50 Best Ground Beef Recipes for Affordable Family Meals
Burgers, baked casseroles, and meatloaf all included.
Every item on this page was chosen by an editor from The Pioneer Woman. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
When you're stuck in a weeknight dinnertime rut, grab some ground beef and get cooking! From Tex-Mex dinners to Italian-inspired feasts, ground beef is one of the most versatile proteins you can bring to the table. It also happens to be the star in so many budget-friendly dinner ideas: sliders, skillet meals, and soups. Here, you'll find plenty of healthy ground beef dinners, baked pastas, and one-pot meals to freshen up your dinner routine. These ground beef recipes prove there's no shortage of ways to put it to good use.
If a hearty dish is what you're after, take a peek at the many ground beef casseroles in this roundup. They're so simple to make and recipes like cheeseburger casserole, taco casserole, and sour cream noodle bake (a Drummond family favorite) please even the pickiest eaters! You'll also discover burgers done every which way. If you're feeding a crowd, the cheeseburger sliders are a big time hit. Instead of flipping tons of patties, seasoned ground beef is spread on slider buns with all the fixings for an easy meal. Of course, anytime your cooking pasta recipes, adding some ground beef is a no-brainer. Ree Drummond's slow cooker bolognese cooks all day with minimal effort. Now that's a winning idea!
Slow-Cooker Bolognese
This recipe makes a big batch, so enjoy it for dinner, and freeze the rest for dinner another night! This hearty bolognese makes Italian night easy.
Get Ree's Slow-Cooker Bolognese recipe.
Salisbury Steak
This diner classic features hamburger steaks topped with creamy mushroom gravy. It's spectacular served with mashed potatoes!
Get the Salisbury Steak recipe.
Taco Casserole
Switch up taco Tuesday with this family-friendly casserole. The ground beef, corn, and black bean mixture is layered in the baking dish with tortilla chips and cheese. It's hearty and delicious!
Get the Taco Casserole recipe.
Eggplant Lasagna
With meat sauce, fresh eggplant, and delicious ricotta cheese, this lasagna is a winner. It can even be assembled up to 2 days ahead and baked before dinnertime!
Get the Eggplant Lasagna recipe.
Cheeseburger Sliders
Next time you want to make burgers for a crowd, make these easy, cheesy sliders instead! Rather than forming and cooking separate hamburger patties, this recipe piles cooked ground beef on slider buns.
Get the Cheeseburger Sliders recipe.
Pierogi and Meatball Skillet
When comfort food cravings call, this skillet supper is here to answer. The homemade Swedish-style meatballs are extremely easy to make. They're paired with store-bought pierogi for a dinner that's ready in under an hour.
Get the Pierogi and Meatball Skillet recipe.
Goulash
The whole family will gobble this goulash right up! Similar to chili, but also mac and cheese, it's a cozy, comforting crowd pleaser that's ready in 30 minutes.
Get the Goulash recipe.
Moussaka
If you've never tried this classic Greek dish, you're in for a delicious surprise. With layers of eggplant, potato, spiced meat sauce, and creamy bechamel sauce, it's a feast for the senses.
Get the Moussaka recipe.
Manicotti
In this Italian dinner recipe, tubes of pasta are stuffed with a four cheese mixture and topped with hearty meat sauce. The perfect finishing touch? Even more cheese baked on top!
Get the Manicotti recipe.
Cowboy Casserole
Saddle up for this hearty, comforting casserole. This one-pan meal is loaded with ground sirloin, crispy bacon, spinach, and corn, and topped with golden tater tots. What could be better?
Get the Cowboy Casserole recipe.
Classic Cheeseburgers
Skip the drive-thru! When the craving hits for a cheeseburger, you can make your own by combining ground beef with ground sirloin and a dash of Worcestershire sauce. Don't forget your favorite toppings!
Get the Classic Cheeseburger recipe.
Stuffed Cabbage
Bring something fresh and flavorful to the dinner table with this stuffed cabbage. This recipe makes up to eight servings and uses simple ingredients.
Get the Stuffed Cabbage recipe.
Italian Meatball Soup
This soup is chock full of tender, bite-sized meatballs and vegetables. Serve it with hunks of Italian bread and all the parmesan your heart desires!
Get Ree's Italian Meatball Soup recipe.
Cheeseburger Casserole
Have a family full of cheeseburger lovers? Then you must make this pasta bake for dinner! Every nook and cranny is covered in melty cheese sauce, plus there's seasoned ground beef too.
Get the Cheeseburger Casserole recipe.
Taco Soup
Rushed for time on busy weeknights? This soup may just be your saving grace. It's ready in only 30 minutes! Serve with all your favorite taco toppings.
Get the Taco Soup recipe.
Beef Enchiladas
These enchiladas are beefy, cheesy, and oh-so easy! Store-bought enchilada sauce helps get them on the dinner table quickly.
Get the Beef Enchiladas recipe.
Homemade Hamburger Helper
If you grew up loving Hamburger Helper, you'll adore this homespun version filled with ground beef, macaroni, and plenty of melty cheese.
Get the Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe.
Stuffed Bell Peppers
Oh stuffed peppers, how we love thee! These beauties are so versatile, but we think they're best with ground beef and lots of cheese.
Get the Stuffed Bell Peppers recipe.
Hamburger Soup
This chunky, hearty soup is just what you need for a quick meal. It's loaded with ground beef and lots of veggies for a soul-nourishing supper.
Get Ree's Hamburger Soup recipe.
Patty Melts
These patty melts are great for feeding a hungry crew: They're quick to make and will leave everyone feeling satisfied. Don't forget the potato chips for serving!
Get Ree's Patty Melts recipe.
Make Meatball Casserole For Dinner This Week
Sheet Pan Glazed Meatloaf Is A Cozy Dinner
Cowboy Spaghetti Is A Hearty Weeknight Dinner
Ree's Swiss Steak Is The Perfect Weeknight Meal
