10+ Easy Ground Beef Recipes for Quick and Tasty Meals

Ground beef’s affordable, cooks fast, and fits into just about anything you want to make. If you’re new to cooking or just want to keep things simple, a few go-to ground beef recipes can really save dinner on those busy nights.

With these easy ground beef recipes, you don’t need fancy ingredients or hours of prep. You’ll end up with satisfying meals the whole family can get behind.

Ingredients

• Ground beef
• Basic seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder)
• Cooking oil or butter

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a pan over medium-high heat.
2. Add a little oil or butter.
3. Toss in the ground beef, break it up, and cook until it’s browned—usually 5–7 minutes.
4. Season to taste and use it in your favorite recipe.

1) 15-Minute Ground Beef & Broccoli

When you’re after a fast, tasty meal, this one’s a solid choice. You’ll cook ground beef and broccoli together in a single pan.

The seasonings are simple, so you get fresh, balanced flavors. Dinner’s on the table in 15 minutes—can’t really beat that for a weeknight.

It’s healthy and doesn’t need much prep. I like it with rice or noodles, but you can switch up the sauce if you’re feeling creative.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 3 cups broccoli florets
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• 1 tablespoon oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and ginger; cook for about a minute.
3. Add ground beef, cook until browned.
4. Stir in broccoli and soy sauce.
5. Cover and cook 5 minutes, until broccoli softens.
6. Mix in honey and cook 2 more minutes.
7. Serve hot with rice or noodles.

Check out the full 15-Minute Ground Beef & Broccoli recipe.

2) Easy Ground Beef and Potatoes

Ground beef and potatoes are a classic combo when you want something hearty but don’t want to fuss. You can make everything in one pan, which means less cleanup.

Toss some cheese on top for extra comfort. If you’re into more flavor, onions or garlic work great here.

You cook the potatoes and beef together until everything’s tender. Usually takes about 30 minutes, so not too bad.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 4 medium potatoes, sliced
• 1 small onion, diced (optional)
• 1 cup shredded cheese (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
2. Add onion and cook 2-3 minutes until soft.
3. Add ground beef, cook until browned.
4. Stir in sliced potatoes, salt, and pepper.
5. Cover and cook on low for 20-25 minutes until potatoes are tender.
6. Sprinkle cheese on top, cover, and cook 2-3 minutes until melted.

3) Ground Beef and Gravy

Ground beef and gravy is pure comfort food, and you can have it ready in about 20 minutes. Just brown the beef, then make a quick gravy with the drippings, flour, and milk.

Pile it on mashed potatoes or rice—perfect for soaking up all that gravy. A little onion or garlic never hurts for extra flavor.

You’ll probably have most of these ingredients on hand already. It’s a cozy, filling meal that comes together fast.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 small onion, chopped (optional)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups milk
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
2. Drain fat if needed, then add onion and cook until it softens.
3. Sprinkle flour over the beef and stir to coat. Cook 1-2 minutes.
4. Slowly add milk, stirring until the gravy thickens.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer a few more minutes.
6. Serve hot over mashed potatoes or rice.

4) Smash Burgers with Ground Beef

Smash burgers are all about that crispy edge and juicy center. You roll ground beef into small balls—about 3 ounces each.

Then, smash them flat on a hot skillet to get that signature crust. Go for 80/20 beef so the burgers stay juicy.

Season right before smashing. Let them get brown and crispy around the edges.

Pile on cheese, lettuce, or whatever toppings you like. They cook super fast, so you won’t be waiting long.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lbs ground beef (80/20)
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Hamburger buns
• Butter or oil for cooking
• Optional toppings (cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Divide beef into 3 oz balls.
2. Heat skillet or griddle over medium-high (about 375°F / 190°C).
3. Place beef balls on the hot surface, smash flat with a spatula.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Cook 2-3 minutes, flip, add cheese if you want.
6. Cook another 1-2 minutes.
7. Toast buns with butter if you’re into that.
8. Assemble burgers and dig in.

Learn more about smash burgers here.

5) Korean Beef Bowls

Korean Beef Bowls are a super quick way to get some big flavors on the table. You cook ground beef with garlic, soy sauce, and brown sugar for that sweet-savory vibe.

It’s got a little bit of that Korean BBQ taste, but you can make it in 15 minutes or so. Serve it on rice with some veggies or greens for balance.

