10+ Ground Beef Recipes to Make Easy, Delicious Meals
Ground beef is a popular and versatile ingredient you can use to make many tasty meals. It cooks quickly and pairs well with a variety of spices and vegetables.
This makes it perfect for easy dinners any night of the week. You can create simple and satisfying dishes with ground beef no matter your cooking skills.
Whether you want something comforting and hearty or light and fresh, ground beef works in countless recipes. It adapts well to flavors from different cuisines, so your options are endless when planning your next meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Cooking oil (optional)
Cooking Instructions
- Heat a pan over medium-high heat with a little cooking oil if desired.
- Add the ground beef, breaking it into small pieces.
- Cook for about 7–10 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Use cooked ground beef in your favorite recipes.
1) Hamburger and Macaroni
Hamburger and macaroni is a simple, hearty meal you can make fast. It uses ground beef mixed with macaroni pasta and cheese.
This dish cooks all in one pot, saving you time on cleanup. You can add chopped bell peppers or onions to boost flavor.
Season the beef well with salt, pepper, and your favorite spices. The cheese melts right into the macaroni, making it creamy and tasty.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cups macaroni pasta
- 1 cup chopped bell peppers
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1 cup beef broth or water
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions:
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add chopped bell peppers; cook until soft.
- Stir in macaroni and beef broth.
- Cover and simmer until macaroni is tender, about 10-12 minutes.
- Mix in shredded cheese until melted.
- Season with salt and pepper and serve warm.
For a detailed recipe, see Cheese and Hamburger Macaroni Recipe.
2) Easy Hamburger Soup
You can make a warm and tasty hamburger soup quickly with just a few ingredients. It starts with ground beef, onions, and garlic cooked in a pot.
Then, add vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and celery to make it hearty. The soup uses beef broth and diced tomatoes for a rich flavor.
You can also add pasta if you want extra texture. This meal is simple and budget-friendly, perfect for a busy day.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 3½ cups beef broth
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Brown the ground beef, onion, and garlic in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add potatoes, carrots, and celery and cook for 5 minutes.
- Pour in the beef broth and diced tomatoes.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.
For more details, you can visit Easy Hamburger Soup.
3) Stovetop Taco Soup
Stovetop taco soup is a quick and easy meal you can make in about 30 minutes. You start by browning ground beef with chopped onions and garlic.
This builds a great flavor base for your soup. Next, you add canned tomatoes, beans, corn, and some spices.
Let the soup simmer on the stove until all the ingredients are heated through and the flavors blend well. You can serve it with tortilla chips or cheese on top for a fun twist.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (15-ounce) cans petite diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can corn, drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 packet taco seasoning
Cooking Instructions
- Brown ground beef, onion, and garlic in a large pot over medium heat (around 350°F / 175°C).
- Drain excess fat.
- Add tomatoes, beans, corn, tomato sauce, and taco seasoning.
- Stir well and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
For more details, see this easy stovetop taco soup recipe.
4) Dad’s Stuffed Bell Peppers
Dad’s Stuffed Bell Peppers are a simple and comforting meal. You stuff bell peppers with a mix of ground beef, rice, onions, and tomatoes.
The filling does not need to be pre-cooked, which saves time. Once stuffed, you bake the peppers in the oven until tender.
The flavors blend well, creating a classic, home-cooked dish. You can add your favorite spices to make it just right for your taste.
Ingredients
- 4 medium green bell peppers
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 cup shredded cheese (optional)
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cut tops off bell peppers and remove seeds.
- In a bowl, mix ground beef, rice, onions, tomatoes, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Stuff the peppers with the mixture.
- Place stuffed peppers upright in a baking dish.
- Bake for 45 minutes until peppers are soft and beef is cooked through.
- Optionally, sprinkle cheese on top and bake for 5 more minutes.
5) BBQ Beef and Beans
BBQ beef and beans make a great dinner when you want something tasty and easy. You cook ground beef with beans and add barbecue sauce for a sweet and smoky flavor.
This dish is simple to make in one pot. You can serve it with rice or melted cheese to make it more filling.
