22 Easy Ground Beef Recipes for Dinner That’ll Save Your Weeknight

Let’s be real—ground beef is the hero of the weeknight dinner game. It’s budget-friendly, super versatile, and cooks quickly (we love that).

Whether I’m feeling like something cozy and cheesy or light and flavorful, ground beef always delivers. So if you’ve got a pack of ground beef in your fridge and you’re wondering what to do with it, I’ve got you covered with some seriously good recipes.

These dinner ideas are perfect for busy nights, picky eaters, and anyone who wants something comforting without spending hours in the kitchen.

Top Ways To Prepare Your Ground Beef

There are so many ways to turn ground beef into something amazing, but here are a few go-to techniques I always come back to:

• Sautéed: Just a simple skillet on medium heat with olive oil, salt, pepper, and maybe some onion and garlic. Done in under 10 minutes.
• Baked: Think casseroles, stuffed shells, or meatloaf. You’ll cook the beef partially on the stove, then let it finish in the oven.
• Instant Pot/Slow Cooker: Perfect for chili or burrito bowls—just dump everything in and let the flavors build.
• Sheet Pan Style: Great for meatballs or taco fillings—roast it all together for an easy clean-up situation.
• Wrapped or Stuffed: Tacos, taquitos, or shells—ground beef shines when it’s tucked inside something carby and delicious.

Why You Will Love These Recipes

• Quick to make – Most of these are 30–45 minutes from start to finish.
• Crowd-pleasers – Whether you’re feeding kids, friends, or just yourself, these are hits across the board.
• Pantry-friendly – Many use simple ingredients you probably already have.
• Versatile – Serve with rice, pasta, salad, or on their own—there’s something for every mood.

Ground Beef Recipes For Dinner

Sheet Pan Meatballs with Tomato Salad and Green Sauce

Juicy meatballs roast to golden perfection on a sheet pan while a zesty green sauce and fresh tomato salad round out the dish.

Prep Time: 15 Minutes | Cooking Time: 30 Minutes | Main Ingredients: Ground Beef, Panko, Garlic, Parsley, Cherry Tomatoes, Basil, Greek Yogurt

See Recipe Here

Crispy Baked Beef Taquitos

Crispy on the outside and cheesy on the inside, these baked taquitos are perfect for taco night or a fun dinner idea.

Prep Time: 10 Minutes | Cooking Time: 25 Minutes | Main Ingredients: Ground Beef, Onion, Taco Seasoning, Cheese, Tortillas

See Recipe Here

Lebanese Hummus with Ground Beef

Spiced beef over creamy hummus makes for a simple yet flavorful Middle Eastern-inspired dinner or appetizer.

Prep Time: 10 Minutes | Cooking Time: 10 Minutes | Main Ingredients: Ground Beef, Hummus, Pine Nuts, Allspice, Cinnamon

See Recipe Here

Instant Pot Ground Beef Burrito Bowls

All the flavors of a burrito in a quick, one-pot meal—layered with rice, beans, cheese, and salsa.

Prep Time: 10 Minutes | Cooking Time: 20 Minutes | Main Ingredients: Ground Beef, Long Grain Rice, Black Beans, Salsa, Taco Seasoning

See Recipe Here

Ground Beef Fajitas

A bold and colorful fajita skillet that’s ready in no time, featuring tender ground beef, peppers, and onions.

Prep Time: 10 Minutes | Cooking Time: 20 Minutes | Main Ingredients: Ground Beef, Bell Peppers, Onion, Fajita Seasoning

See Recipe Here

Cottage Pie

A comforting classic with seasoned beef and veggies tucked under a fluffy mashed potato topping—basically the coziest thing ever.

Prep Time: 15 Minutes | Cooking Time: 45 Minutes | Main Ingredients: Ground Beef, Carrots, Peas, Beef Broth, Mashed Potatoes

See Recipe Here

Spinach and Ground Beef Stuffed Shells

Hearty pasta shells stuffed with seasoned beef and spinach, all baked in marinara and gooey cheese—comfort food at its best.

Prep Time: 20 Minutes | Cooking Time: 30 Minutes | Main Ingredients: Jumbo Pasta Shells, Ground Beef, Spinach, Ricotta, Marinara Sauce

See Recipe Here

Ground Beef Casserole

This no-fuss casserole is the ultimate cozy dinner with layers of beef, pasta, cheese, and a creamy tomato sauce.

Prep Time: 10 Minutes | Cooking Time: 30 Minutes | Main Ingredients: Ground Beef, Pasta, Tomato Sauce, Sour Cream, Mozzarella Cheese

See Recipe Here

Instant Pot Ground Beef and Cocoa Chili

This isn’t your average chili—it’s rich, smoky, and slightly sweet thanks to cocoa powder and slow-cooked flavors.

