25 Family Friendly Ground Beef Recipes

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Ground beef is a staple in many kitchens due to its versatility, affordability, and ability to adapt to a variety of flavors. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick weeknight meal or a hearty family dinner, these ground beef recipes offer everything from comforting classics to creative new dishes. Packed with flavor and easy to prepare, these recipes make meal planning a breeze. From tacos and casseroles to burgers and stir-fries, there’s a ground beef recipe for every occasion!

25-Minute Bacon-Avocado Ground Beef Burger

A close-up of a juicy burger with a thick beef patty, crispy bacon, melted cheese, fresh lettuce, and a soft, golden-brown bun. The burger is placed against a white background.
Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen

Learn how to build the best bacon-avocado burger at home with this easy-to-follow recipe. Made with a one-inch-thick all-beef burger patty, plus thick-cut bacon, mashed avocado, and a homemade honey-mayo sriracha sauce, this homemade burger’s six layers of flavor is the right decision for dinner tonight!
Get the Recipe: 25-Minute Bacon-Avocado Ground Beef Burger

Traditional Irish Cottage Pie

Ground beef cottage pie with a russet and sweet potato crust topping.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Treat yourself and your family to a comforting Traditional Irish Cottage Pie! This easy ground beef dish features seasoned beef simmered in a rich beef broth and red wine gravy, topped with a creamy mashed potato crust made from both russet and sweet potatoes. Finished with a golden-brown layer of cheddar cheese, this hearty pie is sure to become a family favorite!

GET THE RECIPE: Cottage Pie

Ukrainian Holubtsi or Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

A stuffed cabbage roll cut in half exposing the ground beef rice mixture inside.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Ukrainian Holubtsi (Stuffed Cabbage Rolls) are a comforting, homemade dish filled with a hearty mix of ground beef, rice, and onion, baked in a flavorful sauce made from simple pantry ingredients. With a sweet and savory flavor, they pair perfectly with mashed potatoes, beets, or egg bread like challah, making for a satisfying and cozy meal.

GET THE RECIPE: Cabbage Rolls

One-Pot Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta

A bowl of penne pasta mixed with ground beef, tomato sauce, and diced bell peppers, garnished with fresh parsley.
Image credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes.

This One-Pot Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta is a delicious family-dinner recipe that is ready in under 30 minutes. Enjoyed by the whole family, fussy eaters included, this dish is comforting and filling, and so easy to make too. GET THE RECIPE: One-Pot Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta

Easy Summer Bolognese with Fresh Tomatoes

A plate of spaghetti with meat sauce, fresh basil leaves, grated cheese, edible flowers, and a fork to the side.
Photo Credit: Salted Mint.

This Summer Bolognese is a light yet flavorful comfort food dish made with fresh tomatoes. Combined with ground meat and aromatic herbs, it’s perfect for a quick and satisfying summer meal.
GET THE RECIPE: Easy Summer Bolognese with Fresh Tomatoes

One-Pot Beef Orzo

Close-up of a bowl of pasta with ground beef, diced red peppers, garnished with grated cheese and chopped parsley. A fork is resting in the dish.
Image credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes.

One-Pot Beef Orzo made with ground beef and tomatoes and a hint of oregano. It’s a creamy and comforting dish that can be served all year round and makes a good alternative to risotto. So delicious and easy to make! GET THE RECIPE: One Pot Beef Orzo

Italian Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed bell peppers in a baking dish with tomato sauce.
Image Credit: Erren Hart for Erren’s Kitchen

These Italian Stuffed Peppers are a delicious combination of bell pepper, tender rice, seasoned ground beef, and a flavorful tomato sauce, crowned with Parmesan cheese which makes for a delicious crispy topping. This is easy and satisfying food perfect for a weeknight meal, especially when served with warm Garlic Bread. Buon appetito!

