25 One-Pan Ground Beef Dinners That Work For Any Weeknight

Some nights, the last thing you want is a pile of dirty dishes after cooking. Ground beef is one of those ingredients that can turn into a full dinner fast without much effort. It works with a lot of different flavors, cooks quickly, and doesn’t need complicated steps. These one-pan recipes keep things simple while still being filling and practical. You can get dinner on the table without feeling like you spent the whole evening in the kitchen. From hearty casseroles to quick stir-fries, they’re the kind of meals that make weeknights easier.

Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet

Sweet potatoes and ground beef cook together with spices for a flavorful one-pan meal. It’s great for meal prep since the leftovers taste just as good reheated, and you can adjust the seasoning to your liking.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet

Ground Beef Stir Fry

Ground beef and vegetables stir fry quickly in a garlic-ginger sauce for a dinner that beats takeout in both speed and flavor. Everything is done in one pan, and it’s easy to change up the vegetables based on what you’ve got.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stir Fry

Healthier Sloppy Joes

This version keeps the classic sloppy joe flavor but lightens it up a bit with a tangy sauce and lean beef. It still comes together in one pan, making it just as quick as the original. Serve on buns or over baked potatoes for something different.
Get the Recipe: Healthier Sloppy Joes

Mexican Ground Beef Skillet

Ground beef, vegetables, and taco seasoning cook together in one skillet for a dinner that’s ready in 30 minutes. It’s easy to serve as is or pile into tortillas for a hands-on meal.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Ground Beef Skillet

Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

Shredded cabbage and ground beef get cooked together in a simple savory sauce for a quick, budget-friendly dinner. It’s ready in about 30 minutes and has enough flavor to stand on its own without extra sides.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

Ground Beef Sheet Pan Quesadillas

These sheet pan quesadillas load up seasoned ground beef, black beans, green chilies, and plenty of cheese onto tortillas, then bake all at once. You can prep everything in minutes and have a crowd-friendly dinner ready in under 40 minutes. It’s a smart way to feed a group without juggling multiple pans or making individual servings.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Sheet Pan Quesadillas

Ground Beef Nachos

A skillet piled high with tortilla chips, seasoned beef, black beans, corn, and queso makes an easy weeknight dinner that still feels like a treat. You can have everything assembled while the beef browns, then melt the cheese right before serving. It’s one of those meals that’s just as good for a Tuesday night as it is for game day.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Nachos

Dutch Oven Chili Mac

This combo of chili and mac and cheese comes together in one pot so you’re not boiling pasta separately. The noodles soak up all the flavor from the beef, tomatoes, and spices while the cheese melts right in. It’s hearty enough to feed a crowd, and leftovers are just as good the next day.
Get the Recipe: Dutch Oven Chili Mac

Skillet Nachos

Building nachos right in the skillet means every layer gets melted cheese and evenly distributed toppings. The beef, beans, and vegetables cook together before you pile on chips and bake just long enough to get everything hot and gooey. It’s easy to serve straight from the pan so cleanup is minimal.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Nachos

Karahi Keema

Ground beef, potatoes, and peas get cooked down with fragrant spices for a flavorful one-pan dinner. Everything comes together in about half an hour, so you can get it on the table quickly without sacrificing depth of flavor. Serve it with flatbread or rice and you’ve got a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Karahi Keema

Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry

Ground beef and chopped cabbage cook fast in a single skillet, taking on a mix of savory and naturally sweet flavors. It’s a 30-minute dinner that’s budget-friendly, easy to reheat, and great for stretching into lunch the next day. The short ingredient list keeps prep simple while still delivering plenty of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry

Stuffed Pepper Skillet with Panko Topping

All the flavor of stuffed peppers without the work of hollowing and baking them. Beef, bell peppers, rice, and tomato sauce simmer in one skillet before getting topped with crispy panko and cheese. It’s hearty, easy to make, and has enough substance to feed the whole family in one go.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Pepper Skillet with Panko Topping

