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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    32 Cheap Ground Beef Dinners You’ll Want to Make All the Time

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on May 24, 2025, updated April 23, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Ground beef is a versatile and budget-friendly ingredient that can be used in countless delicious meals. From hearty pastas to easy casseroles, these 32 recipes will help you whip up satisfying dinners without breaking the bank. Whether you're cooking for a family or just yourself, these easy ideas will keep your weeknight meals exciting and affordable. We know "cheap" can mean different things to different people, so here you will find recipes fitting a variety of budgets - but all without any unnecessarily expensive ingredients.

    Ground Beef Alfredo

    Ground Beef Alfredo.
    Photo Credit: Mighty Spatula.

    This creamy ground beef alfredo is a classic dinner that's simple to make with just a few ingredients. It's sure to please everyone and will quickly become a regular meal in your home.

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    One Pot Creamy Beef Pasta

    One Pot Creamy Beef Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Simple Everyday Recipes.

    This creamy beef pasta is a fresh take on a classic dish that's full of flavor. It's a one-pan meal that comes together in just 30 minutes, making it a great option for busy weeknights.

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    Slow Cooker John Wayne Casserole

    Slow Cooker John Wayne Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This casserole features tater tots, a southwestern twist, and plenty of cheese. It's a hearty dish that's perfect for feeding a crowd.

    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, melted Velveeta cheese, chicken broth, vegetables, and spices. The flavors blend together perfectly, making it a dish that everyone will love.

    Get the Recipe

    Hamburger and Potato Casserole

    Hamburger and Potato Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Bitz & Giggles.

    This comforting Midwestern casserole combines ground beef and green beans, all topped with creamy mashed potatoes and crispy French fried onions. It's a filling dish that's perfect for feeding a crowd.

    Get the Recipe

    Hamburger Soup

    Hamburger Soup.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    Hamburger Soup is packed with sweet potatoes, carrots, peppers, onions, celery, and fire-roasted tomatoes. It comes together in under 30 minutes and is perfect for leftovers during the week.

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    One Pan Baked Ziti

    Baked Ziti.
    Photo credit: Raising Generation Nourished.

    This one pan baked ziti is perfect for busy weeknights, with quick prep and simple cleanup. It's a great option for feeding a crowd without a lot of work.

    Get the recipe

    Italian Stuffed Peppers

    Italian Stuffed Peppers with no rice.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Stuffed peppers filled with hearty marinara sauce, creamy pesto cheese, and melted mozzarella create a satisfying meal. In less than an hour, you can serve these tasty peppers for dinner.

    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 that you can make all in one pan. It transforms ground beef into a flavorful meal that's sure to please everyone.

    Get the recipe

    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 perfect for serving a crowd and can be topped with your favorite fixings.

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    Cheeseburger Casserole

    Cheeseburger Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Much Butter.

    Cheeseburger Casserole will remind you of a taste of home, a very comfortable dish with a single pot, simple, cheesy beefy, and tasty! Forever classic favorite food for your dinner!

    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

    Stuffed Zucchini Boats

    Ground Beef Stuffed Zucchini Boats.
    Photo credit: Masala Herb.

    Zucchini boats filled with a tasty tomato sauce and topped with cheese are a great way to enjoy a hearty meal. This dish is perfect for feeding a crowd and is sure to please everyone at the table.

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    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

    Taco Rice (Okinawan Style)

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

    Japanese taco rice features seasoned ground beef served over rice, topped with fresh tomato, lettuce, avocado, and crunchy tortilla chips. It’s a quick and tasty meal that you can whip up in just 20 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Bolognese Pasta Bake

    Bolognese Pasta Bake.
    Photo Credit: The Cinnamon Jar,

    Bolognese pasta bake is a classic comfort dish that everyone enjoys. It's a hearty meal that brings warmth and satisfaction to any gathering.

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    Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas

    Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas.
    Photo Credit: NeighborFood.

    Ground Beef Quesadillas are a hit with kids and perfect for busy weeknights. Packed with seasoned beef, sautéed peppers, onions, and cheese, they can be ready in 30 minutes or less.

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    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

    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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    Skillet Stuffed Peppers

    Skillet Stuffed Peppers.
    Photo credit: Raising Generation Nourished.

    Skip the fussy prep and make skillet stuffed peppers with the most rich, delicious flavor, sure to make the whole family happy!

    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

    The Best Tater Tot Casserole

    The Best Tater Tot Casserole
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Tater tot casserole is a beloved comfort food that combines ground beef, fresh veggies, and creamy gravy, all topped with melted cheese and crispy tater tots. This dish uses real ingredients and is cooked in one pot, making it easy to serve straight from the oven to your table.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Enchilada Casserole

    Slow Cooker Enchilada Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Retro Recipe Box.

    Enjoy a tasty twist on enchiladas that skips the rolling step. This dish can be made with ground beef or ground turkey, making it a great option for feeding a crowd.

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    Beef Enchilada Pasta

    Beef Enchilada Pasta
    Photo Credit: Semi Homemade Kitchen.

    Enjoy a delicious mix of Tex-Mex and Italian flavors with this easy one-pan pasta. It's quick to prepare, can be tailored to suit different diets, and is great for feeding a crowd.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup

    Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup.
    Photo Credit: Valerie's Kitchen.

    This soup combines all the great tastes of stuffed bell peppers and is cooked slowly in your Crock Pot. It's a filling and simple meal that's perfect for a weeknight dinner.

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    One Pot Enchilada Pasta

    One Pot Enchilada Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Dance Around the Kitchen.

    This creamy one-pot pasta combines all the delicious flavors of beef and cheese enchiladas. It's a satisfying meal that's perfect for feeding a crowd.

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    Ground Beef Hotpot

    Minced Beef, Onion and Potato Hotpot.
    Photo Credit: Krumpli.

    This dish combines ground beef stew with sliced onions and scalloped potatoes, making it a hearty meal for cold days. It's a comforting option that will satisfy a crowd.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Hamburger Potato Casserole

    Slow Cooker Hamburger Potato Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This hamburger potato casserole is a hearty dish made with just five ingredients, featuring the savory flavors of beef and onions. It's easy to put together and cooks fast, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

    Get the Recipe

    Dorito Casserole

    Dorito casserole.
    Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes.

    This Dorito casserole combines layers of nacho Doritos, ground beef, red and green salsa, and plenty of melted cheese. It's a colorful and flavorful dish that's sure to please a crowd.

    Get the recipe

    Hobo Casserole

    Hobo Casserole.
    Photo credit: Bowl me Over.

    This one-pan meal is simple and tasty, perfect for the whole family. It features layers of tender beef, potatoes, creamy filling, and cheese, making it a great choice for a weeknight dinner.

    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

    Chili Mac

    Gluten-free Chili Mac
    Photo Credit: Whole New Mom.

    This dinner is simple to prepare and sure to please everyone at the table. It all cooks in one pan and can be made dairy-free and gluten-free.

    Get the recipe

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    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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    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!

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