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    Home » Ground Beef

    27 Hearty Ground Beef Recipes That Simplify Mealtime

    Published: Jun 17, 2026 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Ground beef is a versatile ingredient that can make mealtime easier and more satisfying. From classic chili to hearty casseroles, there are countless ways to prepare it that will please the whole family. Here are 24 recipes that showcase the simplicity and comfort of cooking with ground beef.

    Big Mac Casserole

    A plate of Big Mac casserole.
    Photo Credit: Mary's Whole Life.

    This Big Mac casserole combines all the classic flavors of a Big Mac into a delicious baked dish. With lean ground beef, potatoes, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and a tasty homemade Big Mac sauce, it's a satisfying meal everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Beef and Beer Chili

    Beef and beer chili.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Beef and Beer Chili is a great choice for game day, busy weeknights, or a cozy family dinner. Packed with ground beef, beans, and essential spices, it also has a touch of your favorite beer for extra flavor.

    Get the recipe

    Old Fashioned Salisbury Steak

    Old fashioned Salisbury steak with gravy.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    Old Fashioned Salisbury Steak is a simple skillet meal featuring ground beef mixed with bread crumbs and spices, all served in a savory mushroom gravy. It's a comforting dish that's perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Cowboy Meatloaf Mashed Potato Casserole

    Cowboy Meatloaf Mashed Potato Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Bowl Me Over.

    The Cowboy Mashed Potato Meatloaf Casserole is a hearty dish that combines classic comfort food with a fun twist. It features savory meatloaf layered with creamy mashed potatoes, melted cheese, and crispy bacon, all baked until golden and delicious.

    Get the Recipe

    Instant Pot Beef and Shells

    Instant Pot Beef and Shells
    Photo Credit: Earing In An Instant.

    This simple one-pot dish combines ground beef and pasta for a creamy and cheesy meal. It's a quick and satisfying dinner that anyone can whip up.

    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 twist on Hamburger Helper. It's great for busy weeknights, and you can adjust the spice level to suit your taste.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

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

    Forget the store-bought options and whip up some tasty homemade sloppy joes. This simple recipe is sure to please everyone at the dinner table.

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    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

    Rigatoni Bolognese

    Rigatoni Bolognese (1).
    Photo Credit: Living Lou.

    This easy Rigatoni Bolognese is a delicious Italian dish made with ground beef, pork, and sausage. It's a hearty meat sauce that's great for weeknight meals or special gatherings, especially when served over rigatoni.

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    Mexican Stuffed Bell Peppers

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

    Stuffed peppers can be ready in just 45 minutes with this simple recipe. Packed with tex-mex flavors and topped with cheese, they're great on their own or alongside some tortilla chips.

    Get the recipe

    Crescent Roll Taco Bake

    Crescent Roll Taco Bake.
    Photo Credit: The Urben Life.

    This taco bake features seasoned ground beef and creamy refried beans wrapped in a soft, buttery crescent roll crust. Top it with your favorite taco fixings for a simple and satisfying weeknight dinner.

    Get the Recipe

    Classic Sloppy Joes

    Sloppy Joes.
    Photo credit: Scarlati Family Kitchen.

    This dish is quick and easy, ready in just 15 minutes. Ground beef is sautéed with onions and garlic, then mixed with a simple homemade sauce for a satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    Eggplant Moussaka

    Eggplant moussaka.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    Eggplant Moussaka is a simple dinner packed with vegetables and ground beef, all topped with plenty of cheese. This version skips the potatoes and Bechamel sauce, using more eggplant instead for a healthy and tasty Mediterranean meal.

    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 recipeta

    Slow Cooker No-Bean Chili

    Slow Cooker No-Bean Chili.
    Photo Credit: The Short Order Cook.

    This chili combines ground beef and crispy bacon with tasty toppings for a hearty and comforting meal. It's perfect for a cozy dinner that anyone can whip up.

    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

    Minnesota Tater Tot Hotdish

    Minnesota Tater Tot Hotdish.
    Photo Credit: The Rustic Foodie.

    This dish combines ground beef, green beans, and a creamy mushroom sauce that you can whip up yourself. It's a comforting meal that's simple to make and great for busy nights.

    Get the Recipe

    Instant Pot Chili Mac

    Instant Pot Chili Mac.
    Photo Credit: The Recipe Well.

    Instant Pot Chili Mac combines chili and mac and cheese into one delicious dish. With ground beef, pasta, cheese, and chili spices, this quick one-pot meal is bound to be a hit with the whole family!

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Taco Soup

    Slow Cooker Taco Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This soup is simple to prepare and packed with flavor, all thanks to the slow cooker. It features fire roasted corn, fresh salsa, and whole black olives for a delicious meal.

    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

    Ground Beef Stroganoff

    Ground Beef Stroganoff.
    Photo credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This flavorful stroganoff is a great dinner option that packs a punch without taking up too much of your time. It's simple to prepare and perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious.

    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 just a few simple ingredients from your pantry, you can whip up a rich and hearty meal in no time.

    Get the recipe

    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking Taco Casserole.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

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

    Get the recipe

    No Boil Baked Ziti

    No boil baked ziti.
    Photo Credit: Cooking With Carlee.

    Enjoy all of the goodness of baked ziti with a fraction of the prep work! You don't have to boil the noodles or brown the meat, just layer it up and bake it to perfection.

    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 anyone can enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Cowboy Casserole

    Cowboy casserole in a white oven dish.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This cowboy casserole is a fun take on the classic tater tot dish, featuring taco seasoning, beans, corn, and salsa mixed into a creamy, cheesy base. It comes together in about an hour, with most of that time spent baking, and uses ingredients you likely already have at home.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak

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

    Salisbury steak cooked in the crock pot turns out really tender and is packed with onion and mushroom gravy. It pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes and is bound to be a hit with the family.

    Get the Recipe

    More Ground Beef

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      23 Easy Ground Beef Recipes for Busy Weeknights
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      29 Simple Ground Beef Dinners Your Family Can't Resist
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      14 Ground Beef Dinners That Practically Cook Themselves
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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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