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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    23 Easy Ground Beef Recipes That Will Change Your Weeknight Routine

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on July 18, 2025, updated July 15, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Ground beef is a versatile ingredient that can transform your weeknight meals into something special without much effort. From classic burgers to hearty casseroles, these 23 easy recipes will help you whip up delicious dinners that the whole family will enjoy. Say hello to quick and satisfying meals that make weeknight cooking a breeze.

    Slow Cooker Meatloaf

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

    This slow cooker meatloaf is a simple and tasty option for dinner. With just a few basic ingredients, you can whip it up without much effort. It's perfect for busy weeknights or even special occasions. This recipe is sure to become a favorite in your meal rotation.

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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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    Spanish Rice with Ground Beef

    Spanish Rice with Ground Beef.
    Photo Credit: Miss in the Kitchen.

    Spanish Rice with Ground Beef is a simple and fast dinner option that you can have ready in around 30 minutes. This filling one-pan meal is sure to please everyone at the table.

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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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    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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    Cheesy Tortellini Skillet Lasagna

    Cheesy Tortellini Skillet Lasagna
    Photo Credit: Flavor Mosaic.

    Skillet lasagna is a great option when you're craving lasagna but need something quick. It comes together in just 20 minutes, making it a perfect choice for busy weeknights. With all the classic flavors you love, this dish is simple to prepare and satisfying.

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    Beef Bibimbap

    Beef Bibimbap (Korean Rice Bowl).
    Photo credit: Dish 'n' the Kitchen.

    Beef Bibimbap is a simple Korean rice bowl filled with a variety of vegetables, tasty side dishes, and sweet and spicy beef, all topped with a fried egg. This dish is great for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen. It's a colorful and satisfying meal that brings together different flavors and textures.

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    Instant Pot Taco Soup

    Taco soup.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Taco soup offers all the great flavors of tacos without the mess, making it a perfect choice for a quick meal. This dish combines V8 juice and broth to create a thicker, heartier soup packed with hidden vegetables. It's a satisfying option for busy weeknights when you want something comforting yet easy to prepare.

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    Instant Pot Chili Mac

    Instant Pot Chili Mac.
    Photo Credit: The Recipe Well.

    Instant Pot Chili Mac brings together the comforting tastes of chili and mac and cheese in a single dish. This easy one-pot meal features ground beef, pasta, cheese, and a mix of chili spices, making it a favorite for family dinners. It's a simple and satisfying option that everyone will enjoy.

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    Cottage Cheese Lasagna

    Cottage Cheese Lasagna.
    Photo Credit: Ambitious Foodie.

    Cottage cheese lasagna is a classic comfort food that’s simple to make. You can prepare it ahead of time, even up to five days in advance, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights. This dish offers a hearty, home-cooked meal that you can enjoy whenever it fits your schedule.

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    Copycat Wendy’s Chili

    Copycat Wendy’s Chili.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Wendy’s chili is a favorite for many, and now you can enjoy it at home with this easy recipe. It includes all the classic ingredients like beans, vegetables, and spices, so you can whip up a delicious pot just like the original. This recipe is perfect for a cozy dinner and is sure to satisfy your cravings.

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    Stuffed Anaheim Peppers

    Stuffed Anaheim Peppers.
    Photo credit: Tia Clara.

    Stuffed Anaheim peppers are a delicious option for dinner, packed with flavorful ground beef and topped with gooey melted cheese. The creamy avocado sauce adds a nice touch, making each bite satisfying and rich. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something hearty and comforting.

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    10 Minute Air Fryer Hamburgers

    Hamburger cooked in an air fryer.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    These air fryer hamburgers are super simple to whip up, needing just four ingredients along with any toppings you like. They’re perfect for a quick meal during a busy week. You’ll find that this is one of the easiest dinners you can prepare, making it a great choice for any night.

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    Easy Korean Beef Rice Bowls

    Easy Korean Beef Rice Bowls.
    Photo Credit: The View from Great Island.

    Korean beef rice bowls come together in just 30 minutes, making them a great option for dinner. Packed with bold flavors, these bowls offer a nice kick, but you can easily adjust the spice level to suit everyone's taste, including kids. This dish is a quick and satisfying meal that can easily fit into a busy weeknight.

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    Ground Beef Hotpot

    Ground beef hot pot.
    Photo Credit: Fab Food 4 All.

    This one pan dinner is packed full of root vegetables and peas with a hint of horseradish sauce for fabulous family comfort food!

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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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    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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    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.

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    Smash Burger Quesadilla

    Smash burger quesadilla.
    Photo Credit: The Candid Cooks.

    A smash burger quesadilla is a tasty and cozy dinner choice that comes together in no time. With just under 20 minutes to prepare, it’s a great option for a fulfilling meal at home. This dish combines the flavors of a classic burger with the convenience of a quesadilla, making it a fun and easy way to switch up your weeknight dinners.

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    Homemade Hot Dog Chili Sauce

    Homemade Hot Dog Chili Sauce.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This chili is perfect for adding to chili dogs or serving on an open-faced burger. It's hearty and full of just the right amount of spice and flavor, making it a satisfying choice for any meal.

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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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    Beefy Pasta Bake

    Beefy Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Bitz n Giggles.

    This dish features cheesy beef and noodles, all topped off with crispy French fried onions. It's a comforting meal that's perfect for busy weeknights. With its rich flavors and satisfying textures, it’s sure to become a favorite in your dinner rotation.

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    Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Dinner

    Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Dinner.
    Photo Credit: Shaken Together Life.

    Ground Beef and Rice Skillet is a quick and easy one-pan meal that everyone in the family will enjoy. It combines hamburger, rice, peppers, tomatoes, and cheese for a satisfying dish that feels like home cooking. In just 30 minutes, you can have a hearty dinner on the table, perfect for busy weeknights.

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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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