• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
always use butter
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Air Fryer Resources
    • Subscribe!
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipe Roundups

    19 Cheap Ground Beef Dishes That Will Have You Coming Back for Seconds

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on June 22, 2024, updated August 27, 2024 - Leave a Comment

    If you're looking for budget-friendly meal ideas using ground beef, you're in the right place. These 19 recipes are delicious, easy to make, and perfect for satisfying your hunger without breaking the bank. From classic comfort foods to creative twists, these dishes are sure to become regulars in your dinner rotation.

    No Boil Baked Ziti

    No Boil Baked Ziti
    Photo Credit: Cooking With Carlee.

    Make a delicious baked ziti without the hassle - no need to boil noodles or brown meat, just layer it up and bake for a tasty meal.

    Save This Recipe Form

    Want to save this recipe?

    Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get more great recipes from us each week!

    Get the recipe

    One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup

    A bowl of macaroni cheese burger soup.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This quick and simple cheeseburger soup is made in one pot, ready in just 30 minutes. It's a delicious and comforting meal that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Baked Spaghetti

    Cheesy Baked Spaghetti.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Looking for a budget-friendly meal that's sure to satisfy? This cheesy baked spaghetti dish is a delicious twist on the classic pasta and sauce combo. With layers of cheesy noodles, flavorful meat sauce, and plenty of melted cheese, it's a crowd-pleaser that will have everyone asking for seconds.

    Get the recipe

    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This casserole is a tasty twist on taco night, combining ground beef, salsa, and plenty of cheese in one easy dish. Perfect for a potluck or quick weeknight meal that everyone will love.

    Get the recipe

    Manestra (Greek-Style Orzo with Ground Beef)

    Greek orzo with ground beef.
    Photo credit: Bowl of Delicious.

    This Greek twist on a classic, called "Manestra," is a tasty option to try.

    Get the recipe

    Rigatoni al Forno

    Rigatoni al Forno.
    Photo credit: Food and Mood Dietitian.

    Looking for a simple and tasty pasta dish for dinner? This rigatoni al forno with veggies is a satisfying and easy-to-make meal that everyone will enjoy. It's a comforting blend of flavors and textures that's quick to prepare and packed with nutrients.

    Get the recipe

    Easy Shepherd’s Pie

    Easy Shepherd’s Pie
    Photo Credit: Bowl of Delicious.

    This simple Shepherd’s Pie, also called Cottage Pie, is a budget-friendly dish made with ground beef and just a few basic ingredients. It's easy to make, freezer-friendly, and perfect for those new to cooking. You can switch things up by using lamb or adding a gravy base for a fancier twist.

    Get the recipe

    Chili Mac 'n Cheese

    Chili Mac 'n Cheese.
    Photo credit: FODMAP Everyday.

    This dish combines creamy macaroni and cheese with classic American beef chili ingredients, making it a comforting and easy meal to prepare. It's a favorite among family members of all ages.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Bolognese

    A bowl of instant pot bolognese served over pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Make a delicious bolognese sauce in no time with this Instant Pot recipe. It's a flavorful pasta sauce that captures the essence of the traditional dish without the long cooking time.

    Get the recipe

    Dorito Casserole

    Dorito casserole.
    Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes.

    This Dorito casserole is packed with layers of nacho Doritos, ground beef, red and green salsa, and shredded cheese, all baked until golden and melty. It's a tasty dish inspired by Mexican flavors that's bold, vibrant, and totally addictive!

    Get the recipe

    Homemade Hamburgers

    air fryer hamburger.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Looking for a simple and tasty meal? Make delicious hamburgers using ground beef in your air fryer or on the grill. They're juicy, easy to prepare, and perfect for adding your favorite toppings.

    Get the recipe

    The Best Tater Tot Casserole

    The Best Tater Tot Casserole
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This tater tot casserole is a beloved Midwest dish with veggies, ground beef, creamy gravy, melted cheese, and tater tots. It's made without condensed soup, using real ingredients, and can be cooked in one pot for an easy dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Meatballs without Breadcrumbs and Eggs

    Meatballs without Breadcrumbs and Eggs
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    Looking for a delicious meal that won't break the bank? These breadcrumb-free and egg-free meatballs are a must-try! Quick to prepare using stove top, air fryer, or oven methods, they turn out juicy, flavorful, and tender every time.

    Get the recipe

    Taco Casserole

    Taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Ground beef, tortillas, enchilada sauce, and cheese come together in Taco Casserole for an easy weeknight dinner that you can prepare in advance and freeze. Enjoy all the flavors of taco night baked into one dish.

    Get the recipe

    Cowboy Casserole

    Cowboy casserole.
    Photo credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    Looking for a simple meal idea? Try making Cowboy Casserole - a creamy, cheesy dish topped with crispy tater tots. It's a hearty option that's sure to become a family favorite.

    Get the recipe

    Mexican Stuffed Bell Peppers

    Mexican Stuffed Bell Peppers without Rice
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    Looking for a quick meal idea? Try making Stuffed Peppers without rice in just 45 minutes. Packed with tex-mex flavors and topped with cheese, they're perfect on their own or with a side of tortilla chips.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Shells Stuffed with Meatballs

    Baked Shells Stuffed with Meatballs.
    Photo credit: FODMAP Everyday.

    These pasta shells are filled with cheese and meatballs, then covered in a simple tomato sauce. It's a classic dish that's sure to please.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Cheeseburger Casserole

    CHEESEBURGER CASSEROLE.
    Photo credit: The Creative Bite.

    This simple Instant Pot dish takes the delicious taste of cheeseburgers and turns it into a satisfying casserole that's quick and simple to make. Topped with cheddar, pickles, and a special sauce, it's sure to become a hit with your family.

    Get the recipe

    Mexican Beef & Rice Skillet

    MEXICAN BEEF AND RICE SKILLET.
    Photo credit: Cook Dinner Tonight.

    This Mexican beef and rice skillet is a quick and delicious one-pan meal. It transforms ground beef into a flavorful dinner that's easy to make.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • A spoonful of seafood pasta bake.
      18 Easy Summer Casseroles to Feed a Crowd
    • A bowl of chili.
      26 Easy Crockpot Recipes That Will Feed a Crowd
    • Making gino.
      20 Heavenly Desserts That Will Satisfy Your Cravings
    • Mexican beef and rice casserole.
      30 Hearty Ground Beef Dishes We Crave Every Week

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

    More about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • Sliced air fryer roast beef.
      Air Fryer Roast Beef

    • top down view of a tortellini casserole
      Cheesy Tortellini Casserole with Spinach

    • Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake [Dump and bake!]

    • sliced rib eye steak topped with salt
      How to Cook a Rib Eye Steak Without a Cast Iron Skillet (3 Methods)

    Popular Articles

    • Falafel bake.
      25 Easy Dinners You Can Just Dump, Bake and Devour

    • A bowl of broccoli and chicken teriyaki.
      24 Flavorful Chicken Meals You Can Just Dump and Go

    • Brussel sprouts.
      19 Delicious Side Dishes to Complement Your Memorial Day Grilling

    • Hamburger minestrone.
      20 Easy Dump-and-Cook Pasta Meals for Tired Souls

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    All affiliate links are always marked with "*" or "affiliate".

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    A collage of sites where always use butter content has been featured.

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Disclaimer
    • Disclosures
    • Editorial Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • info@alwaysusebutter.com
    • Pink Giraffe Ventures AB, Runstens Byväg 51, 147 91 Grödinge, Sweden
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Copyright © 2018-2025 Pink Giraffe Ventures AB