Ground beef is one of the most versatile ingredients to have in your kitchen! Here are 37 Ground Beef Dinner Ideas to turn that humble pound of beef into the most delicious home cooking. From meaty casseroles to beef tacos, cozy chilis to hearty pies, shake up your dinner routine with these easy and inventive beef recipes!
Wondering what to make for dinner? Craving something hearty and filling? That’s your cue to take out that pound of ground beef sitting in your freezer, or run to the nearest meat locker. Ground beef is one of the most popular meats out there, for good reason! What makes ground beef so great? Here are just some of the reasons we love it:
- It’s super tasty. Ground beef has just the right amount of fat that renders when cooked, making it absolutely delicious! Ground beef adds loads of flavor (not to mention moist, juicy texture) to any dish.
- It’s versatile. Tacos, meat sauces, chilis, casseroles – you name it. Browned ground beef is a leading ingredient in all kinds of meals.
- It’s good for you. Beef is an affordable source of protein that’s rich in minerals and vitamins.
- It’s an easy keeper. Ground beef is one of the easiest ingredients to buy in bulk and freeze for the long term. This means easy defrosting to use in all your favorite beef recipes, any time!
Below are 37 creative and delicious ways to use ground beef, that you can make for dinner tonight!
Ground Beef Pastitsio Pasta
For a little something different, Greek pastitsio is a traditional Mediterranean casserole made with layers of tender noodles, ground beef and creamy homemade bechamel sauce.
Cheeseburger Casserole
Cheesy, beefy cheeseburger casserole is the ultimate comfort food. This recipe gets creative with crispy tater tots and toppings – and we’re not complaining!
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Make your own version of this classic, kid-favorite comfort food. Easy homemade Hamburger Helper is full of flavor, ground beef, cheese, and nostalgia.
Easy Taco Beef and Rice Skillet
This easy 30-minute skillet dinner is perfect for feeding a family, loaded up with Mexican-style flavors of seasoned ground beef and tender long grain rice. Ole!
Cheesy Beef Enchilada Casserole
A deconstructed beef enchilada in the form of a cheesy Mexican–style rice casserole. This rice bake is easy to make for a comforting weeknight meal.
Frito Pie
A classic Frito pie is sort of like a deconstructed taco – filled with ground beef, topped with crunchy corn chips, and so craveable! This is an easy kid-friendly casserole that’s just as loved by adults, too!
Homemade Lasagna
What more satisfying than homemade lasagna?! Made with a ground beef pasta sauce that’s simmered on the stove for hours, this flavorful lasagna recipe is a must try.
Sheet Pan Beef and Cheese Quesadillas
These cheesy beef quesadillas bake up all crispy and delicious on a sheet pan! Made with seasoned beef, gooey Monterey Jack cheese, and spicy jalapenos for a nice kick.
Quick & Easy Ground Beef Tacos
When you’re craving tacos in a hurry, this is the recipe, right here. Fast and easy, ultra saucy ground beef tacos that don’t sacrifice on flavor.
Ground Beef Southwestern Style Tacos
Try these Southwestern-style tacos at your next Taco Tuesday! This taco recipe is simple and delicious, made with seasoned ground beef, Pinto beans, and cheese.
Best Taco Meat
This is the only recipe for taco meat you’ll ever need! Versatile and full of flavor, this taco beef recipe is perfectly seasoned and ready to use in all your favorite Tex Mex-inspired dishes.
Taco Salad
A deconstructed taco in the form of a quick and healthy salad! Perfect for a light weeknight dinner or as a beefed-up side dish for your next family taco night.
Cheesy Taco Spaghetti
Taco Tuesday and Spaghetti Night join forces in an easy, cheesy pasta recipe that the whole family will love! Tender spaghetti noodles tossed in a flavor-filled taco-inspired meat sauce.
Easy American Goulash Recipe
An American-style version of a traditional goulash recipe, made easy and delicious with ground beef and elbow pasta tossed with tangy tomato sauce and veggies.
Slow Cooked Beef Ragu Pappardelle
Another way to use ground beef that’s the definition of perfection: this amazingly flavorful ground beef ragu, simmered with red wine and spices and served over tender-cooked pappardelle pasta.
The Best Homemade Bolognese Sauce
Bolognese is the quintessential ground beef recipe! A classic meat sauce bursting with flavor thanks to ground chuck roast, crushed tomatoes, garlic and herbs.
