Easy weeknight dinners with ground beef! These quick hamburger meat recipes are family-friendly, affordable, and totally delicious.
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Most of us have a pound or two of ground beef in the freezer …
… and it’s probably time to figure out what to make with it!
You know your family likes it, but inspiration runs low when dinnertime actually hits.
We all know about spaghetti, tacos, and hamburgers, but there are actually a ton of fun ground beef recipes!
I put together a list of 35 unique ways to use ground beef, so you’ll have lots of affordable and tasty dinners to add to your menu plan.
From kid-friendly pasta dishes and delicious mini meatloaves, to sheet pan quesadillas and easy chili, there’s something for everyone.
(Pro-tip: I like to buy ground beef in bulk and use my Foodsaver vacuum sealer machine to divide it into freezer-safe, usable portions. It stays fresh for YEARS in the freezer!)
Let’s check ‘em out!
💡 Psst: Want a whole YEAR of dinner ideas at your fingertips? Grab my One Year of Dinners Meal Plan, with 365 different recipes!
Easy Weeknight Dinners with Ground Beef
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Mexican Fiestada Pizza
Photo Credit:healthykidsrecipes.com
If your family loves tacos AND pizza, try this easy Mexican fiestada pizza recipe for a match made in heaven!
It’s easy to customize with your favorite taco-style fixings for an easy weeknight meal the whole family will devour.
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Best Beef Pasta Hamburger Helper
Photo Credit:healthykidsrecipes.com
This meaty, creamy pasta dish is the perfect satisfying dinner your entire family will crave!
Ditch the box and learn how to make hamburger helper completely from scratch for a healthy dinner any night of the week.
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American Goulash
Photo Credit:theforkedspoon.com
American Goulash is an easy, one-pot, classic comfort food made with ground beef, tomatoes, and macaroni noodles.
It’s an easy year-round dinner that’s delicious as leftovers, and is guaranteed to win over even the pickiest eaters!
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Mini Meatloaves
Photo Credit:cinnamonandsageco.com
A fun spin on the classic meatloaf, these Mini Meatloaves are as tasty as they are adorable!
With the sweet, tangy glaze and tender meat, this quick recipe is a great go-to option for busy nights.
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Spaghetti Pie
Photo Credit:3boysandadog.com
An amazingly tasty pile of spaghetti, cheese and meaty goodness this Spaghetti Pie Recipe is one of the best, easy weeknight dinner recipes.
You’ll fall back on time and again when you need a delicious, easy meal that the whole family loves.
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Easy Grilled Cola Burgers
Photo Credit:diyandfun.com
This tasty and juicy burger has a savory, sweet and smoky flavor that is sure to please, thanks to the cola and french dressing.
It’s a wildly addicting twist on the regular ol’ burger.
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Easy Stovetop Chili
Photo Credit:coconutsandkettlebells.com
This healthy, easy stovetop chili recipe is hearty, warming, and insanely delicious.
Packed with flavor and perfect for the entire family, the prep work is simple, and everything cooks in one big pot on the stove in less than an hour
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Meatloaf Casserole
Photo Credit:3boysandadog.com
This Meatloaf Casserole requires very few ingredients and is easy to put together.
It tastes like meatloaf, but with less effort and time required.
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Ground Beef Burrito Skillet
Photo Credit:www.ihearteating.com
Ground beef burrito skillet has all of the flavors of a ground beef burrito in an easy, one-skillet dinner that’s ready in just 30 minutes!
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Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
Photo Credit:bykelseysmith.com
Made with ground beef, sweet onion, green bell pepper, Bisquick and lots of melty cheese, you can have all the delicious flavors of a Philly cheesesteak, in a casserole!
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Chili Mac
Photo Credit:www.thediaryofarealhousewife.com
This classic dinner recipe will be a winner with your entire family.
Chili Mac is made with elbow macaroni, ground beef, tomatoes, and topped with cheese for all those comfort food vibes we need during the week.
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Finnish Macaroni Casserole
Photo Credit:https://sisuhomemaker.com
Easy, nourishing, and cozy, this recipe features ground beef and noodles flavored with a distinctive hint of nutmeg (the same spice used in Swedish meatballs).
Rocking a creamy texture, with some melty cheese on top as a finishing touch, you might start making this budget-friendly dish on repeat.
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Easy One-Pan Baked Tortellini
Photo Credit:www.ihearteating.com
Easy one-pan baked tortellini recipe is a quick dinner recipe that’s made in one skillet in less than 30 minutes.
Perfect for picky eaters and busy weeknights, you can use ground sausage, beef, or turkey.
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Meatball Sub
Photo Credit:www.spendwithpennies.com
Juicy, tender homemade meatballs (or frozen ones in a pinch) are simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce, then placed in a roll and topped with cheese.
The sandwiches are broiled until golden and the cheese is bubbly for a truly perfect bite.
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Easy Cheesy Cornbread Taco Casserole
Photo Credit:twokidsandacoupon.com
Hearty and flavorful, this is a dish all ages can enjoy.
Layers of cornbread, taco seasoned ground beef, cheese, and your favorite toppings come together to create this easy to make and budget friendly dinner.
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Smash Burgers
Photo Credit:butteryourbiscuit.com
Make everyone’s favorite smash burgers right at home! Such a quick and easy way to feed the whole family.
Buttery buns with a deliciously crusted juicy patty are basically the perfect Friday night dinner.
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Walking Tacos
Photo Credit:www.spendwithpennies.com
Walking Tacos are the perfect quick and fun dinner.
