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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    27 Simple Ground Beef Dinners for Busy Weeknights

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on January 23, 2025, updated January 14, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Finding quick and easy dinner ideas can be a challenge, especially on busy weeknights. Ground beef is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of simple recipes, making it perfect for whipping up satisfying meals in no time. Here are 27 easy ground beef dinners that will help you get dinner on the table without the stress.

    Hobo Casserole

    Hobo Casserole.
    Photo credit: Bowl me Over.

    This is a simple and tasty one-pan dish that the whole family will love. It features layers of juicy beef, potatoes, creamy filling, and melted cheese, making it a great choice for a weeknight dinner.

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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

    Easy Shepherd’s Pie

    Easy Shepherd’s Pie
    Photo Credit: Bowl of Delicious.

    Shepherd's Pie is a cozy dish that warms you up on a cold day. It's simple to prepare with just a few ingredients, and you can use ground beef or lamb, making it a great option to prepare in advance and freeze for busy days.

    Get the recipe

    Company Casserole

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

    Company Casserole features 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.

    Get the recipe

    Meatballs without Breadcrumbs and Eggs

    Meatballs without Breadcrumbs and Eggs
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    These meatballs are incredibly tasty and simple to prepare. You can cook them on the stove, in an air fryer, or in the oven, and they come out juicy and full of flavor.

    Get the recipe

    Beef and Beer Chili

    Beef and beer chili.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Beef and Beer Chili is a great choice for game day, busy weeknights, or a cozy family dinner. It's packed with ground beef, beans, and spices, plus a touch of beer for extra flavor.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Meatballs

    Baked Meatballs.
    Photo credit: Bowl of Delicious.

    Baked meatballs are simple to prepare and made entirely with beef. They go great with spaghetti and red sauce or can be used in Italian meatball subs.

    Get the recipe

    Mexican Stuffed Bell Peppers

    Mexican Stuffed Bell Peppers without Rice
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    Stuffed peppers are a quick and tasty meal that you can whip up in just 45 minutes. Packed with tex-mex flavors and topped with cheese, they’re great on their own or paired with tortilla chips.

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    Tortellini Bake

    Tortellini bake.
    Photo credit: Everyday Delicious.

    This tortellini bake is a tasty casserole featuring store-bought tortellini and a hearty meat and vegetable tomato sauce, all topped with melted cheese. It's simple to prepare and provides a satisfying dinner that lasts for a few days.

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    Cowboy Cornbread Casserole

    A serving of Cowboy Cornbread Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    This hearty casserole is perfect for dinner with the family. It's a simple skillet dish packed with ground beef, vegetables, and flavorful spices, all topped with a layer of homemade cornbread.

    Get the recipe

    Big Mac Casserole

    Big Mac Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

    Ground beef, cheddar cheese, and crispy tater tots come together in this casserole for a tasty meal. Topped with Big Mac sauce, it offers a fun and satisfying twist.

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    Taco Rice (Okinawan Style)

    A bowl of taco rice with toppings.
    Photo Credit: Plates by Nat.

    Japanese taco rice features tasty ground beef served over rice, topped with fresh tomato, lettuce, avocado, and crunchy tortilla chips. It’s quick to prepare in about 20 minutes and is sure to please everyone.

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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 option for a filling meal that doesn't require much work. It's perfect for making ahead of time and just warming up when it's time to eat.

    Get the recipe

    Old Fashioned Salisbury Steak

    Old fashioned Salisbury steak with gravy.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    This Salisbury Steak is a simple skillet meal featuring ground beef mixed with bread crumbs and spices, all served in a savory mushroom gravy. It's a comforting dish that's perfect for a quick dinner.

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    Air Fryer Meatballs

    Air fryer meatballs with sauce.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Air fryer meatballs are quick to prepare, taking only 30 minutes with ingredients you likely already have. They are juicy and tender inside, with a nice crispy outside.

    Get the recipe

    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 in advance, so when you're busy, you can just bake it and enjoy a hearty homemade dish.

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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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    Stuffed Anaheim Peppers

    Stuffed Anaheim Peppers.
    Photo credit: Tia Clara.

    Stuffed Anaheim peppers filled with savory ground beef and topped with gooey melted cheese create a satisfying meal. The creamy avocado sauce adds a delicious touch that makes this dish a must-try.

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    Eggplant Moussaka

    Eggplant Moussaka with Lamb.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Eggplant Moussaka is a simple 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 healthy and tasty Mediterranean meal.

    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 easy way to enjoy a classic pasta sauce. With simple ingredients you probably already have, you can whip up a rich and hearty meal in no time.

    Get the recipe

    Big Mac Cheeseburger Sliders

    Big Mac cheeseburger sliders on a pan.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Sweet Hawaiian rolls are filled with seasoned ground beef and gooey American cheese, then topped with fresh lettuce, pickles, onions, and a scoop of creamy Big Mac sauce. This is a quick and satisfying dinner that you can whip up in under 30 minutes!

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    Slow Cooker No-Bean Chili

    Slow Cooker No-Bean Chili.
    Photo Credit: The Short Order Cook.

    This chili is packed with hearty tomatoes and spices. With ground beef and crispy bacon, it's a perfect dish to enjoy with your favorite toppings.

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    3-Ingredient Sloppy Joes

    SLOPPY JOES.
    Photo credit: The Short Order Cook.

    A classic sloppy joe is a dinner that everyone in the family can enjoy. It's a simple and satisfying meal that's perfect for any night.

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    Arayes

    Arayes.
    Photo credit: Dana's Table.

    Middle Eastern arayes are crispy pita pockets stuffed with tasty, seasoned ground beef. They're perfect for grilling in the summer or can be easily made indoors any time.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup

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

    This cheesy soup is a family favorite, packed with ground beef, potatoes, Velveeta cheese, chicken broth, vegetables, and seasonings. The flavors blend together perfectly, making it a dish everyone will love.

    Get the Recipe

    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking Taco Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Deliciously Homecooked.

    This walking taco casserole is loaded with cheese, ground beef, taco seasoning, and crunchy corn chips like Fritos, all baked together for a delicious meal. It's a fun and easy dish that your family will love.

    Get the Recipe

    Cheesy Taco Skillet

    Cheesy taco skillet.
    Photo Credit: Homemade Hooplah.

    An easy taco skillet that’s like a gourmet version of Hamburger Helper. Perfect to make on busy weeknights. Plus, you can make it as spicy (or not) as you want!

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Whole chicken in slow cooker.
      28 Must-Try Crockpot Recipes for a Stress-Free Summer
    • Arayes.
      28 Ground Beef Dinners You’ll Want to Make Every Week
    • Coconut milk pasta.
      22 Easy Pasta Dishes With a Handful of Ingredients
    • Poor man's stew.
      25 Easy Dump-And-Cook Recipes to Make With Beef

    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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