Mexican Skillet with Ground Beef

Seasoned beef, vegetables, and pantry staples come together in under 30 minutes for a colorful skillet dinner. It’s one of those recipes you can pull off even when you’re low on groceries since most of the ingredients are things you probably already have. Add tortillas, rice, or just serve it straight from the pan.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Skillet with Ground Beef

Easy Cheesy Taco Potatoes

Cubed potatoes, ground beef, and cheese all cook together for a dinner that’s hearty but doesn’t take a ton of effort. The potatoes soak up all the taco seasoning while the cheese melts over everything. You can easily double it for a crowd or keep it small for a quick weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cheesy Taco Potatoes

Skillet Taco Gnocchi

This recipe uses gnocchi as the base for a beef and cheese-filled skillet that’s done in about 20 minutes. The gnocchi cooks right in the sauce so there’s no boiling needed, which means less cleanup and more flavor in every bite. It’s an easy one to keep in rotation when you need dinner on the table fast.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Taco Gnocchi

Slow Cooker Taco Beef Ramen

Toss seasoned beef, broth, and noodles in the slow cooker and let it do the work while you go about your day. The ramen soaks up all the taco-inspired flavors, making it a cozy dinner you can serve straight from the pot. It’s low-effort comfort food at its best.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Taco Beef Ramen

Slow Cooker Taco Casserole

This casserole layers beef, cheese, and potatoes in the slow cooker so dinner is ready when you walk in the door. It’s hearty, cheesy, and perfect for nights when you don’t want to think about cooking after work. Just serve it with a side salad and call it done.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Taco Casserole

Frito Taco Casserole

Corn chips, seasoned beef, cheese, and beans all bake together for a crunchy, cheesy dinner. It’s a family favorite that’s easy to throw together and great for feeding a hungry crowd. You can prep it ahead and bake when you’re ready to eat.
Get the Recipe: Frito Taco Casserole

Beefy Mac and Cheese

Creamy mac and cheese gets an upgrade with ground beef and a tangy tomato sauce. Everything cooks in one pot so the pasta absorbs all the flavor while the cheese melts in. It’s the kind of comfort food that works year-round.
Get the Recipe: Beefy Mac and Cheese

Ground Beef Casserole

Pasta, ground beef, and three kinds of cheese bake together in a tomato-based sauce for a filling one-pan dinner. You can assemble it ahead of time, refrigerate, then bake when you’re ready to eat. It’s also freezer-friendly for stocking up.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Casserole

One Pot Lasagna Soup

All the cheesy, meaty, tomato-rich flavors of lasagna are here in a soup that’s much quicker to make. Everything simmers in one pot so the pasta soaks up all the goodness, and you still get that melty cheese topping. It’s a lighter way to get your lasagna fix without spending hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Lasagna Soup

Goulash

Ground beef, macaroni, and tomato sauce cook together until the pasta is tender and the flavors meld. It’s ready in under an hour and easy to customize with extra vegetables or different seasonings. Serve it straight from the pot for a no-fuss dinner.
Get the Recipe: Goulash

Easy Taco Soup

This soup is loaded with ground beef, beans, vegetables, and taco spices in a rich broth. It comes together fast and has plenty of protein to keep it filling. Serve it with tortilla chips or cornbread for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Easy Taco Soup

Homemade Hamburger Helper Beef Stroganoff

Skip the boxed mix and make this creamy, beefy pasta in one skillet. The sauce gets its richness from sour cream, and you can toss in vegetables to round it out. It’s quick, hearty, and made with ingredients you probably already have.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Hamburger Helper Beef Stroganoff

Classic Hamburger Soup

Ground beef, potatoes, and vegetables simmer in a seasoned broth for a simple, comforting soup. It’s a recipe that’s been handed down and tweaked over time, and it reheats beautifully for easy lunches.
Get the Recipe: Classic Hamburger Soup