What can't you do with ground beef? It's so versatile, not to mention totally delicious. Since it's our go to for an easy, cheap dinner, we put together some of our best recipes that showcase all that ground beef can do. Have some on hand and not sure what to make with it? Look no further! We've got plenty of quick dinner ideas that are sure to please the entire family. From burgers and tacos to meatballs and a copycat Crunchwrap Supreme (no drive-thru needed đ), there's something here to please any and every appetite.
One of the best things about ground beef? It's so easy to whip up. Whether you're throwing it in a slow-cooker to make life a bit easier, whipping up an air-fryer time-saver, or grilling out, the possibilities are endless when it comes to this protein. Plus, it's a cheap and easy solution when you need to feed a crowd. If you need to please a Super Bowl party, you can't go wrong with shareable nachos supreme, Instant Pot meatballs, or classic stuffed peppers. On a keto kick? Our keto versions of beef stroganoff, handheld taco cups, and meatballs will leave anyone satisfied.
Whether you need to switch up your weeknight dinner rotation, are looking for an easy, party-ready dish, or need some dinner inspo for that extra ground beef you've got sitting in your fridge, these easy recipes will spark some love for the versatile ingredient. Looking for more dinner inspo? Try these delish ways to use ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground pork instead!
Hamburger Steaks
Hamburger steak is similar to Salisbury steak in that both are covered in an onion and mushroom gravy, but what separates this version from Salisbury steak is a more simply-flavored patty mixture and the omission of tomato-based ingredients like tomato paste and ketchup, resulting in an unadulterated, beefier bite.
Get the Hamburger Steaks recipe.
Pappardelle Bolognese
Pappardelle is a classic choice for Bolognese and is often sold as fresh pasta instead of dried. You can of course venture to make your own fresh pasta or use your own favorite kind of noodles. There are no rules here, except for one: Top the whole thing with lots of fresh Parmesan.
Get the Pappardelle Bolognese recipe.
PastelĂłn
Akin to a Puerto Rican lasagna, pastelĂłn layers up crispy fried sweet plantains with melty mozzarella cheese and picadillo, a mix of ground beef, tomatoes, sofrito, herbs, briny olives, and a pop of sweetness from raisins. It takes a bit to prepare all the elements, but itâs worth it for this sweet and savory dish you can easily serve to a crowd.
Get the PastelĂłn recipe.
Keto Beef Stroganoff
Nothing says comfort food quite like a warm bowl of classic beef stroganoff. Though keto dieters can't have the requisite egg noodles that normally accompany this dish, a big scoop of steamed cauliflower rice is a great alternative.
Get the Keto Beef Stroganoff recipe.
Nachos Supreme
Weâve packed this version of nachos with an impressive load of toppings including beef, refried beans, pickled jalapeños, tomato, green onion, and avocado. But you can top your nachos with whatever you want! If you want to stick with the traditional Mexican vibe, we recommend guacamole, pico de gallo, shredded lettuce, cotija cheese, grilled corn, pinto beans, or black olives.
Get the Nachos Supreme recipe.
Classic Meatloaf
Meatloaf is an old-school recipe that everyone should know how to make. It might not be the sexiest piece of food, but it is delishâespecially in a sandwich the next day OR with a fried egg on top!
Get the Classic Meatloaf recipe.
Pasta Moussaka
This layered pasta dish marries the classic Greek eggplant casserole with baked ziti for a meal that's almost as stunning as it is delicious.
Get the Pasta Moussaka recipe.
Copycat Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme
We're so obsessed with Taco Bellâs Crunchwrap Supreme that we have not one, but TWO copycat recipes. And while we love our vegan Crunchwrap, we still have a special place in our hearts for the original meat-loving version.
Caramelized Beef With Rice
This flavorful, weeknight-friendly dinner cooks in under 10 minutes! Top tip: Brown the ground beef and then caramelize it with agave syrup (or any sweetener you prefer)âthe sugars melt, darken, and get nutty delicious.
Get the Caramelized Beef With Rice recipe.
Classic Stuffed Peppers
Of all the food you can stuff, stuffed peppers are at the top of our list. Bell peppers are large enough to hold a lot, strong enough to keep their shape in the oven, and mild enough in flavor to go with just about anything. Here weâre filling them with beefy, tomato rice, and shredded Monterey Jack cheese, but you can customize them to fit your taste.
Get the Classic Stuffed Peppers recipe.
Cheesy Beef Empanadas
Everything you could ever want in one convenient pocket! You can even make these delicious bites in the air fryer for the same golden, crisp shell in no time at all.
Get the Cheesy Beef Empanadas recipe.
Sloppy Joe Pasta
We originally developed this recipe for kids. But then we became obsessed ourselves. Reason #1: The squiggly pasta is insanely funâboth to look at and eat. (Itâs got crazy slurpability.) Reason #2: Itâs got some Hamburger Helper vibes going on in the best way possible.
Get the Sloppy Joe Pasta recipe.
Easy Goulash
We love that everything in this goulash cooks together in one potâ even the pasta! Cooking the macaroni directly in the goulash means the pasta gets to soak up all that beef and tomato flavor while simultaneously releasing some of its starch into the pan, thickening the goulash to create a hearty, comforting stew.
Get the Easy Goulash recipe.
Zucchini Burrito Boats
These are unbelievably colorfulâand delicious. This low-carb meal fits ground beef, black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, and plenty of cheese into hollowed-out zucchini. (Psst: Try our garlicky shrimp zucchini boats for even more zucchini inspo.)
Get the Zucchini Burrito Boats recipe.
Miso Bolognese
Weâre no strangers to the simple magic of a well-done Bolognese; itâs a staple in our weeknight dinner rotation. To avoid falling into a dreaded rut, we turned to one of our favorite superpower ingredients to jazz it up. Enter: miso!
Get the Miso Bolognese recipe.
Beef Enchiladas
These easy enchiladas are the perfect hearty meal. They are packed with ground beef and black beans, made really cheesy and delicious with a sprinkling of Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese. BTW, these go great with our Jarritos Margaritas. đ
Get the Beef Enchiladas recipe.
Perfect Chili
We can't get enough of chili on game day, and though we love it in so many creative and unique ways (we're looking at you, pizza chili), this simple recipe is a classic for a reason.
Get the Perfect Chili recipe.
Zucchini Baked "Zitiâ
When we get an itch for a low-carb pastas, this one is a necessity. You still get plenty of meaty sauce and melty cheese, all while staying gluten-free!
Get the Zucchini Baked "Zitiâ recipe.
Keto Taco Cups
Taco shells made out of cheese = the ultimate keto hack. If you're a fan of Tex-Mex ground beef tacos and are trying to follow a low-carb diet, these are a perfect option.
Get the Keto Taco Cups recipe.
Spaghetti and Meatballs
If you're looking for a super simple, comforting, no-frills bowl of spaghetti and meatballs, you've come to the right place. And if you're feeling adventurous, it's also a great jumping off point for your own version of this classic dish!
Get the Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe.
Taylor Worden is Delish's Assistant Digital Food Producer, where she creates recipe galleries, recipe updates and more. She was previously a freelance editor on the food team for Good Housekeeping, where she also contributed entertainment and culture pieces as a freelance writer. She graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in journalism and a lifelong love of writing. When sheâs not writing, she can be found reading, testing out a new pasta recipe, or rewatching one of her favorite shows.