10+ Ground Beef Dinner Recipes for Easy and Delicious Meals
Ground beef is one of those ingredients that just works for so many dinners. Whether you need something fast or want to make a meal feel a little more special, it’s got your back.
You can whip up a satisfying meal with just a pound of ground beef and a few basics.
If you like to cook or just want some easy dinner ideas, ground beef recipes are super handy. They let you feed your family in all kinds of ways—no fancy skills or hours in the kitchen required.
You’ll find plenty of options here to fit your taste and schedule.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- Salt
- Pepper
- Cooking oil
Cooking Instructions:
- Heat a skillet over medium heat.
- Add a splash of oil.
- Brown the ground beef, breaking it up as you go.
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Cook until it’s not pink anymore, about 7-10 minutes.
- Drain off extra fat if things get too greasy.
1) Hamburger and Macaroni
Hamburger and macaroni is a classic, no-fuss dinner that fills you up. You brown ground beef with onions, toss in tomato sauce and cooked macaroni, and you’re basically done.
Some folks call it American chop suey or goulash, but whatever the name, it’s all about comfort. One-pot means fewer dishes, which is always a win.
If you want to make it cheesy, just stir in some shredded cheese at the end. Add bell peppers or your favorite spices if you’re feeling adventurous.
It’s a family favorite for a reason.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cups macaroni pasta
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheese (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Brown ground beef and onion in a skillet over medium heat.
- Drain off any fat.
- Pour in tomato sauce and let it simmer.
- Cook macaroni in a separate pot until tender.
- Mix the macaroni into the beef and sauce.
- Stir in cheese if you want, and let it melt.
- Serve warm and dig in.
For more details, check out this Hamburger and Macaroni recipe.
2) Easy Hamburger Soup
Hamburger soup is one of those cozy meals you can throw together fast. Ground beef, potatoes, onions, and garlic all simmer in beef broth for a hearty flavor.
Add in veggies like celery or some pasta if you want to switch things up. It’s easy on the wallet and comes together in about half an hour.
You can find a detailed example of this recipe at Spend With Pennies for easy hamburger soup.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 3 to 3 ½ cups beef broth
Cooking Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add onion and garlic; cook until soft.
- Toss in potatoes and beef broth.
- Bring to a boil, then turn the heat down and simmer for 20-25 minutes until potatoes are tender.
- Season with salt and pepper, then serve hot.
3) Stovetop Taco Soup
Taco soup on the stovetop is a lifesaver when you want something quick but flavorful. Cook ground beef with onions and garlic, then add beans, tomatoes, corn, and taco seasoning.
Everything simmers together for a meal that’s ready in about 30 minutes. It’s a good way to use up pantry staples, too.
The soup tastes like a big bowl of taco night. It’s filling and makes awesome leftovers.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (15 oz) cans diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can corn, drained
- 2 (15 oz) cans beans (black or pinto), drained
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 2 cups beef broth
Cooking Instructions
- Brown ground beef with onion and garlic in a big pot over medium heat.
- Drain off any fat.
- Add tomatoes, corn, beans, taco seasoning, and beef broth.
- Give it a good stir and bring to a boil.
- Lower the heat and let it simmer for 20 minutes.
- Serve hot.
You can find more details on this soup at Simply Recipes or other taco soup recipes online.
4) Dad’s Stuffed Bell Peppers
Dad’s Stuffed Bell Peppers are as straightforward as they come. Fill bell peppers with a mix of ground beef, rice, onions, and tomatoes.
You don’t have to cook the filling first—just mix, stuff, and bake. It’s a hearty, homemade dinner that feels like a hug.
Top with ketchup or tomato sauce for extra flavor. Bake until the peppers get soft and the filling cooks through.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 4 to 6 bell peppers, any color
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 cup chopped tomatoes (fresh or canned)
- 1/2 cup ketchup or tomato sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix ground beef, rice, onion, tomatoes, salt, and pepper.
- Cut tops off peppers and scoop out the seeds.
- Stuff each pepper with the beef mixture.
- Set peppers in a baking dish and spoon ketchup on top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
- Take off the foil and bake 10 more minutes until peppers are tender.
5) Ground Beef and Broccoli
Ground beef and broccoli is one of those dinners you can throw together in a flash. The beef brings the protein, and broccoli adds some crunch and vitamins.
Cook the meat with garlic and onion, then toss in broccoli and a quick sauce. It’s done in about half an hour—perfect for a weeknight.
Serve it over rice or noodles if you want a bigger meal. The sauce usually has soy sauce, honey, and ginger for a sweet-salty kick.
