Ground Beef Recipes We Grew Up On

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If you’re anything like me, managing a busy household while juggling multiple activities can make cooking dinner a real challenge. But don’t worry—I’ve got you covered with some fantastic ground beef recipes that will simplify your life. Ground beef is not only tasty but also budget-friendly, especially when bought in bulk. Plus, you can quickly prepare and freeze multiple dishes for future meals. Today, I’m excited to share a variety of mouth-watering and easy ground beef dinner recipes that your family will love! 😉

Ramen Noodle Stir Fry

A colorful skillet meal featuring stir-fried noodles mixed with ground meat, bell peppers, cashews, and fresh herbs. The dish is garnished with basil leaves, served in a black cast-iron skillet, and surrounded by additional fresh basil on a wooden surface.
Image Credit: Julia’s Album.

Transform packaged instant noodles into a gourmet meal on a budget by adding veggies, nuts, and protein. This easy, 30-minute vegetable ramen noodles stir fry includes bell peppers, spinach, cashews, and ground beef. The homemade stir-fry sauce, made with sriracha, soy sauce, fresh garlic, and sesame oil, ensures it’s cheaper, faster, and tastier than takeout!

GET THE RECIPE: Ramen Noodle Stir Fry

Traditional Irish Cottage Pie

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

Spoil yourself and your family and bake up a Traditional Irish Cottage Pie! This easy ground beef main dish features perfectly seasoned ground beef that comes together in a rich beef broth and red wine gravy, topped with a vibrant duo of creamy mashed potato crusts made from russet and sweet potatoes. Broil during the final minutes of the bake with shredded cheddar cheese, and oh my word! Baked to a golden-brown perfection, this hearty and flavorful cottage pie is sure to become a regular favorite in your kitchen!

GET THE RECIPE: Cottage Pie

Classic Chili Con Carne

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

Are you on the lookout for a delicious and satisfying meal that is perfect for sharing? Then you must try this amazing recipe for Classic Chili Con Carne! It’s a great choice for those casual dinner parties or those cozy family nights in. And the best part? You can serve it alongside some homemade corn muffins or over the Frito Pie recipe in the previous slide to really take it to the next level!

GET THE RECIPE: Chili Con Carne

Beef and Sour Cream Noodle Casserole

A close-up of a baked noodle casserole in a white dish, showing layers of ground beef, melted cheese, noodles, and visible seasoning.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Experience the ultimate in comfort food with this delicious Sour Cream Beef and Noodle Casserole recipe! Tender egg noodles are cooked to perfection and then smothered in a creamy sauce before being baked with ground beef and sausage for a hearty and satisfying weeknight meal. Your family will love this classic dish that’s easy to prepare and sure to please everyone at the dinner table.

GET THE RECIPE: Beef Noodle Casserole

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

Looking to elevate your dinner game without breaking the bank? Look no further than my easy French Onion Salisbury Steak with gravy recipe! This modern variation on the classic, promises gourmet flavor without the gourmet price tag. It merges two comfort food favorites: hamburger steak and French onion soup. Serve over broiled cheesy toast with French onion gravy, creamy mashed potatoes, and a side of corn pudding, or keep it light with a simple green salad. No matter how you plate it, this dish is a weeknight game-changer!

GET THE RECIPE: Salisbury Steak

Mexican Spaghetti

A white baking dish with Mexican spaghetti casserole and a spoon scooping a large portion of the pasta out of the baking dish.
Image Credit: Noshing with The Nolands.

Mexican Spaghetti offers a delightful blend of Mexican and Italian flavors. This easy casserole recipe is perfect for feeding the family after a long day. Packed with chilis, tomatoes, beef, and cheese, this dinner is irresistible and sure to become a household favorite.

GET THE RECIPE: Mexican Spaghetti

Quick & Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

Bolognese meat sauce on spaghetti being twirled on a fork.
Image Credit: Erren Hart for Erren’s Kitchen

Looking for a quick and flavorful meal? Try this 30-minute Quick & Easy Spaghetti Bolognese recipe! In just 30 minutes, you can create a delicious meat sauce that’s packed with Italian flavors. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cook, this simple version of an Italian classic is perfect for the whole family to enjoy.

GET THE RECIPE: Spaghetti Bolognese

Moussaka

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

Have you tried Moussaka yet? It’s a delightful Mediterranean dish that’s been enjoyed for many years. This particular recipe can be made with either lamb or beef and it’s layered with succulent roasted eggplant. The dish is then topped with feta cheese and baked to perfection. It’s a great option for anyone looking to cut back on carbs or follow a Keto diet. This version is a bit different from the traditional Greek version as it doesn’t include the potato layer and uses eggs in the topping instead of a béchamel sauce that contains flour. Trust me, it’s equally delicious!

GET THE RECIPE: Moussaka

Tailgater Frito Pie with Cowgirl Chili

Fritos corn chips smothered in chili with jalapeños and chopped tomatoes.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Looking for an easy and crowd-pleasing recipe for your next gathering? Look no further than Tailgater Frito Pie with Cowgirl Chili! This dish is a delicious way to use America’s favorite snacking chip, taking it from the school lunchbox to the party table! With hearty chili con carne, it’s sure to be a hit with both kids and adults alike. And the best part? It’s easily doubled or even tripled to feed even the largest of crowds. So next time you’re planning a party or tailgate, give this recipe a try and watch your guests dig in!

