lol. And I know Spring is still a long ways off…
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