Quick recipes with ground meat are often favorites among all family members.
Regardless of age, everyone enjoys burgers, stuffed cabbage rolls, and moussaka. If you’re bored with plain mixed ground meat, feel free to replace it with ground chicken.
If you haven’t tried any of these dishes yet, make sure to change that as soon as possible because they’ll quickly become a regular part of your menu.
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Tips to Save Money on Ground Beef
Ground beef can eat up a grocery budget fast, but a few smart habits make a real difference. Here’s how to save money on ground beef.
Buy in bulk when the price is right
Family packs are usually cheaper per pound. Split it up at home into meal-size portions and freeze what you won’t use in the next day or two.
Watch the price per pound, not the package price
A smaller pack can look cheaper, but the cost per pound tells the real story. That tiny label on the shelf is your best friend.
Choose higher fat when it’s cheaper
80/20 or even 73/27 is often less expensive. You can drain off the fat after cooking and still save money.
Stretch it with fillers
Mix ground beef with onions, beans, lentils, rice, or oats. You’ll use less meat per meal, and most people won’t even notice.
Cook once, eat twice
Brown a big batch and use it for tacos one night, pasta sauce or sloppy joes another. Less waste, fewer last-minute store runs.
Freeze flat
Freeze ground beef in flat bags. They stack better, thaw faster, and make it easier to grab just what you need.
Swap part of it for cheaper proteins
Half beef, half ground turkey, pork, or even mushrooms works great in casseroles, meatloaf, and sauces.
Plan meals around sales
If ground beef is on sale this week, that’s your cue for burgers, meat sauce, and freezer meals. When it’s not, switch to cheaper options.
1. The Best Ground Beef Meal Ever (Cevapi)
You can argue with me, but this is the best minced meat meal ever. Cevapi (or Cevapcici) take simple ground beef and turn it into something people genuinely look forward to eating.
No fillers, no complicated prep, just well-seasoned meat cooked fast and served hot.
What makes cevapi stand out as a ground beef meal is how easy they are. You can cook them on a grill, in a pan, or in the oven, and they still turn out good every time.
They work for busy weeknights, lazy weekends, and casual family dinners. If you’re tired of burgers and meatballs, this is one ground beef recipe that deserves a spot at the top of the list.
2. Skillet Foil Dinners
These all-in-one foil packet meals are loaded with ground beef, potatoes, and vegetables. Perfect for a quick cleanup and minimal dishes!
3. Creamy Ground Beef Pasta
Rich, creamy, and comforting, this ground beef pasta comes together in one pot for a satisfying dinner the whole family will love.
4. Shepherd’s Pie Soup
All the cozy flavors of shepherd’s pie in a hearty soup! This twist on the classic is perfect for chilly evenings.
5. Korean Beef Bowl
Sweet, savory, and slightly spicy, these Korean beef bowls are ready in under 20 minutes and taste like takeout at home.
6. Beef Meximelt
Inspired by the fast-food favorite, this homemade beef meximelt is loaded with seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and zesty flavors.
7. Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
This one-dish wonder combines ground beef, rice, and plenty of melted cheese for a comforting casserole that’s pure family-friendly goodness.
8. Beer Cheese Sloppy Joe
Take your sloppy joes to the next level with beer cheese! These messy sandwiches are packed with bold flavors that adults and kids alike will devour.
9. Rigatoni al Forno
This baked rigatoni is layered with a rich meat sauce and bubbling cheese. It’s Italian comfort food at its finest.
10. Tagliatelle Bolognese
A classic Italian Bolognese sauce simmers to perfection and coats tender tagliatelle pasta for an elegant yet easy dinner.
11. One Pot Greek Orzo
This Mediterranean-inspired dish combines ground beef with orzo, tomatoes, and Greek spices. Everything cooks in one pot for easy cleanup.
12. 15-Minute Bulgogi Noodles
Quick, flavorful, and absolutely delicious, these bulgogi noodles with ground beef are ready in just 15 minutes for the ultimate fast dinner.
13. Ground Beef Fajitas
Sizzling ground beef fajitas are a budget-friendly alternative to traditional steak fajitas and just as delicious served with all your favorite toppings.
