Kid-Friendly Ground Beef Recipes

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Finding dinner ideas that both kids and parents enjoy can be a challenge, but ground beef is a lifesaver. It’s quick to cook, budget-friendly and there are endless ways to make it into a meal your whole family will love. These recipes take the stress out of dinnertime and make it easy to serve something everyone will eat. You won’t have to worry about picky eaters with these kid-approved dishes. Plus, they’re perfect for those busy nights when you need to get food on the table fast.

Taco Mac and Cheese

Scrumptious Taco Mac and Cheese photo
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

This easy Taco Mac and Cheese brings taco night and comfort food together for a cheesy, spicy bite. Kids will love this easy meal!
Get the Recipe: Taco Mac and Cheese

Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes Recipe

A hand holding a sandwich filled with ground beef mixed with vegetables, topped with a slice of melted cheese, and encased in a soft bun. The background is out of focus, highlighting the sandwich.
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes are an amazing easy weeknight meal that anyone can make, and everyone will love. Easy weeknight meal!
Get the Recipe: Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes Recipe

Easy Spanish Rice with Ground Beef

Two blue ceramic bowls filled with a hearty rice and meat dish, possibly jambalaya, are placed on a checkered tablecloth. A spoon rests beside one bowl. In the background, pieces of cornbread and white flowers are partially visible.
Easy Spanish Rice with Ground Beef. Image Credit: Binky’s Culinary Carnival.

This Easy Spanish Rice with Ground Beef is a flavorful dish that’s mild enough for kids to enjoy. The combination of seasoned ground beef, rice, and veggies makes it a well-rounded meal in one pot. It’s an excellent way to introduce kids to new flavors while still keeping dinner simple and familiar.
Get This Recipe: Easy Spanish Rice with Ground Beef

Hamburger Casserole Recipe

A plate filled with cheeseburger pasta topped with ground beef, cheese, diced tomatoes, and garnished with chopped parsley. A fork rests on the plate next to the pasta. The dish is served in a white, scalloped-edged plate on a marble surface.
Hamburger Casserole Recipe. Image Credit: The Cookie Rookie.

This Hamburger Casserole Recipe combines ground beef with pasta and cheese, making it an instant favorite with kids. It’s a fun and easy way to get a filling meal on the table, using ingredients that most children already love. Plus, it’s perfect for batch cooking, so you’ll have enough for leftovers or a second dinner later in the week.
Get This Recipe: Hamburger Casserole Recipe

Ground Beef Tacos – Stovetop- Instant Pot

Three crispy tacos filled with ground beef, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and grated cheese sit in a metal taco holder. In the background, a small white bowl of salsa is visible. The tacos are arranged on a dark, textured surface with a vibrant pink cloth nearby.
Ground Beef Tacos – Stovetop- Instant Pot. Image Credit: Binky’s Culinary Carnival.

Ground Beef Tacos – Stovetop – Instant Pot are a fantastic pick for families with kids. These tacos are super easy to whip up, whether you’re using the stovetop or the Instant Pot. They let you quickly cook ground beef and mix in your favorite toppings for a meal that kids will enjoy. Plus, the recipe is flexible, so you can adjust the spice levels to suit young taste buds. It’s a win-win for busy nights!
Get This Recipe: Ground Beef Tacos – Stovetop- Instant Pot

Hamburger Steaks

A close-up of a pot of chicken cacciatore, showing a wooden spoon lifting a piece of chicken thigh smothered in a rich tomato sauce with sliced mushrooms, onions, and herbs. A small bowl with fresh herbs is in the background.
Hamburger Steaks. Image Credit: The Cookie Rookie.

Hamburger Steaks are a great way to introduce kids to savory flavors in a simple, hearty meal. The tender beef patties topped with gravy make for a comforting dish that’s easy to prepare. Since it’s packed with protein and comes together quickly, this recipe is a solid choice for busy weeknights when you need a kid-approved dinner.
Get This Recipe: Hamburger Steaks

Cincinnati Chili

A plate of spaghetti topped with chili and shredded cheddar cheese is accompanied by a few small round crackers. The dish rests on a gray cloth, and there are scattered bits of cheese and crackers around the plate. Another partially visible plate is in the corner.
Cincinnati Chili. Image Credit: The Cookie Rookie.