You can top it with whatever you like—green onions, carrots, cabbage. It’s easy to tweak and always tasty.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• Cooked white or brown rice
• Optional: sliced green onions, shredded carrots, or cabbage

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat a skillet over medium and add the ground beef.
2. Cook until browned, 5-7 minutes, breaking it up as you go.
3. Add garlic, brown sugar, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Stir it all together.
4. Let it simmer 2-3 minutes, just until the sauce thickens a bit.
5. Serve over rice, add your favorite toppings.

Get more Korean beef bowl ideas here.

6) BBQ Beef and Beans

BBQ beef and beans is the kind of dish you make when you want something filling but don’t want to work too hard. You mix ground beef with baked beans and barbecue sauce for a sweet and tangy meal.

Serve it with rice or just eat it straight from the bowl. It’s also a solid side for cookouts.

Some folks toss in bacon or cheese for extra flavor. The beef and beans together give you plenty of protein and fiber.

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 1 can (15 oz) baked beans
• 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook ground beef with onion and garlic in a skillet over medium heat until browned.
2. Drain any extra fat.
3. Stir in baked beans and barbecue sauce.
4. Let it simmer 10 minutes, stirring now and then.
5. Season with salt and pepper and serve warm.

7) Middle Eastern Beef Pitas

You can whip up Middle Eastern beef pitas with just ground beef, onions, and a couple of warm spices. The beef gets cooked with cardamom and allspice for a flavor that’s a little different but super tasty.

Stuff the beef into soft pita bread, add some fresh veggies, and you’re good to go. Garlic yogurt sauce or hummus takes it up a notch.

This one’s great when you want something different but not complicated.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 onion, finely chopped
• 1 tsp ground cardamom
• 1 tsp ground allspice
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 4 pita breads
• Fresh veggies (cucumber, tomato, lettuce)
• Garlic yogurt sauce or hummus (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium.
2. Cook onion until soft, about 3 minutes.
3. Add ground beef and spices, cook until browned, about 7 minutes.
4. Warm pita breads in oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes.
5. Stuff pitas with beef mixture and veggies.
6. Drizzle with sauce or hummus if you want.
7. Serve warm.

8) Sriracha Beef Lettuce Wraps

Sriracha Beef Lettuce Wraps are quick, spicy, and light. You cook the ground beef with a sauce made from Sriracha and soy sauce—it’s got a kick.

Once the beef’s ready, scoop it into crisp lettuce leaves. These wraps are fresh and don’t weigh you down.

Top with cucumber, scallions, or peanuts for crunch. They’re perfect for a fast dinner or lunch.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1-2 tablespoons Sriracha sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons cooking oil
• Lettuce leaves (like iceberg or butter lettuce)
• Optional: chopped cucumber, scallions, peanuts

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).

2. Add ground beef and let it brown, about 5-7 minutes.

3. Stir in soy sauce and Sriracha. Cook for 2 more minutes.

4. Take the pan off the heat and spoon the beef onto lettuce leaves.

5. Toss on any toppings you like, then serve.

9) Classic Meatloaf

Meatloaf’s one of those cozy, straightforward dinners you can whip up with ground beef. It’s great for families and doesn’t take much fuss.

Mix beef with onions, eggs, and breadcrumbs. That’s what keeps it moist and soft.

A ketchup or tomato glaze on top gives it a little sweet tang. Bake it slow so everything comes together.

Pair it with mashed potatoes or some steamed veggies—classic combo. You can toss in bell peppers or oats if you want a twist.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ pounds ground beef
• 1 large egg
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup dried bread crumbs
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ⅓ cup ketchup

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. In a bowl, mix beef, egg, onion, milk, bread crumbs, salt, and pepper.

3. Shape it into a loaf and put it in a baking dish.

4. Spread ketchup on top.

5. Bake for 50-60 minutes, until it’s cooked through.

6. Let it rest for 10 minutes before you slice it.

For more details, check this Easy Meatloaf Recipe.

10) Quick Beef Bolognese

Quick Beef Bolognese is a no-fuss, filling sauce you can throw together in about 35 minutes. Ground beef, onion, and garlic form the base.

Just cook everything together until the sauce thickens and the flavors get cozy.

It’s perfect over pasta or tucked into lasagna. If you make extra, just freeze it for another night.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat some olive oil in a pan over medium heat.

2. Toss in the onion and garlic. Let them cook until they soften a bit.

3. Add the ground beef next. Brown it, breaking it up as you go.

4. Stir in the tomatoes, basil, and parsley.

5. Let everything simmer for about 20 minutes. Give it a stir now and then.

6. Season with salt and pepper. Serve it up over pasta—enjoy!