10+ Recipes with Ground Beef for Easy and Delicious Meals

Ground beef is a popular choice for many families because it’s affordable and easy to cook. It can be used in many different dishes, making it a handy ingredient to have on hand.

You can create a variety of tasty meals with just one pound of ground beef.

Close-up of a cooked ground beef dish on a white marble countertop with a bright neutral background.

Whether you want something simple or a bit more adventurous, ground beef recipes can fit your needs. This article will help you find ideas to make dinner quick and satisfying.


Ingredients

  • Ground beef

Cooking Instructions

  • Use as a base for recipes you choose to make.

1) Classic Beef Chili

Close-up of a bowl of classic beef chili with ground beef and beans on a white marble countertop.

You can make a tasty chili using ground beef with a bit of fat, like 80% lean. This adds flavor and keeps the meat juicy.

Start by browning the beef, then cook onions and garlic in olive oil until soft. Add chili powder, cumin, and tomato paste to build rich, warm flavors.

Let everything simmer with tomatoes and beans for about 30 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef (80-85% lean)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 1 can beans (kidney or black)
  • Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil over medium heat.
  2. Cook onion and garlic until soft.
  3. Add ground beef and brown.
  4. Stir in chili powder, cumin, and tomato paste.
  5. Add tomatoes and beans.
  6. Simmer 30 minutes on low heat.
  7. Add salt to taste before serving.

2) Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Beef

Close-up of stuffed bell peppers filled with ground beef on a white marble countertop.

Stuffed bell peppers are a simple and tasty meal for any day. Hollow out bell peppers and fill them with a mix of ground beef, rice, and tomato sauce.

Bake them until the peppers are soft and the filling is hot. Add cheese on top for extra flavor.

This dish works well for family dinners or meal prep. You can use any color bell pepper you like.

Ingredients

  • 6 large bell peppers
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • ½ cup chopped onion
  • ½ cup cooked rice
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cut tops off peppers and remove seeds.
  3. Cook onion and ground beef until browned.
  4. Mix beef, onion, rice, tomato sauce, salt, and pepper.
  5. Stuff peppers with the mixture.
  6. Place peppers in a baking dish and cover with foil.
  7. Bake for 30 minutes.
  8. Remove foil, top with cheese, and bake 10 more minutes.

3) Easy Hamburger Soup

Close-up view of a bowl of hamburger soup with ground beef, vegetables, and broth on a white marble countertop.

This soup is a simple and cozy way to use ground beef. Cook the beef with onions and garlic, then add diced potatoes and vegetables like carrots and celery.

Simmer everything in a savory broth. You can use canned tomatoes or tomato paste for a richer taste.

The soup is filling and perfect for a quick dinner. It takes about 30 minutes to make.

You can find a detailed version of this recipe at Spend With Pennies if you want to explore more options.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 3 ½ cups beef broth
  • 1 can diced tomatoes or 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

  1. Brown the ground beef in a large pot over medium heat.
  2. Add onion and garlic; cook until soft.
  3. Stir in potatoes, carrots, celery, and tomatoes or tomato paste.
  4. Pour in beef broth and bring to a boil.
  5. Lower heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes until vegetables are tender.
  6. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

4) BBQ Beef and Beans

Close-up of a BBQ beef and beans dish with ground beef on a white marble countertop.

BBQ beef and beans is an easy and tasty meal for any night. Ground beef, barbecue sauce, and beans create a sweet and savory dish.

You can cook everything in one pot to save time. Add garlic and onion powder for more flavor.

Sprinkle cheese on top if you like. Serve the dish on its own or over rice.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 pound ground beef
  • 1 can (15 oz) baked beans
  • 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
  2. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  3. Add ground beef, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Brown beef until fully cooked.
  4. Stir in baked beans and barbecue sauce.
  5. Simmer for 10 minutes on low heat.
  6. Serve warm, with rice or your favorite side.

For more details, see this BBQ Beef and Beans recipe.

5) Korean Beef Bowls

Close-up of a Korean beef bowl with ground beef, rice, sesame seeds, and green onions on a white marble countertop.

Korean beef bowls are a simple and tasty way to use ground beef. Cook lean ground beef with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and a bit of brown sugar.

You get a savory and slightly sweet flavor. Serve the beef over rice and top it with green onions and sesame seeds.

It only takes about 15 minutes to prepare. You can swap ground beef for turkey or chicken if you want.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • Cooked rice for serving

Cooking Instructions

  1. Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook ground beef until browned.
  2. Add garlic and ginger, cooking until fragrant.
  3. Stir in brown sugar, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Simmer for 3-5 minutes.
  4. Serve the beef over rice and garnish with green onions.

