Ground Beef Recipes That Even Picky Eaters Approve

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Get ready to elevate weeknight dinners with a lineup of ground beef recipes that make comfort food feel effortless. From hearty Homemade Meatloaf with Creamy Onion Gravy and indulgent Amazing Swedish Meatballs in Creamy Gravy to cozy Traditional Irish Cottage Pie, these recipes turn a simple pantry staple into meals that wow every time. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just craving a satisfying solo dinner, these dishes make cooking with ground beef exciting and approachable!

Homemade Meatloaf with Creamy Onion Gravy

A meatloaf topped with gravy, garnished with fresh rosemary, accompanied by mashed potatoes on a patterned plate.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

Looking for a comforting classic? This homemade meatloaf recipe is elevated with a creamy onion gravy that will have everyone asking for seconds. Made with a mix of ground beef and pork, a touch of apple butter, and topped with Monterey Jack cheese, this is not your average meatloaf!
Get the Recipe: Homemade Meatloaf with Creamy Onion Gravy

French Onion Salisbury Steak

A plate of meatloaf with gravy, served with mashed potatoes and corn on the side, garnished with parsley. The plate is set on an orange-patterned napkin.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

This French Onion Salisbury Steak recipe is a delicious twist on a classic comfort food. Ground beef patties are smothered in a rich, savory French onion gravy, then topped with melted Swiss cheese and served over toasted French bread. It’s a comforting and elevated dish perfect for a cozy night in.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Salisbury Steak

Amazing Swedish Meatballs in Creamy Gravy

A patterned plate with pasta, meatballs, and creamy sauce is garnished with chopped parsley. Fresh parsley lies nearby on a wooden surface.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

These Swedish Meatballs are a savory blend of beef and pork, perfectly seasoned with spices like nutmeg and allspice. Simmered in a rich, creamy gravy, they make for a comforting and flavorful main dish. Serve over noodles or mashed potatoes for a hearty meal!
Get the Recipe: Amazing Swedish Meatballs in Creamy Gravy

Traditional Irish Cottage Pie

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 Irish Cottage Pie is a hearty and comforting casserole featuring a savory ground beef filling topped with a creamy mashed potato crust. The recipe includes a flavorful blend of herbs, Worcestershire sauce, and a touch of red wine for depth. This dish is a perfect family-friendly meal for a cozy night in.
Get the Recipe: Traditional Irish Cottage Pie

Hearty Meatballs in Marinara Sauce

a white bowl with a red napkin, with spaghetti and meatballs and marinara sauce
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

These meatballs in marinara sauce are the perfect crowd-pleaser! This recipe uses a combination of ground beef, pork, and veal, and simmers in a rich sauce made with San Marzano tomatoes and red wine. Serve these meatballs over spaghetti or in a toasted hoagie roll for a hearty and satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Meatballs in Marinara Sauce

Tailgater Frito Pie with Cowgirl Chili

The image shows corn chips topped with melted cheese, ground meat, sliced jalapeños, cherry tomatoes, and chopped green onions.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

This Tailgater Frito Pie with Cowgirl Chili recipe is perfect for game day! A bed of Fritos is topped with a hearty chili made with ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and spices, then smothered in cheese and your favorite toppings. It’s a crowd-pleasing dish that’s easy to make and customize.
Get the Recipe: Tailgater Frito Pie with Cowgirl Chili

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 flavor! They’re quick and easy to make, and can be served with pasta or zucchini noodles for a low-carb option. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or meal prep!
Get the Recipe: Easy Italian Meatballs

Tortellini Soup

Bowl of tortellini soup with beef, vegetables, tomatoes and three cheese tortellini.
Photo credit: Cooking Classy

This comforting Tortellini Soup is a quick and easy meal that’s packed with flavor. It features cheese tortellini, browned ground beef, and plenty of vegetables in a savory tomato broth. Perfect for a cozy night in!
Get the Recipe: Tortellini Soup

Sloppy Joe Recipe from Scratch

A sloppy joe sandwich with seasoned ground beef in a soft bun sits on a white plate.
Photo credit: Carlsbad Cravings