Easy to prep and totally portable, they’re a creative take on traditional tacos using seasoned ground beef mixed into bags of Fritos or Doritos, with all the taco fixings!
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Beef And Noodle Casserole
Photo Credit:www.recipessimple.com
Made with eight simple ingredients, this delicious Beef and Noodle Casserole is a quick and easy dinner that is done in 30 minutes.
It's a hearty old-fashioned dinner that your whole family will love.
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One Pot Taco Spaghetti
Photo Credit:midwesternhomelife.com
One Pot Taco Spaghetti is an easy 30-minute dinner recipe that combines the delicious flavors of tacos and spaghetti.
The perfect alternative to regular old Taco Tuesday.
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Easy Sheet Pan Quesadillas
Photo Credit:thriftyjinxy.com
The delicious quesadilla taste the whole family loves, made in baked form right in the oven.
Your family will get such a kick out of this giant quesadilla concept!
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Creamy Burrito Casserole
Photo Credit:inthekitch.net
Creamy burrito casserole, with its spicy peppers, cheese and ground beef, will keep your family full and satisfied.
With multiple layers of meat, cheese, flour tortillas and peppers, it is just like eating a Mexican lasagna.
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Easy Cheesy Hamburger Casserole
Photo Credit:recipesfromleftovers.com
Get ready for the ultimate comfort food with this easy cheesy hamburger casserole recipe.
Ground beef, filling pasta, and delicious melted cheese makes for a frugal dinner the whole family will love.
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Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
Photo Credit:groundbeefrecipes.com
The perfect marriage of cheeseburgers and tater tot casserole, this dish might make you nostalgic for childhood.
It’s savory and comforting, and uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients.
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Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes
Photo Credit:blogghetti.com
Homemade Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes are easy to make and quick to throw together.
The sauce and the meat slow cook to become a wonderful sweet and tangy mixture.
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Ground Beef Stir Fry
Photo Credit:www.runningtothekitchen.com
Made in one pan with an assortment of fresh vegetables, this recipe features a garlic ginger homemade stir fry sauce that’s healthier, tastier and quicker than any takeout order.
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Slow Cooker Hamburger Hash
Photo Credit:thelazyslowcooker.com
Slow cooker hamburger hash is a decadent mash-up of ground beef and shredded potatoes covered in cheesy goodness.
This easy, budget-friendly dish is picky-eater approved and will disappear fast!
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Taco Gnocchi Skillet
Photo Credit:www.midwexican.com
Taco Gnocchi Skillet has it all going on in one pan of deliciousness!
Taco-seasoned ground beef, plenty of vegetables, tender bites of gnocchi, melty cheese, and crushed tortilla chips.
It’s bold and flavorful with a variety of fun textures in every bite.
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Tater Tot Chili Casserole
Photo Credit:www.flavorfuleats.com
Made with a hearty, homemade chili that’s loaded with ground beef, tomatoes, beans, and spices.
Then it gets topped with shredded cheese and tater tots and baked to crispy perfection, this dish is sure to please the pickiest eaters.
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Copycat Crunchwrap Supreme
Photo Credit:www.spendwithpennies.com
If your family loves tacos or quesadillas, they’re really going to love the Taco Bell dupe.
A soft tortilla packed with layers of beef and cheese on a crispy tostada shell folded and pan-fried until crisp. It’s so fun to recreate your favorite fast food at home!
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Million Dollar Spaghetti
Photo Credit:amandascookin.com
Layers of savory meat sauce, spaghetti, ricotta, and both mozzarella and parmesan cheese come together to make this bubbly, Million dollar Spaghetti Casserole.
The cream cheese added to the ricotta gives the dish its signature “million dollar” creaminess.
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Cheeseburger Casserole with Biscuit Buns
Photo Credit:fantabulosity.com
This easy cheeseburger casserole recipe is the perfect busy weeknight meal.
Ground beef, spices, and cheese are topped with biscuits to create a hearty casserole that the whole family will ask for again and again.
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Easy Skillet Lasagna
Photo Credit:beginwithbalance.com
Skillet lasagna with cottage cheese is a game changer if you're a fan of lasagna but dread the tedious process of putting it together.
You'll skip all the difficult steps of a traditional lasagna and still end up with a totally delicious one pan meal.
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15-Minute Pizza Sloppy Joes
Photo Credit:twohealthykitchens.com
Pizza Sloppy Joes are a blissfully easy dinner your whole family will love!
Filled with classic pizza flavors and layers of melty cheese, they’re ready in just 15 minutes.
And you can even make them ahead for meal prep or freezer meals.
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Taco Stuffed Pasta Shells
Photo Credit:www.spendwithpennies.com
Taco Stuffed Shells are a great twist on classic Italian stuffed shells.
Jumbo pasta shells are filled with a creamy taco-flavored ground beef & vegetable mixture, topped with cheese, and baked.
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Sloppy Joe Pasta
Photo Credit:amandascookin.com
This simple one pot sloppy joe pasta is just like the classic sandwich except instead of using hamburger buns, pasta gets stirred into a tangy tomato meat sauce.
It’s family-friendly comfort food for sure at its finest
Ready to try some of these quick and easy ground beef recipes for dinner?
I hope this list of quick hamburger meat dinners has given you lots of inspiration for new meals to add to your menu.
Dinnertime goes SO much smoother when you make foods the whole family likes!
And if you want even more dinner ideas, be sure to grab my One Year of Dinners Meal Plan bundle – you won’t have to come up with new ideas for a year!
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