45+ Recipes with Ground Beef

Discover the full potential of ground beef with a collection of 45 delicious recipes, perfect for lunch, dinner, and appetizers!

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This collection of ground beef recipes has got it all— soups, casseroles, pasta dishes, burgers, tacos, and more. If you’ve got some ground hamburger handy, you’ll always have something yummy on the dinner table!

Featured image of recipes to make with ground beef.
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Ground beef is a true protein champion! It’s incredibly versatile and budget-friendly. Plus, you can use ground beef in a wide variety of recipes, from classic American dishes to spicy Mexican, tasty Italian favorites, and authentic Lebanese recipes, too. These hamburger meat recipes showcase how delicious ground beef is.

Why You Should Make More Recipes with Ground Beef

  • Easy and quick protein. If I’m ever in that dinner rush haze, chances are, I’m reaching for one of my easy ground beef recipes. Next to frozen fish, ground beef cooks fast and conveniently in the same pot as the meal itself, which means less dishes to wash.
  • Versatile flavors and uses. Is there anything ground beef cannot do? From hearty appetizers to complete meals with ground beef, this kitchen favorite is a workhorse that keeps on delivering (…tasty meals, that is).
  • A family favorite. Not everyone is on board with shrimp spaghetti, but I’ve yet to meet a child who refuses spaghetti and meatballs. The bottom line is that these simple ground beef recipes are family favorites, and for good reason. They’re satisfying, delicious, and easy to make.

Budget Tips for Ground Beef Recipes

  • Buy in bulk when it goes on sale. Ground beef is a store favorite to place on sale, so when you see a good deal, stock up. Then, you can do a little planning and divide the ground beef into smaller meal-sized portions and freeze during a meal prep session.
  • Make one-pot ground beef recipes on nights when you don’t feel like doing much. Prepare dishes that call for just a handful of ingredients and cook them all in one pot or pan. This saves on ingredients and reduces the time and effort spent on cleanup.
  • Utilize leftovers: Repurpose leftover ground beef into delicious dishes like tacos, stuffed peppers, or shepherd’s pie to avoid food waste and save money. Many of these ground beef dinner ideas use the same ground beef foundation so start there and repurpose your protein.
  • Serve with filling sides. Meals with ground beef pair well with options like rice, potatoes, and pasta, so incorporate them into the dish or serve your beef over them for a satisfying meal.

Tips for Making Easy Ground Beef Recipes

  1. Choose lean ground beef for most recipes. Leaner meat means less fat and a cleaner taste. It also means you can skip draining grease for one less step.
  2. Brown it well. Cook the ground beef until it turns a delicious brown color. This makes it taste better and gives it a nice texture. Make sure to stir occasionally for even browning.
  3. Drain if necessary. If you want a richer, beefier flavor, you may opt to use a high-fat ratio. That’s just fine! You’ll just want to take the extra step of draining the fat after browning your ground beef and before adding your other ingredients.
  4. Use a meat thermometer. For recipes like burgers and meatballs, where the meat is pressed into a loaf, it’s important to check the internal temperature and ensure it reaches 160°F to guarantee it’s fully cooked.

Best Recipes With Ground Beef

Here are some recipe ideas featuring ground beef. With its versatility, you can make all kinds of tasty dishes. Start your meal with flavorful beefy appetizers, create quick and easy dinners, and try out other hamburger meat recipes that are absolutely worth the effort!

Ground Beef Basics

Before we get to the actual meals to make with ground beef, one has to know how to properly cook it so it’s tender, juicy, and delicious. Although it’s pretty easy to cook ground beef, it’s equally easy to overcook it and make it rubbery and unappetizing. The key is to cook it over medium heat and stirring often until it’s no longer pink. But for more specifics, check out these simple ground beef recipes that will be the foundational building blocks for more delicious meals in this collection.

Ground beef in a skillet garnished with fresh parsley and a wooden spatula dipped in.
Tutorial

How to Brown Ground Beef

Learn how to brown ground beef for tacos, spaghetti & more! Easy steps, mess-free, delicious results, and meal prep ready!
 
10 minutes
5 from 5 votes
Cooked ground beef from instant pot in bowl with parsley
Ingredient

How to Cook Frozen Ground Beef

Cook frozen ground beef quickly and easy in your Instant Pot. This is a great kitchen hack when you need to get dinner on the table quickly!
 
