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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    23 Ground Beef Dinner Ideas That Will Change Your Weeknight Routine

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on March 20, 2025, updated March 20, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Ground beef is a versatile ingredient that can transform your weeknight dinners into something special. With just a few simple recipes, you can create satisfying meals that the whole family will enjoy. From classic burgers to hearty casseroles, these 23 ideas will help you mix things up and keep dinner exciting.

    Slow Cooker Lipton Onion Meatloaf

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

    Dry onion soup mix adds great flavor to a classic meatloaf, making it a tasty dinner option. This dish is easy to prepare and sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Bolognese Pasta Bake

    Bolognese Pasta Bake.
    Photo Credit: Simply Delicious.

    This hearty Bolognese pasta bake is great for busy weeknights or when you have a lot of people to feed. It can be made in large batches and stored in the freezer for later.

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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 under an hour. You can cook them on the stove, in an air fryer, or in the oven, resulting in juicy and flavorful meatballs.

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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 satisfying meal in no time.

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    Dutch Oven Peppered Bacon Meatloaf

    Dutch Oven Peppered Bacon Meatloaf.
    Photo Credit: Dutch Oven Daddy.

    Dutch Oven Peppered Bacon Meatloaf is a tasty twist on the classic dish, featuring sausage and thick slices of peppercorn bacon. This hearty meal is perfect for a cozy dinner.

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    Easy Taco Casserole

    Easy Taco Casserole.
    Photo Credit; The Clean Eating Couple.

    This quick dinner is ready in under an hour and is packed with ground beef, tortillas, and plenty of cheese. It's a satisfying meal that's perfect for busy nights.

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    3-Ingredient Beef Stroganoff

    Beef Stroganoff.
    Photo credit: Feast for a Fraction.

    This is a quick and easy dinner that won't break the bank. Ground beef, cream of mushroom soup, and egg noodles combine for a creamy meal that's ready in just 15 minutes.

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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 that skips the rice. Packed with tex-mex flavors from taco seasoning and topped with cheese, they’re great on their own or with some tortilla chips.

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    American Goulash

    American Goulash
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    American Goulash is a simple, one-pot dish that combines ground beef, tomatoes, and macaroni. It's a comforting meal that's great any time of the year and even better the next day.

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    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 meal. It features creamy egg noodles, a hearty beef sauce, and gooey cheese in every layer.

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    Hamburger Soup

    Hamburger Soup.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    Hamburger Soup is packed with sweet potatoes, carrots, peppers, onions, celery, and fire-roasted tomatoes. It comes together in under 30 minutes and is perfect for leftovers during the week.

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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 topped with plenty of 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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    Instant Pot Beef and Shells

    Instant Pot Beef and Shells
    Photo Credit: Earing In An Instant.

    This simple one-pot dish combines ground beef and pasta in a creamy, cheesy sauce. It's a satisfying meal that's perfect for a quick dinner.

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    Baked Spaghetti Casserole

    Baked Spaghetti Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Dutch Oven Daddy.

    Baked Spaghetti Casserole is a warm and cheesy dish that brings all the comfort of lasagna without the extra effort. It's a simple and satisfying meal that's perfect for any night.

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    One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup

    A bowl of macaroni cheese burger soup.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This cheeseburger soup is quick to make, ready in just 30 minutes, and everything cooks in one pot. It's a simple and cheesy dish that everyone in the family will enjoy.

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    Slow Cooker Mexican Bubble Up Casserole

    Slow Cooker Mexican Bubble Up Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This casserole is slow-cooked and packed with all the great flavors of a classic Mexican pizza. With just five ingredients, it’s easy to whip up a tasty meal.

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    Smash Burger Quesadilla

    Smash burger quesadilla.
    Photo Credit: The Candid Cooks.

    This smash burger quesadilla is a tasty and cozy dinner choice that you can make in no time. It only takes about 20 minutes to put together, making it great for a satisfying meal at home.

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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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    Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew

    Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This stew is a filling meal made with ground beef that’s easy to prepare and budget-friendly. It’s perfect for a cozy dinner without needing much time or effort.

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    Chopped Cheese Sandwich

    Chopped Cheese Sandwich.
    Photo Credit: Cooking with Carlee.

    The chopped cheese sandwich is a quick and delicious dinner that brings the flavors of a New York City bodega right to your kitchen. It's easy to make and sure to be a hit with everyone in the family.

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    American Chop Suey

    American Chop Suey.
    Photo Credit: Dishes Delish.

    American chop suey is a simple and satisfying meal featuring ground beef, tasty veggies, and elbow macaroni all mixed in a rich tomato sauce. It comes together in just 30 minutes, making it a great choice for busy weeknights and a hit with the whole family.

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    Creamy Taco Spaghetti

    Creamy Taco Spaghetti.
    Photo Credit: Bowl Me Over.

    This Taco Spaghetti is a simple and delicious dish that everyone will enjoy. It's a family favorite that even picky eaters will want to have more of!

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    Taco Casserole

    Taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Taco Casserole combines seasoned ground beef, tortillas, enchilada sauce, and cheese for a tasty weeknight dinner. This dish is easy to prepare in advance and can be frozen for later.

    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 more than 20 years of 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, Daily Kos, The Grio, The Asian Parent, 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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