14. Ground Beef Stroganoff
Creamy, savory, and ready in under 30 minutes, this ground beef stroganoff is a simplified version of the classic that doesn’t sacrifice any flavor.
15. Ground Beef Alfredo
Indulgent and creamy, this ground beef Alfredo combines rich sauce with seasoned beef for a decadent pasta dinner.
16. Slow Cooker Southwestern Chili
Let this hearty chili simmer away in your slow cooker all day. Come dinnertime, you’ll have a warming bowl of Southwestern goodness ready to enjoy.
17. Korean Ground Beef and Broccoli
This quick stir-fry combines tender ground beef with crisp broccoli in a sweet and savory Korean-inspired sauce.
18. Zucchini Ground Beef Boats
Hollowed-out zucchini halves are stuffed with seasoned ground beef and cheese, then baked until tender for a low-carb dinner option.
19. Zucchini Ground Beef Casserole
This lighter casserole layers zucchini with seasoned ground beef and cheese for a veggie-packed dinner that’s still hearty and satisfying.
20. Ground Beef Enchiladas
Cheesy, saucy, and loaded with flavor, these ground beef enchiladas are the ultimate Mexican-inspired comfort food.
21. Classic Beef Tacos
Ingredients:
- Ground beef (1 lb)
- Taco seasoning
- Taco shells or tortillas
- Toppings: shredded cheese, lettuce, salsa, sour cream
Instructions:
Cook the ground beef in a skillet, add taco seasoning, and mix well. Spoon into taco shells, add your favorite toppings, and serve.
22. One-Pot Beef and Rice Skillet
Ingredients:
- Ground beef (1 lb)
- 1 cup rice
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- Seasonings: garlic powder, salt, pepper
Instructions:
Brown the ground beef and onions in a skillet. Add rice, tomatoes, beef broth, and seasonings. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until rice is cooked.
23. Stuffed Bell Peppers
Ingredients:
- Ground beef (1 lb)
- 4 bell peppers
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese
Instructions:
Cut tops off bell peppers and remove seeds. Mix ground beef, rice, and half the tomato sauce. Stuff the peppers, top with cheese, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25–30 minutes.
24. Beef Stroganoff
Ingredients:
- Ground beef (1 lb)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- Egg noodles
Instructions:
Cook ground beef and onions, then stir in cream of mushroom soup and sour cream. Serve over cooked egg noodles.
25. Meatball Subs
Ingredients:
- Ground beef (1 lb)
- Breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 jar marinara sauce
- Sub rolls
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions:
Mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, and egg; shape into meatballs. Cook in marinara sauce, then spoon onto sub rolls and top with cheese. Broil for 2 minutes to melt the cheese.
26. Shepherd’s Pie
Ingredients:
- Ground beef (1 lb)
- 2 cups mashed potatoes
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (frozen or fresh)
- 1 cup beef gravy
Instructions:
Cook ground beef and mix with vegetables and gravy. Spread in a baking dish, top with mashed potatoes, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes.
27. Ground Beef Chili
Ingredients:
- Ground beef (1 lb)
- 1 can kidney beans
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 packet chili seasoning
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
Instructions:
Brown ground beef and onions, then add beans, tomatoes, and chili seasoning. Simmer for 20 minutes and serve with cornbread.
28. Beef Sloppy Joes
Ingredients:
- Ground beef (1 lb)
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Burger buns
Instructions:
Cook ground beef, drain fat, and stir in ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Spoon onto buns and serve.
29. Ground Beef and Zucchini Stir-Fry
Ingredients:
- Ground beef (1 lb)
- 2 zucchinis, sliced
- Soy sauce
- Garlic and ginger
Instructions:
Cook ground beef, then add sliced zucchini, garlic, ginger, and a splash of soy sauce. Stir-fry until zucchini is tender.
30. Cheesy Beef Pasta
Ingredients:
- Ground beef (1 lb)
- 1 jar pasta sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 8 oz pasta
Instructions:
Cook pasta and set aside. Brown ground beef, add pasta sauce, and mix with pasta. Top with shredded cheese and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes.
