55 Ground Beef Recipes For Cheap And Easy Dinners

Hamburger steak is similar to Salisbury steak in that both are covered in an onion and mushroom gravy, but what separates this version from Salisbury steak is a more simply-flavored patty mixture and the omission of tomato-based ingredients like tomato paste and ketchup, resulting in an unadulterated, beefier bite.

Get the Hamburger Steaks recipe.

Pappardelle is a classic choice for Bolognese and is often sold as fresh pasta instead of dried. You can of course venture to make your own fresh pasta or use your own favorite kind of noodles. There are no rules here, except for one: Top the whole thing with lots of fresh Parmesan.

Get the Pappardelle Bolognese recipe.

Akin to a Puerto Rican lasagna, pastelón layers up crispy fried sweet plantains with melty mozzarella cheese and picadillo, a mix of ground beef, tomatoes, sofrito, herbs, briny olives, and a pop of sweetness from raisins. It takes a bit to prepare all the elements, but it’s worth it for this sweet and savory dish you can easily serve to a crowd.

Get the Pastelón recipe.

Nothing says comfort food quite like a warm bowl of classic beef stroganoff. Though keto dieters can't have the requisite egg noodles that normally accompany this dish, a big scoop of steamed cauliflower rice is a great alternative.

Get the Keto Beef Stroganoff recipe.

We’ve packed this version of nachos with an impressive load of toppings including beef, refried beans, pickled jalapeños, tomato, green onion, and avocado. But you can top your nachos with whatever you want! If you want to stick with the traditional Mexican vibe, we recommend guacamole, pico de gallo, shredded lettuce, cotija cheese, grilled corn, pinto beans, or black olives.

Get the Nachos Supreme recipe.

Meatloaf is an old-school recipe that everyone should know how to make. It might not be the sexiest piece of food, but it is delish–especially in a sandwich the next day OR with a fried egg on top!

Get the Classic Meatloaf recipe.

This layered pasta dish marries the classic Greek eggplant casserole with baked ziti for a meal that's almost as stunning as it is delicious.

Get the Pasta Moussaka recipe.

We're so obsessed with Taco Bell’s Crunchwrap Supreme that we have not one, but TWO copycat recipes. And while we love our vegan Crunchwrap, we still have a special place in our hearts for the original meat-loving version.

Get the Copycat Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme recipe.

This flavorful, weeknight-friendly dinner cooks in under 10 minutes! Top tip: Brown the ground beef and then caramelize it with agave syrup (or any sweetener you prefer)—the sugars melt, darken, and get nutty delicious.

Get the Caramelized Beef With Rice recipe.

Of all the food you can stuff, stuffed peppers are at the top of our list. Bell peppers are large enough to hold a lot, strong enough to keep their shape in the oven, and mild enough in flavor to go with just about anything. Here we’re filling them with beefy, tomato rice, and shredded Monterey Jack cheese, but you can customize them to fit your taste.

Get the Classic Stuffed Peppers recipe.

Everything you could ever want in one convenient pocket! You can even make these delicious bites in the air fryer for the same golden, crisp shell in no time at all.

Get the Cheesy Beef Empanadas recipe.

We originally developed this recipe for kids. But then we became obsessed ourselves. Reason #1: The squiggly pasta is insanely fun—both to look at and eat. (It’s got crazy slurpability.) Reason #2: It’s got some Hamburger Helper vibes going on in the best way possible.

Get the Sloppy Joe Pasta recipe.

We love that everything in this goulash cooks together in one pot– even the pasta! Cooking the macaroni directly in the goulash means the pasta gets to soak up all that beef and tomato flavor while simultaneously releasing some of its starch into the pan, thickening the goulash to create a hearty, comforting stew.

Get the Easy Goulash recipe.

These are unbelievably colorful—and delicious. This low-carb meal fits ground beef, black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, and plenty of cheese into hollowed-out zucchini. (Psst: Try our garlicky shrimp zucchini boats for even more zucchini inspo.)