GET THE RECIPE: Stuffed Peppers

French Onion Salisbury Steak

Salisbury Steak on a plate with onion gravy, mashed potatoes, and corn.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Elevate your dinner with this French Onion Salisbury Steak recipe! Combining the flavors of hamburger steak and French onion soup, this dish offers gourmet taste on a budget. Serve with cheesy toast, mashed potatoes, and corn pudding, or keep it light with a green salad—either way, it’s a weeknight game-changer!

GET THE RECIPE: Salisbury Steak

Texas Hash

A bowl of cheesy ground beef and rice sits on a rustic wooden table next to a skillet with the same contents. A striped cloth with two forks is by the bowl. Two glasses with ice cubes and salt and pepper shakers are placed nearby. A spoon is in the bowl.
Image credit: Tara Noland for Noshing with The Nolands.

Enjoy the ultimate comfort food with Texas Hash, a hearty one-pot meal featuring ground beef, green peppers, rice, diced tomatoes, chili powder, and a golden cheese topping. This easy weeknight dish is so flavorful, you’ll want to make it again and again!

GET THE RECIPE: Texas Hash

Cheeseburger Pizza

A slice of pizza with ground beef, melted cheese, and diced tomatoes on a crispy crust.
Photo Credit: Simply Stacie.

Combining the flavors of a cheeseburger on a pizza crust, this recipe is perfect for pizza lovers. It’s quick to prepare and offers a fun and hearty meal. The familiar and delicious taste is a standout. Ideal for those who love both pizza and cheeseburgers. A must-try addition to any pizza collection.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Pizza

Moussaka

A portion of ground beef Moussaka on a dinner plate.
Image Credit: Erren Hart for Erren’s Kitchen

Have you tried Moussaka yet? This Mediterranean dish can be made with lamb or beef and features layers of roasted eggplant, topped with feta and baked to perfection. Unlike traditional Greek Moussaka, this version skips the potato layer and uses eggs instead of béchamel, making it a great low-carb or Keto-friendly option—equally delicious!

GET THE RECIPE: Moussaka

Classic Chili Con Carne

Beef chili con carne over white rice in a serving bowl.
Image Credit: Erren Hart for Erren’s Kitchen

Looking for a satisfying meal perfect for sharing? Try this Classic Chili Con Carne! It’s ideal for casual dinners or cozy family nights. Serve it with homemade corn muffins or over the Frito Pie from the previous slide for an extra delicious twist!

GET THE RECIPE: Chili Con Carne

The Best Wagyu Meatloaf

A wagyu meatloaf with a brown sugar tomato sauce topping in a copper baker.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Looking for a flavorful meatloaf that will have everyone asking for seconds? Try this Best Wagyu Meatloaf recipe! Made with American Wagyu beef and simple seasonings, this 2-pound meatloaf is juicy and delicious, whether served hot or cold the next day in a sandwich. It’s sure to be a dinner table hit!

GET THE RECIPE: Meatloaf

Roasted Garlic Rosemary Baked Meatballs

A close-up of a casserole dish filled with browned meatballs garnished with sprigs of rosemary and garlic cloves. The meatballs are sitting in a light, flavorful broth. The dish has a white, patterned edge.
Image Credit: Lyuba Brooke for Will Cook for Smiles.

Get ready for a culinary adventure with these baked meatballs! Made with a tasty blend of beef and pork, roasted garlic, and rosemary, they’re easy to prepare and perfect for any dinner. As they bake, the aroma fills the air, and the result is tender, juicy meatballs that are simply out of this world!

GET THE RECIPE: Roasted Garlic Rosemary Baked Meatballs

Amazing Swedish Meatballs in Creamy Gravy

A plate of egg noodles topped with meatballs and creamy brown gravy, garnished with chopped parsley. Fresh parsley leaves are placed on the wooden table next to the plate.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

These Swedish Meatballs in Creamy Gravy combine ground beef and pork, seasoned with aromatic spices and herbs, then simmered in a rich brown gravy. With easy-to-find ingredients, you can whip up this delicious dish in about 30 minutes, delivering a satisfying blend of savory flavors that’s sure to impress.

GET THE RECIPE: Swedish Meatballs

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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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