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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    20 Ground Beef Recipes That Are Perfect for Busy Weeknights

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on January 30, 2025, updated January 16, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Ground beef is a go-to ingredient for quick and satisfying meals, especially on busy weeknights. With its versatility, you can whip up everything from classic burgers to hearty casseroles in no time. Here are 20 easy recipes that will help you get dinner on the table without the stress.

    Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole

    Cheesy Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole.
    Photo credit: Chew Out Loud.

    This casserole has a crispy top and a soft, flavorful center. It's perfect for dinner or a filling breakfast, and you can even make it the night before.

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    Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

    Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes.
    Photo Credit: I Heart Eating.

    Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes are a simple dinner option that cooks itself in the crock pot. Ground beef and vegetables blend together for a delicious meal that's great for busy days.

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    Homemade Hamburgers

    air fryer hamburger.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These burgers are juicy and cooked just right, perfect for piling on your favorite toppings. With just ground beef, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce, you can whip them up easily.

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    Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie

    Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie is a classic dish that everyone in the family will enjoy. It features ground beef, carrots, peas, and creamy mashed potatoes on top, making it a hearty meal.

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    Tortellini Bake

    Tortellini bake.
    Photo credit: Everyday Delicious.

    This tortellini bake is a tasty casserole featuring store-bought tortellini and a hearty meat and vegetable tomato sauce, all topped with melted cheese. It's simple to prepare and provides a satisfying meal that lasts for a few days.

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    Taco Soup

    Taco Soup
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Taco Soup combines seasoned ground beef with corn, beans, and fire-roasted tomatoes for a fun take on taco night. Top it off with your favorite ingredients for a colorful and satisfying meal.

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    Easy Weeknight Chili

    Easy Weeknight Chili.
    Photo Credit: Worn Slap Out.

    This chili is easy to prepare, packed with meat, and healthy, making it perfect for a weeknight meal. Just top it off with your favorite chili toppings!

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    Greek Meatballs

    Greek Meatballs.
    Photo Credit: Nutritious Deliciousness.

    These Greek Meatballs (Keftedes) are a tasty mix of ground beef and pork, filled with flavorful feta cheese. They’re perfect as a simple appetizer or a quick dinner option.

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    Eggplant Moussaka

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

    Eggplant Moussaka is a hearty dinner packed with vegetables and ground beef, all covered in cheese. This version skips the potatoes and Bechamel sauce, using more eggplant instead for a tasty and healthy Mediterranean meal that's easy to prepare.

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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 ready in under an hour. Juicy and tender, these Swedish-style meatballs look great and are a delicious option for dinner.

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    Mexican Stuffed Bell Peppers

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

    Stuffed peppers are a quick and tasty meal that you can whip up in just 45 minutes. Packed with Tex-Mex flavors and topped with cheese, they’re great on their own or paired with tortilla chips.

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    Easy Chili

    A bowl of easy Chili.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This chili is simple to make in just one pot and takes under an hour. It's packed with traditional chili flavors and a tasty homemade seasoning blend.

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    Ground Beef Taco Salad with Kale, Tomatoes, and Avocado

    Ground Beef Taco Salad with Kale, Tomatoes, and Avocado.
    Photo Credit: Kalyn's Kitchen.

    This Ground Beef Taco Salad is packed with kale, tomatoes, avocado, red pepper, sliced olives, and Queso Fresco. Topped with a creamy salsa verde dressing, it’s a fresh and satisfying meal that’s perfect for any day.

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    Southwestern Frito Pie

    Southwestern Frito Pie.
    Photo Credit: Dude That Cookz.

    Easy Southwestern Frito Pie is a classic dish loved in the Midwest and South. It features beef chili and cheese, with some extra toppings added for a delicious meal any time.

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    3-Ingredient Chili

    Chili.
    Photo credit: Manila Spoon.

    This chili is simple to prepare and can be made on the stovetop or in a slow cooker. It's a flavorful dish that everyone in the family will enjoy.

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    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking Taco Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Recipes from a Pantry.

    Walking Taco Casserole is a delicious and comforting dish that combines seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and crunchy Fritos. It's perfect for busy weeknights or fun get-togethers with friends and family.

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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. With simple ingredients you probably already have, you can whip up a rich and hearty meal in no time.

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    Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole

    Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo credit: The Feathered Nester.

    This cheeseburger tater tot casserole brings together crispy potatoes and the flavors of a Big Mac into one tasty dish. It's a fun and easy meal that kids will love.

    Get the recipe

    Ground Beef and Potato Casserole

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

    This cheesy casserole is great any time of day. It's packed with soft potatoes, ground beef, onions, cheese, and a creamy mushroom sauce.

    Get the Recipe

    Stuffed Anaheim Peppers

    Stuffed Anaheim Peppers.
    Photo credit: Tia Clara.

    Stuffed Anaheim peppers filled with savory ground beef and gooey cheese are a delicious meal. Topped with a creamy avocado sauce, this dish is sure to satisfy.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Bacon potato casserole.
      21 Cheap Casseroles That Are Perfect for Feeding a Crowd
    • A plate with mashed potatoes and salisbury steak.
      21 Grandma Approved Ground Beef Recipes That Will Make You Feel Right at Home
    • French onion pasta.
      22 Quick and Delicious Pasta Recipes for Lazy Summer Nights
    • Jackfruit sandwiches.
      17 Easy Vegetarian Crockpot Meals That Are Full of Flavor

    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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