10 Ground Beef Wins for When You’re Short on Time

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If your weeknight dinner routine is running on fumes, these easy ground beef recipes are here to flip the script. Whether you’re layering up a cheesy Zucchini Lasagna (Not Watery) or rolling out Beef Enchiladas with a shortcut sauce, each dish is built for speed without skimping on flavor. Keep it hearty with a classic Irish Cottage Pie, embrace nostalgia with Sloppy Joes, or make room for the week’s surprise hit: Tailgater Frito Pie with Cowgirl Chili. From skillet to oven to soup pot, this lineup turns one humble ingredient into ten weeknight wins.

Traditional Irish Cottage Pie

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A plate with cottage pie casserole and a side of mixed greens on a white surface, accompanied by an orange-patterned cloth in the background.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

This cozy Irish Cottage Pie features a hearty ground beef filling simmered with aromatic herbs and vegetables, topped with a creamy, cheesy mashed potato crust. It’s a comforting twist on the classic shepherd’s pie, perfect for a family dinner on a chilly evening. The addition of sweet potatoes to the topping adds a touch of sweetness that balances the savory flavors beautifully.
Get the Recipe: Traditional Irish Cottage Pie

Tailgater Frito Pie With Cowgirl Chili

overhead photo of Frito Pie Casserole on a tray
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

This hearty Tailgater Frito Pie With Cowgirl Chili recipe is perfect for game day or any casual get-together. It features layers of crunchy Fritos, flavorful chili con carne, and plenty of cheese, making it a crowd-pleasing casserole that’s both comforting and delicious. Top it with your favorite fixings like sour cream, jalapeños, and green onions for the ultimate Frito pie experience.
Get the Recipe: Tailgater Frito Pie With Cowgirl Chili

Stuffed Peppers

stuffed peppers with melty cheese in pan.
Photo credit: Two Peas and Their Pod

These classic stuffed peppers are filled with a delicious combination of ground beef, rice, tomatoes, and herbs, creating a hearty and satisfying meal. Topped with melted Monterey Jack and Parmesan cheese, this dish is sure to be a family favorite any time of year!
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed Eggplant

This Stuffed Eggplant recipe is so cozy and warming!  Succulent eggplant is filled with basmati rice, your choice of ground meat (or lentils), herbs, and Lebanese spices and baked until meltingly tender, in a fragrant tomato broth. Vegan-adaptable.
Photo credit: Feasting at Home

This Stuffed Eggplant recipe is a cozy and warming dish, perfect for a comforting meal. Tender eggplant is infused with fragrant Lebanese spices and filled with a delicious mixture of ground lamb (or your choice of protein), rice, and herbs. It’s an adaptable and flavorful dish that’s sure to be a hit!
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Eggplant

Easy Italian Meatballs

These flavorful Italian Meatballs are chock full of fresh herbs and savory goodness.  Fast and easy they can be made in 30 minutes. Serve them with zucchini noodles, roasted spaghetti squash, pasta, creamy polenta or in a roll. Low-carb, keto and gluten-free.
Photo credit: Feasting at Home

These Italian Meatballs are packed with fresh herbs and savory flavors. Ready in just 30 minutes, they can be served with pasta or zucchini noodles for a quick and easy dinner. Plus, they’re gluten-free, low-carb, and paleo-friendly, making them a versatile option for various dietary needs.
Get the Recipe: Easy Italian Meatballs

Taco Soup

Presenting a delicious Taco Soup
Photo credit: Two Peas and Their Pod

This easy Taco Soup recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! It’s packed with ground beef, tomatoes, beans, corn, and a flavorful blend of taco spices, making it a hearty and delicious one-pot meal that’s perfect for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Taco Soup

Sloppy Joes

sloppy joe sandwiches on wood cutting board.
Photo credit: Two Peas and Their Pod

This classic Sloppy Joe recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! A tangy, sweet tomato sauce smothers seasoned ground beef, creating a flavorful filling that’s perfect for piling onto toasted hamburger buns. It’s an easy, family-friendly meal that’s ready in minutes!
Get the Recipe: Sloppy Joes

Beef Enchiladas

Presenting a delicious Beef Enchiladas
Photo credit: Two Peas and Their Pod

These Beef Enchiladas are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! Packed with a savory ground beef filling, beans, and cheese, all wrapped in tortillas and smothered in enchilada sauce, this dish is perfect for any occasion. Plus, they’re freezer-friendly, making meal prep a breeze.
Get the Recipe: Beef Enchiladas

Easy Taco Pizza

Presenting a delicious Easy Taco Pizza
Photo credit: Two Peas and Their Pod

This Easy Taco Pizza is a fun and flavorful twist on taco night! Flatbreads are topped with refried beans, taco meat, salsa, and plenty of cheese and taco toppings. It’s a simple and satisfying meal that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or a casual gathering.
Get the Recipe: Easy Taco Pizza

Zucchini Lasagna Recipe (Not Watery)

A rectangular dish of zucchini lasagna topped with melted cheese and fresh basil leaves. The layers of zucchini are visible beneath the cheese, with herbs sprinkled throughout. The dish is set on a light-colored surface with a partial view of utensils.
Photo credit: Downshiftology

This Zucchini Lasagna recipe by Downshiftology is a healthy twist on a classic comfort food dish. Using zucchini instead of pasta sheets, it’s naturally gluten-free and low-carb, while still delivering all the flavors you love in a lasagna. Packed with ground beef, ricotta, and mozzarella cheese, this recipe is sure to be a family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Lasagna Recipe (Not Watery)

About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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