• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
always use butter
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Blogging Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Blogging Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Air Fryer Resources
    • Blogging Resources
    • Subscribe!
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Ground Beef

    25 Ground Beef Ideas That Turn Busy Nights Into Easy Wins

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated December 2, 2025 · Published December 4, 2025 · Leave a Comment

    These 25 ground beef ideas are perfect for busy nights when you need a quick and satisfying meal. From classic burgers to hearty casseroles, these recipes are simple to prepare and sure to please the whole family. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, you can whip up delicious dishes that make weeknight dinners a breeze.

    Manestra (Greek-Style Orzo with Ground Beef)

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

    Comfort food usually brings to mind dishes like casseroles or mac and cheese, and this recipe fits right in. This Greek dish, known as "Manestra," is both delicious and filling, making it a perfect choice for a cozy meal.

    Save This Recipe Form

    Want to save this recipe?

    Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get more great recipes from us each week!

    Get the recipe

    Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

    Taco stuffed sweet potatoes.
    Photo credit: Belle of the Kitchen.

    Taco-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes offer a fresh take on taco night. These sweet potatoes are loaded with all your favorite toppings and can be prepared in less than 20 minutes. They're a quick and easy option for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps

    Ground beef lettuce wraps.
    Photo credit: Food Folks and Fun.

    Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps are a quick and tasty dinner choice that can be ready in just 20 minutes. They work well for busy weeknights when you need something filling but don't want to spend a lot of time cooking. These wraps are easy to make and offer a fresh twist on dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Cabbage Roll in a Bowl

    CABBAGE ROLL IN A BOWL.
    Photo credit: Rustic Foodie.

    Cabbage Roll In A Bowl is a simple and satisfying dinner option. It combines ground beef, rice, tomato sauce, garlic, onions, and a splash of apple cider vinegar for a tasty meal. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Cheeseburger Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls

    Cheeseburger sliders.
    Photo credit: House of Yumm.

    This dinner is quick and easy, taking only about 30 minutes to prepare. These burgers are packed with flavorful ground beef, melted cheese, and tangy pickles, all brought together with a delicious homemade sauce. It's a satisfying meal that fits perfectly into a busy evening.

    Get the recipe

    Crunchy Ground Beef Tacos

    Ground beef tacos.
    Photo credit: Confetti & Bliss.

    Feeling hungry and short on time? This quick dish comes together in just 20 minutes and is just as satisfying as your favorite takeout. It's perfect for busy nights when you want a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Homemade Hamburgers

    air fryer hamburger.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These burgers are juicy and perfectly cooked, just waiting for your favorite toppings. Made with ground beef, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce, they come together quickly and easily. This is a great option for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Company Casserole

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

    Company Casserole is a comforting dish that brings together ground beef and pasta in a rich, creamy tomato sauce. It's simple to prepare in advance, making it a perfect option for busy weeknights or family get-togethers. This meal is sure to satisfy everyone at the table, from kids to adults.

    Get the recipe

    Ground Beef Fried Rice

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

    Ground Beef Fried Rice is a simple and satisfying dish that comes together in about thirty minutes. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you need a hearty meal without spending hours cooking. This recipe combines ground beef with rice and veggies, making it a complete meal that's easy to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Tortellini Bake

    Tortellini bake.
    Photo credit: Everyday Delicious.

    This tortellini bake is a delicious casserole that combines store-bought tortellini with a rich meat and vegetable tomato sauce, all covered in melted cheese. It's easy to put together and offers a filling meal that can last for several days.

    Get the recipe

    Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy

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

    Salisbury steak is a hearty meal that consists of a juicy, flat meat patty served with a flavorful mushroom gravy. It's easy to whip up in about 30 minutes using just one skillet, which makes it a perfect choice for a filling dinner on a busy weeknight.

    Get the recipe

    Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Casserole

    Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Casserole.
    Photo credit: Savory with Soul.

    Philly Cheesesteak Casserole brings together the delicious flavors of a classic cheesesteak sandwich in a simple dish. With plenty of ground beef, cheese, bell peppers, and onions, this casserole is both creamy and satisfying. It's a great option for a weeknight dinner when you want something hearty and comforting.

    Get the recipe

    Crunchwrap Supreme

    Crunchwraps.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Homemade Taco Bell crunch wrap supremes are filled with layers of flour tortillas, seasoned ground beef, nacho cheese, a crunchy tostada shell, cool sour cream, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and extra melty cheese. This easy dinner offers a fun take on taco night that the whole family will love.

    Get the recipe

    Stuffed Anaheim Peppers

    Stuffed Anaheim Peppers.
    Photo credit: Tia Clara.

    Stuffed Anaheim peppers filled with flavorful ground beef and melted cheese offer a tasty choice for weeknight dinners. With a drizzle of creamy avocado sauce on top, this dish is bound to be a hit at the dinner table.

