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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    28 Simple Ground Beef Dinners That Will Save You Time and Money

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on April 1, 2025, updated April 1, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Ground beef is a versatile and budget-friendly ingredient that can help you whip up quick and satisfying meals. From classic burgers to hearty casseroles, these 28 simple dinners are perfect for busy weeknights. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, you can create delicious dishes that the whole family will enjoy.

    Chili Mac 'n Cheese

    Chili Mac 'n Cheese.
    Photo credit: FODMAP Everyday.

    This dish mixes creamy macaroni and cheese with classic chili flavors, making it simple to prepare. It's a great option for a quick and affordable dinner that everyone in the family will love.

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    Korean Beef Bowls

    KOREAN BEEF BOWL.
    Photo credit: The Creative Bite.

    This dish features a simple combination of ground beef, mushrooms, and rice, all tossed in a tasty Asian sauce. It's an affordable dinner that comes together in just 30 minutes and is topped with crunchy pickled carrots and cucumbers for extra flavor.

    Get the recipe

    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This casserole brings all the delicious flavors of tacos into one easy dish. With ground beef, salsa, and lots of cheese, it's great for a quick weeknight dinner or to share at a potluck.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Baked Spaghetti

    Cheesy Baked Spaghetti.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This cheesy baked spaghetti is a tasty take on the classic spaghetti and meatballs, featuring cheesy noodles and a savory meat sauce. It's a great option for a quick and affordable dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Easy Shepherd’s Pie

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

    Shepherd’s Pie, or Cottage Pie, is an easy and affordable meal that uses ground beef and a handful of simple ingredients. It's a great option for busy weeknights when you want something filling and quick.

    Get the recipe

    Easy Taco Casserole

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

    Baked Taco Casserole is a quick and satisfying dinner option. Ready in under an hour, this dish is packed with ground beef and tortillas.

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    Rigatoni al Forno

    Rigatoni al Forno.
    Photo credit: Food and Mood Dietitian.

    This simple rigatoni bake with ground beef and veggies is a satisfying meal that's easy to prepare. It's a tasty combination of flavors and textures that everyone in the family will love.

    Get the recipe

    Cowboy Casserole

    Cowboy casserole.
    Photo credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    This Cowboy Casserole with ground beef is an easy and affordable meal. It's a hearty dish topped with crispy tater tots that everyone in the family will enjoy.

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    Cheesy Beef Pasta Skillet

    Cheesy Beef Pasta Skillet.
    Photo Credit: The Hungry Bluebird.

    This is a simple and cheesy dinner featuring seasoned ground beef and pasta shells in a creamy cheddar cheese sauce. It brings back memories of childhood favorites while being made from scratch.

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    Meatballs without Breadcrumbs and Eggs

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

    These meatballs are easy to make and don’t need breadcrumbs or eggs. They cook quickly in under an hour using the stove, air fryer, or oven, resulting in a juicy and flavorful dish that's great for a weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Taco Soup

    Taco Soup
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Ground Beef Taco Soup offers a fun take on taco night with seasoned ground beef, corn, beans, and fire-roasted tomatoes. You can add your favorite toppings for a simple and satisfying dinner during the week.

    Get the recipe

    Cheeseburger Casserole

    Cheeseburger Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Much Butter.

    Cheeseburger Casserole is a comforting dish that brings the flavors of home right to your table. It's an easy, cheesy meal with ground beef that everyone will enjoy for dinner.

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    One Pot Burrito Bowl

    One Pot Burrito Bowl Recipe
    Photo Credit: I Heart Nap Time.

    This one-pot Mexican burrito bowl with ground beef is ready in just 30 minutes. It's a simple meal for busy evenings, and cleanup is a breeze.

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    Dorito Casserole

    Dorito casserole.
    Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes.

