50 Family-Friendly Dinners You Can Make With Ground Beef
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When you're stuck in a weeknight dinnertime rut, grab some ground beef and get cooking! From Tex-Mex dinners to Italian-inspired feasts, ground beef is one of the most versatile proteins you can bring to the table. It also happens to be the star in so many budget-friendly dinner ideas: sliders, skillet meals, and soups. Here, you'll find plenty of healthy ground beef dinners, baked pastas, and one-pot meals to freshen up your dinner routine. These ground beef recipes prove there's no shortage of ways to put it to good use.
If a hearty dish is what you're after, take a peek at the many ground beef casseroles in this roundup. They're so simple to make and recipes like cheeseburger casserole, taco casserole, and sour cream noodle bake (a Drummond family favorite) please even the pickiest eaters! You'll also discover burgers done every which way. If you're feeding a crowd, the cheeseburger sliders are a big time hit. Instead of flipping tons of patties, seasoned ground beef is spread on slider buns with all the fixings for an easy meal. Of course, anytime your cooking pasta recipes, adding some ground beef is a no-brainer. Ree Drummond's slow cooker bolognese cooks all day with minimal effort. Now that's a winning idea!
Slow-Cooker Bolognese
This recipe makes a big batch, so enjoy it for dinner, and freeze the rest for dinner another night! This hearty bolognese makes Italian night easy.
Get Ree's Slow-Cooker Bolognese recipe.
Salisbury Steak
This diner classic features hamburger steaks topped with creamy mushroom gravy. It's spectacular served with mashed potatoes!
Get the Salisbury Steak recipe.
Taco Casserole
Switch up taco Tuesday with this family-friendly casserole. The ground beef, corn, and black bean mixture is layered in the baking dish with tortilla chips and cheese. It's hearty and delicious!
Get the Taco Casserole recipe.
Eggplant Lasagna
With meat sauce, fresh eggplant, and delicious ricotta cheese, this lasagna is a winner. It can even be assembled up to 2 days ahead and baked before dinnertime!
Get the Eggplant Lasagna recipe.
Cheeseburger Sliders
Next time you want to make burgers for a crowd, make these easy, cheesy sliders instead! Rather than forming and cooking separate hamburger patties, this recipe piles cooked ground beef on slider buns.
Get the Cheeseburger Sliders recipe.
Pierogi and Meatball Skillet
When comfort food cravings call, this skillet supper is here to answer. The homemade Swedish-style meatballs are extremely easy to make. They're paired with store-bought pierogi for a dinner that's ready in under an hour.
Get the Pierogi and Meatball Skillet recipe.
Goulash
The whole family will gobble this goulash right up! Similar to chili, but also mac and cheese, it's a cozy, comforting crowd pleaser that's ready in 30 minutes.
Get the Goulash recipe.
Moussaka
If you've never tried this classic Greek dish, you're in for a delicious surprise. With layers of eggplant, potato, spiced meat sauce, and creamy bechamel sauce, it's a feast for the senses.
Get the Moussaka recipe.
Manicotti
In this Italian dinner recipe, tubes of pasta are stuffed with a four cheese mixture and topped with hearty meat sauce. The perfect finishing touch? Even more cheese baked on top!
Get the Manicotti recipe.
Cowboy Casserole
Saddle up for this hearty, comforting casserole. This one-pan meal is loaded with ground sirloin, crispy bacon, spinach, and corn, and topped with golden tater tots. What could be better?
Get the Cowboy Casserole recipe.
Classic Cheeseburgers
Skip the drive-thru! When the craving hits for a cheeseburger, you can make your own by combining ground beef with ground sirloin and a dash of Worcestershire sauce. Don't forget your favorite toppings!
Get the Classic Cheeseburger recipe.
Stuffed Cabbage
Bring something fresh and flavorful to the dinner table with this stuffed cabbage. This recipe makes up to eight servings and uses simple ingredients.