25 minutes
4.5 from 4 votes
Pastas, Sauces

Spaghetti Sauce

From scratch, chunky spaghetti sauce with vegetables, ground beef, and a secret ingredient – sun-dried tomatoes! Perfect for batch making and freezing!
 
1 hour 8 minutes
5 from 24 votes

Ground Beef Appetizer Ideas

We are all very familiar with complete meals with ground beef, but don’t underestimate the versatility of this common kitchen staple. Ground beef makes an excellent source of protein for small bites and appetizers to kick start your meal.

Blue plate with hummus, ground beef, pine nuts, parsley and tomatoes, with side of fried pita chips
Appetizer

Hummus with Ground Beef

This Hummus with Ground Beef recipe is a simple, authentic and popular Middle Eastern meal – easy to make with your favorite hummus, beef and pine nuts!
 
20 minutes
5 from 163 votes
Kibbeh balls after fried on a white plate
Appetizer

Kibbeh Balls

These traditional fried Lebanese kibbeh balls are a delicious appetizer made with bulgur wheat and seasoned ground beef and onions filling!
 
50 minutes
5 from 170 votes
Appetizer, Entree

Air Fryer Meatballs

These easy Air Fryer Meatballs are ready in a jiffy with easy instructions and basic ingredients to serve for dinner or as an appetizer.
 
20 minutes
5 from 37 votes
Final stuffed grape leaves lined up on a long plate
Main Course

Lebanese Stuffed Grape Leaves (Warak Enab)

These Lebanese Stuffed Grape Leaves (Warak Enab) are made with a spiced ground beef and rice mixture – a delicious Mediterranean dish commonly served as an appetizer!
 
2 hours 30 minutes
5 from 1453 votes
Sfeehas or Lebanese meat pies on a serving dish
Appetizer

Lebanese Meat Pies

These Lebanese meat pies (sfeehas) are a delicious Middle Eastern appetizer. Made with a crispy dough and filled with a spiced meat filling.
 
2 hours 30 minutes
5 from 201 votes
Plate of stuffed cabbage rolls - lebanese style served with tomato slices
Entree, Main Course

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Try this authentic Lebanese styled Stuffed Cabbage Rolls – also known as Malfouf – with step-by-step easy instructions to cook the recipe!
 
2 hours 15 minutes
5 from 195 votes
Lebanese meat stuffed pita triangles served on a white platter with a small bowl of yogurt and parsley for garnish
Appetizer, Main Course

Meat Stuffed Pitas (Arayes)

Quick and easy to make, these Lebanese meat stuffed pitas are one delicious recipe! These beef arayes are ready to enjoy in minutes and every bite is truly tasty!
 
15 minutes
5 from 264 votes

Soups and Stews with Ground Beef

Ground beef is an excellent source of protein in soups, stews, and chilis. It perfectly takes on whatever seasonings you use, and it’s incredibly easy to incorporate it into your favorite recipes. Whether you’re making a spicy chili or a comforting bowl of stew to cozy up to, meals with ground beef offer rich flavor and satisfying texture.

Beef chili recipe.
Dinner, Entree, Soup

Beef Chili

Warm up with a hearty bowl of Beef Chili, filled with smoky flavor, kidney beans, and a rich sauce. This classic dish is perfect for an easy weeknight meal!
 
35 minutes
5 from 1 vote
kafta and potato stew served in a bowl with rice
Main Course

Kafta and Potato Stew

This traditional Lebanese kafta and potato stew is a hearty meal that the whole family will love! Seasoned patties/meatballs are cooked in a rich tomato sauce for a healthy and delicious meal.
 
55 minutes
5 from 167 votes
Lebanese Spinach Stew (Sabanekh wu riz) served with pine nuts and lemon slices
Entree

Lebanese Spinach Stew

Try this authentic Lebanese style Spinach stew made with simple ingredients; it's wholesome, well-balanced and perfect to feed a large family
 
27 minutes
5 from 281 votes
Bowl of lasagna soup garnished with torn basil and parmesan cheese with another bowl nearby.
Soup

Lasagna Soup

This one-pot lasagna soup recipe is comfort in a bowl. Made with lasagna noodles, ground beef and a delicious spice blend it's lasagna in soup form!
 
