26 Simple and Affordable Ground Beef Recipes That Wow

Upgrade your ground beef game! We all love our classic burgers and tacos, but there’s a whole world of delicious flavors out there waiting for you. Check out these 26 awesome ground beef recipes to expand your cooking horizons. See how versatile and amazing this ingredient can be. Get ready for a fun twist in your meals, and enjoy cooking with ground beef!

Ground Beef Tacos

A plate of five soft shell tacos filled with seasoned ground beef, shredded cheese, chopped lettuce, diced red onions, halved cherry tomatoes, and fresh cilantro. This easy ground beef recipe sits on a gray surface with a striped cloth napkin and a small bottle of hot sauce nearby. — Image Credit: Cooking Classy

Indulge in these Ground Beef Tacos featuring a flavorful seasoned beef filling nestled in corn tortillas and topped with all the finest fixings. This dish is bound to be a favorite weeknight meal for the entire family, and you’ll appreciate the simplicity of preparing it!

Get The Recipe: Ground Beef Tacos

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

Creamy Meatball Stew

You’ll love the rich creaminess of a delectable meatball stew. This classic Swedish meatball dish is not only simple to prepare but has also stood the test of time as a beloved favorite in countless households due to its unparalleled deliciousness.
Get the Recipe: C reamy Meatball Stew

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

Quick & Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

This quick and easy Spaghetti Bolognese recipe makes a meat sauce bursting with Italian flavor. It’s ready in just 30 minutes!

Get The Recipe: Quick & Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

Roasted Tomato And Meatball Polenta

A bowl with polenta in it with meatballs on top. — Photo credit: xoxoBella

Experience the cozy embrace of timeless Italian flavors with our speedy and straightforward roasted tomato and meatball polenta – a beloved go-to for effortless weeknight dinners!
Get the Recipe: Roasted Tomato And Meatball Polenta

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

Italian Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed peppers right out of the oven with golden tops. — 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

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

Pesto Fettuccini With Bolognese Sauce

This delightful dish combines homemade Italian beef Bolognese meat sauce with perfectly cooked fettuccine pasta. If you have a love for hearty Italian cuisine, you won’t want to miss out on trying this exquisite pesto fettuccine with Bolognese recipe.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Fettuccini With Bolognese Sauce

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

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

Easy Authentic Italian Wedding Soup

Cozy up with a bowl of Italian wedding soup, simmered in a rich and savory broth that’s sure to warm your heart and soul. This comforting classic is a perfect fit for any time of year, providing a satisfying and delicious escape from the ordinary.
Get the Recipe: Easy Authentic Italian Wedding Soup

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

Taco Tortellini Skillet With Ground Beef

A skillet with cooked tortellini, ground beef, melted cheese, diced tomatoes, and garnished with fresh parsley provides a delightful twist to traditional ground beef recipes. — Photo credit: Busy Day Dinners

With just 6 ingredients, you can make a cheesy and easy Taco Tortilla Skillet with ground beef. It’s perfect for an easy weeknight dinner!
Get the Recipe: Taco Tortellini Skillet With Ground Beef

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

Dutch Oven Beef Enchilada Casserole

A piece of enchilada casserole featuring ground beef recipes, topped with shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream, guacamole, diced tomatoes, and cilantro, served on a white plate with a fork. — Photo credit: Like Mother Like Daughter

Get ready to devour a satisfyingly cheesy and hearty Dutch oven enchilada casserole that’s perfect for any adventure – whether you’re camping under the stars, gathering in the backyard, or cozying up in your kitchen! This mouthwatering dish is sure to become a favorite wherever you enjoy it.

Get the Recipe: Dutch Oven Beef Enchilada Casserole

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

One Pot Chili Mac

A bowl of chili mac, made from classic ground beef recipes, topped with a dollop of sour cream and grated cheese, garnished with a sprinkle of herbs. A green and white napkin is partially visible on the side. — Photo credit: Shugary Sweets

Get ready for a comforting and satisfying meal that’s ready in no time! One Pot Chili Mac is a 30-minute wonder that’s sure to delight both kids and adults alike. Packed with flavorful meat, beans, and a generous helping of cheese, this easy dinner idea is a crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for a busy day.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Chili Mac

Salisbury Steak

Whether you’re following a Keto Diet or simply reducing carbs, this recipe for Low Carb Italian Meatballs offers a delicious gluten-free option.

Get The Recipe: Salisbury Steak

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

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

The Best Hamburger Recipe

a Cheeseburger on a bun piled high with toppings — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Searching for the best hamburger recipe? With this comprehensive guide, you can make delicious, juicy burgers using any cooking method.

Get The Recipe: The Best Hamburger Recipe

Hamburger and Rice

Savor this tasty hamburger and rice recipe any night of the week. This comforting dish is simple to prepare and brimming with savory flavors!

Get The Recipe: Hamburger and Rice

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