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Home » Recipes » Recipe Roundup

50 Cheap Ground Beef Recipes That Your Family Will Love

by Brittany Kline September 7, 2022
written by Brittany Kline September 7, 2022
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Let’s face it. Dinner isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

By that, I mean that everyone eats dinner (most of the time), and if you’ve got kids, well, congratulations — your dinner demands are higher than most!

Ground beef recipes are probably the hero of the dinner recipes world — simply brown the beef, change up the seasonings as desired, and you’re on your way! I mean, think of how many ways you can use ground beef that’s seasoned for tacos!

Whether you’re looking for a meal you can throw together in minutes, homemade hamburger recipes, or even a classic (or not-so-classic) meatloaf recipe, we’ve got you covered!

Table of Contents

  • 50 Ground Beef Recipes To Take Dinner To The Next Level
    • 1. Hamburger Casserole
    • 2. Creamy Beef and Shells
    • 3. Ground Beef & Broccoli
    • 4. Easy Korean Ground Beef
    • 5. Sloppy Joe Recipe
    • 6. Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas
    • 7. Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet
    • 8. One-Pot Ground Beef Stroganoff
    • 9. Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Skillet
    • 10. Beef Noodle Casserole
    • 11. Chili Mac
    • 12. Ground Beef Casserole With Biscuits
    • 13. Ground Beef Enchiladas
    • 14. Ground Beef Fried Rice
    • 15. Taco Casserole with Ground Beef
    • 16. Instant Pot Hamburger Soup
    • 17. 10-Minute Beef Teriyaki Skillet
    • 18. Ground Beef Carbonara
    • 19. One Pan Cheesy Beef Breakfast Scramble
    • 20. Beef Breakfast Burritos
    • 21. Classic Stuffed Peppers
    • 22. Keto Ground Beef Casserole
    • 23. Best Classic Meatloaf
    • 24. Mushroom Salisbury Steak
    • 25. Taco Burgers
    • 26. Greek Baked Ziti
    • 27. Bolognese Sauce
    • 28. Classic Shepherd’s (Cottage) Pie
    • 29. BBQ Ground Beef Nachos
    • 30. Beef Chili
    • 31. Patty Melt Sandwich
    • 32. Classic Meatballs Recipe
    • 33. Easy, Classic Lasagna with Meat Sauce
    • 34. Taco Pizza
    • 35. Four-Cheese Meatballs
    • 36. Cheeseburger Pizza
    • 37. Giant Slow Cooker Meatballs
    • 38. Classic Cabbage Rolls
    • 39. Buffalo Sloppy Joe Tater Tots
    • 40. Taco Stuffed Avocados
    • 41. Cheeseburger Soup
    • 42. Doritos Taco Salad
    • 43. Sloppy Joe French Bread Pizza
    • 44. Beef Lettuce Wraps
    • 45. Buffalo Cheeseburger Macaroni
    • 46. Crock Pot Ground Beef Queso Dip
    • 47. 20-Minute Thai Beef & Rice Bowls
    • 48. Cheesy Taco Stuffed Zucchini Boats
    • 49. Deconstructed Stuffed Bell Pepper Bowl
    • 50. Crispy Southwest Wrap

50 Ground Beef Recipes To Take Dinner To The Next Level

1. Hamburger Casserole

hamburger casserole ground beef recipe

Found on Spaceships & Laser Beams

A homemade and flavor-filled twist on those “hamburger helper” boxes you can grab at the grocery store, but a whole lot better for you! I would be a total piece of cake to tweak this to have as many different flavors as you could want, like adding taco seasoning or sliced jalapenos!

2. Creamy Beef and Shells

creamy beef and shells ground beef recipe

Found on Damn Delicious

Is there anything better for a quick weeknight meal than something that’s easy to make AND super satisfying? This recipe is comfort food at it’s finest, yet ready in a flash.

