25 Dinner Ideas with Ground Beef to Spice Up Your Weeknight Meals

Ground beef is a versatile ingredient that can be the star of various delicious dinners. You can whip up anything from comforting casseroles and hearty soups to sizzling skillets and robust pasta dishes.

These meals are not only satisfying but also quick to prepare, making them ideal for busy weeknights.

With recipes ready in 30 minutes or less, you can effortlessly turn ground beef into a savory meal that will please the whole family.

Ground Beef Bolognese

Begin by sautéing chopped celery and carrots. Add ground beef, breaking it apart as it cooks until it’s no longer pink. Incorporate tomato sauce and simmer, stirring occasionally. Season with salt, pepper, and herbs for flavor. Serve over pasta for a classic meal.

Spaghetti Sauce

For a quick dinner: Brown ground beef with onions and garlic. Drain grease. Add tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and simmer. Serve over cooked spaghetti.

Porcupine Meatballs

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix ground beef, rice, onion, and seasonings. Form into meatballs. In a separate bowl, combine tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and a touch of sugar for your sauce. Arrange meatballs in a dish, cover with sauce, and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Classic Lasagna Recipe

Cook lasagna noodles al dente. Brown ground beef with garlic and oregano. Layer in a baking dish: noodles, ricotta, meat sauce, mozzarella. Repeat. Bake at 350°F until bubbly.

Salisbury Steak

To make Salisbury steak, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, and seasonings to form patties. Pan-sear and serve with mushroom gravy. It’s a quick, hearty meal. Here is a basic ingredient list:

• Ground beef: Main component for patties.
• Bread crumbs and egg: Binders for the patties.
• Seasonings: Include garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
• Gravy: Made with flour, broth, Worcestershire sauce, and mushrooms.

Cook patties thoroughly and enjoy a rich, savory dish.

Crispy Ground Beef Tacos

To make crispy ground beef tacos, heat oil in a pan to 325°F. Cook tortillas until golden, then fill with seasoned, browned beef and your choice of toppings like cheese and salsa. Quick, easy, and flavorful.

Beef Empanadas

Empanadas, with their savory filling wrapped in a flaky pastry, are a satisfying dinner option. For the filling, cook ground beef until browned and mix with spices to your taste. Roll out dough thinly, add your beef mixture, then bake until golden. A balanced meal, encased in pastry.

Gyro Meat

Mix ground beef with onion, garlic, oregano, and other spices. Shape into patties or a loaf. Cook until thoroughly browned. Pair with tzatziki and garnishes in a pita.

Beef Kofta Kebabs With Tzatziki

Ingredients:

• Ground beef
• Onion
• Garlic
• Fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, oregano)
• Spices (paprika, salt, pepper)
• Breadcrumbs
• Eggs (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F if baking.
2. Mix beef with finely chopped onions, garlic, herbs, spices, and breadcrumbs.
3. Shape into oval koftas; skewer if preferred.
4. Grill or bake until browned and cooked through, around 10-18 minutes.
5. Serve with tzatziki sauce and pita bread.

Enjoy your flavor-packed meal!

Shepherd’s Pie

Cook ground beef with onions until browned. Stir in flour, salt, and pepper. Add broth, carrots, and herbs. Layer in a dish with mashed potatoes. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes until golden. Enjoy your hearty meal.

Picadillo

Begin by sautéing onions and ground beef until brown. Drain excess grease. Mix in diced potatoes, season with cumin, oregano, and salt to taste. Add tomato sauce and beef broth, simmer until potatoes are tender. Serve your flavorful Picadillo with rice or tortillas.

Chimichurri Meatballs

For a savory twist on a classic, mix ground beef with breadcrumbs and egg. Shape into balls and bake. Drizzle with a vibrant chimichurri sauce made from parsley, oregano, garlic, vinegar, and oil for a zesty finish. Enjoy a flavorful dinner with minimal effort.

Enchilada Casserole

For a simple dinner, layer tortillas with your seasoned ground beef, cheese, and enchilada sauce in a baking dish. Bake until the cheese is bubbly and the flavors have melded. This enchilada casserole provides a hearty meal that’s both filling and flavorful.

Cabbage Rolls

Prepare cabbage leaves by boiling them until soft. Mix ground beef, rice, onion, and seasonings for the filling. Wrap the mixture in the leaves, place in a baking dish, and cover with sauce. Bake until cooked through. Enjoy a comforting, savory meal.

Mini Meatloaf

For a quick and savory dinner, try mini meatloaves. Mix ground beef with breadcrumbs, egg, ketchup, barbecue sauce, mustard, and your choice of seasonings. Bake individual portions in a muffin tin for even cooking. Serve with a simple side for a complete meal.

Italian Wedding Soup

For a hearty meal, simmer Italian Wedding Soup using ground beef. Roll beef into small meatballs combined with bread crumbs, Parmesan, and herbs. Sauté onions, carrots, celery, and garlic, then add broth. Boil, drop in meatballs, and finish with escarole and orzo. Serve hot.

Avocado Burger With Bacon

To create Avocado Bacon Burgers, season ground beef with salt, pepper, garlic, and a touch of Worcestershire sauce. Shape into patties and grill to your preferred doneness. Serve on toasted buns with sliced avocado, crisp bacon, and your choice of condiments. Enjoy immediately.

Swedish Meatballs

Create classic Swedish Meatballs using ground beef mixed with panko crumbs and milk. Brown them in a pan and simmer in a rich gravy made from beef broth, heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard. Serve over buttered noodles for a hearty meal.

Simple Taco Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 can diced tomatoes with chilies
• 1 can corn, drained
• 1 can black beans, drained
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• Optional toppings: cheese, sour cream, tortilla strips

Instructions:

1. In a pot, cook beef and onion until meat is browned.
2. Stir in tomatoes, corn, beans, broth, and taco seasoning.
3. Simmer until flavors blend, about 10 minutes.

Cheeseburger Soup

Brown ground beef; remove excess fat. Sauté onions, carrots, celery in butter until tender. Add beef back to pot with potatoes and broth; boil until potatoes are soft. Stir in milk and flour mixture; simmer until thick. Blend in cheese until melted; season to taste.

Favorite Baked Spaghetti

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Cook spaghetti until al dente, then drain. In a skillet, brown ground beef and onion; drain excess fat. Stir pasta sauce into beef, mix with spaghetti, and pour into a baking dish. Bake until bubbly.

Best Lasagna

For a hearty dinner, prep lasagna with ground beef, three cheeses—ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan—and your favorite marinara. Cook noodles al dente; layer with cheese mixture and meat sauce. Bake at 375℉ until bubbly.

Cowboy Spaghetti

For a hearty dinner, Cowboy Spaghetti combines ground beef, bacon, and onions. Brown the ingredients, then add garlic for flavor. Incorporate chili powder and tomato sauce for a robust taste. Toss with cooked spaghetti and garnish with cheese.

Italian Pasta Bake

Cook pasta slightly al dente and drain. In a skillet, brown ground beef with onions; add herbs and garlic. Stir in tomato sauce and simmer. Mix with pasta, layer in a dish with provolone and mozzarella, and bake at 350°F until bubbly.