GET THE RECIPE: Frito Pie

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 delicious and flavorful meatloaf recipe that will leave your eaters wanting seconds? Look no further than this amazing recipe for the Best Wagyu Meatloaf. Made with American Wagyu beef, this recipe yields a single 2-pound meatloaf that is not only juicy and flavorful but requires only a few simple seasonings. Whether served hot out of the oven or cold in a sandwich the next day, this meatloaf is sure to be a hit around your dinner table. 

GET THE RECIPE: Meatloaf

Chili Mac

A man's hand holding a fork and reaching into a bowl of chili macaroni with shredded cheese and sour cream on top.
Image Credit: Culinary Hill.

Chili Mac is the ultimate solution for a quick and satisfying meal. This easy recipe combines pasta, beef, and beans into a dish that’s fast, filling, and comforting, making the stresses of the day disappear. Plus, with only one pot to clean, it’s perfect for busy weeknights.

GET THE RECIPE: Chili Mac

Beef Burritos

a homemade burrito cut in half and stacked on top of each other.
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

This Beef Burritos situation wraps up everything you love—spiced meat, gooey cheese, and beans that mean business—into one neat, handheld dinner bomb.
Get the Recipe: Beef Burritos

Hamburger and Rice

Beef hamburger rice being stirred with a wood spoon in a pan.
Image Credit: Erren Hart for Erren’s Kitchen

Enjoy this flavorful Hamburger and Rice recipe any night of the week. This comforting dish is easy to make and packed with savory goodness! There’s something undeniably satisfying about a dish that combines ground beef with rice, and this mouthwatering hamburger and rice recipe is no exception. Tender ground beef, aromatic vegetables, and fluffy rice simmer together in a rich, flavorful sauce – it’s pure comfort in every bite.

GET THE RECIPE: Hamburger and Rice

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 or Stuffed Cabbage Rolls are the perfect choice if you’re craving something comforting and homemade. These rolls are a labor of love, filled with a hearty combination of ground beef, rice, and chopped onion and baked in a homemade sauce made with pantry ingredients and spices. The dish has a sweet and savory flavor profile and pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes, beets, sweet and sour onions, or a loaf of hearty Challah or other egg bread. Give this ultimate comfort food a try and enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal.

GET THE RECIPE: Cabbage Rolls

Tostada Recipe

Tostadas on a board next to a bottle of beer.
Photo credit: Culinary Hill

Looking for a weeknight dinner that won’t whine or wilt? These Tostada Recipe beauties are crispy, beefy, and just begging to be topped with whatever’s still edible in your fridge.
Get the Recipe: Tostada Recipe

Baked Rigatoni

Baked Rigatoni in the dish
Photo credit: Spend with Pennies

Baked Rigatoni is the kind of bubbly, saucy, cheese-laden comfort food that makes you want to swan dive into the casserole dish—preferably before the family gets to it.
Get the Recipe: Baked Rigatoni

Beef Noodle Casserole

A baked casserole dish containing egg noodles, ground beef, and cheese, topped with melted cheddar cheese and chopped parsley.
Image Credit: Culinary Hill.

Turn ground beef, pasta, cheese, and a few pantry staples into a delicious Beef Noodle Casserole. This simple Midwestern hot dish recipe is the epitome of comfort food, making it an ideal choice for a hearty and satisfying dinner.

GET THE RECIPE: Beef Noodle Casserole

Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry

Ground beef and tomatoes with feta cheese and green onions.
Image Credit: Downshiftology.

This Mediterranean ground beef stir fry embodies a quick and healthy dinner! It’s packed with savory vegetables and classic coastal seasonings, delivering a burst of flavor without needing a sauce.

GET THE RECIPE: Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry

Loose Meat Sandwich (Maid-Rite Copycat)

A close-up of hands holding a freshly made loose meat sandwich. The sandwich features a fluffy bun filled with seasoned ground beef and onions. The background is slightly blurred, highlighting the focus on the sandwich.
Image Credit: Culinary Hill.

The most popular item on the Maid-Rite menu, these Loose Meat Sandwiches are just as tasty as the Iowa-famous diner classic. This easy ground beef recipe cooks up in just 10 minutes!

GET THE RECIPE: Loose Meat Sandwich (Maid-Rite Copycat)

Easy Taco Pizza

Rectangular pieces of taco pizza topped with ground beef, melted cheese, sliced avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, shredded lettuce, sliced red onion, and chopped cilantro are arranged on parchment paper. Small bowls filled with extra toppings are placed nearby.
Image Credit: Two Peas and Their Pod.

Taco Pizza is a delicious flatbread creation featuring layers of refried beans, seasoned ground beef, fresh salsa, and melted cheese, topped with your favorite taco fixings. This simple and tasty taco pizza is perfect for a quick weeknight meal, combining the best of tacos and pizza for a delightful family dinner.

GET THE RECIPE: Easy Taco Pizza

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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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