Prep Time: 15 Minutes | Cooking Time: 50 Minutes | Main Ingredients: Ground Beef, Black Beans, Tomatoes, Chili Powder, Cocoa Powder

See Recipe Here

Korean Ground Beef Bowls

Sweet, savory, and a little spicy, this quick skillet beef served over rice is packed with flavor and ready in minutes.

Prep Time: 10 Minutes | Cooking Time: 15 Minutes | Main Ingredients: Ground Beef, Soy Sauce, Brown Sugar, Garlic, Green Onions

See Recipe Here

Thai Basil Beef (Pad Gra Prow)

This spicy, garlicky Thai basil beef stir-fry is fast, fiery, and full of flavor—perfect for serving over jasmine rice.

Prep Time: 10 Minutes | Cooking Time: 10 Minutes | Main Ingredients: Ground Beef, Thai Basil, Garlic, Fish Sauce, Soy Sauce
Recipe here →

Easy Ground Beef Tacos

Juicy, seasoned ground beef tucked into warm tortillas and topped with your favorite fixings—this taco recipe is a weeknight favorite.

Prep Time: 10 Minutes | Cooking Time: 10 Minutes | Main Ingredients: Ground Beef, Chili Powder, Cumin, Garlic, Tortillas
Recipe here →

Creamy Beef and Shells

Rich, cheesy, and ultra-comforting, this creamy beef and shells recipe is like hamburger helper but way better.

Prep Time: 5 Minutes | Cooking Time: 25 Minutes | Main Ingredients: Ground Beef, Pasta Shells, Heavy Cream, Cheddar, Tomato Paste
Recipe here →

Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

A lighter take on takeout—this stir-fry features lean ground beef with tender broccoli in a savory, ginger-soy sauce.

Prep Time: 10 Minutes | Cooking Time: 15 Minutes | Main Ingredients: Ground Beef, Broccoli, Soy Sauce, Garlic, Ginger
Recipe here →

Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet

Hearty and filling, this one-pan meal combines crispy potatoes and spiced ground beef for a satisfying dinner.

Prep Time: 10 Minutes | Cooking Time: 30 Minutes | Main Ingredients: Ground Beef, Russet Potatoes, Onions, Garlic, Paprika
Recipe here →

Ground Beef Stroganoff

Creamy, savory, and full of cozy vibes, this beef stroganoff uses ground beef and mushrooms for a quick comfort food fix.

Prep Time: 10 Minutes | Cooking Time: 25 Minutes | Main Ingredients: Ground Beef, Mushrooms, Egg Noodles, Sour Cream, Dijon Mustard
Recipe here →

Hamburger Soup (Spend With Pennies)

Loaded with ground beef, veggies, and savory broth, this hamburger soup is hearty, healthy-ish, and perfect for chilly nights.

Prep Time: 15 Minutes | Cooking Time: 30 Minutes | Main Ingredients: Ground Beef, Carrots, Potatoes, Tomatoes, Celery
Recipe here →

Korean Ground Beef Bowl (Well Plated)

A fast, flavorful bowl of sweet and savory beef, served over rice and topped with scallions and sesame seeds.

Prep Time: 5 Minutes | Cooking Time: 15 Minutes | Main Ingredients: Ground Beef, Soy Sauce, Brown Sugar, Ginger, Garlic
Recipe here →

Tuscan-Style Beef and Lentil Soup

This cozy one-pot soup is packed with protein-rich lentils, vegetables, and ground beef in a herby tomato broth.

Prep Time: 10 Minutes | Cooking Time: 40 Minutes | Main Ingredients: Ground Beef, Brown Lentils, Carrots, Tomatoes, Kale
Recipe here →

Caramelized Ground Beef with Rice

Sticky, slightly sweet, and deeply savory—this beef and rice combo is craveable comfort food at its best.

Prep Time: 5 Minutes | Cooking Time: 25 Minutes | Main Ingredients: Ground Beef, Soy Sauce, Brown Sugar, Garlic, Cooked Rice
Recipe here →

Hamburger Soup (The Pioneer Woman)

A nostalgic classic made with ground beef, diced veggies, and a flavorful tomato broth—perfect for batch cooking.

Prep Time: 10 Minutes | Cooking Time: 40 Minutes | Main Ingredients: Ground Beef, Potatoes, Carrots, Tomatoes, Onion
Recipe here →

Lasagna Soup (Southern Living)

All the cheesy, saucy flavor of lasagna but in cozy soup form—this one’s perfect with crusty bread on the side.

Prep Time: 10 Minutes | Cooking Time: 35 Minutes | Main Ingredients: Ground Beef, Lasagna Noodles, Ricotta, Mozzarella, Tomatoes
Recipe here →

Whether you’re craving something cheesy, spicy, or just really satisfying, these ground beef dinners are weeknight winners. Let me know which one you try first—I’ll be over here making those stuffed shells again (because wow).