30 Best Ground Beef Recipes for Hearty and Satisfying Meals
Explore the versatility of ground beef with these delicious recipes! Perfect for any meal, these ground beef dishes are both hearty and satisfying, bringing warmth and comfort to your table.
Ground beef is a staple in many cuisines, known for its versatility, rich flavor, and ability to blend well with various ingredients. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a comforting meal for the weekend, these ground beef recipes are sure to please.
I’ve gathered a range of ground beef recipes that are both easy to make and full of flavor. From classic favorites to innovative new ideas, there’s something for everyone in this collection.
These ground beef meal ideas include:
- Hearty ground beef casseroles and bakes
- Flavorful meatballs and meatloaf
- Savory ground beef stews and chilis
- Easy and delicious tacos, burritos, and enchiladas
- Comforting ground beef pasta and lasagna dishes
- Quick and tasty ground beef stir-fries
- Juicy burgers and sliders
- Creative and nutritious ground beef salads
Each recipe is designed to make the most of ground beef, turning this humble ingredient into a star dish. Whether you’re cooking for one, a family, or a crowd, these recipes are adaptable and sure to become favorites.
30 Best Ground Beef Recipes for Hearty and Satisfying Meals
1
Unstuffed Peppers
If you like stuffed peppers, you’ll love this speedy version. It offers all the comforting flavor of the original, but takes just half an hour. Instead of cooking the instant rice, you can use 2 cups leftover cooked rice if you have it on hand. —Beth Dewyer, Du Bois, Pennsylvania
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2
Simple Taco Soup
We first sampled this chili-like taco soup recipe at a church dinner. What a warming dish for a cold day. And because it uses packaged seasonings with several cans of vegetables, it’s a snap to prepare. —Glenda Taylor, Sand Springs, Oklahoma
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3
Meat-and-Potato Casserole
This cozy meat and potato casserole comes together nicely with any cream soup you have on hand—especially cream of mushroom.
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4
Spanish Noodles & Ground Beef
Bacon adds crunch to this comforting stovetop supper my mom used to make when I was a kid. Now I prepare it for my own family. —Kelli Jones, Perris, California
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5
Smothered Burritos
My brother-in-law teased that I only knew five ground beef recipes. I proved him wrong with my inventive spicy burritos. —Kim Kenyon, Greenwood, Missouri
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6
Mexi-Mac Skillet
This is the yummiest, quickest recipe I have. There’s no need to precook the macaroni. Everything comes together in one smart skillet. —Maurane Ramsey, Fort Wayne, Indiana
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7
Skillet Beef Tamales
I found something similar to this years ago and have recently added my own spin. Here’s the outcome: an easy, cheesy meal your family can’t get enough of. We don’t have to tell them it’s healthy. —Deborah Williams, Peoria, Arizona
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8
Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta
I try to make foods that are not only kid friendly, but are also easy to reheat since my husband works long hours and often eats later than our children. If you like, use reduced-fat cheese and ground turkey for a lighter version. —Melissa Stevens, Elk River, Minnesota
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9
Favorite Hamburger Stew
I got this hamburger stew recipe from a woman at our church, Lois Henry, when I needed a way to use up our bounty of home-canned tomatoes. My husband loves it, and I like that it’s easy to warm up for a carefree dinner in the winter months. —Marcia Clay, Truman, Minnesota
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10
One-Skillet Lasagna
This is hands-down one of the best skillet lasagna recipes our testing panel has ever tasted. And with classic flavors and cheesy layers, it’s definitely kid-friendly. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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11
Cornbread Taco Bake
Cornbread and beef bake together in one casserole dish, making this entree convenient. This Mexican cornbread casserole is packed with tempting seasonings, and the cheese and onions make an attractive topping. —Vicki Good, Oscoda, Michigan
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12
Cheeseburger Cups
A terrific recipe for moms with young kids and busy lives, this simple, inexpensive dish is made with handy ingredients and takes just a short time. Best of all, kids will go absolutely crazy for these darling dinner bites! —Jeri Millhouse, Ashland, Ohio
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13
Easy Ziti Bake
I enjoy making this baked ziti recipe for family and friends. It’s easy to prepare, and I like to get creative with the sauce. Sometimes I might add my home-canned tomatoes, mushrooms or vegetables. —Elaine Anderson New Galilee, Pennsylvania
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14
Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole
This cheeseburger-inspired french fry casserole is a hearty, yet easy-to-make meal. Serve it with a side salad to fit in some greens!