3. Ground Beef & Broccoli

ground beef and broccoli

Found on Five Heart Home

A nice twist of one of our favorite easy crockpot recipes but made in minutes with browned ground beef instead! If you forgot to get the crockpot set up before you left for work, this is an excellent “plan B” recipe!

4. Easy Korean Ground Beef

korean ground beef recipe

Found on I Wash You Dry

What a fun twist on a stir-fry sort of recipe! I gotta be honest, I need to figure out how to turn this recipe into a meatloaf with some sort of soy sauce “gravy” — talk about yum!!!!

5. Sloppy Joe Recipe

homemade sloppy joes ground beef recipe

Found on The Chunky Chef

I swear, after trying this easy ground beef recipe, you’re never going to buy a can of Manwich ever again. Even with the exact same ingredients, the homemade version of something ALWAYS tastes so much better!

6. Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas

cheesy ground beef quesadillas recipe

Found on The Mom 100

Excuse me, I’m drooling.

I might never order a quesadilla at a restaurant again after finding this amazing ground beef recipe!

7. Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet

mexican beef and rice skillet ground beef recipe

Found on Creme de la Crumb

Try this super easy and quick ground beef recipe for your next “Mexican Monday” because it is seriously something else! Take the leftovers and wrap them in a soft tortilla for an easy taco lunch for the next day!

#mealprep at it’s finest!

8. One-Pot Ground Beef Stroganoff

ground beef stroganoff recipe

Found on Taste & Tell

I don’t know that I’ve ever met someone that doesn’t like beef stroganoff, so finding an easier, faster, and cheaper version of that classic beef crockpot meal is a TOTAL win in my book!

I think my FAVORITE part of this recipe is the super minimal cleanup. 😉

9. Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

cheesy ground beef pasta skillet recipe

Found on The Midnight Baker

There is something about a creamy, cheesy dish that satisfies pretty much everyone. This skillet ground beef recipe with savory, melty cheese all over it is no exception!

10. Beef Noodle Casserole

beef noodle casserole ground beef recipe

Found on Dinner At The Zoo

A little bit cheesy masterpiece, a little bit “deconstructed spaghetti and meatballs,” and a lotta bit delicious!

In a house where spaghetti and meatballs is high on everyone’s list of favorites, this is a GREAT beef recipe for mixing things up but still getting that tried-and-true flavor!

11. Chili Mac

chili mac ground beef recipe

Found on Spend With Pennies

We are definite chili lovers over here, and serving it over pasta or even mac-and-cheese is a great, easy go-to meal idea.

Why have we never thought of combining it all together into one simple skillet meal before? #dinnertimegamechanger

12. Ground Beef Casserole With Biscuits

ground beef casserole with biscuits

Found on Tablespoon

A cheesy, tomato-y, delicious, easy ground beef recipe that hits all the flavor spots! Consider this a twist on making sloppy joes, for a different but equally satisfying flavor that even the kids will devour!

13. Ground Beef Enchiladas

ground beef enchiladas easy ground beef recipe

Found on No. 2 Pencil

Would a collection of ground beef recipes be complete without an enchilada recipe? I think not.

Here’s a delicious, classic recipe with homemade enchilada sauce that is to die for!

14. Ground Beef Fried Rice

beef fried rice easy ground beef recipe

Found on The Salty Marshmallow

Asian food, check.

Easy to make, check.

Totally making this ground beef recipe tonight?! CHECK!

15. Taco Casserole with Ground Beef

taco casserole ground beef recipe

Found on Inquiring Chef

I love the versatility of this recipe! It’s basically a taco lasagna, with tortilla layers in there, but I see no reason why you couldn’t wrap some up in another tortilla for a handheld dinner on the run!

You could easily take out the tortillas and go easy on the cheese to make this a keto-diet-friendly recipe!

16. Instant Pot Hamburger Soup

instant pot hamburger soup ground beef recipe

Found on Salt & Lavender

Ready in about 45 minutes, this is a recipe that proves yet again how amazing instant pot recipes can be for getting dinner on the table in a busy family!