With its mild, kid-approved spices and spaghetti base, Cincinnati Chili is a fun twist on traditional chili that even the youngest members of your family will enjoy. The ground beef adds heartiness, and the unique toppings like shredded cheese or crackers make it customizable. It’s a great recipe to introduce your kids to new flavors while keeping the meal familiar.
Get This Recipe: Cincinnati Chili

Cheeseburger Casserole

A large white baking dish filled with a baked macaroni and cheese dish topped with melted cheese and garnished with chopped green onions. A green cloth, a wooden cutting board with green onions, and a stack of plates with forks are nearby.
Cheeseburger Casserole. Image Credit: The Cookie Rookie.

This Cheeseburger Casserole delivers everything kids love about cheeseburgers but in a fun, baked dish. Ground beef, gooey cheese, and pasta make it a satisfying meal that’s easy to serve to a hungry crowd. Whether you’re feeding picky eaters or need a quick weeknight option, this casserole won’t disappoint.
Get This Recipe: Cheeseburger Casserole

Loaded Tater Tots (Totchos)

Yummy Loaded Tater Tots (Totchos) picture
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

Loaded tater tots are crispy, crunchy, cheesy, and beefy! These Loaded Totchos are my new go-to game day appetizer!
Get the Recipe: Loaded Tater Tots (Totchos)

Walking Tacos Recipe

Walking Tacos Recipe in all its glory
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

Walking Tacos are quick and easy to make, filled with taco toppings, and perfectly portable. What could be better than tacos in a bag?
Get the Recipe: Walking Tacos Recipe

Loco Moco (Hawaiian Beef Patty with Gravy)

A plate of loco moco, consisting of a hamburger patty topped with a sunny-side-up egg and brown gravy, served on a bed of white rice. A fork and a yellow-striped napkin are placed next to the plate on a white surface.
Loco Moco (Hawaiian Beef Patty with Gravy). Image Credit: Sense & Edibility.

The Loco Moco is a Hawaiian dish that combines a ground beef patty with rice, gravy, and an egg, making it both filling and kid friendly. The simple ingredients and mild flavors are perfect for picky eaters, while the rich gravy adds an extra layer of comfort. It’s a great dish for introducing kids to global cuisine in a fun and approachable way.
Get This Recipe: Loco Moco (Hawaiian Beef Patty with Gravy)

Party Meatballs in Guava Sauce

A plate filled with glazed meatballs, garnished with chopped herbs, is set on a table. In the background, vibrant multicolored fabrics with various patterns drape decoratively. The scene exudes a festive and appetizing atmosphere.
Party Meatballs in Guava Sauce. Image Credit: Sense & Edibility.

These Party Meatballs in Guava Sauce are sweet, tangy, and sure to be a hit with kids. The juicy meatballs are made from ground beef and the guava sauce adds a fruity flavor that children will love. Perfect for family gatherings or weeknight dinners, these meatballs are an exciting way to switch up your regular ground beef recipes.
Get This Recipe: Party Meatballs in Guava Sauce

Dorito Casserole

Dorito Casserole at its finest
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

This 30-minute Dorito Casserole recipe is a perfect weeknight family meal. Simple to make and loaded with Mexican flavors!
Get the Recipe: Dorito Casserole

Taco Spaghetti

Yummy Taco Spaghetti picture
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

This Taco Spaghetti is the perfect fusion– a rich taco-inspired Bolognese sauce over spaghetti noodles satisfies everyone equally!
Get the Recipe: Taco Spaghetti

Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe {From Scratch}

Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe {From Scratch} in all its glory
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

Homemade Sloppy Joes are the perfect thing to make for easy dinners this summer. Make the best sloppy joe sauce, add beef, and voila!
Get the Recipe: Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe {From Scratch}

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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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