Slow Cooker Lasagna
Make this meaty lasagna in your slow cooker for a tasty, filling dinner that basically cooks itself! No boiling or fussing here, just delicious and perfectly cooked homemade lasagna!
Unstuffed Shells
Classic Italian stuffed shells, turned inside out! These unstuffed shells are an easy pasta casserole made with rich meat sauce and cheesy pasta. Great to make ahead!
Gluten Free Baked Ziti
A gluten free version of a well-loved pasta bake, prepared with layers of marinara meat sauce, ziti pasta, and two types of cheese! Melty mozzarella and creamy ricotta make this casserole the definition of comfort food.
Asian Meatballs (Instant Pot)
This easy Asian meatball recipe is crazy versatile and so delicious. Make these moist, tender beef meatballs for parties, serve them over rice, or just enjoy them whenever a craving hits (and it will, trust me!).
Keto Eggroll in a Bowl (Keto Crack Slaw) Recipe
Skip the takeaway pamphlet and make this health-conscious version of a deconstructed egg roll, right at home! All the flavors and savory ingredients of Chinese takeout, piled into one bowl.
Basil Beef Stir Fry
An Asian-inspired dish that you can make in under 30 minutes, full of aromatic basil, crisp veggies and tender, juicy ground beef.
Ground Beef and Broccoli
A quick and easy shortcut to classic beef and broccoli that doesn’t cut corners on flavor! This homemade twist on a takeout favorite is made with saucy ground beef, crisp broccoli, served over a bed of tender rice.
Smoky Avocado Burger with Pineapple Pepper Relish
It wouldn’t be a ground beef round-up without a juicy homemade hamburger recipe! This is a fully-loaded burger recipe topped with avocado seasoned with smoky spices, plus a homemade spicy mayo and pineapple pepper relish.
Homemade Sloppy Joes
Another recipe that’s the first to come to mind when it comes to ground beef! Sloppy Joes are a childhood favorite, made with fluffy burger buns that are jam packed with saucy beef and melty cheddar. These are worth getting a little messy over!
Stuffed Peppers
Stuffed peppers are an easy meal or side dish that you can make with little effort, and big flavor pay-off. Sweet roasted peppers filled with a tangy combination of tomato sauce, ground beef, and hearty rice.
Easy Homemade Slow Cooker Chili Recipe
Tuck into a bowl of this meaty beef chili recipe, slow cooked with tomatoes and chilis, hearty Pinto beans, and spicy chorizo sausage. Just as perfect for colder weather as it is for summer cookouts!
The Best 30 Minute Beef Chili Recipe
Take a fast track to cozy flavor with this hearty, spicy beef chili that’s ready in just 30 minutes! Loaded with vegetables, too, so you can tuck into a bowl guilt-free.
Old Fashioned Brunswick Stew
This rustic Southern stew recipe is ready to keep you all kinds of cozy! A hearty homemade stew made with three types of meat including ground beef along with tangy tomato sauce, smoky BBQ sauce, and delicious veggies.
Ground Beef and Broccoli
A simple beef and broccoli recipe using ground beef instead of steak. Serve it over fluffy rice or even cauliflower rice. Everyone will devour this easy dinner idea.
Italian Meatloaf Muffins
There’s classic meatloaf, and then there’s meatloaf muffins! This single-serving mini meatloaf recipe makes the most succulent, savory ground beef loaves stuffed with melty mozzarella cheese.
Best Shepherd’s Pie Recipe with Ground Beef
An easy spin on shepherd’s pie, made with juicy ground beef and tender veggies piled with buttery mash. The whole family will love this hearty and gluten-free casserole!
Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza Rolls
Bacon, cheeseburger… and pizza? All in one?? Excuse me while I die and go to heaven. This easy, flavor-packed pizza roll recipe is a triple threat of deliciousness, loading everyone’s fast food favorites into one wholesome homemade appetizer.
Easy Beef Pot Pie Recipe
Lovers of pot pie, you’ll love this recipe for beef pot pie as a heartier spin on a creamy chicken pot pie! A stick-to-your-ribs recipe that’s so easy to make, baked in a flaky buttery pastry crust.
Homemade Lasagna
Another cozy lasagna recipe with oodles of tender noodles and a beefy bolognese sauce that’s simmered on the stove for hours. Just add a simple salad a slice of crusty bread!
Check out the recipe finder for hundreds more recipes featuring your favorite ingredients!