28 Delicious Ground Beef Creations for Family-Friendly Dinners

Ground beef is a staple ingredient that can be transformed into countless dishes for any occasion. This collection of 28 recipes features everything from comforting classics like shepherd’s pie and Salisbury steak to bold, international flavors like Korean beef bowls and Mediterranean ground beef stir fry. Whether you’re in the mood for hearty casseroles, quick pastas, or creative stuffed peppers, these recipes are perfect for family dinners, meal prepping, or entertaining guests. Let’s explore these versatile and satisfying ground beef dishes!

Shepherd’s Pie

Cozy Shepherd’s Pie! This super hearty, totally restaurant-quality shepherd’s pie recipe is a winner! You’ve got a tasty beef, veggie, and gravy filling cooked in a cast iron pan, topped with fluffy, perfectly creamy mashed potatoes, then broiled to golden brown perfection.

Get The Recipe: Shepherd’s Pie

Italian Meatballs

Meatballs in sauce being served with a spoon. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This recipe produces generous meatballs, perfect for feeding a large group! Prepare a big batch for dinner and freeze the leftovers for a convenient meal whenever you need it.

Get The Recipe: Italian Meatballs

Spicy Beef Noodles

A bowl of stir-fried noodles garnished with slices of lime. The dish contains noodles mixed with various vegetables, herbs, ground beef, and pieces of red bell pepper. Chopsticks are placed beside the bowl on a marble surface. — Image Credit: Cooking For Keeps

Packed with flavorful ground beef, chewy rice noodles, and loads of veggies, our Spicy Beef Noodles make dinner a breeze, no complaints here! They’re a tasty combo of sweet, spicy, and downright delicious – we just can’t get enough. Great for using up leftover beef and veggies!

Get The Recipe: Spicy Beef Noodles

Quick & Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

A fork twirls a serving of spaghetti with a rich meat sauce, featuring ground beef, tomatoes, and herbs. The dish is garnished with melted cheese, creating a comforting and savory meal. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This quick and easy Spaghetti Bolognese recipe creates a delicious meat sauce that’s bursting with Italian flavor! Plus, it’s ready in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for a busy night!

Get The Recipe: Quick & Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

Korean Beef Bowls

Two bowls of rice topped with seasoned ground beef, sliced cucumbers, shredded carrots, and green onions, with chopsticks resting on the side. A small bowl of sliced green onions and a bowl of sesame seeds are also visible, along with a partly visible plate of vegetables. Perfect for budget-friendly recipes! — Image Credit: Cooking Classy

Made with simplicity and packed with flavor, these Korean Beef Bowls are a delicious treat. Enjoy the mix of browned ground beef in a sizzling skillet, paired with a simple yet tasty sauce. Great for an easy weeknight dinner addition!

Get The Recipe: Korean Beef Bowls

Ultimate Cottage Pie

A spoon serving cottage pie stopped with cheesy potatoes. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This recipe is a game-changer. The thick, rich gravy is absolutely delicious, and the topping will blow you away!

Get The Recipe: Ultimate Cottage Pie

Slow Cooker Chili Mac

A close-up of a pot filled with a hearty dish combining elbow macaroni, ground beef, kidney beans, and diced tomatoes. The ingredients are well-mixed, coated in a rich tomato-based sauce perfect for ground beef recipes, and there's a red spoon stirring the mixture. — Image Credit: Good Cheap Eats

Looking for a tasty meal the whole fam will devour in minutes and ask for seconds? This Slow Cooker Chili Mac Recipe is simple, make-ahead, and seriously delicious. It’s classic comfort food that lets you take a break from cooking thanks to the Crock-pot doing the heavy lifting.

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Chili Mac

One Pot Hamburger Stroganoff

A skillet filled with beef stroganoff features wide egg noodles, ground beef, mushrooms, and a creamy sauce—a true comfort food recipe. Chopped parsley is sprinkled on top, with a wooden spoon resting in the dish, inviting you to dive into its soothing flavors. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This super easy one-skillet ground beef stroganoff is creamy, tasty, and just right for those busy weeknights. Whip it up in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients!

