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Ground beef is the hero of my weeknight kitchen. It is cheap, it cooks fast, and almost every kid I know will eat it.
A pound of ground beef can turn into tacos, pasta, rice bowls or a cozy stew. Most of these recipes use one pan and pantry staples you probably already have.
Here are 15 easy ground beef dinners the whole family will love, from cheesy one pot pasta to sweet and sour beef over rice.
The Best Ground Beef Dinners
This article is all about the best ground beef dinners.
1. One Pot Ground Beef Pasta
What it is: Ground beef, crushed and diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning and dry elbow pasta simmer together in one skillet. Cheddar gets stirred in and melted on top at the end.
The pasta cooks right in the sauce, so there is only one pan to wash. It is ready in about 30 minutes and makes 8 servings, which means leftovers for lunch. Tip: Stir the pasta now and then while it simmers, and drain extra grease after browning the beef.
2. Easy Ground Beef Tacos
What it is: Ground beef simmered with garlic, tomato sauce, chicken broth and taco seasoning, then tucked into corn or flour tortillas.
The whole thing takes 20 minutes. Set out cheese, avocado, lettuce and pico de gallo and let the kids build their own. Tip: After adding the sauce, let the meat simmer about 5 minutes until most of the liquid is gone.
3. Ground Beef Stroganoff
What it is: Ground beef, mushrooms and onion in a creamy sauce made with beef broth, Dijon, cream cheese and sour cream, all tossed with wide egg noodles.
You get classic stroganoff flavor for the price of a pound of ground beef. It is done in 30 minutes and feeds 8. Tip: Cook the mushrooms first and set them aside, then add them back once the sauce is simmering.
4. Korean Ground Beef Bowls
What it is: Crispy ground beef coated in a sauce of gochujang, soy sauce, sesame oil and brown sugar, served over white rice with green onions and peas.
It is a 30 minute dinner that also works for meal prep. Serve it with lettuce, sliced cucumbers and kimchi so everyone can add what they like. Tip: Press the beef into the skillet and let it cook 4 to 5 minutes without stirring so it gets crispy.
5. Ground Beef Enchiladas
What it is: Corn tortillas rolled around ground beef seasoned with chili powder, cumin and oregano, then covered in enchilada sauce and sharp cheddar and baked.
This makes 16 enchiladas, so it feeds a hungry family with some to spare. Serve with sour cream or plain Greek yogurt and green onions. Tip: Spray the tortillas and warm them on a baking sheet first so they are easy to roll.
6. Skillet Ground Beef Pot Pie
What it is: Ground beef, onion and canned mixed vegetables in a simple homemade gravy, topped with quartered canned biscuits and baked until golden.
It tastes like a Sunday dinner but uses pantry shortcuts and is ready in about 35 minutes. Kids love the fluffy biscuit topping. Tip: Use a 12 inch oven safe skillet so it goes straight from the stove to the oven.
7. Ground Beef Chili Mac
What it is: A beef chili with kidney beans and black beans, tossed with macaroni and topped with cheddar and mozzarella, then broiled until bubbly.
Chili and mac and cheese in one pot is an easy win with kids. It is on the table in under 30 minutes and makes 8 servings. Tip: Broil it for just 2 minutes, until the cheese is bubbling and melted.
8. Mongolian Ground Beef
What it is: Browned ground beef in a sweet and savory sauce of brown sugar, soy sauce, ginger and garlic, finished with scallions.
It is a budget friendly takeout swap with only a handful of ingredients. The red pepper flakes are optional, so you can leave them out for little ones. Tip: Spoon out the extra fat after browning, then add the sauce and scallions and cook until it thickens.
9. Stuffed Peppers with Ground Beef
What it is: Bell peppers filled with ground beef, black beans, corn, fire roasted tomatoes and Mexican seasonings, baked and topped with cheese.
Dinner and a vegetable come in one neat package, and the recipe makes 8. Tip: Dice the pepper tops you cut off and cook them into the filling so nothing goes to waste.
10. Mexican Ground Beef Casserole with Rice
What it is: Ground beef, uncooked rice, corn, black beans and bell pepper cook together in one pot with tomato paste, broth and a homemade Mexican spice mix, then get covered in cheese.
The rice cooks right in the pot, so it is a full meal in about 30 minutes with not much prep. Tip: Stir half the cheese through at the end, sprinkle on the rest, then cover for a minute to melt it.
11. Sweet and Sour Ground Beef
What it is: Ground beef browned with onion and bell peppers, then simmered with ketchup, tomato sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce and pineapple.
It takes 25 minutes and uses ingredients most of us already have. The pineapple and sweet sauce make it an easy sell for picky eaters. Tip: Serve it over hot cooked rice to soak up all the sauce.
12. Beef Rigatoni Pasta Bake
What it is: Rigatoni tossed in a creamy tomato sauce with ground beef, heavy cream, basil and thyme, topped with mozzarella and Parmesan and baked.
It is a simple weeknight bake that feeds 6 in about 40 minutes. The browned cheesy edges are the best part. Tip: Boil the pasta for only 6 minutes before mixing it into the sauce, since it finishes cooking in the oven.
13. Ground Beef Taco Bowls
What it is: Seasoned ground beef, white rice and black beans topped with cheese, pico de gallo, avocado and a creamy garlic cilantro sauce.
Everyone builds their own bowl, so picky eaters can skip what they do not like. It comes together in about 35 minutes. Tip: Mix the sauce of sour cream, mayo, cilantro, lime juice and garlic while the beef cooks.
14. Chipotle BBQ Ground Beef and Potato Skillet
What it is: Crispy cubed Yukon Gold potatoes with ground beef, bell pepper, green chiles and fire roasted tomatoes in a tangy chipotle BBQ sauce, topped with melted cheddar.
Meat and potatoes in one skillet is a family classic, and this one is ready in 35 minutes. Tip: Microwave the potatoes with a little water for 6 minutes before searing so they cook through fast.
15. Slow Cooker Ground Beef Stew
What it is: Ground beef, red potatoes, carrots and celery slow cooked in a savory broth with rosemary, thyme, Worcestershire and tomato paste.
It is a cheaper take on beef stew, and dinner is waiting when you get home. Serve it with bread for dunking. Tip: Sear the beef in chunks in a skillet for a few minutes before it goes in the slow cooker.
Tips for Making Ground Beef Dinners
- Brown it well. Let the beef sit in a hot pan for a few minutes before stirring so it gets a golden crust.
- Drain the fat. Spoon off extra grease after browning so your sauce does not turn oily.
- Brown extra for later. Cook a few pounds at once and freeze it in 1 pound bags for fast dinners.
- Choose lean beef for creamy dishes. Lean ground beef keeps pasta bakes and stroganoff from getting greasy.
- Let the kids build it. Set out toppings for tacos and bowls so everyone makes a plate they will eat.
Pin this post to your dinner board so you always have a ground beef idea ready on a busy night.