Get the Zucchini Burrito Boats recipe.

We’re no strangers to the simple magic of a well-done Bolognese; it’s a staple in our weeknight dinner rotation. To avoid falling into a dreaded rut, we turned to one of our favorite superpower ingredients to jazz it up. Enter: miso!

Get the Miso Bolognese recipe.

These easy enchiladas are the perfect hearty meal. They are packed with ground beef and black beans, made really cheesy and delicious with a sprinkling of Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese. BTW, these go great with our Jarritos Margaritas. 😉

Get the Beef Enchiladas recipe.

We can't get enough of chili on game day, and though we love it in so many creative and unique ways (we're looking at you, pizza chili), this simple recipe is a classic for a reason.

Get the Perfect Chili recipe.

When we get an itch for a low-carb pastas, this one is a necessity. You still get plenty of meaty sauce and melty cheese, all while staying gluten-free!

Get the Zucchini Baked "Ziti” recipe.

Taco shells made out of cheese = the ultimate keto hack. If you're a fan of Tex-Mex ground beef tacos and are trying to follow a low-carb diet, these are a perfect option.

Get the Keto Taco Cups recipe.

If you're looking for a super simple, comforting, no-frills bowl of spaghetti and meatballs, you've come to the right place. And if you're feeling adventurous, it's also a great jumping off point for your own version of this classic dish!

Get the Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe.

Is there anything more satisfying than a good burger? However you choose to top your burger (bacon? a runny egg?), this classic, basic recipe will give you a perfect base for whatever your heart desires.

Get the Classic Burger recipe.

The rice in this recipe gives a heartier texture and a porcupine-like appearance to classic meatballs.

Get the Porcupine Meatballs recipe.

This recipe is based on gołąbki, a Polish dish in which parboiled cabbage leaves encase a minced meat filling of either pork or beef with onions and rice. The best part? The meat and the rice cook in the cabbage itself, meaning very little work on your part (yes, please!). Don't feel like rolling? Make our unstuffed cabbage casserole instead. 😏

Get the Stuffed Cabbage Rolls recipe.

Totchos (tater tot nachos) are simply a twist on the classic nachos. They truly never get boring, but just for kicks, we took all of our favorite nacho toppings and placed them on top a bed of crispy tater tots. Be sure to cook the tater tots first so they have a chance to get crispy!

Get the Loaded Beef Totchos recipe.

Spaghetti squash + meatballs? Yes, please! With ground beef, bread crumbs, and stretchy mozzarella, this hearty and filling meal is a weeknight staple.

Get the Meatball Stuffed Spaghetti Squash recipe.

This is less a traditional stew and more of an amazing beef chili mixed with some macaroni and (lots) of cheese. It's hearty comfort food at its finest and would make an excellent addition to any tailgating session.

Get the Mac & Chili Stew recipe.

The best part about this recipe is that everything—sauce and meatballs—cooks together in the Instant Pot. You don't even need to sear the meatballs first (they'll be just as flavorful simmering in the sauce)!

Get the Instant Pot Italian Meatballs recipe.

Originally created in Mexico but popularized in the American Southwest, Frito Pies (not actually pies) are comfort food perfection. It takes a lot of aspects of your favorite Tex-Mex taco supreme — ground beef, onions, cheese, jalapeños and a corn-based vessel — and makes this portable!

Get the Frito Pie recipe.

It's all about that skillet cornbread crust in this cozy casserole. No need to worry about a soggy bottom — even smothered in enchilada sauce and loaded with taco meat and cheese, the cornbread remained its beautiful self.

Get the Tamale Pie recipe.

Is there anything your air fryer can't do? With the quick cook time, these burgers stay perfectly juicy and basically beg for a melty slice of cheese. Don't forget to make yourself some air fryer sweet potatoes while you're at it!

Get the Air Fryer Cheeseburgers recipe.