Get the Stuffed Cabbage recipe.
Italian Meatball Soup
This soup is chock full of tender, bite-sized meatballs and vegetables. Serve it with hunks of Italian bread and all the parmesan your heart desires!
Get Ree's Italian Meatball Soup recipe.
Cheeseburger Casserole
Have a family full of cheeseburger lovers? Then you must make this pasta bake for dinner! Every nook and cranny is covered in melty cheese sauce, plus there's seasoned ground beef too.
Get the Cheeseburger Casserole recipe.
Taco Soup
Rushed for time on busy weeknights? This soup may just be your saving grace. It's ready in only 30 minutes! Serve with all your favorite taco toppings.
Get the Taco Soup recipe.
Beef Enchiladas
These enchiladas are beefy, cheesy, and oh-so easy! Store-bought enchilada sauce helps get them on the dinner table quickly.
Get the Beef Enchiladas recipe.
Homemade Hamburger Helper
If you grew up loving Hamburger Helper, you'll adore this homespun version filled with ground beef, macaroni, and plenty of melty cheese.
Get the Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe.
Stuffed Bell Peppers
Oh stuffed peppers, how we love thee! These beauties are so versatile, but we think they're best with ground beef and lots of cheese.
Get the Stuffed Bell Peppers recipe.
Hamburger Soup
This chunky, hearty soup is just what you need for a quick meal. It's loaded with ground beef and lots of veggies for a soul-nourishing supper.
Get Ree's Hamburger Soup recipe.
Patty Melts
These patty melts are great for feeding a hungry crew: They're quick to make and will leave everyone feeling satisfied. Don't forget the potato chips for serving!
Get Ree's Patty Melts recipe.
Salad Nachos
This is like the greatest beefy taco salad you've ever had—no fork or knife required! Tortilla chips are piled with saucy beef, beans, and queso dip, plus a chipotle-ranch salad dressing made with three ingredients.
Get the Salad Nachos recipe.
Juicy Lucy
How do you make a burger even better—how 'bout stuffing it with cheese? That's what makes this Juicy Lucy so irresistible in every single bite.
Get the Juicy Lucy recipe.
Beef Taco Skillet
It's a one-pan dinner! Mix up the toppings: ground beef tastes great with guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream, and cheddar cheese.
Get Ree's Beef Taco Skillet recipe.
Sour Cream Noodle Bake
This noodle bake is exactly the comfort food you'll want to chow down on after a long day. Make your life easier by putting it together ahead of time and baking it just before dinner.
Get Ree's Sour Cream Noodle Bake recipe.
Spaghetti Sauce
Make the ultimate spaghetti sauce with some ground beef, crushed tomatoes, and plenty of garlic.
Get Ree's Spaghetti Sauce recipe.
Shepherd’s Pie
Technically called a cottage pie if you're using beef, this mashed potato delight is a must-have family dinner!
Get the Shepherd’s Pie recipe.
Beef-and-Bean Chili
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Get Ree's Beef-and-Bean Chili recipe.
Lasagna Rollups
You can make individual-sized lasagnas with this recipe, and they're perfect for kids! Serve with a big green salad and garlic bread, and you've got yourself a wonderful, balanced meal.
Get Ree's Lasagna Rollups recipe.
Meatloaf
You can't say no to anything with bacon in it. This meatloaf covered in thick slices is sure to knock your socks off.
Get Ree's Meatloaf recipe.
Baked Ziti
Baked ziti is the ultimate pasta bake, checking the cheese, beef, and pasta boxes.
Get Ree's Baked Ziti recipe.
Spicy Whiskey BBQ Sliders
Whether you're making them for a barbecue, a game day appetizer, or just a Tuesday night, these messy sliders will be a hit.
Get the Spicy Whiskey BBQ Sliders recipe.
Ground Beef Empanadas
With a golden crust and rich filling, empanadas are the ultimate comfort food. Ground beef pairs perfectly with the warmth of ground cumin and the sweetness of onion and peppers.
