21 Dinners That Stretch One Pound Of Meat

One pound of meat goes further than most people think. Ground beef, turkey, pork, or bison can turn into a full meal with the right ingredients, stretching across multiple plates without feeling skimpy. Toss it into a skillet with veggies, bulk it up with beans or pasta, or layer it into a casserole that feeds the whole table. These recipes make the most of what you have, cutting down on grocery bills without cutting corners on dinner.

Close-up of a cheesy Mexican ground beef casserole topped with black beans and diced tomatoes, garnished with chopped herbs. — Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Beef Kafta

Ground beef, a handful of spices, and a little bit of shaping is all it takes to put together this easy dish. Cook it up, throw it on some rice or a salad, and you’ve got a dinner that makes that single pound of meat go the distance.
Get the Recipe: Beef Kafta

Bomb Meatloaf Recipe

Sliced meatloaf on a white plate with a fork. — Bomb Meatloaf. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This meatloaf isn’t just good—it’s the kind of meatloaf that makes you rethink everything you thought you knew about meatloaf. Juicy, packed with flavor, and smothered in a thick, sweet, and tangy glaze. A little beef goes a long way in this one.
Get the Recipe: Bomb Meatloaf Recipe

Burger In A Bowl With Healthier Homemade Burger Sauce

Two burger bowls of salad with lettuce, tomatoes and avocados. — Burger Bowl. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Skip the bun and go straight for the good stuff. This burger bowl has all the best parts of a classic burger, including a homemade sauce that’s better than anything out of a bottle. One pound of beef stretches across multiple bowls, making this a great dinner move.
Get the Recipe: Burger In A Bowl With Healthier Homemade Burger Sauce

Instant Pot Cabbage Soup

A colorful bowl of vegetable and meat soup garnished with fresh parsley, surrounded by ingredients and a ladle. — Photo Credit: Running To The Kitchen.

Toss some ground beef, cabbage, and a few pantry staples into the Instant Pot, and you’ve got a solid meal that makes the most of your ingredients. The tomato base adds a great depth of flavor, and it all comes together without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Cabbage Soup

Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet

Ground beef sweet potato skillet. — Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

One pan, minimal cleanup, and just enough beef to keep things interesting. Sweet potatoes and southwestern spices bring this dish to life, making it a great option when you need something quick but hearty. Leftovers are just as good, so make extra.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet

Easy Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

Pasta with meat and tomatoes in a white dish with a wooden spoon. — Ground Beef Pasta Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Pasta night just got a whole lot easier. This dish comes together in under 30 minutes with whatever pasta you’ve got on hand. The sauce tastes like it’s been simmering all day, but the secret is that it hasn’t.
Get the Recipe: Easy Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

Ground Beef Stir Fry

A skillet full of vegetables and beef on a wooden table. — Ground Beef Stir Fry. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Fast, flavorful, and cheaper than takeout. Ground beef and a mix of fresh veggies get tossed in a garlic-ginger sauce that coats everything perfectly. One pan and one pound of beef make this a weeknight win.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stir Fry

Healthy Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes on an English muffin on a plate. — Sloppy Joes. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

The classic messy sandwich, but without all the extra junk. Lean beef, BBQ sauce, and just the right amount of seasoning make these Sloppy Joes a great way to stretch a pound of meat into multiple sandwiches. No one leaves the table hungry.
Get the Recipe: Healthy Sloppy Joes

Italian Tomato Pasta Soup

This soup is loaded with ground beef, sausage, mushrooms, and greens, making it the kind of dinner that keeps everyone full. Perfect for when you need something cozy but still want to stretch that meat as far as it’ll go.
Get the Recipe: Italian Tomato Pasta Soup

Mexican Ground Beef Skillet

Mexican ground beef in a skillet with tortilla chips. — Mexican Ground Beef Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Taco seasoning, ground beef, and a handful of pantry staples turn into a quick one-pan meal that’s ready in 30 minutes. Great for taco night, burrito bowls, or just eating straight from the skillet with a spoon.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Ground Beef Skillet

Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

A bowl of beef and cabbage stir fry. — Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Cabbage and beef work together to make a meal that’s simple but loaded with flavor. A light, savory sauce ties it all together, and the whole thing cooks up in 30 minutes. Dinner doesn’t get much easier than this.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

Taco Lasagna

Tacos meet lasagna in this cheesy, layered masterpiece. Ground beef, tortillas, and all the best taco fixings come together for a dinner that feeds a crowd without blowing through your grocery budget.
Get the Recipe: Taco Lasagna

Bison Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed peppers with meat and cheese in a baking pan. — Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Stuffed peppers are a great way to turn a little bit of meat into a full meal. Ground bison, rice, and veggies get packed into bell peppers and baked until everything is bubbling and just right. A little cheese on top seals the deal.
Get the Recipe: Bison Stuffed Peppers

Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese

A skillet full of mac and cheese with turkey and herbs. — Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This is what happens when mac and cheese grows up. Ground turkey, real cheddar, and some hidden veggies make it a great dinner that tastes better than anything out of a box. Plus, it’s ready in 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese

Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet

A skillet filled with ground turkey, cauliflower rice and greens. — Buffalo Turkey Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Four ingredients, one pan, and about 20 minutes stand between you and a solid dinner. Ground turkey, cauliflower, and buffalo sauce bring the heat, and this dish works just as well for meal prep as it does for a last-minute weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet

Sweet Potato Turkey Patties

Turkey and black beans in a skillet. — Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

These patties are a great way to stretch ground turkey into something more than just a pile of meat on a plate. Perfect for stacking in a burger, eating with eggs for breakfast, or throwing on a salad when you need something quick.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Turkey Patties

Turkey Chili Pie

Turkye chili pie in a skillet on a blue tablecloth. — Turkey Chili Pie. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Classic chili meets cornbread in this skillet dinner. Ground turkey, beans, and tomatoes get topped with a thick layer of cornbread and baked until everything comes together into one great dish. Grab a spoon and dig in.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Chili Pie

Spicy Hummus Turkey Chili

A skillet full of turkey and beans with a wooden spoon. — Spicy Turkey Hummus Chili. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This chili is smooth, a little spicy, and packed with protein. Ground turkey and hummus give it a rich texture, making it the kind of meal that keeps you full without needing a ton of meat.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Hummus Turkey Chili

Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Kale Skillet

A vibrant skillet with ground meat, diced sweet potatoes, chopped kale, cherry tomatoes, and melted cheese. The ingredients are mixed and cooked together, creating a colorful and appetizing dish, resting on a rustic wooden table. — Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Need dinner fast? This one-pan meal takes 30 minutes from start to finish. Ground turkey, sweet potatoes, and kale come together for a no-stress meal that actually makes you feel like you ate something good.
Get the Recipe: Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Kale Skillet

Mexican Ground Beef Casserole

Cheesy, beefy, and packed with bold flavors. This casserole has everything—ground beef, tomatoes, peppers, and beans—baked into one dish that feeds a crowd. A little meat stretches far in this one.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Ground Beef Casserole

Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry

Ground pork and purple cabbage stir fry in a white pan. — Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Quick, easy, and packed with flavor. Ground pork, cabbage, and mushrooms come together in a simple stir fry that makes for a great dinner when you need something fast.
Get the Recipe: Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry

Gina Matsoukas

Founder and Writer at Running to the Kitchen | About

Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.