1 hour
5 from 54 votes
Large bowl of ravioli soup made with ground beef and garnished with basil
Soup

Easy Ravioli Soup

Very similar to Lasagna Soup, this kid friendly Easy Ravioli Soup is a meat lover's hearty comforting meal-in-a-bowl recipe that's ready in about 30 minutes
 
30 minutes
5 from 37 votes

Mexican Ground Beef Dinner Ideas

Tacos, burritos, salads, and more! Ground beef has saved my rush-hour dinner more times than I can count. It’s a versatile, quick-cooking protein that can be used in many recipes with minimal effort. But it really shines in Mexican-inspired dishes. Mexican cuisine is rich in beefy goodness, and I love how ground beef absorbs all the bold, vibrant flavors. These Mexican meals with ground beef are family favorites that I make over and over without fail.

Ground beef tacos thumbnail.
Main Course

Ground Beef Tacos

These Ground Beef Tacos are filled with juicy flavorful taco meat made with my homemade taco seasoning – it's an easy weeknight recipe for the whole family!
 
25 minutes
5 from 2176 votes
Seasoned ground beef burritos on a plate with a side of guacamole.
Entree, Sandwich

Ground Beef Burritos

Stuff your Ground Beef Burritos with meat, beans, and rice and roll tight in a flour tortilla. To get them to hold together pan sear and serve with all the things!
 
30 minutes
5 from 48 votes
Taco salads prepped in glass meal prep containers
Salad

Taco Salad Meal Prep

This Taco Salad Meal Prep is a healthy way to change up your meals with a Tex Mex inspired salad bowl filled with taco beef, lettuce, salsa and guacamole!
 
20 minutes
5 from 12 votes
2 Taco Stuffed Peppers on a white dish
Main Course

Taco Stuffed Peppers

These healthy taco stuffed peppers are a great low-carb dinner recipe for weeknight meals. They're easy to make, so filling and customizable!
 
40 minutes
5 from 25 votes
Loaded bell pepper nachos when they come out of the oven
Appetizer

Bell Pepper Nachos

These easy bell pepper nachos are a great low carb alternative to your favorite Mexican appetizer. Easy to make and ready to serve in 30 minutes.
 
30 minutes
5 from 228 votes
Appetizer

Sheet Pan Nachos

This easy Sheet Pan Nacho recipe layers crispy tortilla chips with beef, beans, and cheese and is loaded with all your favorite nacho toppings.
 
25 minutes
5 from 23 votes

Lebanese Meals to Make with Ground Beef

Lebanese recipes are near and dear to me. Whether staples found in many Middle Eastern homes or cherished childhood favorites, these simple ground beef recipes will take you and your taste buds to the Mediterranean, offering rich, bold, and aromatic flavors in every bite.

Mediterranean ground beef and rice with chickpeas in a bowl
Entree

Mediterranean Ground Beef & Rice

This Mediterranean Ground Beef and Rice dish is made with chickpeas and full of flavor. It's a quick, easy-to-make one pot meal the whole family will love!
 
30 minutes
5 from 326 votes
A serving of potato souffle on a small plate to show a top and bottom layer and spiced beef layer in the middle. Baking dish nearby.
Entree

Lebanese Potato Souffle

Lebanese Potato Souffle is the ultimate comfort food with whipped mashed potatoes, spiced beef filling, and crispy breadcrumbs on top!
 
1 hour 35 minutes
5 from 32 votes
Lebanese hashweh with spoon scooping out serving
Appetizer, Main Course

Hashweh

Quick and easy to make this traditional Lebanese Hashweh is made with simple ingredients and is wonderfully spiced and flavorful. Perfect on it's own with pita or a great stuffing for lots of mains.
 
25 minutes
5 from 103 votes
Lebanese style beef kafta served over rice
Main Course

Beef Kafta

This is a Lebanese style Beef Kafta recipe that's made with ground beef, parsley, onions and a blend of Middle Eastern spices- perfect on the grill or stove
 
30 minutes
5 from 1608 votes
Baked kibbeh (also called kibbeh bil sanieh) topped with pine nuts
Main Course, Main Dish

Baked Kibbeh

Baked Kibbeh is a quintessential Lebanese recipe that is popular throughout the Middle East – made with beef, cracked wheat, onion and spices
 
1 hour 30 minutes
5 from 342 votes
Kibbeh bi labanieh - traditional Middle Eastern dish in a large bowl of yogurt sauce
Entree

Kibbeh in Yogurt Sauce

Kibbeh in yogurt sauce is a comforting & popular Middle Eastern recipe. This is an authentic Lebanese recipe from my mom that's easy to follow
 
2 hours
5 from 93 votes
Baked eggplant moussaka with a serving removed on a plate nearby and a spatula lifting up another serving.
Entree

Easy Eggplant Moussaka

This Easy Eggplant Moussaka recipe is a quick version of the Greek dish made with layers of eggplant and spiced ground beef and topped with a bechamel sauce
 
2 hours 10 minutes
5 from 128 votes
Spoon lifting up a dumpling from a bowl of Shish Barak that is cut open to show beef and nut mixture inside.
Entree

Shish Barak

This authentic Lebanese Shish Barak is a delicious Middle Eastern comfort food of homemade spiced meat dumplings in creamy yogurt sauce.
 
1 hour 40 minutes
4.9 from 26 votes
overhead shot of kousa on a dish
Entree

Kousa (Stuffed Squash)

This authentic Kousa recipe is a popular Middle Eastern dish made with a spiced beef & rice mixture stuffed in squash and cooked in a garlicky tomato broth!
 
1 hour 30 minutes
5 from 506 votes

Pasta Meals with Ground Beef

Pasta and ground beef are a great pair! These two go together with their complementary textures and flavors, offering you a total comfort food that can be a simple weeknight meal or a fancy weekend dinner. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic Bolognese or baked spaghetti dish, these ground beef dinner ideas will satisfy every craving.

Pasta Bolognese in a large pan with a wooden spoon
Entree

Pasta Bolognese

Pasta Bolognese is a classic Italian dish where al dente pasta meets a hearty ground beef sauce, slow-cooked with onions, garlic, and tomatoes for a flavorful experience.
 
55 minutes
5 from 1385 votes
Serving spoon lifting up a serving to show stringy cheese pull.
Dinner, Entree

Ground Beef Casserole

Ground beef pasta is a favorite family meal and is easy to make in just a few steps. You can't go wrong with meat, sauce, pasta, and cheese!
 
40 minutes
5 from 153 votes
Easy baked spaghetti.
Entree

Easy Baked Spaghetti

This Baked Spaghetti Recipe is a cheesy vegetarian pasta casserole dish that's simple to make, requiring only one pan in the oven, and a family favorite meal.
 
1 hour 5 minutes
5 from 559 votes
Baked macarona bechamel with browned cheese with fresh herb garnish.
Entree, Pastas

Macarona Bechamel

Macarona Bechamel is a baked comfort food favorite with layers of pasta, creamy bechamel & a Middle Eastern spiced ground beef tomato sauce.
 
1 hour
5 from 27 votes
Spaghetti and meatballs after tossing together in skillet.
Entree

Homemade Spaghetti and Meatballs

This Homemade Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe is full of juicy, tender and delicious meatballs- it's a wholesome, hearty and easy dinner for the whole family.
 
40 minutes
4.6 from 9 votes

Lasagna Recipes with Ground Beef

Another classic pairing is lasagna noodles with ground beef. This duo creates a rich and hearty dish that layers flavors and textures in the most delicious way. Plus, lasagna is always a crowd-pleaser, conveniently feeds a large group, and is freezer-friendly. It’s the ultimate one-pan wonder that makes dinner time easy and delicious! So next time you’re wondering what to make with ground beef, keep lasagna in mind! Trust me, you won’t regret it.

Baked layerless lasagna on sheet pan garnished with fresh parsley and extra grated parmesan.
Dinner, Entree, Main Dish

Sheet Pan Lasagna

This Sheet Pan lasagna is a quick, delicious twist on the classic. Made on a sheet pan with a meaty marinara sauce and topped with creamy spinach ricotta.
 
1 hour
5 from 49 votes
Greek Yogurt Lasagna in a baking dish garnished with fresh basil
Dinner, Entree, Main Dish

Greek Yogurt Lasagna

This healthy lasagna recipe without ricotta cheese is a wholesome dinner with layers of tangy, creamy Greek yogurt filling, beefy marinara, pasta, and melty cheese.
 
1 hour 40 minutes
5 from 106 votes
Homemade lasagna recipe.
Dinner, Entree

Homemade Lasagna

This homemade lasagna recipe is made with a beefy tomato sauce layered with ricotta and mozzarella cheese and baked until golden and bubbly.
 
1 hour 35 minutes
5 from 35 votes
Collage of two images showing spaghetti squash halved before and after removing seeds
Main Course

Spaghetti Squash Lasagna

This Spaghetti Squash Lasagna feeds your craving for lasagna without the pasta – it's a low carb, gluten-free and keto friendly recipe!
 
1 hour 10 minutes
5 from 27 votes

Easy Ground Beef Recipes for Dinner

If you’re scrambling to get a protein-packed meal on the kitchen table quickly, you know these ground beef dinner ideas will save the day. They’re satisfying, delicious, and quick to make (because ground beef cooks incredibly quickly!). Thanks to these super easy hamburger meat recipes, you can feed your family faster than you can grab takeout.

Two bowls of the unstuffed peppers recipes topped with cheese
Main Course

Unstuffed Peppers

This unstuffed peppers bowl is loaded with flavor and is a great well balanced meal. With all the flavors of stuffed peppers, but so much quicker to make!
 
1 hour 10 minutes
5 from 624 votes
Baking dish with stuffed peppers, topped with pine nuts adn parsley
Entree

Beef Stuffed Peppers

This Beef Stuffed Peppers recipe is a complete meal made w/ ground beef, rice, onions, tomato sauce & Mediterranean spices – an easy weeknight family dinner
 
1 hour 15 minutes
5 from 229 votes
Side view of coleslaw on a burger.
Entree, Lunch, Sandwiches

Air Fryer Hamburgers

Quick, 5 minute, juicy Air Fryer Ground Beef Burgers – This air fryer burger recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and tastes amazing!
 
10 minutes
5 from 28 votes
Homemade hamburger on a bun with toppings.
Main Course

Homemade Hamburgers

These really are the best homemade beef hamburgers! Wonderfully juicy and perfectly seasoned, they take minutes to make and are quick to grill.
 
35 minutes
5 from 84 votes
Two avocado burgers with avocado crema on the side
Sandwiches

Avocado Burger

Quick and easy to make, this grilled avocado burger is juicy and full of flavor. Top it with avocado crema and add it to your summer barbecue!
 
18 minutes
5 from 84 votes
Round plate with four butter lettuce pieces topped with the ground beef mixture
Appetizer

Beef Lettuce Wraps

These tasty beef lettuce wraps are simple to make and ready to serve in less than 10 minutes. Loaded with flavor, they are a great appetizer!
 
20 minutes
5 from 50 votes
Final cooked stuffed eggplant cut in half to show the rice and beef stuffing
Entree, Main Course

Stuffed Eggplant

This authentic Stuffed Eggplant recipe is a my family's popular Lebanese dish made with a spiced beef & rice stuffing and cooked in a garlicky tomato broth!
 
2 hours
5 from 70 votes

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cook ground beef?

To cook ground beef, heat a skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef, and break it up with a spatula. Cook until browned and no longer pink, stirring occasionally. Drain excess fat, if desired, and season it per the recipe. This simple technique is the foundation of most meals with ground beef. It’s quick, easy, and doesn’t require any special kitchen tools.

What are some tips for flavoring ground beef?

You can flavor ground beef by adding spices, herbs, onions, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, or soy sauce. Experiment with different seasonings to create your desired flavor. I recommend seasoning either before cooking (i.e., meatballs) or towards the end of the cooking process. The specific seasonings will largely depend on the recipe, but you can’t go wrong with a basic salt and pepper flavor.

Can ground beef be frozen?

Yes, you can freeze ground beef. Divide it into portions and place in airtight containers or freezer bags. Thaw in the refrigerator before using. But if you forgot to pull it out of the freezer, no worries. Here’s a quick tutorial on how to cook frozen ground beef in an Instant Pot!

How long can cooked ground beef be stored in the refrigerator?

After cooking ground beef, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat only what you’ll be using to prevent any contamination.

What is the difference between ground beef and hamburger meat?

They can often be used interchangeably, but the biggest difference is that hamburger meat may contain more beef fat. It is generally better suited for burger recipes where the extra fat holds the patty together and adds moisture. But generally, if you are making hamburger meat recipes, you can use regular ground beef.

Instant pot ground beef served in large white bowl

Ground beef is a versatile and budget-friendly ingredient that opens up a world of delicious possibilities in the kitchen. From classic burgers to comforting casseroles, international favorites, and family recipes, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for quick and easy weeknight meals or impressive dishes to serve at gatherings, these simple ground beef recipes are your perfect go-to options!

For more similar roundup of recipes, be sure to check out: Shrimp Recipes, Avocado Recipes, Recipes With Tahini, and Recipes with Protein Powder

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