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

    29 Lazy Ground Beef Dinners for When You’re Too Tired to Cook

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on June 4, 2025, updated April 23, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    When you're feeling too tired to cook, ground beef can be a lifesaver. It's versatile, quick to prepare, and can be turned into a variety of satisfying meals with minimal effort. Here are 29 easy ground beef dinners that will help you get dinner on the table without a lot of fuss.

    Manestra

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

    Casseroles and simple American dishes are often seen as comfort food. This Greek version called "Manestra" is just as tasty and satisfying.

    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

    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 just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a rich and hearty meal that’s perfect for feeding a crowd.

    Get the recipe

    Easy Layered Enchilada Casserole

    Easy Layered Enchilada Casserole.
    Photo Credit: What a Girl Eats.

    Layered enchilada casserole is a simple dish that doesn't require rolling tortillas. With layers of ground beef, cheese, and mild green enchilada sauce, it's a hit with the whole family.

    Get the Recipe

    Beefy Mac and Cheese

    Beefy Mac and Cheese.
    Photo Credit: My Kitchen Sanctuary.

    Beefy Mac and Cheese is a classic dish that combines creamy mac and cheese with flavorful ground beef and zesty tomato sauce. A touch of sour cream adds a nice creaminess, making this a satisfying meal for everyone.

    Get the Recipe

    Cowboy Casserole

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

    Cowboy Casserole is a simple and satisfying dinner option that everyone will enjoy. With its creamy, cheesy filling and a topping of crispy tater tots, it's sure to become a family favorite.

    Get the recipe

    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This casserole combines all the delicious flavors of tacos into one easy dish. It's packed with ground beef, salsa, and plenty of cheese, making it perfect for a potluck or a simple weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Homemade Sloppy Joes

    Homemade sloppy joes with a golden bun.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Homemade sloppy joes are packed with flavor and can be ready in about 30 minutes using just one pan. This dish is simple to scale up, making it a great option for feeding a crowd or preparing in advance.

    Get the recipe

    Cowboy Stew

    Cowboy Stew
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons.

    Cowboy Stew is a great choice when you need to feed a crowd. With ground beef, smoked sausage, potatoes, beans, and veggies, this dish is filling and sure to please everyone.

    Get the recipe

    Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole

    Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Out Grilling.

    Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole is a simple dinner option that can be cooked on the grill. It features a quick ground beef chili, topped with frozen tater tots and lots of melted cheese, creating a delicious meal.

    Get the Recipe

    Cheesy Tortellini Skillet Lasagna

    Cheesy Tortellini Skillet Lasagna
    Photo Credit: Flavor Mosaic.

    Skillet lasagna is a quick and easy way to enjoy a classic dish without spending hours in the kitchen. You can have this hearty meal ready in just 20 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Sweet Potato & Ground Beef Skillet

    SWEET POTATO AND GROUND BEEF SKILLET.
    Photo credit: House of Yumm.

    This simple skillet dinner is packed with flavor from a homemade Tex-Mex spice mix that includes chili powder, cumin, and coriander. It's all cooked in one pan, making it a great option for a family dinner on a busy weeknight.

    Get the recipe

    Sour Cream Noodle Bake

    Sour Cream Noodle Bake.
    Photo Credit: My Kitchen Sanctuary.

    Sour Cream Noodle Bake is a warm and hearty casserole that's perfect for a crowd. It features creamy egg noodles, a savory beef sauce, and gooey cheese in every layer.

    Get the Recipe

    Rigatoni al Forno

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

    This rigatoni al forno with veggies is a tasty and healthier pasta dish perfect for dinner. It's a comforting Italian bake that's easy to make and packed with flavors and nutrients that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Cauliflower Beef Taco Skillet

    Cauliflower beef taco skillet on a Dutch oven.
    Photo Credit: Wholesome Made Easy.

    The Cauliflower Beef Taco Skillet is a tasty, low-carb dish that hits the spot when you're in the mood for Mexican food. It's a quick meal that you can whip up in about 30 minutes, perfect for a busy weeknight.

    Get the recipe

    Cheeseburger Soup

    CHEESEBURGER SOUP.
    Photo credit: Wholesome Yum.

    Cheeseburger soup is a warm and satisfying dish that everyone will enjoy. It's creamy, hearty, and can be made in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for a quick meal.

    Get the recipe

    Crunchy Ground Beef Tacos

    Ground beef tacos.
    Photo credit: Confetti & Bliss.

