19 Ground Beef Recipes That Make Dinner The Easiest Part Of The Day

Dinner shouldn’t be the hardest part of the day, and with ground beef, it isn’t. It’s affordable, cooks fast, and works in all kinds of meals without much planning. These recipes are practical, reliable, and don’t require a trip to five different stores. They’re the kind of meals you can make on a weeknight without it turning into a project.

Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet

This one-pan dinner brings together seasoned beef, roasted sweet potatoes, and southwestern flavor in under an hour. It’s balanced, satisfying, and works for meal prep or same-day dinner. A great go-to when you want something hands-off but not boring.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet

Spicy Beef and Red Pepper Rice Bowl

With dried chili peppers, ground beef, red bell pepper, and a soft egg on top, this bowl brings solid flavor with just the right amount of heat. It’s great for those nights when you’re overtakeout but still want something that hits just as hard.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Beef and Red Pepper Rice Bowl

Mexican Ground Beef Casserole

Filled with seasoned beef, black beans, peppers, and tomatoes, this casserole pulls big flavor into one dish. It bakes up with plenty of melted cheese on top and feeds a crowd or sets you up with leftovers. A reliable choice when dinner needs to take care of itself.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Ground Beef Casserole

Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

This pasta dish tastes like it simmered all day but comes together in less than 30 minutes. It’s simple, hearty, and uses pantry basics, which makes it a no-brainer for weeknights when you’re short on time and motivation.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

Burger Bowls

All the parts of a great burger, but served in a bowl instead of on a bun. With a homemade burger sauce and toppings built right in, this one skips the mess and goes straight to the good part. It’s great for nights when you want something filling that doesn’t take much thinking.
Get the Recipe: Burger Bowls

Bomb Meatloaf

This meatloaf has serious flavor, and the thick glaze on top takes it well beyond anything you grew up with. It’s tender, juicy, and comes together without a lot of steps, which is exactly the kind of energy you need after a long day. It fits the bill for a no-stress dinner that still feels like a real sit-down meal.
Get the Recipe: Bomb Meatloaf

Ground Beef Stir Fry

Made with fresh vegetables and a quick garlic ginger sauce, this stir fry delivers a takeout-style meal from one pan. It’s fast, reliable, and perfect for keeping dinner on track when your day didn’t go according to plan.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stir Fry

Mexican Ground Beef Skillet

Taco seasoning, ground beef, and veggies come together in one skillet that’s ready in about 30 minutes. It’s flexible enough to serve on its own, with chips, or stuffed into tortillas. Perfect for nights when you just need dinner to work.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Ground Beef Skillet

Instant Pot Bolognese

This version of bolognese keeps all the deep, rich flavor you expect from the original but finishes in a fraction of the time. The Instant Pot does the heavy lifting so you can serve up a solid pasta dinner without hovering over the stove. A great solution for when you need something hearty and fast.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Bolognese

Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

This meal is a mix of beef, chopped cabbage, and a savory sauce that leans slightly toward stir fry without needing a wok. It has texture, flavor, and only takes one pan to pull together. Great for a no-frills dinner that still hits the spot.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

Beef Kafta

These Lebanese-style ground beef kabobs bring bold seasoning and a solid protein base to the table. Served with rice, tomato cucumber salad, or hummus, this is the kind of dinner that feels complete without making anything complicated. A solid choice when you’re tired but still want something that hits every box for a real meal.
Get the Recipe: Beef Kafta

Healthier Sloppy Joes

These Sloppy Joes keep the flavor but tone things down with leaner meat and a lighter sauce. Still saucy, still cheesy, still messy in the best way—this one proves dinner doesn’t have to be complicated to be good.
Get the Recipe: Healthier Sloppy Joes

Ground Beef Stroganoff

This shortcut version of stroganoff still brings creamy sauce, mushrooms, and beef to the table—just faster. Served over noodles or rice, it’s great for when you need comfort food that doesn’t keep you waiting.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stroganoff

Ground Beef Stir Fry With Celery: Quick And Easy

This dish uses celery to bring crunch and contrast to a deeply savory beef stir fry. It comes together fast and doesn’t lean on processed shortcuts, making it a practical pick for a solid dinner without the stress.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stir Fry With Celery: Quick And Easy

The BEST Ground Beef Enchiladas

Corn tortillas wrapped around seasoned beef and baked with cheese and sauce—this is a go-to for anyone who wants flavor without complications. It’s filling, crowd-friendly, and brings a little comfort to any weeknight.
Get the Recipe: The BEST Ground Beef Enchiladas

Ground Beef and Rice

This classic combination is simple but gets the job done. With a little seasoning and the right ratio, it turns into a meal that’s dependable without being bland. When dinner needs to happen without a plan, this is the kind of dish that shows up.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Rice

Korean Ground Beef Bowl

Sweet and savory sauce meets crumbled ground beef and a bowl of rice for a quick dinner that doesn’t cut corners. It’s bold, fast, and a good way to change things up without buying specialty ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Korean Ground Beef Bowl

Ground Beef Chow Mein Casserole

This casserole leans into comfort with noodles, ground beef, and a savory base baked all in one pan. It’s a great backup plan for nights when you just want something hot and filling without making it a big deal.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Chow Mein Casserole

Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta

Ground beef, pasta, a tomato-based sauce, and melted cheese all come together in a dish that checks every box for an easy, crowd-pleasing dinner. Great for feeding a family or loading up lunch leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta