10+ Ground Beef Recipes You’ll Love to Cook Tonight

Ground beef’s a classic—super flexible, easy to cook, and it won’t break the bank. You can throw it into all kinds of meals, and it just works.

You can whip up quick, tasty dinners with ground beef, even on your busiest nights. Whether you’re after something basic or want to jazz things up, you’ve got options.

1) Hamburger and Macaroni

This one’s a lifesaver when you need dinner fast. Cook the beef and macaroni together in one pot—less mess, more flavor.

It’s cheesy, filling, and honestly, hard to mess up. Toss in onions, peppers, or your favorite spices if you want to give it a little something extra.

Worcestershire sauce is a fun twist if you’re bored of tomato sauce. You’ll have dinner sorted in about half an hour.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 cups macaroni pasta
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped (optional)
• 2 cups beef broth or water
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Brown ground beef with onion and bell pepper in a big skillet.
2. Drain off the extra fat.
3. Add macaroni, broth, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper.
4. Bring to a boil, then simmer until the pasta’s cooked (10-12 minutes).
5. Stir in cheese until it’s all melty and creamy.
6. Dish it up while it’s hot.

2) Easy Hamburger Soup

Need a cozy meal? Hamburger soup is hearty, simple, and loaded with veggies.

You’ll toss in potatoes, carrots, celery, and tomatoes with the beef. Everything simmers together in a broth that just gets better as it cooks.

You can make it ahead or freeze leftovers for later—always handy. It’s just a solid, filling soup.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 3 potatoes, cubed
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
• 4 cups beef broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Brown the beef in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Toss in onion, garlic, celery, and carrots; cook until soft.
3. Add potatoes, tomatoes, and broth.
4. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat down and simmer 25-30 minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

More details here: Easy Hamburger Soup Recipe.

3) Stovetop Taco Soup

Taco soup is a weeknight hero—ready in about half an hour. Brown the beef with onions and garlic, then just dump in tomatoes, beans, and corn.

It’s warm, filling, and you can easily dial up the spice with extra taco seasoning. Everything cooks together until the flavors blend.

Top it with cheese, sour cream, or tortilla chips if you’re feeling fancy. It’s comfort food, but not fussy.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 2 cups beef broth

Cooking Instructions

1. Brown beef, onion, and garlic in a big pot over medium heat.
2. Drain off the fat.
3. Add tomatoes, beans, corn, taco seasoning, and broth.
4. Stir and bring to a boil.
5. Lower the heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
6. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.

Find the recipe here: Stovetop Taco Soup – Simply Recipes.

4) Dad’s Stuffed Bell Peppers

Stuffed bell peppers are easier than they look. Just mix up ground beef, rice, onions, tomatoes, and spices, then pack it all into bell peppers.

No need to cook the filling first. The peppers get soft and juicy in the oven, and the filling cooks right inside.

Try using different colored peppers for a bit of fun. It’s kind of like meatloaf, but wrapped up in a pepper.

Ingredients

• 4 large bell peppers
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Slice tops off peppers and scoop out the seeds.
3. Mix beef, rice, onion, tomatoes, salt, pepper, and herbs in a bowl.
4. Stuff the peppers with the mixture.
5. Stand peppers upright in a baking dish.
6. Bake for 45 minutes, until peppers are soft and filling is cooked.

More details: Dad’s Stuffed Bell Peppers recipe.

5) BBQ Beef and Beans

BBQ Beef and Beans is pure comfort—savory, sweet, and just a tiny bit smoky. The beef gives it depth while the beans keep it hearty.

You’ll get that classic BBQ taste from your favorite sauce. It comes together fast on the stove, or you can let it simmer if you want.

Serve it over rice, or maybe with cheese melted on top. Honestly, it’s hard to go wrong.

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1 can beans (any kind)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium.
2. Cook garlic and onion until soft.
3. Add the beef and brown it.
4. Stir in beans and BBQ sauce.
5. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring now and then.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Serve hot, over rice or with cheese if you want.

Looking for more ideas? Check out BBQ Beef and Beans recipes like this one from Budget Bytes.

6) Korean Ground Beef Bowls

Korean ground beef bowls are packed with flavor but super simple. Cook the beef with soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and a little sesame oil.

