13 Easy Ground Beef Dinners Your Family Will Devour

Ground beef is the weeknight hero every kitchen needs. These thirteen crowd-pleasing dinners turn a simple pound of ground beef into tacos, bowls, bakes, and comfort classics that come together fast and leave everyone asking for seconds.

1. Classic Beef Tacos

Seasoned ground beef piled into warm tortillas with all the crunchy, creamy toppings your family loves.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 8 small flour or corn tortillas
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 cup shredded lettuce
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup diced red onion

Instructions

1. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into crumbles, about 8 minutes. Drain off excess fat.
2. Stir in the taco seasoning and 1/3 cup water; simmer until the liquid thickens, about 3 minutes.
3. Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet or wrapped in foil in the oven.
4. Fill each tortilla with beef and top with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, onion, and a dollop of sour cream.
5. Serve immediately with lime wedges if you like.

2. Cheeseburger Sliders

All the flavor of a cheeseburger baked into pull-apart mini sandwiches with melty cheese and pickles.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
• 12 slider buns
• 6 slices American cheese
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
• 1/4 cup sliced pickles
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Press the ground beef into an even layer in a 9×13-inch baking dish and season with salt and pepper.
2. Bake the beef slab for 15 minutes, then drain the fat and top with cheese slices until melted.
3. Spread ketchup and mustard on the bottom buns, add the beef slab, and scatter pickles over the cheese.
4. Place the top buns on, brush with melted butter, and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
5. Bake 5 more minutes until the tops are golden, then cut into 12 sliders and serve.

3. Beef & Broccoli Stir-Fry

Tender beef and crisp broccoli tossed in a savory garlic-soy glaze, ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 4 cups broccoli florets
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Instructions

1. Whisk the soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger in a small bowl.
2. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet or wok over high heat, about 6 minutes; drain the fat.
3. Push the beef aside, add the oil and broccoli, and stir-fry 3 to 4 minutes until bright green and just tender.
4. Pour in the sauce and toss everything together for 2 minutes until glossy.
5. Serve over hot rice with a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

4. Spaghetti Bolognese

A rich, slow-simmered beef and tomato sauce clinging to every strand of spaghetti.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 12 oz spaghetti
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot and sauté the onion until soft, about 5 minutes; add the garlic for 30 seconds.
2. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart, about 8 minutes; drain the fat.
3. Stir in the tomato paste and Italian seasoning, then pour in the crushed tomatoes.
4. Simmer on low for 25 minutes, stirring now and then, until the sauce thickens.
5. Boil the spaghetti until al dente, toss with the sauce, and finish with Parmesan.

5. Stuffed Bell Peppers

Sweet bell peppers loaded with a savory beef and rice filling under a blanket of melted cheese.

Ingredients

• 6 bell peppers, halved and seeded
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 1/2 cups cooked rice
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 375°F and arrange the pepper halves cut-side up in a baking dish.
2. Brown the beef with the onion in a skillet, about 8 minutes; drain the fat.
3. Stir in the rice, diced tomatoes, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning; cook 3 minutes more.
4. Spoon the filling into the peppers and cover the dish tightly with foil.
5. Bake 30 minutes, uncover, top with mozzarella, and bake 10 more minutes until bubbly.

6. Beef Burrito Bowls

All the best burrito fillings in one colorful bowl — seasoned beef, rice, beans, and fresh toppings.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar
• Lime wedges, for serving

Instructions

1. Brown the beef in a skillet over medium-high heat, about 8 minutes; drain the fat and stir in the chili powder and salt.
2. Warm the black beans and corn together in a small saucepan with a splash of water.
3. Divide the rice among four bowls.
4. Top each bowl with beef, beans, corn, tomatoes, avocado, and cheddar.
5. Squeeze fresh lime over the top and serve.

