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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    19 Family Friendly Ground Beef Dinners We Can’t Stop Making

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on August 16, 2025, updated July 15, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Ground beef is a versatile ingredient that can be transformed into countless family-friendly meals. From hearty casseroles to quick skillet dishes, these 19 recipes are sure to please everyone at the dinner table. Whether you're looking for something classic or a bit different, there's a dish here that will fit the bill.

    Eggplant Moussaka

    Eggplant Moussaka with Lamb.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Eggplant Moussaka is a hearty dinner packed with vegetables and ground beef or lamb, all topped with plenty of cheese. This recipe skips the potatoes and Bechamel sauce, using more eggplant instead, which keeps it light and healthy. It's a straightforward Mediterranean dish that's both tasty and easy to prepare.

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    Slow Cooker Tater Tot Casserole

    Slow Cooker Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This easy slow cooker tater tot casserole combines green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and cheddar cheese for a comforting meal. With its hearty layers, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without a lot of work. It's a simple way to bring everyone together around the dinner table.

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    Ground Beef and Potato Casserole

    Ground Beef and Potato Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Zona Cooks.

    This cheesy casserole is great any time of day, whether it's breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It's packed with soft potatoes, ground beef, onions, cheese, and a creamy mushroom sauce. This dish is simple to prepare and satisfying, making it a go-to option for busy weeknights.

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    Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole

    Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Cupcakes and Kale Chips.

    This dish is a tasty mix of savory flavors and cheesy goodness, packed with all the right ingredients. It's a great choice for a family dinner during the week and offers that comforting feeling everyone loves. Simple to prepare, it brings a satisfying meal to the table without much effort.

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    Air Fryer Meatballs

    A stack of meatballs.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These air fryer meatballs are simple to prepare and don’t require eggs or breadcrumbs. In less than an hour, you can have juicy and tender Swedish-style meatballs ready to enjoy. They look great and are a step up from any meatballs you’ve made before.

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    Italian Beef Cannelloni

    Italian Beef Cannelloni.
    Photo Credit: Craving Some Creativity.

    Italian Beef Cannelloni is a hearty dish filled with flavorful ground beef and topped with a rich red sauce and plenty of melted mozzarella cheese. This meal is simple to prepare and is a great way to use up leftover vegetables. It's perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner and can easily be stored in the freezer for later.

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    Zucchini Beef Meatballs

    Zucchini Beef Meatballs.
    Photo credit: Lemons + Zest.

    These beef meatballs are packed with zucchini, giving you a tasty way to enjoy both meat and veggies in one bite. With just 15 minutes of prep time, they simmer in sauce until they're perfectly cooked. This is a great option for a quick and satisfying dinner.

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    Slow Cooker Enchilada Casserole

    Slow Cooker Enchilada Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Retro Recipe Box.

    Enjoying enchiladas just got easier with this simple recipe that skips the rolling step. You can use either ground beef or ground turkey, making it a flexible option for your weeknight meals. It's a tasty dish that brings all the flavors you love without the extra work.

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    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking Taco Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Deliciously Homecooked.

    Walking taco casserole combines melted cheese, ground beef, taco seasoning, and crunchy corn chips like Fritos into a hearty meal. It's a simple dish that brings a fun twist to dinner time. Your family will enjoy this tasty and satisfying option that’s perfect for busy weeknights.

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    3-Ingredient Sloppy Joes

    SLOPPY JOES.
    Photo credit: The Short Order Cook.

    A classic sloppy joe is a great choice for a family dinner that everyone will enjoy. It's simple to make and packed with flavor, making it perfect for busy weeknights. This dish brings a comforting, nostalgic feel to the table, and it's sure to satisfy even the pickiest eaters.

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    Baked Spaghetti Casserole

    Baked Spaghetti Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Dutch Oven Daddy.

    This dish is all about comfort food, similar to lasagna but much simpler to prepare. It's warm and satisfying, perfect for a cozy dinner at home. With minimal effort, you can enjoy a hearty meal that everyone will love.

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    Ground Beef Hotpot

    Minced Beef, Onion and Potato Hotpot.
    Photo Credit: Krumpli.

    This dish combines ground beef stew with sliced onions and scalloped potatoes, making it a cozy meal for chilly evenings. It's hearty and filling, perfect for a comforting dinner. With simple ingredients and easy preparation, this is a great option for busy weeknights.

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    Meatballs without Breadcrumbs and Eggs

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

    These meatballs are simple to prepare and can be ready in less than an hour. You can cook them on the stove, in an air fryer, or in the oven, giving you plenty of options. The result is a juicy and flavorful meatball that everyone will enjoy.

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    Instant Pot Bolognese

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

    This Instant Pot bolognese is a quick and easy way to enjoy a classic pasta sauce. It combines rich flavors and hearty ingredients, all made with simple items you probably already have in your pantry. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe cuts down on cooking time while still delivering a satisfying meal.

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    Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps

    Ground beef lettuce wraps.
    Photo credit: Food Folks and Fun.

    Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps are a simple and delicious option for a weeknight meal, ready in just 20 minutes. They offer a fresh twist on dinner, combining savory beef with crisp lettuce for a satisfying bite. This dish is perfect for busy evenings when you want something quick but still flavorful.

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    Mexican Stuffed Bell Peppers

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

    Stuffed peppers can be ready in just 45 minutes with this simple recipe. Packed with Tex-Mex flavors from taco seasoning and topped with cheese, they are satisfying on their own or paired with tortilla chips. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Homemade Hamburgers

    air fryer hamburger.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features juicy, well-cooked ground beef that pairs perfectly with your favorite burger toppings. With just a few simple ingredients like ground beef, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce, you can whip up a satisfying meal. It's a great option for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Rigatoni al Forno

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

    This rigatoni al forno with veggies is a simple and tasty pasta dish that’s perfect for dinner. It combines classic Italian flavors with a healthy twist, making it a satisfying meal for everyone. With a mix of textures and flavors, this dish is sure to please. Plus, it’s quick to prepare and packed with nutrients.

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    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.

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    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!

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