If you like heat, add ginger and red pepper flakes. Serve it over rice and sprinkle some green onions or sesame seeds on top.

You’ll have dinner in about 20 minutes, tops. It’s easy, tasty, and honestly, a little addictive.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Cooked white rice
• Green onions or sesame seeds for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat sesame oil in a skillet over medium.
2. Add garlic and ginger, cook for a minute.
3. Toss in the beef, cook until browned (5-7 minutes).
4. Stir in soy sauce, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 3 minutes.
5. Serve over rice, garnish with green onions or sesame seeds.

7) Sriracha Beef Lettuce Wraps

Sriracha beef lettuce wraps are quick, spicy, and just plain fun to eat. Cook the beef with Sriracha and fish sauce, then pile it into crisp lettuce leaves.

You can toss on scallions or peanuts for crunch. Adjust the Sriracha to your heat preference—no judgment.

They’re low-carb and easy to make your own. Perfect for a light dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1-2 tbsp Sriracha sauce
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 2 tsp cooking oil
• Lettuce leaves (butter or romaine work great)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium.
2. Add beef and cook until browned (about 5-7 minutes).
3. Stir in Sriracha and fish sauce. Cook for 2 more minutes.
4. Spoon the beef into lettuce leaves.
5. Serve warm and dig in.

Find more ideas here: Sriracha Beef Lettuce Wraps recipe.

8) Ground Beef and Gravy

Ground beef and gravy is pure comfort food. Cook up beef, onions, and broth, and you get a rich, savory sauce.

It’s best over mashed potatoes or rice. The gravy gets its kick from Worcestershire and garlic.

You can have it on the table in about 20 minutes. Perfect for those nights when you want something warm and filling without any fuss.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons flour
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon oil or butter

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil or butter in a skillet over medium.
2. Add onions and garlic, cook until soft.
3. Brown the beef, breaking it up as it cooks.
4. Sprinkle flour over the beef, stir it in.
5. Slowly pour in beef broth, stirring so it doesn’t get lumpy.
6. Add Worcestershire, salt, and pepper.
7. Simmer for 10 minutes until the gravy thickens.
8. Serve hot over mashed potatoes or your favorite side.

9) Beef Lombardi with Bay Leaf

Beef Lombardi is one of those easy, satisfying dishes—just ground beef and tomatoes, but somehow it feels special. The bay leaf sneaks in a gentle, aromatic note that makes the sauce pop.

Start by browning the ground beef with garlic and onions. Once that smells good, toss in tomatoes, honey, a pinch of salt, some pepper, and the bay leaf.

Let everything simmer on low for about half an hour so the flavors get cozy together. The kitchen will smell amazing, and you barely have to do anything.

Serve it over egg noodles or rice. Honestly, it’s comfort food at its easiest.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat for 5-6 minutes.
2. Add diced onion and garlic; cook until soft.
3. Stir in diced tomatoes, honey, salt, pepper, and bay leaf.
4. Lower heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
5. Remove bay leaf before serving.

10) 15-Minute Ground Beef & Broccoli

If you’re after something fast and tasty, this one’s a winner. You only need one pan, so cleanup’s not a hassle.

Ground beef cooks quickly, and broccoli brings a fresh crunch. The sauce is straightforward—nothing too sweet, nothing too salty.

You can have dinner on the table in about 15 minutes. Perfect for those nights when you’re too tired to fuss.

Serve it over rice or noodles if you want to bulk it up. Plus, broccoli sneaks in some vitamins and fiber, so you can feel good about it.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef (85/15 or 90/10)
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat some oil in a pan over medium-high heat (aim for about 350°F / 175°C).

2. Toss in the garlic and ginger. Let them sizzle for 30 seconds until you catch that fragrant aroma.

3. Add the ground beef. Cook it until it browns up nicely, which usually takes about 5 minutes.

4. Stir in the broccoli. Give it 3 to 4 minutes so it gets tender but still has a bit of crunch.

5. Mix soy sauce with brown sugar, then pour that into the pan.

6. Keep stirring for another 2 to 3 minutes, just until the sauce thickens a bit.

7. Serve it hot over rice or noodles—honestly, either works great.