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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    22 Kid-Approved Ground Beef Dinners to Make This Summer

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on May 30, 2025, updated May 6, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Summer is the perfect time to whip up some easy and delicious dinners that the whole family will love. Ground beef is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of kid-friendly meals, from tacos to burgers and everything in between. Here are 22 fun and satisfying ground beef recipes that will keep everyone happy at the dinner table this season.

    Rigatoni Bolognese

    Rigatoni Bolognese.
    Photo Credit: The Almond Eater.

    Rigatoni Bolognese is a simple and tasty one-pot meal. This classic Italian meat sauce is great for weeknight dinners or special occasions, especially when served over rigatoni pasta.

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    Ground Beef Stir Fry

    Ground Beef Stir Fry.
    Photo Credit: Carmy.

    This healthy Ground Beef Stir Fry is quick to prepare and loaded with vegetables, making it a great choice for weeknight dinners or meal prep. With just a few basic ingredients for the sauce and some fresh veggies, you can whip up a satisfying meal in no time.

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    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 for a fun meal. It's simple to prepare and perfect for the whole family.

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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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    Slow Cooker Hamburger Potato Casserole

    Slow Cooker Hamburger Potato Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This hamburger potato casserole is simple to make with just five ingredients, combining beef, brown gravy, and onions for a satisfying meal. It's quick to prepare and cooks fast, making it a great option for busy weeknights.

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    One Pot Creamy Beef Pasta

    One Pot Creamy Beef Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Simple Everyday Recipes.

    This creamy beef pasta is a fresh take on a classic dish that's full of flavor. It's a one-pan meal that comes together in just 30 minutes, making it a great option for busy weeknights.

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    Slow Cooker Cottage Pie

    Slow Cooker Cottage Pie.
    Photo Credit: The Cookin' Chicks.

    This dish is sure to please everyone at the table. With ground beef, veggies, and seasonings all topped with creamy mashed potatoes, it’s a filling comfort food that’s easy to prepare in the crock pot.

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    Air Fryer Meatballs

    Air fryer meatballs with sauce.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Air fryer meatballs are quick to prepare, taking only 30 minutes with ingredients you likely already have. They are juicy and tender inside, with a nice crispy outside.

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    Baked Anelletti

    Baked Anelletti.
    Photo Credit: Like Mother Like Daughter.

    A baked anelletti is a filling and satisfying pasta dish that's great for any meal. It's layered with a savory meat and tomato sauce, topped with breadcrumbs and cheese, then baked until golden.

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    Homemade Hamburgers

    air fryer hamburger.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

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

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    Beef Lasagna

    Beef Lasagna.
    Photo Credit: Chocolates & Chai.

    Lasagna is one of the most comforting meals you can enjoy. With its hearty meat sauce, creamy layers, and plenty of cheese, beef lasagna is a favorite for many.

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    Cheeseburger Macaroni

    Dutch oven with Cheeseburger Macaroni.
    Photo Credit: Homemade Hooplah.

    This cheeseburger macaroni is a simple weeknight dinner that everyone will enjoy. With soft pasta, seasoned ground beef, and gooey melted cheese, it’s a flavorful meal that you can prepare all in one pan.

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    Slow Cooker Pizza and Pasta Soup

    Slow Cooker Pizza and Pasta Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This hearty soup is packed with pizza flavors and bow-tie pasta, making it a hit with the whole family. Plus, it's easy to freeze, so you can enjoy it later without much work.

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    Slow Cooker Meatloaf

    Slow Cooker Meatloaf.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This slow cooker meatloaf is a great way to enjoy a classic dish without turning on the oven. With just a few simple ingredients, you can prepare a tasty meal that's perfect for your holiday gatherings.

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    Cottage Cheese Lasagna

    Cottage Cheese Lasagna.
    Photo Credit: Ambitious Foodie.

    Cottage cheese lasagna is a simple and satisfying dish that brings the comfort of home cooking to your table. You can prepare it up to five days ahead, so you can enjoy a hearty meal whenever it suits you.

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    Italian Stuffed Peppers

    Italian Stuffed Peppers with no rice.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Stuffed peppers filled with savory marinara sauce, creamy pesto cheese, and melted mozzarella create a satisfying meal. You can have these tasty peppers ready in less than an hour.

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    One Pot Spaghetti

    One Pot Spaghetti.
    Photo Credit: Dance Around the Kitchen.

    One Pot Spaghetti is a simple and tasty dish that brings the classic recipe to your dinner table quickly. With fewer dishes to wash and a lot of flavor, it's perfect for a busy weeknight.

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    Beef Tacos

    Ground Beef Tacos.
    Photo credit: I Heart Naptime.

    These tacos are packed with tasty homemade beef and all your favorite toppings. They’re a quick and easy meal that the whole family will enjoy, ready in just 20 minutes!

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    Pasta Shells with Ground Beef

    Pasta Shells with Ground Beef.
    Photo Credit: Ground Beef Recipes.

    Creamy Pasta Shells with Ground Beef is a simple and satisfying meal that everyone enjoys. This dish features tender pasta shells filled with a creamy tomato sauce, ground beef, and some sneaky veggies.

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    Classic Sloppy Joes

    Sloppy Joes.
    Photo credit: Scarlati Family Kitchen.

    This dish is quick and easy, ready in just 15 minutes. Ground beef is sautéed with onions and garlic, then mixed with a simple homemade sloppy joe sauce for a satisfying meal.

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    Cheeseburger Bowl

    Cheeseburger Bowl.
    Photo Credit: Frozen Bananas.

    This Cheeseburger Bowl has all the classic burger flavors but skips the bun. It's low in carbs, super tasty, and simple to prepare!

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    Slow Cooker Tater Tot Casserole

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

    This slow cooker casserole combines green beans, cream of mushroom soup, tater tots, and cheddar cheese for a simple meal. It's a filling dish that everyone will enjoy.

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    More Recipe Roundups

    • Cheese tortellini bake.
      22 Dump-and-Go Vegetarian Dinners That Are Full of Flavor
    • Chicken pasta salad.
      21 Best Pasta Salads to Make for Lunch
    • Tuscan chicken bake.
      20 Easy Sunday Dinner Ideas for Busy Families
    • Chicken cacciatore.
      23 Slow Cooker Recipes Perfect for Busy Summer Days

    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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