• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Air Fryer Mom
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Air Fryer Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Air Fryer Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Ground Beef

    17 Ground Beef Recipes That Were Made for Busy Weeknights

    Published: Aug 16, 2026 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

    • Facebook
    • Email

    Ground beef is a go-to ingredient for quick and satisfying meals, perfect for busy weeknights. With its versatility, you can whip up everything from classic burgers to hearty casseroles in no time. Here are 17 easy recipes that will help you get dinner on the table without the stress.

    One Pot Burrito Bowl

    One Pot Burrito Bowl Recipe
    Photo Credit: I Heart Nap Time.

    This meal is simple and can be ready in just 30 minutes using only one pot. It's ideal for busy weeknights when you want something tasty without a lot of cleanup. Enjoy a satisfying dinner that doesn't take much time or effort to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Meatloaf and Baked Potatoes

    Slow Cooker Meatloaf and Baked Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Weeknight dinners can be a challenge, but this dish offers a simple and satisfying solution. It's hearty and flavorful, perfect for families looking for a quick meal after a long day. With minimal effort, you can have a delicious dinner on the table that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Easy Smash Burger

    Easy Smash Burger Recipe
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie Blog.

    Smash burgers are an easy and delicious choice for a burger night at home. Made with just ground beef and salt, they cook quickly and turn out thin and crispy in about 15 minutes. The result is a burger with a rich, buttery flavor that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Taco Pasta Salad

    Taco Pasta Salad.
    Photo Credit: The Urben Life.

    This taco pasta salad is a hearty mix of seasoned ground beef, pinto beans, cherry tomatoes, green bell pepper, corn, black olives, white onion, lettuce, rotini pasta, and a creamy taco sauce. It's a colorful and satisfying dish that brings together all the flavors of a taco in a fun pasta form. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this salad is both filling and easy to prepare.

    Get the Recipe

    Baked Spaghetti Casserole

    Baked Spaghetti Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Dutch Oven Daddy.

    Baked Spaghetti Casserole is a warm and comforting dish that brings the flavors of lasagna without the extra effort. It's a simple and satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy. Perfect for busy weeknights, this casserole combines pasta, meat, and cheese into one delicious dish.

    Get the  Recipe

    Hamburger Soup

    Hamburger Soup.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    This meal is hearty and packed with sweet potatoes, carrots, peppers, onions, celery, and fire-roasted tomatoes. It comes together in less than 30 minutes, making it a great option for busy weeknights. Plus, it's perfect for leftovers, so you can enjoy it throughout the week.

    Get the recipe

    Homemade Hamburgers

    air fryer hamburger.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Burgers are easy to whip up at home and cook quickly. They come out juicy and are perfect for piling on your favorite toppings.

    Get the recipe

    Ground Beef Flautas

    Ground beef flautas.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Crispy flautas stuffed with seasoned ground beef and melted cheese are a filling dinner choice. Pair them with a refreshing avocado cilantro sauce for dipping, and you've got a meal that's sure to please everyone.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak

    Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Salisbury steak cooked in the crock pot comes out super tender and is smothered in a rich onion and mushroom gravy. It goes great with mashed potatoes, making it a meal that everyone in the family will enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

    Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Homemade sloppy joes are a great way to enjoy a classic meal without relying on store-bought versions. This easy recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner and is sure to satisfy everyone in the family.

    Get the Recipe

    Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole

    Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo credit: Little Sunny Kitchen.

    This tater tot casserole features seasoned ground beef mixed with vegetables in a creamy sauce, making it a hit with everyone at the table. It's a comforting meal that's ideal for a busy weeknight when you need something quick and satisfying.

    Get the Recipe

    Ground Beef Stir-Fry

    Stir-fried ground beef.
    Photo credit: Foodess.

    This is a quick and easy dinner choice packed with fresh vegetables. In just half an hour, you can have a delicious meal ready to enjoy, complete with a tasty sauce that brings everything together.

    Get the recipe

    Easy Layered Enchilada Casserole

    Enchilada casserole.
    Photo Credit: What a Girl Eats.

    Layered enchilada casserole is a simple and fast meal that eliminates the need to roll tortillas. With layers of ground beef, cheese, and mild green enchilada sauce, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Shipwreck Stew

    Slow Cooker Shipwreck Stew.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This dish is hearty and full of flavor. Combining potatoes, beans, and ground beef, it's a meal that everyone will enjoy. It's perfect for a satisfying dinner that doesn't take too much time to prepare.

    Get the Recipe

    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This casserole combines all the delicious flavors of tacos into a simple one-dish meal. Featuring ground beef, salsa, and plenty of cheese, it's perfect for a quick dinner or a gathering with friends. It's a satisfying option that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Hamburger Minestrone

    Slow Cooker Hamburger Minestrone.
    Photo Credit: Valerie's Kitchen.

    This filling soup is loaded with fresh vegetables, ground beef, and pasta, creating a satisfying meal all in one bowl. It's a great choice for a cozy dinner during the week.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Barbecue Meatloaf

    Slow Cooker Barbecue Meatloaf.
    Photo Credit: Manila Spoon.

    BBQ meatloaf is a great way to bring together ground beef, breadcrumbs, and spices, all topped with a zesty barbecue glaze. It's a comforting dish that the whole family will enjoy. This version is juicy and tender, with a nice smoky-sweet flavor, and it's simple to make for a weeknight dinner.

    Get the Recipe

    More Ground Beef

    • Poor man's stew.
      22 Slow Cooker Ground Beef Dinners That Will Save You Time and Effort
    • Cottage pie.
      24 Comforting Ground Beef Meals That Feed Everyone Fast
    • 24 Ground Beef Casseroles That Make the Best Leftovers
    • Cheeseburger soup.
      24 Ground Beef Dinners Worth Trying This Week
    • Facebook
    • Email

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Readers Love These Recipes

    • Cranberry chicken with rice.
      17 Best Chicken Breast Slow Cooker Recipes Ever
    • 26 Kid-Approved Ground Beef Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook
    • 20 Easy Weeknight Casseroles That Come Together Fast
    • Slow cooker tater tot casserole.
      22 Ground Beef Crockpot Dinners Guaranteed to Please Your Family

    Latest Articles

    • 17 Ground Beef Recipes That Were Made for Busy Weeknights
    • Sheet pan pork tenderloin.
      22 Dump-And-Go Summer Dinners for When You’re Too Tired to Cook
    • Big Mac tater tot casserole.
      12 Cheesy Tater Tot Casseroles Everyone Asks About
    • Taco pasta.
      26 Budget Pasta Dinners That Get Dinner Done Fast

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Disclaimer
    • Disclosure
    • Editorial Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • [email protected]
    • Pink Giraffe Ventures AB, Runstens Byväg 51, 147 91 Grödinge, Sweden

    Copyright © 2026 Pink Giraffe Ventures AB