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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 Quick and Easy Ground Beef Dishes That Are Perfect for Busy Nights

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on March 23, 2025, updated March 4, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Ground beef is a go-to ingredient for quick and satisfying meals, especially on busy nights. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a variety of dishes that the whole family will enjoy. From classic burgers to hearty casseroles, these 21 recipes will help you get dinner on the table in no time.

    30-Minute Beef & Noodles

    Beef and Noodles.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This creamy beef and noodles dish is quick to prepare, taking only about 30 minutes. It's a great choice for a cozy meal on a busy weeknight.

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    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This casserole combines all the delicious flavors of tacos into a simple one-dish meal. It's packed with ground beef, salsa, and plenty of cheese, making it perfect for a potluck or a quick weeknight dinner.

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    Big Mac Cheeseburger Sliders

    Big Mac cheeseburger sliders on a pan.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Sweet Hawaiian rolls are filled with seasoned ground beef and gooey American cheese, then topped with fresh lettuce, pickles, onions, and a bit of creamy Big Mac sauce. This is a great dinner option that you can whip up in less than 30 minutes!

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    Manestra (Greek-Style Orzo with Ground Beef)

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

    Comfort food often includes casseroles or mac’n’cheese, and this dish is a great twist on that. This Greek version, called "Manestra," is just as tasty and satisfying.

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    Crunchwrap Supreme

    Crunchwraps.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    These homemade Taco Bell crunch wraps are packed with layers of flour tortillas, seasoned ground beef, nacho cheese, a crunchy tostada shell, sour cream, lettuce, diced tomatoes, and extra cheese. This quick 20-minute dinner is a fun twist on taco night that everyone will enjoy!

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    Eggplant Moussaka

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

    Eggplant Moussaka is a simple dinner packed with vegetables and ground beef, all topped with plenty of cheese. This version skips the potatoes and Bechamel sauce, using more eggplant instead for a healthy and tasty Mediterranean meal.

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    One Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper

    A bowl of One Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This homemade hamburger helper is a warm and comforting dish packed with tender macaroni and crumbled ground beef in a creamy cheese sauce. It's a simple meal that's perfect for busy nights.

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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 ground beef, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce, it's simple to prepare.

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    Cheeseburger Macaroni

    CHEESEBURGER MACARONI.
    Photo credit: Cook Dinner Tonight.

    This easy hamburger mac comes together in about 30 minutes and is packed with cheesy goodness. It's a simple one-pot meal that's perfect for a quick dinner.

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    Cheeseburger Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls

    Cheeseburger sliders.
    Photo credit: House of Yumm.

    Mini cheeseburger sliders made with Hawaiian rolls come together in just 30 minutes, making them a simple dinner option. Filled with juicy ground beef, melted cheese, and zesty pickles, they’re great for family meals or a tasty snack.

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    Beef Taco Skillet

    BEEF TACO SKILLET.
    Photo credit: Laura Fuentes.

    This cheesy ground beef taco skillet is a quick meal that you can whip up in just 15 minutes. It's a great option for busy weeknights when you need something tasty and easy.

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    Chili Mac 'n Cheese

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

    This creamy macaroni and cheese combines all the classic flavors of American beef chili in one simple dish. It's easy to prepare and is sure to please everyone in the family.

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    Korean Beef Bowls

    Korean Ground Beef Bowl.
    Photo credit: I Heart Naptime.

    This Korean ground beef bowl is a quick and tasty meal that you can whip up in just 15 minutes. With a flavorful sweet and savory sauce, it’s an easy and budget-friendly option for busy weeknights.

    Get the recipe

    Beef & Beans Casserole

    Beef & bean casserole.
    Photo credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This dish features tender beef and beans baked in a tasty tomato sauce, topped with melted Cheddar cheese. It's a comforting meal that's perfect for busy nights.

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    Cheesy Gordita Crunch

    Crunchy tacos.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This cheesy gordita crunch is a simple twist on taco night that adds a delicious quesadilla layer to your crispy taco. Using fresh ingredients, these tacos are just as tasty as what you'd get at Taco Bell, but even better since they're made at home.

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    Ground Beef & Cabbage Skillet

    Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet.
    Photo credit: Real Food Real Deals.

    A one pot ground beef and cabbage skillet is a simple and healthy dinner option. It only takes 15 minutes to prepare and is sure to be a hit.

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    Ground Beef Fried Rice

    Ground Beef Fried Rice.
    Photo credit: Ground Beef Recipes.

    Ground Beef Fried Rice is a quick and filling meal that you can whip up in just half an hour. It's a great option when you need something hearty and satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy

    Salisbury steak in mushroom gravy.
    Photo credit: Bowl of Delicious.

    This classic Salisbury steak is smothered in a thick, luscious Mushroom Gravy and is a fast, easy, and inexpensive comfort food recipe to make in only 30 minutes! Everything cooks in one skillet for an easy and hearty dinner. If you’ve never had Salisbury steak, here’s the deal: it’s essentially a giant meatball, formed flat like a steak and pan-seared. This version is then smothered in a thick mushroom gravy cooked up in the same pan (though you can skip the gravy if it’s not your thing)

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    Instant Pot Chili

    Chili With Ground Meat And Beans.
    Photo credit: Melanie Cooks.

    All you need to do is throw everything into the Instant Pot, and you'll have tasty chili ready in under 30 minutes. This is a quick and easy meal for busy nights.

    Get the recipe

    Ground Beef Tacos

    Ground beef tacos with salsa.
    Photo credit: House of Yumm.

    Classic Ground Beef Tacos are filled with flavorful homemade taco meat and served in crispy taco shells. This is a quick and easy family meal that you can whip up in under 30 minutes!

    Get the recipe

    Beef Enchilada Pasta

    Beef Enchilada Pasta
    Photo Credit: Semi Homemade Kitchen.

    This one-pan pasta combines the flavors of Tex-Mex and Italian cuisine. It's quick to prepare, easy to customize, and works well for both meat lovers and those who prefer plant-based meals.

    Get the recipe

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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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