    Get the recipe

    Ground Beef & Tomato Casserole

    Ground Beef Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Honour System.

    This ground beef casserole is a hit with families and simple to prepare. It combines browned beef with a flavorful tomato sauce, layered with hearty potatoes and finished off with melted cheese. It's a satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Mexican Beef & Rice Skillet

    MEXICAN BEEF AND RICE SKILLET.
    Photo credit: Cook Dinner Tonight.

    This Mexican beef and rice skillet is a simple dinner option that you can whip up in just one pan. It turns ground beef into a tasty meal that's great for busy weeknights. With minimal cleanup and quick preparation, it's a go-to choice when time is tight.

    Get the recipe

    Egg Roll in a Bowl

    Egg roll in a bowl.
    Photo credit: Kitchen Fun with my Three Sons.

    Egg Roll in a Bowl is a quick and easy dish that brings together ground beef, fresh vegetables, and a flavorful soy sauce. This one-pan meal is great for busy weeknights, offering a healthy mix of ingredients with a bit of spice. It's a low-carb option that the whole family will love.

    Get the recipe

    Beef & Beans Casserole

    Beef & bean casserole.
    Photo credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This dish combines tender beef and beans baked in a flavorful tomato sauce, all topped with melted Cheddar cheese. It's a comforting meal that's great for busy weeknights when you need something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Umami Burgers

    Umami Burgers.
    Photo credit: Pups with Chopsticks.

    These burgers mix ground beef and pork, seasoned with miso and spices for a deep flavor. They're great for a quick and filling meal any night of the week.

    Get the recipe

    Hamburger Soup

    Hamburger Soup.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    Hamburger Soup is a filling meal loaded with sweet potatoes, carrots, peppers, onions, celery, and fire-roasted tomatoes. It's quick to prepare, taking less than 30 minutes, making it a great option for busy weeknights. Plus, it's perfect for enjoying as leftovers later in the week.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Gordita Crunch

    Crunchy tacos.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    A cheesy gordita crunch is a fun way to change up taco night. With just a bit of extra prep time, you can whip up a tasty homemade version that's just as good as what you'd get at a fast food place. It's a great option for busy nights when you want something satisfying and different.

    Get the recipe

    Smash Burgers

    Easy Smash Burger Recipe
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Burgers are a great meal option any time of year, and you don't need a grill to enjoy them. These smash burgers are simple to prepare, cooking quickly in butter on the stovetop. You can have a delicious dinner ready in just about 15 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking Taco Casserole.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This casserole brings together all the tasty elements of tacos in an easy one-dish meal. With ground beef, salsa, and lots of cheese, it's a great option for a potluck or a quick dinner on a busy weeknight.

    Get the recipe

    Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteak

    Ground beef cheesesteak.
    Photo credit: Easy Budget Recipes.

    A ground beef Philly Cheesesteak is a great option for busy weeknights when you need something quick and affordable. It brings together all the classic flavors you enjoy, featuring tasty beef, melted cheese, and your favorite toppings, all nestled in a soft bun. This dish is satisfying and easy to whip up, making it a perfect choice for dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Chorizo Burgers

    Chorizo burger.
    Photo credit: 2 Cookin' Mamas.

    Chorizo burgers give a fun spin to the traditional burger. Combining chorizo with ground beef results in juicy and flavorful patties, making them a great choice for a quick meal.

    Get the recipe

    More Ground Beef

    • Cauliflower beef taco skillet.
      15 Ground Beef Dinners So Delicious, You’ll Be Going Back for Seconds
    • Land your man baked beans.
      15 Ground Beef Dinners Perfect for Lazy Weeknights

    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.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    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!

    More about me →

    Readers Love These Recipes

    • instant pot turkey soup in a bowl
      Instant Pot Turkey Soup
    • Salty & Spicy Candied Walnuts
    • cajun alfredo sauce with pasta in a bowl
      Cajun Alfredo Sauce with Pasta
    • Cranberry muffins.
      Cranberry Muffins

    Our Favorite Holiday Recipes

    • duck breasts topped orange sauce
      Duck Breasts with Orange Sauce (Best Sauce for Duck!)
    • Butterball cookies on a blue plate with hazelnuts.
      Butterball Cookies (Snowball Cookies / Russian Tea Cakes)
    • saffron buns with glögg
      Lussekatter - Traditional Swedish Saffron Buns [Authentic Recipe]
    • Sliced air fryer roast beef.
      Herb Crusted Air Fryer Roast Beef

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    All affiliate links are always marked with "*" or "affiliate".

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    A collage of sites where always use butter content has been featured.

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Disclaimer
    • Disclosures
    • Editorial Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • info@alwaysusebutter.com
    • Pink Giraffe Ventures AB, Runstens Byväg 51, 147 91 Grödinge, Sweden
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Copyright © 2018-2025 Pink Giraffe Ventures AB