32+ Ideas For What To Make with Ground Beef

This collection of ground beef recipes is amazing! From meatloaf to tacos and everything in between, these are the best easy ground beef recipes.

collage of ground beef recipes


 

When I’m lacking on inspiration for dinner, meals with ground beef are my go-to. I almost always have a pound of ground beef in the refrigerator or freezer, and there are SO many options.

Ground beef is inexpensive, can be low fat (just buy lower fat content) and cooks fast. It is versatile and totally underused unless you are making burgers or even smash burgers. Whether you serve it over mashed potatoes or in another easy weeknight dinner, it is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

These amazing ground beef recipes have everything you could want, including meat loaf, tacos, sloppy joes, taco salad, swedish meatballs, hearty soup and chili. Is your mouth watering yet? Because I know mine is!

First questions usually is what is ground beef made of? Ground beef is typically ground sirloin is chuck roast. It is often trimmings from other cuts of beef. Like so many meats, if ranges in fat content and also quality. Make sure you are browning it correctly and also check out our new book Beef It Up! (aff)

And if lean ground beef isn’t your thing, you can substitute ground turkey in most, if not all, of these recipes too. Sure to please the entire family.

Grab that package of ground beef from the refrigerator and discover your new family favorite classic dish. Think beyond ground beef tacos for Tacos Tuesday and add some new easy recipes to your recipe box.

Popular Ingredients for Best Ground Beef Recipes

While this list isn’t completely inclusive, it’s a great place to get started making a delicious meal. Most can be found at your local grocery store if you don’t already have them on hand.

Ground Beef Recipes

overhead shot of mexican ground beef casserole in pan

Mexican Ground Beef Casserole Recipe

4.62 from 26 votes
Mexican Beef and Rice Casserole is an easy weeknight recipe using ground beef, taco seasoning and other easy ingredients for a one dish meal your whole family will love! 
See The Recipe!
close up of meatballs in sauce

Italian Meatball Recipe

4.72 from 70 votes
Cook up something special with the best homemade meatball recipe! Delicious, juicy and full of flavor (and a secret ingredient!) this recipe is sure to become a favorite.
See The Recipe!
Guinness and Cheddar Meatloaf is packed with vegetables simmered in stout beer and fresh sage topped with crispy bacon and a sweet molasses glaze. #baconwrappedmeatloaf #easymeatloafrecipes www.savoryexperiments.com

Guinness and Cheddar Meatloaf

4.55 from 11 votes
Guinness and Cheddar Meatloaf is packed with vegetables simmered in stout beer and fresh sage topped with crispy bacon and a sweet molasses glaze.
See The Recipe!
angled shot of bowl of instant pot chili

Instant Pot Chili Recipe

4.50 from 26 votes
Instant Pot Chili is a gold star chili. A simple chili recipe using jalapeño, chili seasoning, beans and beef ready in just 20 minutes!
See The Recipe!
What happens when you take two favorites and mash them together? The best pizza ever! Cheeseburger Pizza! #homemadepizza #cheeseburgerpizza www.savoryexperiments.com

Cheeseburger Pizza

4.80 from 5 votes
What happens when you take two favorites and mash them together? The best pizza ever! Cheeseburger Pizza!
See The Recipe!
two slices of meatloaf over mashed potatoes topped with corn

Southwest Meatloaf

4.48 from 34 votes
Southwest Meatloaf is a classic meatloaf recipe with a southwestern spin. Crushed tortilla chips and bottled salsa give this easy meatloaf a zesty edge.
See The Recipe!
close up of shepherds pie casserole dish

Shepherd’s Pie

5 from 8 votes
The BEST Shepherd’s Pie is made with frozen vegetables like peas, corn, carrots, and green beans and is perfect for an easy dinner!
See The Recipe!
overhead shot of salisbury steaks in a skillet

Salisbury Steak

4.42 from 24 votes
Forget what you know about salisbury steak, this Homemade Salisbury Steak recipe is out of this world! Topped with a mushroom gravy, it's moist and delicious!
See The Recipe!
close up of American goulash