Get The Recipe: One Pot Hamburger Stroganoff

Amazing Swedish Meatballs in Creamy Gravy

Gravy smothering Swedish meatballs in a copper baker. — Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

These delectable Swedish Meatballs in Creamy Gravy are crafted with a tantalizing combination of ground beef and pork, expertly seasoned with aromatic spices and herbs. Simmered to perfection in a rich, fragrant brown gravy, this dish boasts a delightful medley of savory flavors.

Get the Recipe: Swedish Meatballs

Italian Meatloaf

Close-up of a sliced meatloaf topped with melted cheese and herbs, sitting in a pan of rich tomato sauce. This handed down recipe features a golden-brown crust, with each slice lovingly garnished with fresh green herbs. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This Italian Meatloaf is like a cozy dinner party in a loaf! It combines the comforting meatball flavors of ground beef, Parmesan, and marinara sauce, then invites melty mozzarella cheese to the party. It’s savory, cheesy, and so satisfying, you might just want to take a nap right after!

Get The Recipe: Italian Meatloaf

Sloppy Joes

Homemade Sloppy Joes! Filled with yummy browned beef, hidden veggies, and a rich, slightly sweet, lightly smoky tomato sauce. This recipe is speedy, bursting with flavor, and sure to satisfy those nostalgic cravings!

Get The Recipe: Sloppy Joes

Salisbury Steak

Whip up a delightful and comforting meal with our fantastic Salisbury Steak recipe, ready in 30 minutes. Ideal for hectic weeknights, this dish is bound to become a beloved family favorite.

Get The Recipe: Salisbury Steak

Ground Beef And Broccoli

A plate of white rice topped with seasoned ground beef, broccoli florets, and sesame seeds, showcasing one of the many delightful ground beef recipes, with a fork placed to the right. — Photo credit: Table For Two

This ground beef and broccoli stir fry is easy, budget-friendly, and ready in less than 30 minutes. It’s the perfect weeknight meal that your family will love!
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef And Broccoli

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Skip the jar! These homemade Italian meatballs are simmered in rich spaghetti sauce for a taste of authentic Italian comfort food.

Get The Recipe: Spaghetti and Meatballs

Ground Beef Gnocchi

A close-up view of a creamy gnocchi dish, one of the best ground beef recipes, featuring tomatoes and herbs. The dish is in a pan and being stirred with a white spoon. Chopped parsley is sprinkled on top as garnish. — Image Credit: Salt & Lavender

This ground beef gnocchi recipe with a creamy tomato sauce transforms store-bought gnocchi into pillow-like deliciousness. It’s a one-pan meal that’s speedy and tastes fancy!

Get The Recipe: Ground Beef Gnocchi

Italian Stuffed Peppers

Four Italian stuffed bell peppers in vibrant red, orange, and yellow rest on a white plate. Each is filled with a savory mixture of ground meat, rice, and herbs, topped with grated cheese and garnished with chopped parsley. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This colorful dish is sure to delight any crowd! Not only is it an easy and delicious recipe perfect for midweek meals, but it’s also impressive enough to serve to dinner guests!

Get The Recipe: Italian Stuffed Peppers

Simple Ground Beef Casserole

A bowl of cheesy pasta mixed with ground beef and garnished with fresh herbs. The pasta appears to be penne, and it is covered in a generous layer of melted yellow cheese, creating a comforting and hearty dish. Perfect for those seeking delicious ground beef recipes, the bowl rests on a light-colored surface. — Image Credit: Salt & Lavender

This ground beef casserole recipe is a breeze to put together and perfect for feeding a bunch of folks! It’s cozy and made with basic ingredients.