6) Ground Beef Stir Fry

Extreme close-up of a ground beef stir fry with colorful vegetables on a white marble countertop.

Ground beef stir fry is a quick and tasty meal for any day. Use simple ingredients like fresh vegetables and a savory sauce.

Cook everything in one pan for easy cleanup. The dish is ready in about 20 to 30 minutes.

Feel free to swap out different veggies or adjust the sauce to match your taste. Garlic and ginger add a nice flavor boost.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 2 cups mixed vegetables (such as bell peppers, broccoli, carrots)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water

Cooking Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
  2. Add garlic and ginger; cook for 30 seconds.
  3. Add ground beef, cook until browned.
  4. Toss in vegetables and stir-fry for 5-7 minutes.
  5. Stir in soy sauce, oyster sauce, and cornstarch mixture.
  6. Cook until sauce thickens, about 2 minutes.
  7. Serve hot with rice or noodles.

For more details, check this ground beef stir fry recipe from Natasha’s Kitchen.

7) Shepherd’s Pie

Close-up of a freshly baked shepherd's pie with golden mashed potato topping and ground beef filling on a white marble countertop.

Shepherd’s pie is a classic dish you can easily make with ground beef. Start by cooking the beef and onions until browned.

Add vegetables like peas and carrots to make it hearty. Spread the meat and veggie mix in a baking dish and top with creamy mashed potatoes.

Bake until the potatoes turn golden. You can customize shepherd’s pie with your favorite herbs and cheese.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 1 cup mixed vegetables (peas, carrots)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cups mashed potatoes
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Heat olive oil in a pan and cook onions until soft.
  3. Add ground beef and cook until browned, then drain fat.
  4. Stir in mixed vegetables and cook for 5 minutes.
  5. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Spread beef mixture in a baking dish.
  7. Top with mashed potatoes evenly.
  8. Bake for 20-25 minutes until potatoes turn golden.

8) Homestyle Meatloaf

Close-up of sliced homestyle ground beef meatloaf on a white marble countertop.

Homestyle meatloaf is a simple and comforting meal for any night. Mix ground chuck with onions and garlic for great flavor.

Add breadcrumbs to help hold it all together. Season with salt and black pepper.

Shape the mixture into a loaf and bake until cooked through and tender. Serve it with mashed potatoes or a green vegetable.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ pounds ground chuck
  • 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Cooking Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients until just combined.
  3. Shape mixture into a loaf and place it in a baking dish.
  4. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until meatloaf reaches 160°F (71°C) internal temperature.
  5. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

9) Spaghetti Bolognese

Close-up of a plate of spaghetti Bolognese with ground beef on a white marble countertop.

Spaghetti Bolognese is a classic dish with ground beef in a rich, savory sauce. Start by sautéing onions and garlic.

Brown the beef until it’s no longer pink. Add carrots and celery for extra flavor and texture.

Pour in tomato sauce or marinara and let it simmer. This helps the flavors blend together.

Serve the sauce over cooked spaghetti. It’s a simple and filling meal.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ tbsp olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 lb (500g) ground beef
  • 1 carrot, finely chopped
  • 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
  • 1 jar marinara or tomato sauce (about 24 oz)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Spaghetti, cooked according to package instructions

Cooking Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
  2. Sauté garlic, onion, carrot, and celery until soft.
  3. Add ground beef and cook until browned.
  4. Pour in marinara sauce and stir.
  5. Reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes.
  6. Season with salt and pepper.
  7. Serve sauce over cooked spaghetti.

10) Sriracha Beef Lettuce Wraps

Close-up of Sriracha beef lettuce wraps with ground beef on a white marble countertop.

Sriracha beef lettuce wraps offer a tasty way to enjoy ground beef with a spicy kick. Cook the beef with Sriracha sauce and savory seasonings.

Spoon the mixture into fresh lettuce leaves. This recipe is quick and easy.

The heat from the Sriracha pairs well with the cool crunch of the lettuce. Add chopped scallions or peanuts for extra flavor.

Use hoisin or soy sauce to add depth to the beef. Serve the wraps with lime wedges or cucumber slices.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1-2 tbsp Sriracha sauce
  • 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 2 tsp cooking oil (peanut or sesame oil work well)
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1-2 tsp minced garlic
  • Lettuce leaves (butter lettuce or romaine)

Cooking Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).

  2. Add onion and garlic.

  3. Cook until soft, about 2 minutes.

  4. Add ground beef.

  5. Cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.

  6. Stir in Sriracha and hoisin sauce.

  7. Cook for another 2 minutes.

  8. Spoon beef mixture into lettuce leaves.

  9. Serve immediately.

  10. Add optional toppings like scallions or peanuts.

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