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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    23 Hearty Ground Beef and Pasta Dishes for Busy Weeknights

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on March 10, 2025, updated March 7, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    When you're short on time but still want a satisfying meal, ground beef and pasta are a perfect match. These 23 hearty dishes combine the richness of beef with the comfort of pasta, making them ideal for busy weeknights. From classic spaghetti bolognese to creamy beef casseroles, these recipes are sure to please the whole family.

    Beefy Pasta Bake

    Beefy Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Bitz n Giggles.

    This dish features cheesy beef and noodles, all topped with crispy French fried onions. It's a comforting meal that's perfect for a cozy dinner.

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    Spaghetti Pie with Sour Cream

    Spaghetti Pie with Sour Cream.
    Photo Credit: That Skinny Chick Can Bake.

    Spaghetti Pie with Sour Cream is a tasty pasta dish that the whole family will enjoy. It's simple to prepare and brings a comforting Italian twist to your dinner table.

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    One Pan Baked Ziti

    Baked Ziti.
    Photo credit: Raising Generation Nourished.

    This baked ziti is perfect for weeknights, as it comes together quickly and only uses one pan. You'll enjoy a simple meal with minimal cleanup.

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    Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

    Meatballs in Tomato Sauce.
    Photo credit: FODMAP Everyday.

    A warm bowl of spaghetti and meatballs in tomato sauce is a classic favorite. This dish is perfect for cozy dinners at home.

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    Bolognese Pasta Bake

    Bolognese Pasta Bake.
    Photo Credit: The Cinnamon Jar,

    This bolognese pasta bake is a classic comfort dish that everyone enjoys. It's a hearty meal that brings a sense of warmth and satisfaction.

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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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    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 that combines tender macaroni noodles with crumbled ground beef in a creamy cheese sauce. It's a simple meal that's perfect for a cozy night in.

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    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 option for a cozy dinner on a busy weeknight.

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    Company Casserole

    Company Casserole (Ground Beef Pasta Casserole)
    Photo Credit: Neighbor Food Blog.

    Company Casserole combines ground beef and pasta in a rich, creamy tomato sauce. It's easy to prepare ahead of time and is loved by both kids and adults, making it a great choice for busy weeknights or gatherings.

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    Baked Zit Without Ricotta

    Baked Zit Without Ricotta.
    Photo Credit: Courtney's Sweets.

    Baked Ziti without ricotta features layers of hearty meat sauce, smooth bechamel, and plenty of melted cheese, creating a satisfying meal. This dish is perfect for cozy nights when you want something filling and delicious.

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    Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna

    Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna with wooden spoon.
    Photo Credit: The Recipe Well.

    This lasagna is super simple to make. With layers of meat, noodles, sauce, and two kinds of cheese, it’s a quick one-pot dinner that everyone will enjoy.

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    Baked Ziti

    Baked Ziti.
    Photo credit: FODMAP Everyday.

    This dish is all about comfort with its hearty mix of pasta, ground beef, sausage, and plenty of cheese. Super Deluxe Baked Ziti is perfect for feeding a crowd, and it's a favorite for everyone.

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    Pastitsio (Greek Lasagna)

    Pastitsio (Greek Lasagna).
    Photo Credit: Much Butter.

    Pastitsio is a delicious twist on lasagna. It features layers of pasta, a hearty ground beef sauce with a hint of cinnamon, and a creamy béchamel topping.

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    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 vegetarians, making it a great option for dinner.

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    Cheesy Baked Spaghetti

    Cheesy Baked Spaghetti.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This cheesy baked spaghetti is a fun twist on the usual pasta and sauce that your family will really enjoy. With layers of cheesy noodles and a flavorful meat sauce, it's a hearty dish that's sure to please everyone.

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    Italian Noodle Casserole

    Italian Noodle Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Cookin' Chicks.

    This pasta dish is quick and easy to make with just a few basic ingredients. Ground beef, tomato sauce, soft egg noodles, and cheese come together to create a casserole that everyone in the family will love.

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    Skillet Lasagna

    One pan lasagna served on a plate.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Lasagna noodles cooked just right, melted cheese, fresh zucchini, and plenty of ground beef come together in this easy one-pan meal. It's a great option for busy weeknights.

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    Sopa De Fideo Con Carne Mexican Noodles

    Sopa De Fideo Con Carne Mexican Noodles.
    Photo Credit: 24 Bite.

    Sopa De Fideo Con Carne is a traditional Mexican dish featuring toasted noodles simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce. It's a comforting meal that many people remember from their childhood.

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    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 prepare. You can even make it ahead of time, so it’s perfect for busy days when you want something homemade without much effort.

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    Tortellini Bake

    Tortellini bake.
    Photo credit: Everyday Delicious.

    This tortellini bake is a delicious casserole made with store-bought tortellini, delicious meat tomato sauce with vegetables, all covered with melted gooey cheese. It´s so easy to make and you´ll have a tasty dinner for a couple of days!

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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 combines the flavors of Tex-Mex with pasta. It's a family favorite that even picky eaters will enjoy, making it perfect for dinner.

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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. It combines tender pasta and seasoned ground beef, all topped with melted cheese, and can be prepared in just one pan.

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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 noodles. It's a comforting meal that's great any time of the year and even better the next day.

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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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