The 50 Best Ground Beef Recipes the Whole Family Will Love
Have a pound of ground beef in the fridge? You're in luck, because your dinner possibilities are endless with this affordable, protein-packed ingredient on your side. (However, given the recent salmonella outbreak in the Northeast, you should check to see where your ground beef came from and follow the CDC's food safety guidelines to avoid getting sick. If you think your meat might be contaminated, toss it.)
Read on for 50 of the best ground beef recipes out there, from unconventional burgers to hearty salads and soups.
The 57 Best Burger Recipes of All Time
1. The Ultimate ‘Sweet Laurel’ Burger with Sweet Potato Fries
CLAIRE THOMAS/SWEET LAUREL SAVORY
Time Commitment: 55 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, high protein, beginner-friendly
No hate to veggie burgers, but an old-school beef patty hits the spot like no other. This Los Angeles-style handheld boasts crispy edges, a side of sweet potato fries and all the essential fixings.
2. Classic Stuffed Peppers
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
Only one dirty dish to clean? Sounds like a plan. Jarred marinara sauce, fresh garlic and dry spices infuse the beef (and leftover rice) with plenty of flavor without asking too much of the chef.
3. Ground Beef Flatbread with Herb Sauce
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
We never thought we’d say this, but let’s skip pizza night and try this instead, shall we? Save yourself some time but substituting store-bought dough with pre-baked flatbread or naan.
4. Swedish Meatballs
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
Serve 'em on rice, noodles or veggies if you must, but the ultimate pairing for these gravy-topped meatballs are mashed potatoes. Eat your heart out, IKEA.
5. Ravioli Lasagna
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 25 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
Layer ravioli (meat, cheese, mushroom--whatever type you're feeling), ground beef and marinara for the most epic baked pasta dish of all time. Trust us, this spin on lasagna will be your new go-to.
6. Beef Empanadas
ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 2 hours
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, kid-friendly
Store-bought pie crust and packaged taco seasoning make these a breeze to assemble. Freeze a batch for up to three months, so you can bake them whenever a craving strikes.
7. One-Pan Spaghetti and Meatballs
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, one pan, kid-friendly
Guys, this lazy recipe is a total game-changer. The next time you want to get dinner on the table with ease (and avoid washing a million dirty dishes), we've got you covered.
8. Cornbread Tamale Pie
ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Why We Love It: one pan, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
We’ve never turned down a meal made in a skillet, especially one with this much cheese. Not only is the cornbread topping chock-full of green chiles and shredded cheddar, but the chili filling is also loaded with the stuff.
9. Mini Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf
ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, high protein
Meatloaf may not be the most Insta-worthy dinner of all time, but it sure is comforting. Just when you thought the minis couldn't get more indulgent, we wrapped them in bacon for good measure.
10. Skillet Nacho Dip
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, one pan
Taco meat, salsa, pickled jalapeños, Monterey Jack—the gang's all here. Serve this masterpiece with sour cream, hot sauce and lots of tortilla chips for dunking.
11. Polenta and Meatballs
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
Spaghetti and meatballs? Yawn. Give your weekly dinner staple a much-needed makeover, courtesy of hearty polenta. It's not as fussy as you'd imagine; you'll only need to whisk it occasionally so it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.
12. Keto Guacamole Burger Bites
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, high protein, low carb
Presenting keto guacamole burger bites, aka bacon-wrapped mini meatballs topped with seasoned avocado, tomato and pearl mozzarella cheese. Whether you're on a low-carb diet or not, they're an easy win.
13. Shepherd’s Pie
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 40 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
This classic beef stew baked beneath a layer of mashed potatoes never gets old. Our version is extra rich and flavorful, thanks to Guinness in the meat filling and goat cheese in the spuds.
14. Lasagna Soup
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, make ahead
You love lasagna. You love soup. So for dinner tonight, why not try a fun mash-up of the two greatest meals on earth? Just don’t skimp on the cheese (we mean the Parm, ricotta *and* mozz).
15. Bacon Jalapeño Smashburgers
MARK WEINBERG/I DREAM OF DINNER
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, beginner-friendly
The recipe calls for making these handhelds with ground chicken, but you could easily substitute ground beef. Better yet, you'll only need six other ingredients to pull these lightning-fast burgers off.
16. Baked Coconut-Curry Meatballs
TIEGHAN GERARD/HALF BAKED HARVEST SUPER SIMPLE
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, high protein
This tasty dish can be made with beef, lamb or pork. Regardless of the protein you choose, the dish only requires about 20 minutes of cooking, meaning it's quick enough for busy weeknights.