    This weeknight dinner features layers of crunchy nacho Doritos, seasoned ground beef, salsa, and melted cheese for a satisfying meal. Inspired by Mexican flavors, this dish is packed with bold tastes that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Mexican Stuffed Bell Peppers

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

    Stuffed Peppers come together in just 45 minutes and don’t even need rice. With a mix of tex-mex flavors and a cheesy topping, these peppers are a great option for a quick and affordable weeknight meal.

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    Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

    Meatballs in Tomato Sauce.
    Photo credit: FODMAP Everyday.

    A hearty plate of spaghetti with meatballs in tomato sauce is perfect for a quick and affordable dinner. It's a satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Cowboy Meatloaf Mashed Potato Casserole

    Cowboy Meatloaf Mashed Potato Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Bowl Me Over.

    The Cowboy Mashed Potato Meatloaf Casserole brings together the flavors of the Wild West in a single dish. This hearty meal features seasoned meatloaf topped with creamy mashed potatoes, cheese, and bacon, all baked to a delicious golden brown.

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    Taco Casserole

    Taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This Taco Casserole combines tasty ground beef, tortillas, enchilada sauce, and cheese, all baked together for a quick weeknight meal. It's a convenient way to enjoy taco flavors in a single dish that you can even make ahead and freeze.

    Get the recipe

    Cabbage Roll in a Bowl

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

    This simple Cabbage Roll In A Bowl is a quick and affordable meal that combines ground beef, rice, tomato sauce, garlic, onions, and apple cider vinegar. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    No Boil Baked Ziti

    No Boil Baked Ziti
    Photo Credit: Cooking With Carlee.

    Enjoy a tasty baked ziti that’s simple to prepare. Just layer the ingredients and pop it in the oven for a satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    Texas Hash

    Texas Hash.
    Photo credit: Ground Beef Recipes.

    Texas Hash is an easy and tasty dish that combines ground beef and rice. It's a great option for a quick and affordable dinner during the week.

    Get the recipe

    The Best Tater Tot Casserole

    The Best Tater Tot Casserole
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This tater tot casserole is a comforting dish filled with ground beef, veggies, and plenty of melted cheese. It's a classic meal from the Midwest that you can make in one pot, making cleanup a breeze.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Cabbage Rolls

    SLOW COOKER CABBAGE ROLLS.
    Photo credit: The Food Blog.

    Ground beef stuffed cabbage rolls offer a fun take on a classic dish. This is a filling and simple meal perfect for any weeknight.

    Get the recipe

    Cabbage Roll Casserole

    Cabbage Roll Casserole
    Photo Credit: Wholesome Yum.

    This ground beef cabbage roll casserole is an easy and delicious meal that captures the flavors of traditional cabbage rolls. It's a quick and healthy choice for a weeknight dinner.

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    Homemade Hamburgers

    air fryer hamburger.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A tasty burger can be made with ground beef, seasoned simply with salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Add your favorite toppings for a filling meal.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Spaghetti Casserole

    Baked Spaghetti Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Dutch Oven Daddy.

    Baked Spaghetti Casserole is a cozy dish that combines the flavors of lasagna with a simpler preparation. It's a great option for a comforting meal that won't take much time to put together.

    Get the  Recipe

    Cheesy Beef & Rice Casserole

    Cheesy Beef & Rice Casserole.
    Photo credit: Dominican Cooking.

    This ground beef and rice casserole is a tasty option for weeknight dinners that won't break the bank. Loaded with cheese, veggies, and plenty of flavor, it's an easy meal that's great for sharing with family and friends.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Ziti

    Baked Ziti.
    Photo credit: FODMAP Everyday.

    Super Deluxe Baked Ziti is a hearty dish packed with pasta, ground beef, sausage, tomato sauce, and plenty of cheese. It's great for serving a group and sure to please everyone at the table.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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      22 Dump-And-Go Dinners We’re Making Every Week
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      Simplify Summer: 18 Crockpot Dinners You Can Set and Forget

    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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