Quick & Easy Ground Beef Recipes That Make Dinner a Breeze

Who hasn’t tossed a package of ground beef into the grocery cart, knowing it’s a go-to start of a quick-and-easy dinner? This supermarket staple, though, doesn’t have to be confined to routine hamburgers or bland meatloaf. 

Read on for a selection of recipes that combine easy prep with classic — and sometimes unexpected — flavors. Get ready to turn an otherwise routine ingredient into something memorable.

Asian Barbecue Burgers

Forget your basic patty. Hoisin and Sriracha sauces, ginger, and sesame oil combine to create Asian flair in this recipe that elevates the traditional hamburger into something unexpected.

Recipe: Allrecipes 

Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Dinner

This is a one-pot meal that’s on the table in 30 minutes. Simple ingredients including rice, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, beef broth, and cheddar cheese combine with ground beef for a dish that just might become a family favorite. As one five-star review notes, “This is a keeper.”

Recipe: Shaken Together Life

Hot and Saucy Cocktail Meatballs

Raise your hand if you like a retro favorite. Well, cocktail meatballs that feature chili sauce and, yes, grape jelly are about as retro as it comes. This is ideal for those times when a slew of appetizers serves as your meal. Otherwise, simply serve these with mashed potatoes or rice for a hearty entrée.

Recipe: Betty Crocker

Related: Old-School Recipes That We Still Secretly Love

Spaghetti and Meatballs

There’s something to be said for tried-and-true tradition, especially when it comes to cooking up an all-time favorite like spaghetti and meatballs. This recipe is billed as a “classic, simple, no-frills” take that features homemade meatballs created with ground beef, bread crumbs, Parmesan, and spices.

Recipe: Delish

Ground Beef Stroganoff

Since a rich, creamy mushroom sauce is the star of this comfort classic, lean ground beef is recommended to balance things out. The recipe creator encourages creativity, noting the dish is most often served over noodles but can also be ladled over rice, buckwheat, mashed or roasted potatoes — or even roasted vegetables for a carb-free option.

Recipe: Natasha’s Kitchen

Slow Cooker Shipwreck Stew

We admit it — the name of this dish caught our attention. Further investigation shows this recipe has been shared nearly 15,000 times so there’s clearly more to it than just a catchy name. Turns out it’s a slow-cooker spin on a stew where ground beef is combined with russet potatoes, onion, celery, mushrooms, kidney beans, and more for a dish as unique as its name.

Recipe: The Magical Slow Cooker

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Easy Creamy Ground Beef Pasta

A creamy tomato sauce, one likened to a Bolognese, is the standout element of this ground-beef dish that makes it to the table in some 30 minutes. Made here with penne, it can be prepared with any pasta you have on hand.

Recipe: Salt & Lavender

Quick Vegetable Ground Beef Soup

Potatoes, seasoned ground beef, and a variety of vegetables form the heart of this tomato-based soup, one that can be whipped up for dinner (with enough left over for lunch the next day).

Recipe: I Wash You Dry

Asian Burger Soup

This easy soup is “a quick meal for anyone who loves that Asian flavor” — and “for those whose time is limited.” Sounds like a win-win, one that combines ground beef with ingredients that include toasted sesame seeds, bean sprouts, bell pepper, mushrooms, green onions, and beef broth.

Recipe: Allrecipes

Hamburger Mac and Cheese

Macaroni and cheese is an easy dinner no matter the day or the season. This version adds ground beef (and bacon) to up the protein and is also said to satisfy “even the most ravenous appetites.” A double batch is recommended.

Recipe: Real Housemoms

Thai Salad with Ginger Ground Beef and Peanut Dressing

Heavy on both vegetables and flavor, this recipe is a dairy- and gluten-free option for a hearty main-course salad. And it’ll be on the table in half an hour to boot.

Recipe: Lively Table

The Best Classic Chili

For a classic chili “just like mom used to make,” follow this recipe’s straightforward approach that combines ground beef with beans and a homemade blend of seasonings. Allow diners to customize their serving with toppings ranging from shredded cheddar cheese to sour cream, and diced avocado to oyster crackers.

Recipe: The Wholesome Dish

Related: Chili Casserole and Other Creative Twists on Classic Chili

Ground Beef Kebabs

This inexpensive recipe, which can be prepared on the grill or in the oven, is equally suitable for a potluck or a family dinner. Serve with anything from potato salad to rice, pita bread to green salad.

Recipe: Delicious on a Dime

Our Favorite Weeknight Ground Beef Tacos

Tacos don’t have to be just for Tuesdays. This “embarrassingly easy” recipe stars a seasoned ground beef that is ready in 15 minutes. After that, it’s just assembling the fixings, and you’re on your way.

Recipe: How Sweet Eats

Scrambled Egg Ground Beef Casserole

Breakfast for dinner is here to stay — and this recipe is not only ideal for that occasion but is also a keto/low-carb dish that can be made ahead. Homemade (or store-bought) mushroom soup, vegetables, and cheese add a depth of flavor.

Recipe: Brooklyn Farm Girl

30-Minute Shepherd’s Pie

Rachael Ray’s 30-minute meals have saved many a weeknight dinner. The celebrity chef’s take on the traditional pub dish features the classic ground meat and vegetable base with a rich, creamy mashed potato topping that features both sour cream (or cream cheese) and heavy cream. Can you say decadent?

Recipe: Food Network

Korean Ground Beef Stir Fry

You may never order takeout again once you try this homemade stir fry featuring ground beef, an array of vegetables, and a flavorful, multi-ingredient sauce that includes brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, ground ginger, and more.

Recipe: The Recipe Critic

Not Your Mother’s Meatloaf

Who hasn’t had the traditional meatloaf made with ketchup and onion soup mix? Well, forget that, um, forgettable recipe with this update. The flavor here comes from white onion and bell peppers, hot cherry peppers, fire-roasted tomatoes, curry powder, fresh basil, and more. As its creator notes, it’s “definitely not bland and boring.”

Recipe: The View From Great Island