17. 10-Minute Beef Teriyaki Skillet

10 minute teriyaki ground beef skillet recipe

Found on The Seasoned Mom

Wait a sec…did she say 10 MINUTES??? I don’t think any working mom has ever heard sweeter words when it comes to making dinner! This recipe is definitely going on the shortlist for me!

18. Ground Beef Carbonara

ground beef carbonara recipe

Found on Tornadough Alli

I’m a sucker for anything alfredo, creamy, and not exactly “healthy diet” friendly. Whoops.

But THIS recipe is incredibly easy to make, supremely delicious, and (best of all) ready in less than half an hour!

19. One Pan Cheesy Beef Breakfast Scramble

ground beef recipe cheesy breakfast scramble

Found on The Cookie Rookie

I wouldn’t normally think of using ground beef in a breakfast recipe but I mean, why not? It’s a similar if not cheaper cost than sausage, adds protein and great flavor, and cooks up in a few minutes.

20. Beef Breakfast Burritos

ground beef recipe breakfast burritos

Found on Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner

Everything about this looks SO delicious. These would be a great make-ahead freezer meal recipe for grab-heat-and-go breakfasts!

21. Classic Stuffed Peppers

ground beef recipe classic stuffed peppers

Found on Cooking Classy

A ground beef recipes list wouldn’t be complete without a good, classic stuffed peppers recipe! Is there anything better than colorful, flavorful, delicious, AND easy meals to feed your family with?

Try making these as a crockpot recipe instead of in the oven for a truly easy, almost hands-off cooking experience!

22. Keto Ground Beef Casserole

keto ground beef casserole recipe

Found on Kasey Trenum

This looks totally delicious, I gotta be honest! Smothered in cheese, even picky kids will likely enjoy their green bean this way! If you’re not in search of keto recipes, it would be super easy to serve this over rice or pasta for a heartier meal!

23. Best Classic Meatloaf

ground beef recipe best classic meatloaf

Found on The Wholesome Dish

Who doesn’t love some classic meatloaf served with mashed potatoes? If there was ever a dish that screams “grandma’s go-to recipe,” meatloaf might be it.

Pro tip:  make your meatloaf without the pan for a more rounded shape, then slice and use as “hamburger” substitutes for those cold winter months when the grill is hibernating!

24. Mushroom Salisbury Steak

salisbury steak ground beef recipe

 

Found on Spend With Pennies

A classic twist on what at its very base build is a hamburger, in a way! Usually served with mashed potatoes, this would make another fun twist on a winter hamburger recipe if you’re feeling creative!

25. Taco Burgers

taco burgers ground beef recipe

Found on Taste Of Home

Who says tacos need to be wrapped in a tortilla, or in salad form? Take your next backyard barbeque to a new level!

26. Greek Baked Ziti

greek baked ziti ground beef recipe

Found on Cinnamon Spice & Everything Nice

It’s basically your regular old baked ziti recipe, but jazzed up with a few extra spices and seasonings. It’s just as easy to make but so much more flavorful than the old version! You might never be able to eat plain pasta plus tomato sauce plus cheese again (sorry, not sorry)!

27. Bolognese Sauce

bolognese sauce ground beef recipe

Found on Olivia’s Cuisine

This is a really great way to get the same sort of comfort food flavor of a classic dish like spaghetti and meatballs, but with HUGE cost savings versus buying those frozen meatballs! It’s a huge time savings versus making meatballs too.

28. Classic Shepherd’s (Cottage) Pie

classic shepherd's pie ground beef recipe

Found onThe Wholesome Dish

Whether you call this cottage pie or shepherd’s pie, either way it’s a favorite winter comfort food in a lot of homes. There is something super cozy about warm, smooth potatoes with the hidden amazing flavor in this ground beef recipe!

29. BBQ Ground Beef Nachos

ground beef nachos recipe

Found on Good Housekeeping

Can you say “perfect tailgating food”? Because yeah, this looks AMAZING! It’s like the perfect blend of BBQ food, smooth flavors, and wow factor, yet so easy to put together!