31. Ground Beef Quesadillas
Ingredients:
- Ground beef (1 lb)
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- Tortillas
- Optional: diced onions, peppers, salsa
Instructions:
Cook ground beef and mix with cheese. Spoon the mixture onto a tortilla, fold in half, and cook in a skillet until the tortilla is crispy and the cheese is melted.
32. Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry
Ingredients:
- Ground beef (1 lb)
- 1/2 head cabbage, shredded
- Soy sauce
- Garlic and ginger
Instructions:
Cook ground beef, add shredded cabbage, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Stir-fry until the cabbage is tender.
33. Beef and Sweet Potato Hash
Ingredients:
- Ground beef (1 lb)
- 2 sweet potatoes, diced
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- Seasonings: paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper
Instructions:
Cook sweet potatoes until tender, then add ground beef and onions. Season and cook until everything is browned and cooked through.
34. Beef Zucchini Boats
Ingredients:
- Ground beef (1 lb)
- 3 zucchinis, halved and scooped out
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese
Instructions:
Cook ground beef and mix with tomato sauce. Stuff the zucchini halves, top with cheese, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes.
35. Ground Beef Casserole
Ingredients:
- Ground beef (1 lb)
- 2 cups cooked pasta
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese
Instructions:
Mix cooked ground beef, pasta, and tomato sauce. Place in a baking dish, sprinkle with cheese, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes.
36. Beef and Veggie Soup
Ingredients:
- Ground beef (1 lb)
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced potatoes
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
Instructions:
Cook ground beef, add broth and vegetables, and simmer until veggies are tender.
37. Asian-Style Beef Bowls
Ingredients:
- Ground beef (1 lb)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Rice
Instructions:
Cook ground beef, stir in soy sauce, sugar, and sesame oil. Serve over rice with optional toppings like green onions or sesame seeds.
38. Beef Enchiladas
Ingredients:
- Ground beef (1 lb)
- 6 tortillas
- 1 cup enchilada sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese
Instructions:
Cook ground beef, spoon into tortillas, roll up, and place in a baking dish. Cover with enchilada sauce and cheese, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes.
39. Beef and Spinach Stuffed Shells
Ingredients:
- Ground beef (1 lb)
- 12 jumbo pasta shells
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup spinach, chopped
- 1 cup marinara sauce
Instructions:
Mix cooked ground beef, ricotta, and spinach. Stuff the pasta shells, place in a baking dish, cover with marinara, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes.
40. Ground Beef Meatloaf
Ingredients:
- Ground beef (1 lb)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- Optional: diced onions, seasonings
Instructions:
Mix all ingredients, shape into a loaf, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 45 minutes. Top with extra ketchup if desired.
41. Beef Nachos
Ingredients:
- Ground beef (1 lb)
- Tortilla chips
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- Optional: diced tomatoes, jalapeños, sour cream
Instructions:
Cook ground beef, layer it on tortilla chips, sprinkle with cheese, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes. Add optional toppings before serving.
42. Ground Beef Pot Pie
Ingredients:
- Ground beef (1 lb)
- 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
- 1 cup beef gravy
- 1 pie crust
Instructions:
Mix cooked ground beef, vegetables, and gravy. Place in a pie dish, cover with crust, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 30 minutes.
43. Beef and Lentil Chili
Ingredients:
- Ground beef (1 lb)
- 1 cup cooked lentils
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- Chili seasoning
Instructions:
Cook ground beef, add lentils, tomatoes, and seasoning, and simmer for 20 minutes.
44. Beef and Cheese Sliders
Ingredients:
- Ground beef (1 lb)
- Slider buns
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese
- Optional: onions, pickles, ketchup
Instructions:
Shape ground beef into small patties, cook, and assemble sliders with buns, cheese, and toppings.
45. Cabbage and Beef Casserole
Ingredients:
- Ground beef (1 lb)
- 1/2 head cabbage, chopped
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup rice
Instructions:
Layer cabbage, ground beef, and rice in a baking dish, pour over tomato sauce, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 45 minutes.
46. Slow Cooker Cuban Picadillo
This flavorful Cuban dish features seasoned ground beef with olives, raisins, and warm spices. Let your slow cooker do all the work for a hands-off dinner.