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15
Easy Beef Stroganoff
I wanted to lighten my mother-in-law’s wonderful recipe and came up with this tasty beef Stroganoff. In our home, we call it special noodles. —Jennifer Riordan, St. Louis, Missouri
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16
Dinner in a Bag
I get a head start on this family-pleasing dinner by assembling ready-to-grab pantry kits. I measure dry macaroni and the spice mixture into separate containers, storing them in a paper bag with canned tomatoes. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
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17
Stuffed Peppers for Four
Truly a meal in one, this quick supper has it all: Veggies, meat, pasta and sauce, packed into tender peppers. It’ll look so pretty on your table. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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18
Pizza Noodle Bake
Here’s a family-pleasing casserole that comes together in a snap, making it perfect for a weeknight meal. Double the recipe and freeze one for later! —Bernice Knutson, Soldier, Iowa
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19
Sloppy Joe Pizza
If your kids like sloppy joes, they’ll love this pizza. I came up with the six-ingredient recipe that’s easy to assemble. —Brenda Rohlman, Kingman, Kansas
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20
Broccoli Beef Braids
Each slice of this fast-to-fix golden bread is like a hot sandwich packed with beef, broccoli and mozzarella. —Penny Lapp, North Royalton, Ohio
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21
Italian Beef and Shells
A veggie and pasta combo makes a hearty entree that comes together easily. Wine lends an extra touch of flavor to the sauce and makes this main dish a winner. —Mike Tchou, Pepper Pike, Ohio
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22
Beef Enchiladas Verdes
Top these highly rated beef enchiladas verdes any way you like for a satisfying Mexican-inspired meal to remember.
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23
Vegetable Beef Casserole
This easy one-dish recipe has been a family favorite ever since my husband’s aunt handed it down to me decades ago. Try using whatever vegetables you have on hand. A simple salad goes nicely with this entree. —Evangeline Rew, Manassas, Virginia
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24
Cheeseburger Pizza
This cheeseburger pizza rivals your favorite fast-food stack with its topping of ground beef, cheese, lettuce, pickles, onion and condiments.
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25
Hearty Vegetable Beef Ragu
This recipe is healthy yet satisfying, quick yet delicious. It’s on the table in less than 30 minutes, and it’s something that my children will gobble up! If you are not fond of kale, stir in baby spinach or chopped broccoli instead. —Kim Van Dunk, Caldwell, New Jersey
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26
Southwestern Goulash
I had some extra cilantro in the fridge and didn’t want to throw it away. Instead, I came up with this delightful and filling family recipe. Everyone just loved it! —Vikki Rebholz, West Chester, Ohio
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27
Beef Stroganoff Sandwiches
For an American take on classic Russian comfort food, we turn beef Stroganoff into a sandwich. It comes together fast, and our family devours it. —Alison Garcia, Beatrice, Nebraska
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28
BBQ Meat Loaf Minis
Kids can have fun helping to prepare these mini meat loaves in muffin cups. For extra spice, we sometimes add 2 teaspoons chili powder and 1 cup of salsa. —Linda Call, Falun, Kansas
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29
Taco Cornbread Casserole
A whole can of chiles adds fire to this casserole. For less heat, you can use just enough of the can for your taste. —Lisa A. Paul, Terre Haute, Indiana
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30
Beef & Pepper Skillet
I love Mexican-inspired food. I also enjoy experimenting with recipes like this one and making them healthier—and downright good! —Jenny Dubinsky, Inwood, West Virginia
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Jenny has always been passionate about cooking, and she uses her platform to share her joy of food with others. Her recipes are easy to follow, and she loves giving tips and tricks to help others create their own unique culinary creations.