You only need a few basic ingredients to make BBQ beef and beans. It’s a great choice for a quick weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 2 cans of beans (such as pinto or kidney)
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 small onion, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Brown the ground beef and onion in a pan over medium heat.
- Drain excess fat from the pan.
- Add beans and barbecue sauce to the beef. Stir well.
- Simmer on low for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Season with salt and pepper before serving.
For more tips, check this BBQ Beef and Beans recipe.
6) Korean Beef Bowls
Korean Beef Bowls are simple and quick to make. You use ground beef instead of thin slices, making the dish easier for weeknights.
The flavors come from soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil, and a bit of brown sugar, giving it a nice balance of salty and sweet. You can serve it over white rice or brown rice.
Add some green onions or steamed veggies on the side for a fresh touch. This dish takes about 15 minutes from start to finish.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 2 green onions, chopped
- Cooked white or brown rice
Cooking Instructions
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
- Drain excess fat.
- Stir in garlic, brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and ginger. Cook for 2-3 minutes until well mixed.
- Remove from heat.
- Serve beef over rice and sprinkle with green onions.
7) Sriracha Beef Lettuce Wraps
Sriracha beef lettuce wraps are a tasty, low-carb way to enjoy ground beef. You cook the beef with a mix of spicy Sriracha and savory seasonings to give it bold flavor.
Instead of bread, you spoon the spicy beef into crisp lettuce leaves. This makes a fresh and crunchy wrap that feels light but filling.
You can add chopped veggies like onions or cucumbers for extra crunch. These wraps come together fast, perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1-2 tablespoons Sriracha sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 2 teaspoons cooking oil
- Lettuce leaves (butter or romaine work well)
Cooking Instructions
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in fish sauce and Sriracha, cook 2 more minutes.
- Spoon beef mixture into lettuce leaves and serve.
More tips can be found in this Sriracha Beef Lettuce Wraps recipe.
8) Ground Beef and Gravy
Ground beef and gravy is a simple, satisfying meal you can make in about 20 minutes. It’s great for busy weeknights when you want something warm and filling.
You can serve it over mashed potatoes, rice, or even buttered noodles. The gravy usually includes beef broth, onion, and a bit of garlic.
Some recipes add Worcestershire sauce or mushrooms to boost flavor. It’s easy to make with pantry staples and doesn’t take long to cook.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- 2 tablespoons flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
- Add onion and garlic. Cook until soft.
- Sprinkle flour over beef and stir well.
- Slowly add beef broth while stirring to avoid lumps.
- Add Worcestershire sauce if using. Simmer until thickened.
- Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.
9) Ground Beef Stir Fry
Ground beef stir fry is a quick and tasty way to get dinner on your table. You can use fresh or frozen vegetables with a simple sauce for flavor.
This dish cooks fast, making it perfect for busy nights. Add vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or bell peppers.
The sauce usually has soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Some recipes add Korean flavors like gochujang for a spicy kick.
You get protein and veggies all in one pan. It’s easy to change ingredients based on what you have.
Cleanup is simple since you only need one pan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp sesame oil (optional)
- 1 tsp brown sugar
Cooking Instructions
- Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat (350°F / 175°C).
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in garlic and ginger. Cook for 1 minute.
- Add broccoli, carrots, and bell pepper. Stir fry for 4-5 minutes until veggies are tender.
- Mix soy sauce, sesame oil, and brown sugar in a small bowl. Pour over beef and vegetables.
- Cook for another 2 minutes, stirring to coat everything with sauce.
- Serve hot over rice or noodles if you like.
For more details, check out this ground beef stir fry recipe.
10) Sloppy Joes II
Sloppy Joes II is a simple and tasty ground beef recipe. You can make it quickly.
The dish has a rich, tangy sauce. It pairs well with hamburger buns.
You can add chopped onions and green bell peppers for extra flavor. Brown sugar and ketchup add a sweet and savory taste.
Serve Sloppy Joes II with fries or a fresh salad.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ¼ cup chopped onion
- ¼ cup chopped green bell pepper
- ¾ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Cooking Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
- Add chopped onion and green bell pepper. Cook until soft.
- Stir in ketchup and brown sugar. Mix well.
- Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Serve hot on hamburger buns.