17. One-Pot Ground Beef Stroganoff
Spend with Pennies
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, high protein
A new take on an old classic, this simplified version of stroganoff uses ground beef instead of steak. But don't fret: It still has plenty of egg noodles, tangy sour cream and beef broth-soaked mushroom sauce.
18. Tex-Mex Taco Salad
Pinch of Yum
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly
Way more exciting than your typical turkey sandwich, no? This hearty lunch features taco meat, canned black beans, jarred salsa, cotija cheese and crushed tortilla chips, all over spinach or lettuce.
19. Easy Enchilada Beef Nachos
Half Baked Harvest
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
They may be a game day must, but you certainly don't need to wait for the Super Bowl to sink your teeth into these nachos. The from-scratch chipotle cheddar sauce really seals the deal.
20. Italian Wedding Soup
Spend with Pennies
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, beginner-friendly
A mix of ground beef and pork gift this classic soup—crowned with Parmesan cheese and kissed with white wine—its heft. Make a double batch, then freeze it for a rainy day.
21. 30-Minute Basil Beef and Mango Noodle Salad
Half Baked Harvest
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: gluten free, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
If you're allergic to gluten, you should really add rice noodles to your pantry. Their chewy, borderline gelatinous texture pairs beautifully with savory beef and tender mango.
22. Taco Chili Pasta Bake
The Recipe Critic
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, make ahead
Hmm, should we cook chili tonight or pasta? Ehh, let’s cook both. Sweet creamed corn, cream cheese, shredded cheddar and pepper jack bind all its ingredients together in gooey harmony.
23. Korean Beef Bowl
Damn Delicious
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, one pan, beginner-friendly
Takeout, shmakeout. This will hold you over until your next Korean barbecue run. Serve the ground beef over white rice with a side of ice-cold kimchi.
24. Ground Beef Casserole with Rice
Recipe Tin Eats
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
Ready your taste buds for a fiesta. The long-grain rice cooks in broth, tomato paste and beef, so you won't need to boil it in a separate pot.
25. Taco Cups
Dinner at the Zoo
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
Squeeze all your favorite taco ingredients into shatteringly crisp wonton wrappers instead of tortillas or taco shells. They bake to crunchy perfection with the help of a muffin tin.
26. Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti
Damn Delicious
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, high protein
Bad day? This creamy, dreamy pasta dish loaded with seasoned beef, dried herbs, sour cream and cream cheese can fix that.
27. Loaded Whole30 Sweet Potato Fries
The Defined Dish
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
Why eat plain, old fries when you could whip up these babies? The spuds are piled high with spicy ground beef, lime crema, avocado and fresh cilantro.
28. Sloppy Joe French Bread Pizza
Yellow Bliss Road
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, high protein, kid-friendly
Grab some extra napkins—you're gonna need 'em. Stouffer's has nothing on this 20-minute wonder that only requires six ingredients to come together.
29. Meatballs al Forno
The Defined Dish
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
Because no one wants to wait a million years for meatballs to cook through on the stove. Eat this baked main for dinner, and save a few for meatball Parm sandwiches tomorrow.
30. Taco-Stuffed Avocados with Chipotle Cream
Foodie Crush
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, keto-friendly, beginner-friendly
File this one under Pure Genius. Since there are no tortillas or carby elements to this dish, it's keto-friendly and low-carb if you prepare it according to the recipe.
31. One-Pot Chili Mac and Cheese
Damn Delicious
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: one pot, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
Psst, we just found our signature winter dish. Ground beef and a handful of pantry staples (diced tomatoes! canned beans! elbow macaroni!) will give you all the cozy feels.
32. Slow Cooker Bolognese
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 6 hours and 45 minutes
Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, high protein, beginner-friendly
In our heart of hearts, we're an Italian nonna who has all day to lovingly tend to a simmering pot of pasta sauce...but IRL, we'd rather make our Crockpot do all the heavy lifting. Serve the beef over pappardelle or another long pasta of your choice.
33. Cheesy Avocado Quesadillas
Damn Delicious
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
Need dinner in a pinch? Quesadillas are a breeze to make on the fly. And these are packed with ground beef and refried beans, so they're sure to keep you satisfied. (Until dessert, that is.)
34. 20-Minute Thai Basil Beef and Lemongrass Rice Bowls
Half Baked Harvest
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
Sorry, pad Thai. We’re officially over you. Well, not really...but we can't face the delivery guy three times in one week. Instead, we'll be leaning on this zingy combination of ground beef, lemongrass rice and homemade sweet Thai chili sauce.