This Sloppy Joe recipe is so good, you’ll want to lick the plate! It’s quick, easy, and guaranteed to be a family favorite. Made with ground beef, peppers, and a tangy homemade sauce, it’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or potluck.
Get the Recipe: Sloppy Joe Recipe from Scratch

Classic Muscadine Cocktail Meatballs

A ceramic bowl filled with round meatballs coated in a glossy, dark sauce.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

These Classic Muscadine Cocktail Meatballs are the perfect appetizer for any gathering, especially during the holidays. This recipe combines frozen meatballs, chili sauce, and Muscadine jelly for a sweet and savory flavor that’s a Southern favorite. Ready in a slow cooker, they’re easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser!
Get the Recipe: Classic Muscadine Cocktail Meatballs

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

A bowl of stuffed cabbage rolls topped with tomato sauce is placed next to a fork and a lit orange candle on a decorated table.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls are a labor of love, and the epitome of an ultimate comfort food meal! Filled with ground beef, rice, and spices, these rolls are simmered in a tomato-based sauce until tender and flavorful. Perfect for a special occasion or a cozy family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Beef and Sour Cream Noodle Casserole

A close-up of a spatula lifting a serving of baked pasta with tomato sauce and melted cheese from a casserole dish.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

This Beef and Sour Cream Noodle Casserole is comfort food at its finest! This recipe combines ground beef, Italian sausage, egg noodles, and a creamy sour cream sauce, all baked to bubbly perfection with a generous topping of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. It’s a kid-friendly, crowd-pleasing dish that’s sure to be a hit!
Get the Recipe: Beef and Sour Cream Noodle Casserole

Stuffed Pepper Soup

A bowl of stuffed pepper soup next to a napkin
Photo credit: Downshiftology

Craving the flavors of stuffed peppers without all the fuss? This Stuffed Pepper Soup recipe is a cozy and healthy twist on a classic, bringing together ground beef, bell peppers, and rice in a comforting tomato broth. It’s a hearty and satisfying meal that’s perfect for a chilly evening.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Pepper Soup

Mushroom Swiss Burgers

mushroom Swiss beef burger with a bite taken out of the front
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

Craving a bistro-style burger without the fuss? These Mushroom Swiss Burgers are easy to make at home with simple ingredients like ground beef, mushrooms, Swiss cheese, and a touch of balsamic vinegar. Serve on brioche buns with arugula for a truly gourmet experience!
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Swiss Burgers

Copycat Wendy’s Chili Recipe

chili in white paper cups.
Photo credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

Craving Wendy’s Chili? This copycat recipe brings the classic flavors to your kitchen in a big batch. Made with ground beef, beans, and a blend of spices, it’s the perfect comforting meal to enjoy at home.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Wendy’s Chili Recipe

1-Pot Tuscan-Style Beef & Lentil Soup

Big pot of Tuscan-Style Beef & Lentil Soup next to fresh parsley, red pepper flake, and cashew parmesan.
Photo credit: Minimalist Baker

Warm up with this hearty and comforting 1-Pot Tuscan-Style Beef & Lentil Soup. This gluten-free and dairy-free soup is packed with flavor from ground beef, diced tomatoes, and herbs. It’s the perfect one-bowl meal for a cozy night in!
Get the Recipe: 1-Pot Tuscan-Style Beef & Lentil Soup

Beef Stroganoff {One Pot Recipe}

One Pot Easy Beef Stroganoff shown in a cream pasta bowl with a fork to the side. Bowl is sitting on a marble surface, parsley and a salt shaker are in the background.
Photo credit: Cooking Classy

This one-pot beef stroganoff recipe is the perfect comfort food! Made with browned ground beef, caramelized mushrooms, and a creamy sauce, this hearty dish is both satisfying and flavorful. Ready in under an hour, it’s a quick and easy meal the whole family will love.
Get the Recipe: Beef Stroganoff {One Pot Recipe}

Instant Pot Taco Soup Recipe

easy Instant Pot taco soup in a stoneware bowl
Photo credit: Salt and Lavender

This Instant Pot taco soup is a healthy and hearty meal that’s packed with flavor. It’s loaded with beef, beans, corn, and spices, and it’s so easy to make in the Instant Pot. Top it with your favorite taco toppings for a complete and satisfying dinner.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Taco Soup Recipe

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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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