Get The Recipe: Simple Ground Beef Casserole

Hamburger Rice

A close-up of a dish featuring rice mixed with ground meat, mushrooms, and garnished with fresh parsley. Sliced carrots and pieces of cooked vegetables are visible on a green plate. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This tasty hamburger and rice recipe comes together in a flash, bursting with flavor and using just a few dishes. With tender ground beef, fluffy rice, and a sprinkle of magic (okay, fine, it’s just some yummy seasonings), this meal is sure to satisfy any busy night!

Get The Recipe: Hamburger and Rice

The Best One Pot Taco Macaroni And Cheese

Savor the delightful blend of zesty Mexican spices and comforting Italian cheese with this delicious taco macaroni and cheese. Prepared in just one pot using a Dutch oven, this dish comes together in a mere 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: The Best One Pot Taco Macaroni And Cheese

Moussaka

Moussaka is a delightful Mediterranean classic. This version uses either lamb or beef, layers with roasted eggplant, and tops with feta.

Get The Recipe: Moussaka

Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry

A skillet filled with a colorful sauté of ground beef, chopped tomatoes, spinach, diced bell peppers, and sliced green onions. A metal serving spoon rests inside the skillet. A small bowl of crumbled cheese is partially visible beside the skillet—a perfect addition to your ground beef recipes collection. — Image Credit: Downshiftology

This Mediterranean ground beef stir fry is like the ultimate quick and healthy dinner! Packed with tasty veggies, coastal seasonings, and tons of flavor – all without any sauce needed.

Get The Recipe: Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry

Traditional Homemade Meatloaf

A sliced meatloaf on a serving dish. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This Traditional Homemade Meatloaf recipe is moist, tender, and flavorful. Once you try it, you’ll cherish this recipe forever!

Get The Recipe: Traditional Homemade Meatloaf

Slow Cooker Calico Beans

A hearty bowl of chili filled with beans, ground beef, and a rich tomato-based sauce. The dish features a variety of beans, including kidney and navy beans, and appears to be well-seasoned. A spoon is placed in the bowl, ready for serving. It's one of the best ground beef recipes around! — Image Credit: Culinary Hill

From cowboys to kiddos, everyone loves Slow Cooker Calico Beans! Packed with beef and bacon, they’re perfect for cookouts, parties, or simple meals!

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Calico Beans

Butter Burgers

A close-up view of a cheeseburger with melted cheese, caramelized onions, and a juicy beef patty crafted from ground beef recipes, all nestled between toasted buns. Some French fries are visible in the background, adding to the appetizing appearance of the meal. — Image Credit: The Cookie Rookie

This butter burger is seriously tasty and my go-to burger recipe! A butter-soaked burger is a must-try for all the food lovers out there!

Get The Recipe: Butter Burgers

Greek Style Meat Sauce

A close-up view of a ladle scooping rich, reddish-brown meat sauce from a pot. The sauce is chunky and well-cooked, with visible pieces of ground meat and tomato, suggesting a hearty texture and flavorful dish. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This is a simple and classic Greek-style meat sauce made with tomatoes, perfect for tossing with pasta on those busy weeknights when you need a quick and tasty meal!

Get The Recipe: Greek Style Meat Sauce

Beef Empanadas

Golden-brown empanadas filled with savory ground beef, arranged on a parchment-lined baking tray, garnished with cilantro, and accompanied by a small dish of sour cream. — Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

These savory homemade beef empanadas are a delight to prepare. The flaky shells encase a delicious filling of seasoned ground beef, creating a mouthwatering snack that’s perfect for game day or any casual gathering.

Get the Recipe: Beef Empanadas

Chili Con Carne

Dive into a pot of pure comfort! This Classic Chili Con Carne is a hearty and flavorful crowd-pleaser, perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.

Get The Recipe: Chili Con Carne

Beef and Sour Cream Noodle Casserole

Beef and noodle casserole up close with lots of sauce. — Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

This creamy Sour Cream Beef and Noodle Casserole is a hearty, satisfying weeknight winner. Tender noodles, ground beef, and sausage in a rich sauce – easy to make and sure to please the whole family.

Get the Recipe: Beef Noodle Casserole