Ground beef is the kind of ingredient that makes dinner feel easy. It cooks fast, fills everyone up, and works with all kinds of flavors. These 19 weeknight dinners start with ground beef and end with clean plates, full bellies, and maybe even a few cheers at the table. When you need something quick that still hits the spot, these recipes are ready to help.
Italian Meatball Soup. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Melted cheese, seasoned ground beef, and soft rice come together in one pan for a dinner that’s filling and fast. This is one of those ground beef recipes that makes weeknight dinners simple and cleanup easy. It’s the kind of dish that feeds everyone without needing anything fancy.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Puff Pastry Beef Empanadas
Flaky pastry wrapped around seasoned beef makes for a fun dinner that’s easy to grab and eat. These are easy-to-make ground beef recipes that work for meals, snacks, or even packed lunches. They’re quick to put together and come out golden and full of flavor every time.
Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Beef Empanadas
Ground Beef Skillet Tamales
Skip the long tamale prep and get that same flavor with this easy skillet version full of seasoned beef. This is one of those ground beef recipes that makes weeknight dinners simple without needing much time or effort. It’s warm, hearty, and comes together fast in just one pan.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Skillet Tamales
Crockpot Chili
Put everything in the slow cooker and let it do the work while you take care of the rest of your day. This is one of those ground beef recipes that makes weeknight dinners simple because it needs just a few ingredients and little attention. It’s hearty, rich, and great when you need something filling with barely any work.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Chili
Meatballs and Sauce
Juicy meatballs simmer in tomato sauce for a meal that’s rich and comforting without being hard to make. This is one of those ground beef recipes that makes weeknight dinners simple using pantry staples you probably already have. It’s a go-to meal that’s fast, filling, and kid-friendly.
Get the Recipe: Meatballs and Sauce
Honey Habanero Tacos
Sweet honey and spicy habanero bring out bold flavor in these quick-cooking tacos. These are delicious ground beef recipes that give you something different without adding more time in the kitchen. They’re fun to eat, full of flavor, and ready in minutes.
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Bacon Cheddar Stuffed Burger
Crispy bacon and gooey cheese inside the patty make each bite of this burger rich and full of flavor. This is one of those easy-to-make ground beef recipes that takes regular burgers up a notch without adding extra steps. It’s simple, satisfying, and ready before you know it.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Cheddar Stuffed Burger
Chipotle Burger with Jalapeno Mayo
Smoky chipotle and creamy jalapeno mayo turn this burger into something packed with flavor and still easy to make. This is one of those delicious ground beef recipes that keeps dinner exciting without making it harder. It’s bold, fast, and better than takeout.
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Italian Meatball Soup
Tender meatballs sit in a rich broth full of herbs and flavor, making this soup feel special without being hard to make. This is one of those ground beef recipes that makes weeknight dinners simple and still feel like something you’d want again. It’s quick, hearty, and perfect when you want something warm.
Get the Recipe: Italian Meatball Soup
Kefta Kebabs
Spiced ground beef shaped into kebabs cooks fast and brings a lot of flavor with just a few ingredients. This is one of those ground beef recipes that makes weeknight dinners simple while still feeling a little different. It’s easy to make and great with rice, veggies, or flatbread.
Get the Recipe: Kefta Kebabs
Ground Beef and Broccoli
Ground beef and broccoli cook fast in one pan with simple seasonings for a quick stir-fry that tastes great. This is one of those easy-to-make ground beef recipes that gets dinner done without a pile of dishes. It’s filling, fast, and full of flavor in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Broccoli
Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Dinner
Brown ground beef, add rice and vegetables, and cook it all in one pan for a full meal with barely any mess. This is one of those ground beef recipes that makes weeknight dinners simple and still feeds everyone well. It’s fast, flexible, and great when you just need dinner on the table.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Dinner
Mexican Ground Beef Skillet
This skillet brings together beef, black beans, green chiles, and cheese for a fast meal with bold flavor. This is one of those ground beef recipes that makes weeknight dinners simple and doesn’t take much cleanup. It’s filling, quick, and packed with just the right amount of spice.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Ground Beef Skillet
25-Minute Bacon-Avocado Ground Beef Burger
Stack up a juicy burger with bacon, avocado, and a sweet-spicy sauce for a meal that feels special but doesn’t take long. This is one of those delicious ground beef recipes that brings bold flavor without a big fuss. It’s fast, filling, and full of textures that work well together.
Get the Recipe: 25-Minute Bacon-Avocado Ground Beef Burger
Ginger Ground Beef Stir Fry
This stir fry mixes ground beef with fresh vegetables and ginger for a dish that cooks in minutes but still feels complete. It’s one of those easy ground beef recipes that’s great when time is short and hunger is high. The savory flavor and crisp veggies make it a smart go-to.
Get the Recipe: Ginger Ground Beef Stir Fry
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
This skillet blends seasoned beef, mushrooms, cauliflower rice, and cheese for a meal that’s rich but still quick. It’s one of those ground beef recipes that makes weeknight dinners simple while sticking to one pan. It’s creamy, hearty, and perfect when you need something fast that still feels like comfort food.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet
This one-pan dish brings together sweet potatoes and savory beef for a meal that’s both tasty and satisfying. It’s one of those easy-to-make ground beef recipes that gives you something different without any extra work. The sweet and savory balance makes it great for any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet
Sauerkraut Casserole with Ground Beef
Tangy sauerkraut mixes with ground beef and cheese in a dish that’s rich and full of flavor. This is one of those ground beef recipes that makes weeknight dinners simple with just a few ingredients. It’s bold, easy to bake, and a nice break from the usual.
Get the Recipe: Sauerkraut Casserole with Ground Beef
Egg Casserole with Ground Beef
Mix ground beef with eggs and cream cheese for a dish that works as well for dinner as it does for breakfast. This is one of those easy-to-make ground beef recipes that uses simple ingredients but still fills everyone up. It’s baked in one dish and ready in under an hour with barely any cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Egg Casserole with Ground Beef