Beef Goulash

4.63 from 8 votes
Classic goulash doesn't get any better than this Beef Goulash recipe! The perfect comforting meal for any weeknight!
See The Recipe!
Mexican Lasagna Rolls are the best marriage of taco lasagna and traditional lasagna! They're so easy to put together, even the kids can help make them! #lasagnarollsrecipe #lasagnarollups #mexicanlasagnarecipes www.savoryexperiments.com

Mexican Lasagna Rolls

4.38 from 8 votes
Mexican Lasagna Rolls are the best marriage of taco lasagna and traditional lasagna. So easy the kids can help make them!
See The Recipe!
cast iron of browned ground beef

How to Cook Ground Beef (How to Brown Ground Beef)

4.36 from 14 votes
Crispy and juicy ground beef every time using our technique for browning ground beef.
See The Recipe!
bowl of pasta topped with bolognese sauce

Bolognese Sauce

4.85 from 13 votes
Bolognese Sauce is a classic Italian sauce. Ground meat and coarsely chopped vegetables give this Bolognese recipe a rich and hearty taste that serves well over pasta and in lasagna.
See The Recipe!
overhead shot of sliced italian meatloaf

Italian Meatloaf

4.50 from 69 votes
Italian Meatloaf blends Italian sausage and ground beef with spices and cheese for a tender one dish meal. The perfect family meal!
See The Recipe!
close up of wooden spoon full of hamburger helper skillet

Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe

5 from 17 votes
Homemade Hamburger Helper Skillet is a  great ground beef recipe with cheddar cheese, seasonings and tomatoes all ready in 20-minutes! 
See The Recipe!
A bowl of ground beef

Instant Pot Taco Meat

4.25 from 29 votes
Instant Pot Taco Meat is the perfect and fast way to make tender ground beef for tacos. Serve it immediately or freeze it!
See The Recipe!
bowl of bacon wrapped meatballs with a wooden toothpick

BBQ Bacon Wrapped Meatballs

4.27 from 23 votes
Tender, juicy homemade meatballs wrapped in crispy bacon and slathered in your favorite BBQ sauce. Great appetizer or side!
See The Recipe!
close up of a meatloaf muffin with mashed potatoes on top

Meatloaf Muffins

4.55 from 11 votes
Using a simple meatloaf recipe, meatloaf muffins are individual sized servings frosted with mashed potatoes and garnished with French fried onions.
See The Recipe!
angle of taco bake in a casserole dish

Taco Bake Casserole Recipe

4.35 from 20 votes
This easy taco bake casserole recipe is a great cheesy recipe for an weeknight meal or potluck. Easily customizable with your favorite taco toppings.
See The Recipe!
taco meat with tacos

Crockpot Taco Meat

4.78 from 22 votes
Making taco meat for a crowd has never been easier than this Crock Pot Taco Meat recipe! Only 3 ingredients, set it and forget it!
See The Recipe!
Classic Stuffed Peppers are bell peppers stuffed with ground beef, rice, cheese and spices. A timeless meal ready in 30 minutes and easily made ahead. #stuffedpeppers #stuffedbellpeppers www.savoryexperiments.com

Classic Stuffed Peppers

4.49 from 25 votes
Classic Stuffed Peppers are bell peppers stuffed with ground beef, rice, cheese and spices. A timeless meal ready in 30 minutes and easily made ahead.
See The Recipe!
bowl of ranch cocktail meatballs

Ranch Meatballs

4.59 from 12 votes
With simple ingredients and 35 minutes, you can make these delicious EASY Ranch Meatballs for dinner! A great way to spice up your spaghetti and meatballs!
See The Recipe!
half a cabbage roll stacked on two cabbage rolls

Cabbage Roll with Tomato Sauce

4.79 from 83 votes
This EASY Stuffed Cabbage Rolls recipe is a family favorite! Made with ground beef, rice, onion and seasoning, these baked cabbage rolls are delicious!
See The Recipe!
wooden spoon digging into casserole