7. Easy Shepherd’s Pie

Seasoned beef and veggies tucked under a fluffy layer of golden mashed potatoes.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
• 4 cups mashed potatoes
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cups frozen peas and carrots
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 400°F. Brown the beef with the onion in a large oven-safe skillet, about 8 minutes; drain the fat.
2. Stir in the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and broth; simmer 5 minutes.
3. Add the peas and carrots and cook until warmed through, about 3 minutes.
4. Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the filling and rough up the top with a fork.
5. Sprinkle with cheddar and bake 20 minutes until the top is golden and the edges bubble.

8. Korean Beef Bowls

Sweet-and-savory soy-glazed beef over rice with crunchy slaw — a takeout favorite at home.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 3 cups cooked rice
• 2 cups shredded cabbage
• 2 green onions, sliced

Instructions

1. Whisk the soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger in a bowl.
2. Brown the beef in a skillet over high heat, about 6 minutes; drain the fat.
3. Pour in the sauce and simmer 3 to 4 minutes until the beef is glossy and caramelized at the edges.
4. Divide the rice among bowls and pile on the beef.
5. Top with cabbage and green onions, and serve with extra sauce drizzled over.

9. Hearty Beef Chili

Thick, smoky chili loaded with beef and beans — perfect for chilly nights and game day.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cans (15 oz each) kidney beans, drained
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 cup beef broth
• Shredded cheddar and sour cream, for serving

Instructions

1. Brown the beef with the onion in a large pot over medium-high heat, about 8 minutes; drain the fat.
2. Stir in the chili powder and cumin and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Add the crushed tomatoes, beans, and broth; bring to a boil.
4. Lower the heat and simmer at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thick.
5. Ladle into bowls and top with cheddar and sour cream.

10. Lasagna Roll-Ups

All the cheesy layers of lasagna rolled into tidy individual spirals baked in marinara.

Ingredients

• 12 lasagna noodles
• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella
• 3 cups marinara sauce
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 375°F. Brown the beef in a skillet, about 8 minutes; drain and stir in 1 cup of the marinara.
2. Boil the lasagna noodles until pliable, then lay them flat on a towel.
3. Mix the ricotta, egg, Italian seasoning, and 1 cup of the mozzarella.
4. Spread the cheese mixture on each noodle, spoon on the beef, and roll up tightly.
5. Spread 1 cup marinara in a baking dish, arrange the rolls seam-side down, and cover with the remaining sauce and cheeses.
6. Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes; uncover and bake 10 more minutes until bubbly.

11. Beef Stroganoff

Creamy mushroom sauce and seasoned beef tossed with egg noodles — pure comfort in a bowl.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 12 oz egg noodles
• 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 1/2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Chopped parsley, for serving

Instructions

1. Melt the butter in a large skillet and sauté the mushrooms and onion until golden, about 6 minutes.
2. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, about 8 minutes; drain the fat.
3. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir for 1 minute.
4. Pour in the broth and simmer 5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
5. Remove from the heat, stir in the sour cream, and toss with cooked egg noodles.
6. Garnish with parsley and serve right away.

12. Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Baked sweet potatoes piled high with taco-seasoned beef and fresh, colorful toppings.

Ingredients

• 4 large sweet potatoes
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• Sour cream, for serving

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 400°F. Prick the sweet potatoes with a fork and bake directly on the rack for 50 to 60 minutes until soft.
2. Brown the beef in a skillet, about 8 minutes; drain and stir in the taco seasoning, beans, and corn.
3. Slice each sweet potato open lengthwise and fluff the flesh with a fork.
4. Pile the taco beef mixture into each potato.
5. Top with tomatoes, cheddar, cilantro, and a spoonful of sour cream.

13. Mini Meatloaf Muffins

Kid-friendly individual meatloaves with a sweet ketchup glaze, baked in half the time.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
• 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 1/2 cup ketchup, plus more for topping
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 375°F and grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
2. Mix the beef, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, onion, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder just until combined.
3. Divide the mixture among the muffin cups, mounding each slightly.
4. Brush the top of each with a thin layer of ketchup.
5. Bake 22 to 25 minutes until cooked through and browned on top.
6. Rest 5 minutes, then run a knife around the edges and lift out.