Get the Ground Beef Empanadas recipe.
Hawaiian Pizza Burgers
Pineapple on pizza? You bet. That's the inspiration for this burger also topped with cheddar cheese and thinly sliced deli ham.
Get Ree's Hawaiian Pizza Burger recipe.
Salisbury Steak Burgers with Sweet Potato Fries
These patties get their flavor from a combo of beef bouillon cube and ground beef. Just be careful not to overwork the meat when you mix them together or the burgers will turn out tough.
Get Ree's Salisbury Steak Burgers with Sweet Potato Fries recipe.
Cheeseburger Salad
You don't even need to form patties to make this cheeseburger-inspired salad. It is loaded down with all the delicious toppings.
Get the Cheeseburger Salad recipe.
Sausage-and-Peppers Burgers
If you can't choose between beef or sausage, opt for combo burgers! These juicy patties are made with both, then topped with sautéed onions and peppers.
Get Ree's Sausage-and-Peppers Burgers recipe.
Cheeseburger Pizza
Don't forget the crunchy dill pickles and ketchup and mustard drizzle that bring this pizza together.
Get the Cheeseburger Pizza recipe.
Burger With Manchego, Mushrooms, and Fried Egg
Everything about this burger is indulgent: It's covered with melted Manchego cheese, sautéed mushrooms and a perfectly fried egg.
Get the Burger With Manchego, Mushrooms, and Fried Egg recipe.
Beef and Bean Burritos
Burritos always make for a satisfying meal, especially when stuffed with seasoned beef and beans.
Get Ree's Beef and Bean Burritos recipe.
Italian Meatloaf
This isn't your average meatloaf. It's covered with pancetta slices and a savory tomato sauce for a hearty meal.
Get Ree's Italian Meatloaf recipe.
Salisbury Steak Meatballs
You won't be able to get enough of these juicy meatballs: They're served over buttery noodles.
Get Ree's Salisbury Steak Meatballs recipe.
Burger With Bacon, Caramelized Onions, and Goat Cheese
To elevate this supreme burger to an even higher level, try adding Brie instead of goat cheese.
Get the Burger With Bacon, Caramelized Onions, and Goat Cheese recipe.
Greek Burger With Red Onion and Homemade Fast Dill Pickles
There are so many things to love about this flavorful burger, including its herb-infused patty and homemade pickles.
Get the Greek Burger recipe.
Supreme Pizza Burger
Supreme pizza, meet juicy burger. You're about to taste a match made in heaven.
Get Ree's Supreme Pizza Burger recipe.
Pepperoni Pizza Burger
If you thought pepperoni pizza was already great, just wait until you get your hands on this burger.
Get Ree's Pepperoni Pizza Burger recipe.
Spicy Cilantro Avocado Burger
This burger is bursting with flavor: The patty is packed with cilantro, garlic, fresh ginger, and chilis.
Get the Spicy Cilantro Avocado Burger recipe.
Italian Sloppy Joes
Whether you're willing to admit it or not, sloppy Joes are one of those meals that you just can't resist. Add Texas toast and a slice of mozzarella for an even more delicious bite.
Get Ree's Italian Sloppy Joes recipe.
Mini Meatball Sandwiches
Turn a classic meatball sub into a fun dinner with these sliders, perfect for kids and grownups alike.
Get Ree's Mini Meatball Sandwiches recipe.
Mushroom and Swiss Sliders with Spicy Fry Sauce
A spicy fry sauce makes these savory sliders stand out from the rest. Feel free to smother your burgers with it and use it for dipping.
Get Ree's Mushroom-and-Swiss Sliders recipe.
Pasta alla Marlboro Man
This is the pasta for anyone in your life who can't get enough meat. It's almost more beef than rigatoni.
Get Ree's Pasta alla Marlboro Man recipe.
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