You can add extra veggies or a little chili if you like things spicy. The textures here are just so good together.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 8 ounces broccoli florets
- ½ yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
- Heat sesame oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Cook onion and garlic until soft, about 2 minutes.
- Add ground beef and brown it, about 5-7 minutes.
- Toss in broccoli and cook for 3-4 minutes until it’s bright green and tender.
- Mix soy sauce, honey, and ginger in a bowl.
- Pour sauce over everything and stir well. Cook for another 2 minutes.
- Serve hot with rice or noodles.
6) Sloppy Joes II
Sloppy Joes II are as easy as it gets for a quick, crowd-pleasing dinner. Brown ground beef with onions, then stir in a tangy, sweet sauce.
Pile the meat onto soft hamburger buns. The sauce keeps everything juicy and flavorful.
This recipe uses pantry staples and comes together in about 40 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 6 hamburger buns
Cooking Instructions
- Brown ground beef and onion in a skillet over medium heat until cooked through and onions are soft.
- Drain off any fat.
- Stir in ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar.
- Turn down the heat and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring now and then.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Spoon the meat onto buns and serve warm.
Check out the full recipe for Sloppy Joes II here.
7) Melinda’s Porcupine Meatballs
Melinda’s Porcupine Meatballs are a throwback comfort food. You mix ground beef with rice, which pokes out as it cooks—hence the name.
Simmer the meatballs in a simple tomato sauce on the stove. The rice inside keeps them tender and filling.
Serve with veggies or mashed potatoes for a classic, homey meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup uncooked white rice
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/3 cup chopped onion
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups tomato sauce
Cooking Instructions
- Mix ground beef, rice, water, onion, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Shape into meatballs about 1 1/2 inches wide.
- Place in a skillet or pot and pour tomato sauce over the top.
- Cover and simmer on low for 45 minutes, or until meatballs are cooked through and rice is tender.
- Serve warm.
Find more details in this recipe.
8) Slow Cooker Taco Soup
Slow cooker taco soup is pure comfort, and it’s almost effortless. Start by browning ground beef for flavor, then add beans, corn, tomatoes, and a kick from green chilis.
Let the slow cooker do its thing all day. Serve with tortilla chips or cornbread for a cozy dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 can black beans (drained)
- 1 can pinto beans (drained)
- 1 can sweet corn (fresh or frozen)
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 can green chilis
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 packet ranch seasoning
Cooking Instructions
-
Brown the ground beef in a skillet. Drain the excess fat.
-
Add the beef and all other ingredients to the slow cooker.
-
Stir everything together.
-
Cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours at 200°F (93°C) to 300°F (149°C).
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Serve hot with your favorite toppings or sides.
Find more details at Real Food Whole Life.
9) Easy Mexican Casserole
This Easy Mexican Casserole is great when you need dinner on the table fast. You’ll need ground beef, cheese, beans, tortilla chips, and sour cream.
It comes together quickly and tastes pretty fantastic. Just layer everything in a baking dish and you’ve got a warm, cheesy meal.
It’s filling, has plenty of flavor, and definitely saves you time on busy nights. You probably already have most of the ingredients at home or can grab them easily.
Ready to give it a try? Here’s how you do it.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 can beans (black or pinto)
- 2 cups shredded cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup salsa
- 2 cups crushed tortilla chips
Cooking Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
-
Brown the ground beef in a skillet. Drain the fat.
-
Mix in salsa and beans.
-
Layer the beef mixture, cheese, sour cream, and chips in a baking dish.
-
Bake for about 20 minutes, until the cheese melts and gets bubbly.
-
Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
For more details, check this Easy Mexican Casserole recipe.
10) 15-Minute Ground Beef & Broccoli
This ground beef and broccoli recipe is a lifesaver when you’re short on time. You’ll cook everything in one pan, which means less mess.
Beef, broccoli, and a few seasonings come together for a quick, healthy dinner. The sauce uses soy sauce, garlic, and a splash of honey for just a hint of sweetness.
Serve it over rice or noodles if you want something a bit more filling. It’s fast, tasty, and honestly, it just hits the spot when you need dinner in a hurry.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
Cooking Instructions
-
Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat.
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Toss in the ground beef. Cook it until it browns, which usually takes about 5 minutes.
-
Add the onion and garlic. Let them cook for 2 minutes—just enough to get fragrant.
-
Throw in the broccoli and splash in the soy sauce. Cook everything together for 5 minutes, or until the broccoli softens up.
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Drizzle in the honey and give it a good stir. Let it cook for another minute.
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Serve hot over rice or noodles. Enjoy!