30. Beef Chili

classic chili ground beef recipe

Found on Spend With Pennies

I don’t think any recipe has ever topped the “fall food must-have” list more than chili. You can’t go to a tailgate party without seeing some. Where we live, almost the minute the leaves start changing colors everyone we know says “time to make some chili!” Give this classic, flavorful staple food a try — your wallet and freezer will thank you!

31. Patty Melt Sandwich

patty melt ground beef recipe

Found on Add A Pinch

Ok, so there is something about “bar food” like their sandwiches and such that is SO hard to recreate at home. But that problem is totally solved with this easy and delicious hamburger recipe!

32. Classic Meatballs Recipe

classic meatballs ground beef recipe

Found on Cooking Classy

Ok, so technically this recipe ALSO calls for ground pork, to make the true, traditional meatball flavor. But there is no reason why you can’t just adjust the amounts and make only ground beef meatballs instead! Stock up your freezer with some of these, for spaghetti night, meatball subs, or just about anything!

33. Easy, Classic Lasagna with Meat Sauce

lasagna with meat sauce ground beef recipe

Found on The Stay At Home Chef

You didn’t think we’d forget such a widely-loved favorite recipe, did you? Layers on layers on layers of flavor, warmth, and happiness. These make for an amazing freezer meal as well!

34. Taco Pizza

taco pizza ground beef recipe

Found on The Girl Who Ate Everything

Whether you decide to put this on your meal plan for Mexican Monday, Taco Tuesday, or Pizza Night (whenever that happens in your house), it’s definitely going to be a big hit! Just make sure you don’t plan on leftovers for the next night — there won’t be any!

35. Four-Cheese Meatballs

four cheese meatballs ground beef recipe

Found on My Food and Family (Kraft)

I’m pretty sure that yes, adding cheese might be the only way to improve on meatballs. This recipe is FOUR cheese, so you know it’s just about the best thing you’re ever going to eat! These would be perfect for making as a ground beef appetizer recipe!

36. Cheeseburger Pizza

cheeseburger pizza ground beef recipe

Found on Spicy Southern Kitchen

I love this recipe because it’s such a great idea to save time! Even on a busy weeknight, you can satisfy your kids’ request for cheeseburgers, since you don’t need to spend the time shaping the patties!

37. Giant Slow Cooker Meatballs

giant slow cooker meatballs ground beef recipe

Found on Budget Bytes

Most scratch meatball recipes have you bake them in your toaster oven. This recipe, on the other hand, let’s you put handmade, home-cooked meatballs on your dinner table even if you’re gone at work all day. It even requires less hands-on time with giant meatballs (so fewer total balls to shape), making this super easy to get prepped the night before or even in the morning!

38. Classic Cabbage Rolls

classic cabbage rolls ground beef recipe

Found on Saving Dessert

This is seriously one of the most budget-friendly recipes on earth. Ground beef itself is a super affordable option, but when you combine it with rice, tomato sauce, and cabbage leaves, it’s like you’re spending pennies on each serving! If you’ve never had these before, trust me, they’re delicious! Mix up the spices to get your own favorite flavor, like turning it into a sort of keto burrito!

39. Buffalo Sloppy Joe Tater Tots

buffalo sloppy joe tater tots ground beef recipe

Found on Curious Nut

Um, say what?! Tater tots seem to make everything better, so this recipe has to be amazing! Leave out the Buffalo spices to keep it a little more kid-friendly and I would bet you’ll have clean plates at the end of dinner!

40. Taco Stuffed Avocados

taco stuffed avocados ground beef recipe

Found on Foodie Crush

I love this sort of “inside out” recipe — instead of adding guacamole to your tacos, you’re basically adding tacos to your guacamole! This is so easy and delicious…it’s every avocado lovers’ dream.

