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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    26 Stupid Simple Ground Beef Recipes That Will Transform Your Weeknight Dinners

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on June 9, 2025, updated April 29, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Ground beef is a go-to ingredient for quick and easy weeknight meals. With just a few simple recipes, you can turn this versatile meat into satisfying dishes that the whole family will enjoy. From classic burgers to hearty casseroles, these 26 recipes will help you make the most of your dinner time.

    Slow Cooker Taco Soup

    Slow Cooker Taco Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This soup is simple to make in the slow cooker and packed with flavor. It features fire roasted corn, fresh salsa, and whole black olives.

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    Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

    Meatballs in Tomato Sauce.
    Photo credit: FODMAP Everyday.

    A bowl of spaghetti and meatballs in tomato sauce is a classic favorite that brings warmth and satisfaction. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something hearty and delicious.

    Get the recipe

    One Pot Lasagna Soup

    One Pot Lasagna Soup.
    Photo Credit: Soups to Savor.

    Lasagna Soup combines the rich flavors of meat, tomatoes, and cheese in a lighter, more comforting form. It's a great option when you're in the mood for lasagna but want something a bit easier to enjoy.

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    Instant Pot Chili

    A bowl with chili topped with lime and cheese.
    Photo Credit: Fresh off The Grid.

    Instant Pot Chili is a great meal that’s easy to prepare and perfect for any day of the week. It’s ideal for making in advance and just warming up when it’s time to eat.

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    Easy Taco Pockets

    Easy Taco Pockets.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Easy Taco Pockets combine the flavors of your favorite tacos in a convenient hand-held pie. They're perfect for busy weeknights and are a hit with both kids and adults, especially when enjoyed fresh from the oven with gooey cheese and a crispy crust.

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    Air Fryer Taco Stuffed Peppers

    Air Fryer Taco Stuffed Peppers.
    Photo credit: Winding Creek Ranch.

    Crisp bell peppers are stuffed with seasoned taco meat and air-fried until they're nice and tender, then topped with gooey cheese. This is a great dinner option for busy weeknights!

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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 and topped with cheese, they’re great on their own or alongside some tortilla chips.

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    Egg Roll in a Bowl

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

    Egg Roll in a Bowl features tender ground beef, fresh greens, and a savory kick from soy sauce, making it a simple and tasty dish to enjoy regularly. This one-pan meal combines healthy ingredients with zesty spices for a satisfying low-carb option.

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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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    Crunchwrap Supreme

    Crunchwraps.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    These homemade Taco Bell crunch wraps are a step up from the fast food version, packed with layers of tortillas, seasoned ground beef, nacho cheese, a crunchy tostada shell, sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, and extra cheese. This quick 20-minute dinner is a fun twist on taco night that everyone will enjoy.

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    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This casserole combines all the delicious flavors of tacos in a simple one-dish meal. Packed with ground beef, salsa, and plenty of cheese, it's perfect for a potluck or a quick weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe

    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 spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Homemade Hamburgers

    air fryer hamburger.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

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

    Get the recipe

    Chopped Cheese Sandwich

    Chopped Cheese Sandwich.
    Photo Credit: Ground Beef Recipes.

    This Chopped Cheese recipe brings the flavors of New York City right to your kitchen. It's a cheesy and satisfying meal that's perfect for busy weeknights.

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    Texas Hash

    Texas Hash.
    Photo credit: Ground Beef Recipes.

    Texas Hash is a tasty one-pot meal that combines ground beef and rice with a Tex-Mex twist. It's a simple dish that's perfect for busy nights.

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    Cheeseburger Dumplings

    Cheeseburger Dumplings.
    Photo credit: Little Nomad's Recipes.

    Cheeseburger dumplings are a fun and quick meal that kids will love. They combine two favorites into one easy dish, perfect for a busy night.

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    Ground Beef Jambalaya

    Ground beef jambalaya.
    Photo credit: Palatable Pastime.

    Ground Beef Jambalaya puts a tasty spin on the classic Cajun rice dish by mixing in beef and Andouille sausage. This hearty meal is perfect for a satisfying dinner any night of the week.

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    Slow Cooker Baked Spaghetti

    Slow Cooker Baked Spaghetti.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Baked Spaghetti features a rich beef sauce layered with pasta, cream cheese, and mozzarella. Known as Million Dollar Spaghetti, this dish is sure to satisfy your cravings.

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    Homemade Minced Beef and Dumplings

    Homemade Minced Beef and Dumplings.
    Photo Credit: Culinary Ginger.

    Homemade Minced Beef and Dumplings is a classic British dish that brings comfort to any meal. This filling one-pan dinner is served hot and bubbly, perfect for warming you up.

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    Slow Cooker Lasagna

    Slow cooker lasagna.
    Photo Credit: Foodess.

    Slow Cooker Lasagna is loaded with cheese and flavor. The slow cooker handles everything, from cooking the meat sauce to baking the lasagna, so you don’t have to boil the noodles separately.

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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 ready in under an hour. Juicy and tender, they offer a delicious twist on traditional meatballs.

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    Ground Beef and Potatoes

    Ground Beef and Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    This recipe for Ground Beef and Potatoes is super easy and really tasty, perfect for the whole family. It comes together in under 45 minutes, making it a great choice for a cozy weeknight meal.

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    Rigatoni Bolognese

    A bowl of Rigatoni Bolongese.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This bolognese dish brings all the classic Italian flavors together in less than an hour. It's satisfying and easy to whip up on a busy weeknight with everyday ingredients.

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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.

    Get the recipe

    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 covered in 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.

    Get the recipe

    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 satisfying pasta sauce that captures the classic flavors without taking hours to prepare. Using simple ingredients you probably already have, this dish is perfect for busy nights.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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      20 Bright and Flavorful Pasta Recipes to Enjoy This Summer
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      18 Family-Friendly Slow Cooker Recipes for Busy Weeknights
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      24 Slow Cooker Meals That Make Summer Cooking a Breeze
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      22 Quick and Easy Summer Casseroles for Busy Nights

    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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