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The Recipe Rebel / Dinner

Ground Beef Recipes

written by Ashley Fehr

Updated February 10, 2025

Loads of Ground Beef Recipes that are easy and perfect for busy weeknights! Including slow cooker recipes, one pot dishes and make ahead meals.

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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, or our favorite Ground Chicken recipes for something different!

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

a piece of taco casserole being scooped out of pan.

Taco Casserole

Taco Casserole is cheesy, beefy, flavorful and SO easy to make! It's a great weeknight dinner that the whole family loves. A base layer of soft tortillas are topped with a hearty ground beef mixture, more tortillas and plenty of gooey cheese.
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close up of a wooden ladle in a slow cooker of baked ziti.

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!
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square image of tater tot casserole being lifted out of pan.

Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

This easy, cheesy, beefy Tater Tot Casserole Recipe is pure comfort food! A creamy layer of beef and veggies is baked to perfection beneath a layer of fluffy golden tater tots and plenty of cheese.
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a full pan filled with homemade hamburger helper and topped with chopped parsley.

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!
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large pan of ground beef and potatoes topped with chopped parsley.

Cheesy Ground Beef and Potatoes

Ground Beef and Potatoes is a humble weeknight dinner the whole family will love! It's made with tender potatoes, savory beef, and melty cheese for a hearty meal packed with amazing flavor. 
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square overhead image of lasagna soup in bowl with cheese and garlic bread

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!
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overhead image of american goulash recipe in white bowl with fork

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.
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close up image of sloppy joes on sesame seed bun

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.
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close up of full scoop of beef casserole coming out of dish.

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!
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overhead image of macaroni soup with ladle stuck in

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.
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overhead image of one pot spaghetti with tongs stuck in

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
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square image of hamburger soup in bowl with blue towel on the side

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! 
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a plate filled with taco macaroni topped with chopped parsley.

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!
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overhead image of healthier skillet lasagna in stainless steel pan

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!
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overhead image of taco pizza sliced

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!
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square image for homemade meatballs.

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!
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beef burger on bun with lettuce tomato and onion against black background

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!
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nacho fries overhead on pan

Nacho Fries

These Nacho Fries are better than Taco Bell! Perfectly seasoned and topped with taco beef, lots of cheese, peppers, and green onions.
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overhead image of swedish meatballs in gravy in black pan

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!
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overhead image of pan of lasagna in white baking dish.

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.
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ground beef nachos on a sheet pan

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
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close up of rigatoni pasta bake in white dish with chopped parsley sprinkled on top.

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.
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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.
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close up image of taco lasagna with avocado jalapenos and tomatoes

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.
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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.

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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!

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Comments

  1. 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.

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  2. 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

    Reply

  4. 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.

    Reply

  5. 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!

    Reply

  6. 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!

    Reply

  9. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

    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!

    Reply

  15. Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says

    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 🙂

    Reply

  17. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says

    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!

    Reply

  18. 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! 🙂

    Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

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