41. Cheeseburger Soup

cheeseburger soup ground beef recipe

Found on The Recipe Critic

If you suffer cold winters as we do, this is an excellent replacement for those times you really want a cheeseburger but don’t want to grill in the snow! Creamy, cheesy, ooey-gooey amazingness in a bowl. What more could you want in a cheeseburger recipe?

42. Doritos Taco Salad

doritos taco salad ground beef recipe

Found on House Of Nash Eats

The thing I love the most about this recipe (besides the unique and drool-worthy flavor) is how readily you can switch this to be a side dish OR an all-in-one meal! Just go lighter on the beef for a unique side salad, or go heavier to add protein to a meal bowl!

43. Sloppy Joe French Bread Pizza

sloppy joe french bread pizza ground beef recipe

Found on Yellow Bliss Road

Sure, sloppy joe’s are great and all…but if I can have a sloppy joe AND pizza at the same time? Just amazing. And a lot less messy, which means less laundry to pre-treat later!

44. Beef Lettuce Wraps

beef lettuce wraps ground beef recipe

Found on Gimme Delicious

Ok, before you go knocking lettuce wraps as some crazy healthy foodie thing…try them. They’re just as crunchy and flavorful as you could ever want a taco or burrito to be, healthier, yes, and JUST as satisfying.

And check this:  since the wrap is basically zero-calorie, you can technically get away with eating more of these than a traditional flour tortilla-wrapped burrito. So there.

45. Buffalo Cheeseburger Macaroni

buffalo cheeseburger macaroni

Found on Whitney Bond

Here is New York, buffalo flavored dishes are always a big hit. This one is no different! If you’ve never taken a mac-and-cheese style dish and added buffalo flavor to it, you’re seriously missing out!

46. Crock Pot Ground Beef Queso Dip

crock pot ground beef queso dip recipe

Found on Brown Eyed Baker

Take your nachos to the next level, or use it as a cheese sauce for pasta. Or eat it straight from the spoon, you’d be doing it right any of those ways with this DELICIOUS ground beef recipe!

47. 20-Minute Thai Beef & Rice Bowls

20-minute beef and rice bowls ground beef recipe

Found on Half Baked Harvest

While ground beef recipes are pretty budget-friendly, a lot of rice-based Asian dishes tend to be even more budget-friendly! With fresh basil and lemongrass, this dish packs some serious flavor. You won’t miss buying lunch to go with a recipe like this!

48. Cheesy Taco Stuffed Zucchini Boats

cheesy taco stuffed zucchini boats

Found on Recipe Runner

Yet another more keto-friendly recipe, replacing traditional taco shells with hollowed-out zucchini! This is an especially affordable recipe if you have a summer veggie garden and can use fresh-picked zucchini.

49. Deconstructed Stuffed Bell Pepper Bowl

stuffed peppers bowl ground beef recipe

Found on Joyful Healthy Eats

I love that this recipe replaces the rice with quinoa, but there’s no reason you couldn’t still use the classic white rice! This is another recipe that’s excellent for meal prep each week and super portable as a great work lunch!

50. Crispy Southwest Wrap

crispy southwest wrap

Found on Tastes Better From Scratch

There is nothing quite so satisfying as flavor-packed, crunchy foods. This is perfect for an on-the-go meal, and with plenty of hidden veggies, you know your kids are eating well!

Whether you’re working through a ground beef stockpile in your freezer, or simply looking to mix things up from the standard “taco Tuesday” recipes, this list is sure to have you covered! No matter your flavor preference or diet needs, these recipes are perfect for every family!

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Brittany Kline

Hi, I'm Brittany Kline! I know exactly what it's like to be on a tight budget and not really enjoy being in the kitchen. Over the last decade, I decided to become an expert in the kitchen and learn how to eat better, save money, waste less, and enjoy being in the kitchen cooking family favorite meals again! My expertise in stretching a grocery budget has helped people all across the country save money on their grocery bills. I have been featured in Forbes, USA Today, Huffington Post, Business Insider, Marie Claire, Readers Digest, Romper, and many more!

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