25 Healthy Ground Beef Recipes for Easy and Delicious Dinners
Comfort food can be good for you, too!
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 need a quick and easy dinner idea, ground beef recipes are always a reliable go-to. Whether it's simply throwing burgers on the grill, whipping up a hearty ground beef casserole, or trying a new soup recipe, there's something for every season. They're affordable, comforting, and can even be made a little healthier with the right tweaks.
With healthy eating goals, ground chicken recipes, ground turkey recipes, and salmon recipes might come to mind first—but this list of healthy ground beef recipes proves dinner can be lean and satisfying all at the same time. Make nostalgic recipes like salisbury steak, stuffed bell peppers, or homemade hamburger helper for a comfort food meal any night of the week, or try something new to you. Here you'll find a recipe for Mexican meatball soup that will become an instant favorite, and if you've never tried swapping out noodles for eggplant in your lasagna, this Italian dinner recipe is a must-make. Of course, when you're in a rush to get dinner on the table, Ree Drummond's veggie-packed hamburger soup is a 30-minute meal that's a hit every time. Choose one of these healthy ground beef recipes and get cooking!
Stuffed Eggplant
This hearty dish turns tender eggplant into the perfect vessel for a spiced ground beef and veggie filling. Try adding spinach or zucchini to pack in even more color and flavor!
Get the Stuffed Eggplant recipe.
Classic Cheeseburger
You can't go wrong with a classic: This burger blends ground beef and sirloin for the ultimate juicy flavor. Lighten it up with a whole wheat bun and load up on fresh toppings like lettuce, tomato, and red onion.
Get the Classic Cheeseburger recipe.
Salad Nachos
Who says nachos can't be part of a healthy menu? This Tex-Mex salad layers lean ground beef, beans, and fresh veggies over crunchy tortilla chips for a complete meal. For an even lighter version, try using baked tortilla chips or plantains as the base.
Get the Salad Nachos recipe.
Manicotti
Stuffed pasta shells, rich tomato sauce, and gooey melted cheese—what's not to love? For an even healthier spin, try using whole wheat manicotti shells or swap half the ricotta with low-fat cottage cheese. And don't forget the spinach!
Get the Manicotti recipe.
Goulash
This one-pot wonder combines ground beef, pasta, and a rich tomato sauce for the ultimate comfort food. For a healthier version, you can swap the macaroni for chickpea or protein pasta. (It's just as cozy and delicious!) Don't forget to top it all off with cheddar cheese.
Get the Goulash recipe.
Stuffed Bell Peppers
Stuffed peppers are an old-school classic that can't be beat. The stuffing for these is made with lean ground beef, rice, zucchini, and tomato. Top 'em with a sprinkle of pepper jack!
Get Ree's Stuffed Bell Peppers recipe.
Italian Meatball Soup
You'll find carrot, celery, potatoes, and cabbage in this soup, but the star is the bite-sized, homemade meatballs. This recipe comes together in just over an hour, making it perfect for weeknight dinners.
Get Ree's Italian Meatball Soup recipe.
Beef Enchiladas
Switch up taco night with these easy, cheesy enchiladas filled with lean ground beef. Try topping them with pico de gallo and diced avocado for extra freshness.
Get the Beef Enchiladas recipe.
Eggplant Lasagna
This lasagna swaps noodles for eggplant for a delicious veggie-packed meal. Protein-packed ground beef in the sauce helps hearty the dish up and keep everyone full and satisfied.
Get the Eggplant Lasagna recipe.
Slow-Cooker Bolognese
Try this Crock-Pot bolognese and you'll never want to make a basic meat sauce again! The best part is, you can enjoy it atop any pasta or pasta substitute you'd like! Try spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles for a lighter spin on pasta night.
Get Ree's Slow-Cooker Bolognese recipe.
Hamburger Soup
Meet your new go-to cold weather soup! While Ree Drummond often uses carrots, bell pepper, and potatoes in hers, you use almost any vegetable on hand.
Get Ree's Hamburger Soup recipe.
Salisbury Steak
Nostalgic salisbury steak is so easy to make at home with simple ground beef. The patty is juicy and flavorful, but the creamy mushroom gravy ladled over the top may just be the best part of it.
Get the Salisbury Steak recipe.
Moussaka
With layers of eggplant, potato, and spiced meat sauce, this Greek-style dish is perfect for a cozy family meal. The creamy béchamel sauce takes it over the top.
Get the Moussaka recipe.
Albóndigas
If you're new to this classic Mexican meatball soup, prepare to fall in love. Albóndigas features a tomato-based broth with zucchini, potatoes, carrots, and the most delicious, flavorful meatballs. Far different than Italian meatballs, these are made with beef, rice, cilantro, and spices.
Get the Albóndigas recipe.
Ginger Meatballs With Sesame Broccoli
Transform ground beef into these Asian-inspired meatballs. Serve them bowl-style over a bed of rice with roasted broccoli and sautéed peppers for a satisfying dinner.
Cheeseburger Salad
Skip the buns and serve you cheeseburgers over a big bed of greens! Each salad bowl can include three mini smash burgers, pickles and special sauce for that classic cheeseburger flavor.
Get the Cheeseburger Salad recipe.
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Yes, those noodles look delicious, but this dish is really all about the meatballs. So go ahead and swap the spaghetti for zucchini noodles instead, or look for other alternative pastas like chickpea pasta that's low in carbs but high in protein.
Get the Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe.
Easy Taco Salad
This recipe takes all the best flavors, textures, and colors of a crunchy beef taco, and gives it a lightened-up twist by turning it into a salad! It's perfect for healthy lunches or warm summer nights.
Get the Easy Taco Salad recipe.
Slow Cooker Chili
A pot of chili will keep you (and your family) full and satisfied any night of the week. This one isn't just packed with ground beef, but it also has kidney beans which are a good source of protein and fiber.
Get the Slow Cooker Chili recipe.
Cheeseburger Pie
This savory pie doesn't have a crust so it's a bit lighter. Instead, the ground beef and cheese filling cook up nice and fluffy for a dish that's almost like a crustless quiche.
Get the Cheeseburger Pie 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