35. Korean-Inspired Ground Beef and Kimchi Bowls
The Defined Dish
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: low carb, keto-friendly, high protein, <30 minutes
With very little effort, you can have a flavor-packed and diet-friendly dinner on the table in under half an hour. Chalk it up to cauliflower rice, store-bought kimchi and a slew of pantry staples.
36. Stuffed Spaghetti Squash Boats
THE DEFINED DISH
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, high protein, low carb
They’re filling, nutritious and easy enough to whip up on a weeknight. Just don’t skip the avocado and pico de gallo toppings; they’re the cherry on top.
37. Instant Pot Ground Beef and Pasta
DAMN DELICIOUS
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: Instant Pot recipe, beginner friendly, one pot
Beefaroni gets a grown-up upgrade with this super simple, Bolognese-inspired recipe that takes about 10 minutes in the pressure cooker. Cue up Netflix, because this dish will give you all the warm-and-fuzzy feels.
38. Ancho Beef Chili-Stuffed Sweet Potato Skins
Cotter Crunch
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 40 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, gluten free, beginner-friendly
Finished with avocado cream sauce for good measure. If you're serving these at an event, feel free to make the chili and bake the sweet potatoes up to two days in advance.
39. Whole30 Chili
40 APRONS
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: low carb, keto-friendly, one pot
This delicious chili has no beans, which makes it Whole30 compliant. It's still packed with hearty ingredients and savory flavor though, so we promise you won't miss them.
40. Low-Carb Sloppy Joes
Food Faith Fitness
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: keto-friendly, low carb, one pan
We’re suckers for a lettuce wrap, and even more so for a freezer-friendly dinner. Make a double batch of the sloppy joe filling so you can have a quick meal ready in a pinch when needed.
41. Best-Ever Italian Meatballs with Creamy Tomato Sauce
40 Aprons
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: low carb, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
They’re keto, Paleo, Whole30 and best served over a bed of low-carb zoodles (but we won't tell if you sub real pasta). Make a bunch of meatballs and stash them in the freezer for whenever you need dinner on the fly.
42. Crockpot Beef Chili
HALF BAKED HARVEST
Time Commitment: 6 hours and 15 minutes
Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
A touch of maple syrup sweetens this smoky powerhouse just right. Finish your bowl with all the cheddar cheese, scallions, avocado and cilantro your heart desires.
43. Hamburger Soup
DINNER AT THE ZOO
Time Commitment: 50 minutes
Why We Love It: one pot, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
Not only is it a one-pot meal that keeps like a charm, but it’s also an easy way to sneak some extra veggies into your kids' dinner. Your secret is safe with us.
44. Quick Thai Green Curry Beef and Veggie Bowls
Cotter Crunch
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, Whole30-friendly, high protein
Ready faster than you can say "for delivery, please." It has all the zingy, spicy elements you crave, from green curry paste to lime juice to lemongrass.
45. Cheese Shell Taco Cups
HEY KETO MAMA
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: low carb, keto-friendly, <10 ingredients
Instead of tortillas, the recipe calls for baking slices of cheese until they're just starting to brown, then placing them in a muffin tin to form a cup shape. In the words of Ina Garten, how easy is that?
46. Easy Paleo Meatloaf
Food Faith Fitness
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Why We Love It: keto-friendly, low carb, high protein
It’s a classic for a reason, and now it’s on your diet. Instead of breadcrumbs, this meatloaf uses coconut flour as a low-carb binder (so it won’t completely fall apart when you cut yourself a slice).
47. Easy Korean Ground Beef Bowls
Wholesome Yum
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, beginner-friendly
They’re as good as your go-to takeout spot, but so much healthier. Serve them with spicy pickled cukes, scallions and cauliflower rice to keep the dish low-carb.
48. Beef Kafta
Feel Good Foodie
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, beginner-friendly
These Lebanese-style beef patties are bursting with fresh parsley and lots of Middle Eastern spices. Pair them with tahdig, cucumber salad, pickled onions and toasted pita.
49. Homemade Hamburger Helper
Grandbaby Cakes
Time Commitment: 55 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, one pot
Once you try this from-scratch version of Hamburger Helper, you'll never want the boxed stuff again. It's decidedly picky eater-proof, thanks to the tender pasta shells, gooey cheddar cheese and tomatoey broth.
50. Loco Moco
Spoon Fork Bacon
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, beginner-friendly
This stick-to-your-ribs Hawaiian dish is perfect for breakfast, lunch and dinner alike. This take is complete with a simple shiitake mushroom gravy that ups the umami factor just right.
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