19 Ground Beef Recipes that are quick and easy! Including slow cooker recipes, one pot dishes and make ahead meals — perfect healthy dinner ideas for those busy weeknights!
This post is sponsored by the Commodity of Beef and I was compensated for my time in writing it. Thank you to beef farmers everywhere for bringing us this nutrient and protein-rich food!
It’s no secret we love beef here.
My mom regularly cooked Meat & Potatoes meals because my dad is a Meat & Potatoes kind of guy. This made me a Meat & Potatoes kind of girl.
Thankfully my husband is a Meat & Potatoes kind of guy, so we get along just fine.
But really, you could substitute any meat and any carb and there’d be no complaining. When it comes to hearty, healthy comfort food — my favorite meals to make! — beef is right there at the top of the list. What we love about beef is the high concentration of protein. Check out these numbers!
All of these have 26 grams of protein:
- 75g cooked beef = 184 cals
- 100 almonds = 736 cals
- 7 Tbsp Peanut Butter = 690 cals
- 5 portions of Hummus (60ml each) = 550 cals
- 2 portions cooked black beans (175 ml each) = 390 cals
- 6 portions cooked quinoa (125 ml each) = 700 cals
And though there are times I would like to eat 7 tablespoons of peanut butter and claim it as a protein-rich post workout snack (though I’m sure the heavy dose of chocolate on it would give me away…), we all know that’s not realistic.
Almonds, peanut butter, hummus, beans and quinoa are all really awesome, nutrient-rich foods and there’s no need to exclude them from your diet — but I don’t know anyone who is sitting down to a bowl of 100 almonds for a little snack. When it comes to getting a healthy dose of protein for just a few calories, beef is an excellent option.
And yes, there are lots of other options when it comes to proteins, but sometimes it seems like beef has gotten a bad rep for no real reason. It’s got just as much to offer in the nutrient department!
- To get the amount of iron in 75g cooked beef, you would have to eat 5 portions of salmon (75g cooked each)
- To get the amount of vitamin B12 in 75g cooked beef, you would have to eat 6 portions of chicken breast (75g cooked each)
- To get the amount of zinc in 75g cooked beef, you would have to eat more than 11 eggs
Again, all of the different proteins have different things to offer, and you can’t really go wrong with any. But it’s important to take a look at what beef has to offer — you might be surprised to find some things you weren’t aware of.
My brother-in-law is a beef farmer and so — although I don’t really — I feel like I have a little more of an idea of the work that goes in than maybe some people wondering into the grocery store. I know how seriously he takes his work and how much he cares for his cattle. I’m proud to have such a valuable source of protein readily available where we’re living!
To showcase the many uses of beef and how versatile it is, I wanted to compile a list of some of my favorite ground beef recipes. There is really something for everyone here — from pasta dishes to slow cooker recipes to ethnic foods. I chose ground beef because I feel like it’s something that’s easy to find and prepare, and there are so many ways to cook with it that anyone in the family enjoys!
And if you’re interested in learning more about beef and joining the conversation, use the hashtag #BeefAdvantage on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook!
Sticky Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs
Easy Homemade Hamburger Helper
Slow Cooker Beef & Lentil Sloppy Joes
Slow Cooker Hearty No Bean Chili
Thai Beef Koftas with Coconut Sauce
BBQ Chili Cheese Biscuit Casserole
One Pot BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Rice
Lightened Up Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup
Healthy One Pot Spaghetti and Meat Sauce
Bean and Cheese Quesadillas with Beef Queso
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!
Ashley Fehr says
Haha, right?! I am all about the childhood favorites here! They just have to be homemade 🙂
Kelly says
This is such an awesome round-up, Ashley! So many delicious recipes! I can’t wait to try so many of these for my family! 🙂
Danielle says
We eat ground beef on a regular basis around here, so I’m loving this roundup! So much delicious dinner inspiration too!
Summer says
Wow! All these look so nice ♥
summerdaisy.net
Denise @ Sweet Peas & Saffron says
These are all great because ground beef is a staple in our house, but the same old recipes tend to get boring after awhile. Thanks for including me! And now I won’t be eating PB for awhile 🙁 Ha ha!
Ashley Fehr says
Haha! I wouldn’t swear off peanut butter completely just yet… 😉 It just might not be a great meal all on its own! Lol
Kristine | Kristine's Kitchen says
This round up is making me so hungry! I want to try every single one of these recipes! Thanks for including my lasagna! 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Kristine! Is it crazy that I’ve never made lasagna in the slow cooker?!? Totally on my to try list!
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 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Sarah! I am definitely going to have to try it sometime!
[email protected] says
Ashley this is a great delicious round up!!
Ashley Fehr says
Thank you Ami!
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!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Alice! It’s so quick to thaw and quick to cook! Though it’s hard to go wrong with any cut and any recipe 🙂
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! 🙂
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!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
My husband and I make a lot of ground beef dishes, too! I secretly like it more than chicken. Thanks for including my chili! I’m definitely pinning a bunch of this deliciousness for some new inspiration!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Gayle! I definitely need to try your chili soon — the weather is slowly warming up but it’s still COLD! Lol. And I know Spring is still a long ways off…