Stuffed Pepper Casserole

5 from 7 votes
If you're craving traditional stuffed peppers but don't want to put in the work, try this quick and EASY Stuffed Pepper Casserole recipe!
See The Recipe!
straight on shot of pizza stuffed pepper

Pizza Stuffed Peppers

4.75 from 8 votes
These easy Pizza Stuffed Peppers can be a healthy pizza night swap or a low carb way to fulfill your pizza craving for dinner!
See The Recipe!
rice dressing on a wooden spoon

Grandma Chiavetta’s Rice Dressing

4.75 from 8 votes
A homemade dressing recipe made with rice, ground beef, celery, onions and grated cheese. Perfect for the holidays or a weeknight and naturally gluten-free!
See The Recipe!
close up of mushroom swiss burger

Mushroom Swiss Burgers

4.62 from 13 votes
Rich mushroom gravy and lacy Swiss cheese make this MushroomSwiss Burger one of the best you’ll ever sink your teeth into!
See The Recipe!
close up of teriyaki burger recipe

Pineapple Teriyaki Burgers

4.58 from 7 votes
Pineapple Teriyaki Burgers are the ultimate in juicy and sweet gourmet burgers using field greens, onion jam, pineapple slices and teriyaki sauce.
See The Recipe!
breakfast burger with a runny egg

Breakfast Burgers

4.88 from 8 votes
Breakfast burgers are the perfect protein packed way to start the day. A juicy burger with white cheddar, arugula, bacon and jammy egg.
See The Recipe!
fork cutting into an open face pizza burger

Open Face Pizza Burgers

4.63 from 8 votes
A juicy BUBBA burger on top of a toasted English muffin topped with pizza sauce, gooey mozzarella cheese and zesty pepperoni bites.
See The Recipe!
two chili dogs on a tray with onion rings

Homemade Hot Dog Chili Recipe

4.59 from 12 votes
Planning a backyard bbq? Take your hot dogs to the next level with EASY Hot Dog Chili! Made with simple pantry ingredients and so flavorful!
See The Recipe!
head on image of a sliced hot honey burger

Hot Honey Burgers

4.67 from 6 votes
A juicy BUBBA burger topped with chipotle mayo, pepper jack cheese, fresh butter lettuce, tangy pepper spread, sweet and spicy honey and all held together with a poppy seed onion bun
See The Recipe!
Wet burrito with a bite taken out

Wet Burritos

Everyone loves these Wet Burritos smothered in a rich sauce and plenty of cheese!
See The Recipe!
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Jessica Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and food lover behind Savory Experiments. She is obsessed with butter, salt and bacon and spends all her time in the kitchen and behind a camera. Jessica is a contributor to PopKitchen by Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal Food + Travel and more!

Read More About Jessica

Join The Discussion

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Questions and Reviews

  1. Meals like this have been saving my hide this summer with baseball every night! Love the addition of the beans!

  2. I made this the other day and it was wonderful! My family loved it! Since then, my husband has learned he is allergic to tomatoes. I wondered if you might have any suggestions for a good substitute? I’m thinking of maybe adding some beef or veggie broth for the liquid, and maybe some black beans for substance? Just wondering if I should add some extra seasonings too, and/or if there are some other things you might recommend. Thank you!?

    1. Hi Harold, thanks so much- I’d be happy to provide some feedback, but since this is a list of several recipes, it would be helpful to know which one you are referring to!

  3. What a yummy roundup of ground beef recipes! It’s so handy to have all of these recipes in one place because ground beef is a go to dinner ingredient. I can’t wait to try some of these. Thanks for including my Slow Cooker Cabbage Rolls, too!

  4. This is such a great collection of recipes to have on hand. Especially with Fall approaching and the school year around the corner. Perfect for weeknights!

  5. I have a ton of grassfed ground beef in the freezer. Your roundup inspires me to start using that delicious beef. love the variety of recipes that you included!