• 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

    21 Ground Beef Dinners That Will Transform Your Weeknight Meals

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on August 5, 2025, updated July 15, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Ground beef is a versatile ingredient that can make weeknight dinners quick and satisfying. From classic burgers to hearty casseroles, there are countless ways to prepare it that will please the whole family. Here are 21 delicious ground beef recipes that will make your evenings easier and more enjoyable.

    Slow Cooker Hobo Dinner

    Hobo Dinner in the Slow Cooker.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This recipe offers a simple way to prepare a full meal in one go. It includes a flavorful meatloaf paired with perfectly cooked sliced potatoes, all done together. This dish is great for a relaxing weekend meal or can be packed up for lunch during the week.

    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

    Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole

    Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit; The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole is a delicious dish that everyone in the family will love. This comforting meal combines some favorite ingredients into one easy pot, making it perfect for busy weeknights. With plenty to go around, it’s sure to satisfy even the hungriest appetites.

    Get the Recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This casserole brings all the delicious flavors of tacos into one easy dish. It's packed with ground beef, salsa, and plenty of cheese, making it a satisfying meal. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a potluck, this recipe is sure to become a go-to favorite.

    Get the recipe

    Beef Tacos

    Ground Beef Tacos.
    Photo credit: I Heart Naptime.

    These tacos are crispy and packed with tasty homemade taco meat and all your favorite toppings. They’re a quick and easy meal that the whole family will enjoy, and you can have them ready in just 20 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, these ground beef tacos bring a lot of flavor without taking up too much time.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Taco Pasta

    Instant Pot Taco Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Budget Delicious.

    This Instant Pot Taco Pasta is a fun take on classic tacos. It mixes ground beef, cheese, and taco seasoning with soft pasta, creating a dish that's sure to please everyone at the table. It's a simple and tasty option for dinner that the whole family will enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

    Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Forget the store-bought options and whip up this tasty homemade sloppy joe recipe. It's simple to prepare and perfect for a family meal that everyone will love.

    Get the Recipe

    Ground Beef Nachos

    Nachos.
    Photo credit: Food Folks and Fun.

    This nacho dish features a tasty mix of seasoned ground beef combined with ranch beans, black beans, onions, and garlic. Topped with sour cream, jalapenos, avocados, cilantro, lime slices, and plenty of melted cheese, it’s a satisfying meal. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe is sure to please everyone at the table.

    Get the recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Hamburger Minestrone

    Slow Cooker Hamburger Minestrone.
    Photo Credit: Valerie's Kitchen.

    This soup is packed with fresh veggies, ground beef, and pasta. It's a filling and cozy dish that serves as a full meal on its own.

    Get the Recipe

    Italian Meatloaf

    Italian Meatloaf over spaghetti.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This Italian meatloaf is simple to prepare—just combine the ingredients and bake it. It turns out juicy and packed with flavor, making it a great choice for a family dinner. Pair it with spaghetti, marinara sauce, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for a classic Italian dish that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    American Chop Suey

    American Chop Suey.
    Photo Credit: Dishes Delish.

    American chop suey is a simple and satisfying dinner featuring tender ground beef, tasty vegetables, and elbow macaroni all mixed together in a rich tomato sauce. It comes together in just 30 minutes, making it a great option for busy weeknights. This dish is sure to please the whole family and is perfect for those evenings when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    Meatballs and Rice

    Meatballs and Rice.
    Photo Credit: Living Lou.

    Baked meatballs and rice is a simple one-pot meal featuring beef meatballs paired with fluffy garlic rice and kale. This dish combines all the essentials for a satisfying dinner and can be prepared in less than 50 minutes. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    Cottage Cheese Lasagna

    Cottage cheese lasagna on a dish.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Cottage cheese lasagna is a cozy and satisfying meal that’s easy to whip up. It’s perfect for those busy days when you want something homemade without spending too much time in the kitchen. You can even make it ahead of time and just bake it when you’re ready to eat. This dish brings warmth and comfort to your dinner table.

    Get the recipe

    Stuffed Pepper Skillet

    Stuffed Pepper Skillet.
    Photo Credit: The Recipe Well.

    The Stuffed Pepper Skillet is a hearty one-pan meal that's perfect for weeknights. It combines ground turkey or beef, rice, kidney beans, and bell peppers, bringing all the classic flavors of stuffed peppers together in a simpler way. This dish is not only healthy but also quick to prepare, making it a great option for busy evenings.

    Get the Recipe

    Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme

    Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme on a plate.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    A homemade Taco Bell crunchwrap supreme is a delicious mix of ingredients that come together in a satisfying way. It features layers of soft flour tortillas filled with seasoned ground beef, nacho cheese, and a crunchy tostada shell. Topped off with cool sour cream, fresh shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and extra melted cheese, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table.

    Get the recipe

    Easy Cheeseburger Casserole

    Easy Cheeseburger Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Dude That Cookz.

    Cheeseburger Casserole is a simple and tasty dish that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. With just a few ingredients like ground beef, onions, tomato puree, cheese, and some spices, you can whip up a hearty meal that everyone in the family will love. This comforting casserole brings all the flavors of a cheeseburger into one easy-to-make dish.

    Get the Recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    Sour Cream Noodle Bake

    Sour Cream Noodle Bake.
    Photo Credit: My Kitchen Sanctuary.

    Sour Cream Noodle Bake is a warm and comforting casserole that's perfect for a cozy dinner. It features layers of creamy egg noodles, a hearty beef sauce, and gooey cheese that all come together beautifully. This dish is sure to bring a smile to your face and make your weeknight meals feel special.

    Get the Recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Baked Ravioli Casserole.
      20 Dump-and-Go Pasta Dinners That Will Save Your Evenings
    • Baked lamb chops with veggies.
      Set It and Forget It: 18 Easy Dinners That Will Transform Your Summer
    • Beef stew.
      21 Prep-Ahead Beef Dishes for Busy Nights
    • Sheet pan shrimp boil.
      Beat the Heat with These 18 Southern Summer Classics

    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

    • Bolognese.
      21 Ground Beef Dinners That Will Transform Your Weeknight Meals
    • Cranberry chicken.
      23 Slow Cooker Chicken Breast Recipes We Crave Every Week
    • Chicken and broccoli.
      20 Hearty Crockpot Meals You’ll Crave Every Week
    • A bowl of chili.
      17 Dump-and-Go Ground Beef Dinners That Will Change Your Weeknight Routine

    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