Ground Beef: The Secret to Winning Dinner

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Let’s be real, ground beef is the unsung hero of the weeknight dinner world. And we’re about to make it the star of the show with recipes like Taco Burger (who said tacos only belong in shells?), Beef Noodle Casserole (because noodles + beef = happiness), and Tailgater Frito Pie with Cowgirl Chili (trust us, your chips will never be the same). From Easy Ground Beef Stroganoff to Italian Stuffed Peppers, we’ve got everything your taste buds didn’t know they were missing. Ready to give your dinner routine a major glow up? Click and let’s get cooking!

Cowboy Casserole

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A plate with a slice of cheesy casserole, topped with herbs, sits on a wooden table. A black fork rests on the plate. Nearby, there's a bowl of salad with spinach and sliced tomatoes.
Photo credit: Culinary Hill

Cowboy Casserole is the kind of dinner that’ll make everyone at the table give a round of applause. Packed with ground beef, cheesy goodness, and all the fixins’, this one-dish wonder is so easy you’ll be back for seconds before you even finish your first plate. It’s bound to become your family’s new favorite—just don’t be surprised if you get asked to make it every week!
Get the Recipe: Cowboy Casserole

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.
Photo credit: Julia’s Album

Vegetable Ramen Noodles Stir Fry turns instant noodles into a budget-friendly feast. With bell peppers, spinach, cashews, and ground beef, it’s ready in 30 minutes. Tossed in a sriracha-soy garlic sauce, it’s quicker, cheaper, and way better than takeout!

Get the Recipe: Ramen Noodle Stir Fry

Beef and Sour Cream Noodle Casserole

A white dish containing baked pasta topped with melted cheese and ground beef.
Photo Credit: Not Entirely Average

Sour Cream Beef and Noodle Casserole is the definition of comfort food. With creamy egg noodles, ground beef, and sausage, this baked dish hits all the right notes. Expect your family to ask for it again and again!

Get the Recipe: Beef Noodle Casserole

Italian Stuffed Peppers

Four stuffed bell peppers—red, orange, and yellow—are filled with a savory mixture topped with grated cheese and herbs. They are arranged on a white plate, showcasing a vibrant and appetizing presentation.
Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

Italian Stuffed Peppers are a weeknight win with tender rice, seasoned ground beef, and a zesty tomato sauce, all topped with crispy Parmesan. Pair them with warm garlic bread for the perfect Italian-inspired dinner. Buon appetito!

Get the Recipe: Stuffed Peppers

Ground Beef Naan Tacos

A dish with seasoned ground meat topped with dollops of creamy sauce, surrounded by sliced red onions, avocado, and fresh cilantro on a flatbread.
Photo credit: Chelsea Messy Apron

These easy Ground Beef Naan Tacos start with charred naan and are topped with a quick veggie salad, seasoned ground beef, & an herb sauce.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Naan Tacos

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.
Photo credit: Noshing with The Nolands

Mexican Spaghetti is a tasty fusion of Mexican and Italian flavors that’s perfect for busy nights. Chilis, tomatoes, beef, and cheese come together in this cheesy casserole that your family will love. It’s quick, satisfying, and bound to be a repeat request!

Get the Recipe: Mexican Spaghetti

Tailgater Frito Pie with Cowgirl Chili

Fritos corn chips smothered in chili with jalapeños and chopped tomatoes.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

Tailgater Frito Pie with Cowgirl Chili takes chips from snack to main event! Packed with hearty chili con carne, it’s a crowd-pleaser for all ages. Perfect for tailgates or any gathering, and easy to make for a hungry crowd!

Get the Recipe: Frito Pie

Taco Burger

A close-up of a juicy burger with a sesame seed bun. The burger is topped with melted cheese, salsa, and crispy tortilla chips. The background includes a hint of lime and green herbs.
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

These Mexican Taco Burgers feature ground beef patties topped with cheese, guacamole, salsa, tortilla chips, and a creamy hot sauce.
Get the Recipe: Taco Burger

Hamburger and Rice

Close-up of a savory dish featuring risotto with ground beef, sliced mushrooms, and carrots, garnished with fresh parsley. The creamy texture and vibrant colors are highlighted on a green plate.
Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

Hamburger and Rice is a weeknight winner that’s simple and satisfying. Ground beef, tender rice, and savory veggies simmer together in a rich sauce for a meal that’s pure comfort. It’s easy to make and always hits the spot!

Get the Recipe: Hamburger and Rice

Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

A juicy hamburger is filled with seasoned ground beef and topped with melted cheese, served in a glossy toasted bun. The burger is placed on a dark plate, with another blurred burger visible in the background.
Photo credit: Chelsea Messy Apron

These Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes blend juicy ground beef with a kick of A1 and Worcestershire sauce, a touch of sweetness from ketchup
Get the Recipe: Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

Easy Ground Beef Stroganoff

A close-up of a pasta dish featuring wide egg noodles mixed with sautéed mushrooms and ground meat, garnished with fresh parsley. The dish has a creamy sauce, and the parsley adds a touch of green to the otherwise earthy color palette.
Photo credit: Salt and Lavender

In just over half an hour this comforting, cozy, and budget-friendly ground beef stroganoff recipe is ready! You don’t need any fancy ingredients for this comfort food favorite.
Get the Recipe: Easy Ground Beef Stroganoff

Beef Noodle Casserole

A baked casserole dish with noodles, ground meat, cheese, and garnished with chopped herbs. A patterned cloth is partially visible underneath the dish.
Photo credit: Culinary Hill

Beef Noodle Casserole is a Midwestern classic that turns simple ingredients into a comforting dinner. Ground beef, pasta, cheese, and pantry staples come together for a hearty dish that’s sure to satisfy. Perfect for those cozy, no-fuss nights!

Get the Recipe: Beef Noodle Casserole

Italian Meatloaf

A close-up of a meatloaf topped with melted cheese and garnished with herbs. It is partially sliced, revealing a moist, textured interior. The dish is set in a pool of rich red sauce.
Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

Italian Meatloaf combines ground beef, Parmesan, and marinara with gooey mozzarella for a savory, cheesy dinner. Easy to make and bursting with flavor, this dish will quickly become a family favorite. It’s comfort food at its finest!

Get the Recipe: Italian Meatloaf

Easy Taco Pizza

Two rectangular pizzas topped with ground meat, avocado slices, chopped tomatoes, red onion rings, shredded cheese, and fresh cilantro on a textured brown surface.
Photo credit: Two Peas and Their Pod

Taco Pizza is the ultimate mash-up of tacos and pizza! With refried beans, seasoned beef, salsa, melted cheese, and all your favorite taco toppings, this quick flatbread creation is perfect for busy weeknights. It’s a fun, flavorful dinner the whole family will love!

Get the Recipe: Easy Taco Pizza

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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