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    Home » Ground Beef

    Weeknight Wins: 26 Simple Ground Beef Recipes to Try

    Published: May 15, 2026 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Finding quick and easy dinner ideas can be a challenge, especially on busy weeknights. Ground beef is a versatile ingredient that can help you whip up satisfying meals in no time. Here are 23 simple recipes that make the most of ground beef, perfect for those hectic evenings when you need something delicious and filling.

    Beefy Velveeta Cheese Soup

    Beefy Velveeta Cheese Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester.

    This cheesy soup is a great comfort food that mixes the flavors of Rotel dip and a cheeseburger. It's perfect for cozy nights when you want something warm and satisfying.

    Get the Recipe

    Enchilada Meatball Casserole

    7 Ingredient Enchilada Meatball Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Zona's Lazy Recipes.

    This casserole is simple to prepare and packed with flavor, featuring gooey cheese and a bit of spice. It's a great option for a cozy meal any night of the week.

    Get the Recipe

    Air Fryer Hamburgers

    Hamburger cooked in an air fryer.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    These air fryer hamburgers are super simple to whip up with just four ingredients, plus any toppings you like. This is an easy meal that you can enjoy any night of the week.

    Get the recipe

    Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole

    Big Mac Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

    Ground beef, cheddar cheese, and crispy tater tots come together in this casserole, topped with a tasty Big Mac sauce. It's a fun and satisfying dish that's perfect for a cozy meal.

    Get the Recipe

    Baked Shells Stuffed with Meatballs

    Baked Shells Stuffed with Meatballs.
    Photo credit: FODMAP Everyday.

    Pasta shells filled with cheese and meatballs, all covered in a simple tomato sauce, are a comforting dish. This is a classic meal that everyone loves.

    Get the recipe

    Crockpot Mexican Casserole

    Crockpot Mexican Casserole with Ground Beef.
    Photo Credit" Haute & Healthy Living.

    This crockpot Mexican casserole is packed with all the delicious flavors you love from Mexican food. It's a simple and healthy option for busy weeknights that won't break the bank.

    Get the Recipe

    Easy Taco Casserole

    Taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This taco casseorle is loaded with all the good stuff: well-seasoned ground beef, cream cheese, sour cream and melted cheese on top. It's a great dinner any night of the week, and it comes together in under 30 minutes!

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Meatballs

    Air fryer meatballs.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These meatballs are not only easy to make, but they also look great on the plate. This is a fun and tasty dish that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Mexican Stuffed Bell Peppers

    Mexican Stuffed Bell Peppers without Rice
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    Stuffed peppers are a quick and tasty meal that you can whip up in just 45 minutes. Packed with tex-mex flavors and topped with cheese, they're great on their own or paired with tortilla chips.

    Get the recipe

    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking Taco Casserole.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This casserole combines all the delicious flavors of tacos into one easy dish. It's packed with ground beef, salsa, and plenty of cheese, making it perfect for a potluck or a simple weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Poor Man's Stew

    Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This stew is a simple and filling meal made with ground beef, perfect for saving some cash. It's a hearty dish that doesn't require much work or expense.

    Get the Recipe

    Meatballs without Breadcrumbs and Eggs

    Meatballs without Breadcrumbs and Eggs
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    These meatballs are some of the best you'll ever try, and they're simple to prepare in under an hour. You can cook them on the stove, in an air fryer, or in the oven, resulting in juicy and flavorful meatballs.

    Get the recipe

    Cattle Drive Casserole

    Cattle Drive Casserole.
    Photo Credit: 24 Bite.

    Cattle Drive Casserole is a filling and tasty layered meal that combines the bold flavors of the Old West with a touch of Tex-Mex. This dish is perfect for a satisfying dinner that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Hobo Dinner

    Hobo Dinner in the Slow Cooker.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This Crock Pot Hobo Dinner is an easy way to prepare a full meal in one go. It combines a flavorful meatloaf with sliced potatoes, all cooked together for a satisfying dish.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna

    Slow Cooker Lasagna Recipe With Ravioli.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Ravioli is a simple way to create lasagna, serving as both the noodles and the cheese layers. This slow cooker ravioli lasagna is a favorite in my family.

    Get the Recipe

    Taco Pasta

    Taco pasta.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This taco pasta is made with ground beef and store bought short cuts like taco sauce and flavored cream cheese for a quick dish that is done easily in just 15 minutes. It's got all the flavors of tacos but in pasta form - less mess, and less stress.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Burrito Casserole

    Creamy Burrito Casserole.
    Photo Credit: In the Kitch.

    This creamy burrito casserole is packed with layers of ground beef, cheese, tortillas, and peppers, giving it a delicious Mexican twist. It's a simple and enjoyable meal that everyone in the family will appreciate.

    Get the Recipe

    4-Ingredient Chili

    A bowl of chili.
    Photo credit: The Feathered Nester.

    This meal is easy on the wallet and really filling, perfect for when you need something hearty. You only need four ingredients to whip it up!

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Bolognese

    A bowl of instant pot bolognese served over pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Instant Pot bolognese is a quick and easy way to enjoy a classic pasta sauce. With simple ingredients you probably already have, you can whip up a rich and hearty meal in no time.

    Get the recipe

    Johnny Marzetti - Ground Beef Noodle Casserole

    Johnny Marzetti - Ground Beef Noodle Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Masala Herb.

    Johnny Marzetti is a baked pasta dish that combines ground beef with tomato sauce. It's topped with your favorite cheese for a comforting meal.

    Get the Recipe

    Beef Chili With Red Wine & Black Beans

    Ground beef chili.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This chili is rich, hearty, and packed full of flavor - all done in just 40 minutes on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot. Red wine and beef bouillon creates a slow-simmered depth of taste without the wait, and black beans fill you up. Serve with your favorite toppings like sour cream, cheese, and fresh cilantro for the perfect cozy dinner!

    Get the recipe

    Skillet Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole

    Skillet Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Dutch Oven Daddy.

    This casserole combines the tasty flavors of a classic bacon burger with pasta, creating a filling dish that everyone in the family will enjoy. Even kids who are picky eaters will find this cheesy casserole hard to resist.

    Get the Recipe

    Arayes

    Arayes.
    Photo credit: Dana's Table.

    Arayes are crispy pita pockets stuffed with tasty, seasoned ground beef. They're perfect for grilling in the summer or can be easily made indoors any time.

    Get the recipe

    Eggplant Moussaka

    Eggplant moussaka.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    Eggplant Moussaka is a hearty dinner packed with vegetables and ground beef, all covered in cheese. This version skips the potatoes and Bechamel sauce, using more eggplant instead for a tasty and healthy Mediterranean meal that's easy to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Taco Casserole

    Taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Taco Casserole combines seasoned ground beef, tortillas, enchilada sauce, and cheese for a simple weeknight dinner. Everything cooks together in one dish, making it easy to prepare and perfect for freezing.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Taco Skillet

    A close-up of One Pan Cheesy Taco Skillet.
    Photo Credit: Homemade Hooplah.

    This taco skillet is a simple and tasty dish that elevates the classic Hamburger Helper. It's great for busy weeknights, and you can adjust the spice level to suit your taste.

    Get the recipe

    More Ground Beef

    • no boil pasta bake.
      26 Hearty Ground Beef Dinners Everyone Loves
    • Lazy lasagna.
      29 Easy Ground Beef Dinners That Bring the Fun Back to Cooking
    • Ground beef hot pot.
      25 Budget-Friendly Ground Beef Dinners That Taste Amazing
    • pasta with bolognese sauce.
      32 Easy Ground Beef Dinners That Work Anytime
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    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.

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