    When you're feeling hungry, there's no need to head out. This simple recipe can be put together in just 20 minutes and tastes just as great as your favorite takeout.

    Get the recipe

    Campbell's Tater Tot Casserole

    Campbell’s Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo credit: Mimi Loves Cooking.

    This is a new family favorite for nights when you're short on time or energy. Pair it with a side salad for a complete meal!

    Get the recipe

    Easy Cheeseburger Casserole

    Easy Cheeseburger Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Dude That Cookz.

    Cheeseburger Casserole is a simple and tasty dish that’s great for a quick weeknight dinner. With just a few ingredients like ground beef, onions, tomato puree, and cheese, it’s a hearty meal that everyone will love.

    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

    Ground Beef & Broccoli

    Ground Beef And Broccoli.
    Photo credit: LIving Chirpy.

    This healthy meal comes together quickly with just 9 ingredients and only one pan. In about 20 minutes, you can have a delicious dinner ready to feed a crowd.

    Get the recipe

    Kimchi Sloppy Joes

    Kimchi Sloppy Joe.
    Photo credit: Served From Scratch.

    This classic dish gets a fun twist with some Korean flavors. It's a great option for feeding a crowd.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Creamy Taco Soup

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

    Ground beef is cooked with chopped onion and then combined in the crock pot with taco seasoning, diced tomatoes, cream cheese, and spices. This is a simple and tasty taco soup that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Beef & Quinoa Bowls

    Beef & Quinoa Bowls.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    This Indonesian Beef and Quinoa Bowl is a comforting dish that’s packed with flavor. The beef simmers in coconut milk with curry and cinnamon, and you can add your favorite toppings for a nutritious meal that's great for meal prep.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Beef and Shells

    Instant Pot Beef and Shells
    Photo Credit: Earing In An Instant.

    This simple one-pot dish combines ground beef and pasta in a creamy, cheesy sauce. It's a satisfying meal that's perfect for feeding a crowd.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Spiral Pasta

    Cheesy Spiral Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Add Salt & Serve.

    This spiral pasta dish is loaded with cheese, tomatoes, and beef, making it a hearty meal. It's simple to prepare and yields two pans, so you can enjoy one for dinner and save the other for later.

    Get the Recipe

    Cabbage Roll in a Bowl

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

    This savory Cabbage Roll In A Bowl is great for an easy dinner! It's made with ground beef, rice, tomato sauce, garlic, onions, and apple cider vinegar.

    Get the recipe

    Ground Beef and Tomato Pasta Bake

    Ground Beef and Tomato Pasta Bake.
    Photo Credit: Slow the Cook Down.

    This beef and tomato pasta bake is a filling and satisfying meal that's perfect for feeding a crowd. With pasta baked in a flavorful tomato sauce and topped with cheese, it's an easy dinner that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Salsa Meatloaf

    Slow Cooker Salsa Meatloaf.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Salsa Meatloaf gives a fun twist to the classic dish by using salsa instead of ketchup. This easy recipe is perfect for dinner and can be made with minimal effort.

    Get the Recipe

    Homemade Hamburgers

    air fryer hamburger.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These burgers are juicy and cooked just right, perfect for serving with your favorite toppings. With just ground beef, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce, you can whip up a satisfying meal for everyone.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Chicken thigh tray bake.
      22 Dump-And-Go Recipes That Will Make You Love Cooking Again
    • Tikka masala.
      22 Delicious Crockpot Chicken Meals You Can Just Set and Forget
    • 19 Family Friendly Slow Cooker Meals That Are Perfect for Meal Prep
    • Orzo pesto salad.
      22 Quick Summer Salads That Are Bursting with Flavor

    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 →

    Popular Recipes

    • Sliced air fryer roast beef.
      Air Fryer Roast Beef
    • top down view of a tortellini casserole
      Cheesy Tortellini Casserole with Spinach
    • Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake [Dump and bake!]
    • sliced rib eye steak topped with salt
      How to Cook a Rib Eye Steak Without a Cast Iron Skillet (3 Methods)

    Popular Articles

    • Pepperoni pasta salad.
      19 Family Friendly Pasta Recipes We’re Making All Summer Long
    • Chicken cacciatore.
      20 Easy Crockpot Chicken Recipes for Stress-Free Cooking
    • Corn chowder.
      25 Slow Cooker Dinners You’ll Be Making All Summer Long
    • Ham and potato casserole.
      25 Layer and Bake Casseroles We’re Making All Summer Long

    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