15 Easy Dinners That Start with a Pound of Beef

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Ground beef is the weeknight hero we rarely thank—affordable, adaptable, and always ready to turn “what’s for dinner?” into “holy crap, this is good.” Whether you’re piling on Buffalo Mac & Cheese for a spicy, cheesy hit or cozying up with Slow Cooker Vodka Bolognese Pasta that tastes fancier than your Tuesday deserves, these recipes are fast, filling, and a little bit fabulous. Juicy Air Fryer Meatballs bring the flavor without the grease trap, while Easy Taco Salad is the lazy genius move for when you want crunch, spice, and zero effort. Feeling extra? Go for Lasagna Roll Ups, Italian Stuffed Peppers, or Navajo Tacos and make your leftovers jealous. This lineup proves you can win dinner with a single skillet (or slow cooker) and a pound of beef. No stress. No takeout. No regrets.

Sheet Pan Zucchini Lasagna with Garlic Croutons

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Sheet Pan Zucchini Lasagna with Garlic Croutons | halfbakedharvest.com
Photo credit: Half Baked Harvest

This Sheet Pan Zucchini Lasagna with Garlic Croutons is a creative and delicious twist on a classic Italian dish. Using zucchini instead of pasta and cooking everything on a sheet pan makes it a simple, fuss-free meal perfect for any night of the week. The addition of garlic croutons adds a delightful crunch and flavor!
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Zucchini Lasagna with Garlic Croutons.

Slow Cooker Vodka Bolognese Pasta

overhead photo of Slow Cooker Vodka Bolognese Pasta
Photo credit: Half Baked Harvest

This Slow Cooker Vodka Bolognese Pasta is a family-friendly meal that’s perfect for any night of the week or a holiday dinner party. The slow-cooked Italian-style Bolognese sauce features a mix of beef, veggies, sweet tomatoes, herbs, and vodka for a flavorful dish everyone will love. Serve it with your favorite long or short-cut pasta and plenty of grated Parmesan cheese.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Vodka Bolognese Pasta.

Easy Taco Salad

Easy Taco Salad with beef and cheese
Photo credit: Spend with Pennies

This Easy Taco Salad is a quick and customizable weeknight meal. It combines crisp lettuce, seasoned ground beef, cheese, and your favorite taco toppings for a satisfying and simple dish. Serve with salsa, sour cream, and tortilla chips for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Easy Taco Salad

Easy Baked Ziti

baked ziti in a bowl with a fork
Photo credit: Spend with Pennies

This easy baked ziti recipe is a comforting casserole that’s perfect for feeding a crowd. It features tender ziti pasta, a flavorful Italian sausage meat sauce, and a creamy ricotta cheese layer, all baked to bubbly perfection. Garnish with fresh basil for a restaurant-worthy touch!
Get the Recipe: Easy Baked Ziti

My Best Classic Chili Recipe

A bowl of chili with cheese and sour cream.
Photo credit: House of Nash Eats

This classic chili recipe is packed with beef, Italian sausage, and beans in a hearty, flavorful sauce. The addition of bacon, peppers, and a blend of spices creates a truly unforgettable chili experience. Serve it with a chunk of cornbread for the perfect comforting meal!
Get the Recipe: My Best Classic Chili Recipe

Crockpot Ragu Recipe

Crockpot ragu in two white bowls with spaghetti
Photo credit: Salt and Lavender

This Crockpot Ragu recipe is a hearty and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a comforting meal. It’s made with ground beef and pork, simmered in a rich tomato sauce with aromatic vegetables and herbs. The big batch is freezer-friendly, ensuring a quick and delicious dinner is always on hand!
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Ragu Recipe

Taco Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Stuffed zucchini boats with ground beef and taco toppings.
Photo credit: Downshiftology

These taco stuffed zucchini boats are a fun and healthy take on a Mexican favorite. Zucchinis are stuffed with a flavorful taco filling, then topped with your favorite garnishes. They are light, fresh, and surprisingly filling!
Get the Recipe: Taco Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Crockpot Meatloaf

A sliced meatloaf topped with a glossy red tomato glaze is garnished with chopped herbs. The meatloaf rests on parchment paper, showcasing a moist and seasoned interior.
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

This Crockpot Meatloaf recipe by The Cookie Rookie is a hearty, flavorful, and tender comfort meal that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. The tangy ketchup glaze really ties it all together and will have your family asking for more. It’s also incredibly easy to make, making it a go-to recipe for busy weeknights!
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Meatloaf

Lasagna Roll Ups

Lasagna Roll Ups on a white plate
Photo credit: Spend with Pennies

These Lasagna Roll Ups are a fun twist on a classic dish! Filled with a cheesy spinach mixture and topped with a quick meat sauce, they’re easy to make and bake fast. Perfect for a weeknight dinner!
Get the Recipe: Lasagna Roll Ups

Juicy Air Fryer Meatballs

close up of cooked Air Fryer Meatballs in the air fryer
Photo credit: Spend with Pennies

These air fryer meatballs are incredibly juicy and easy to make! Ground beef and pork combine with breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning for a flavorful dish that cooks up quickly in the air fryer. Perfect as an appetizer, snack, or main course!
Get the Recipe: Juicy Air Fryer Meatballs

Buffalo Mac & Cheese

top view of the best buffalo mac and cheese recipe in a skillet with blue cheese
Photo credit: Carlsbad Cravings

This Buffalo Mac & Cheese recipe is a 20-minute wonder that skips the roux, heavy cream, and butter without sacrificing flavor. Customize the heat and add your favorite protein and veggies for a quick, crowd-pleasing meal. It’s perfect for game day or a fast weeknight dinner!
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Mac & Cheese

Italian Stuffed Peppers

Four Italian stuffed bell peppers in vibrant red, orange, and yellow rest on a white plate. Each is filled with a savory mixture of ground meat, rice, and herbs, topped with grated cheese and garnished with chopped parsley.
Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

These Italian Stuffed Peppers are a hearty and flavorful meal that’s perfect for a family dinner or game day gathering. Bell peppers are filled with a delicious mixture of rice, seasoned ground beef, and herbs in a tomato sauce, then baked to tender perfection. Top with parmesan cheese for an extra touch of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Italian Stuffed Peppers

Ground Beef Gnocchi

a bowl with ground beef gnocchi
Photo credit: Salt and Lavender

This Ground Beef Gnocchi recipe is a restaurant-quality meal made in just one pan! It features a creamy parmesan tomato sauce with ground beef and pillowy gnocchi. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Gnocchi

Ragu

Overhead image of the best Ragu
Photo credit: Chelsea’s Messy Apron

This hearty Ragu recipe, adapted from an Italian cooking class, combines ground beef and Italian sausage with a medley of vegetables and tomatoes. Simmered to perfection with aromatic herbs and a touch of red wine, this rich sauce is perfect for coating your favorite pasta. Don’t forget a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley!
Get the Recipe: Ragu

Navajo Tacos (Indian Fry Bread)

navajo tacos with toppings on white plates with a fork and a baking sheet of more frybread in the background
Photo credit: House of Nash Eats

These Navajo Tacos start with a base of perfectly crisp and chewy Indian Fry Bread. Topped with taco-seasoned ground beef and beans, they’re a hearty and flavorful meal that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Customize your tacos with your favorite toppings like sour cream, cheese, and fresh veggies!
Get the Recipe: Navajo Tacos (Indian Fry Bread)

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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