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18 Ground Beef Dinners That Are Budget-Friendly and Delicious

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Ground beef is the ultimate weeknight hero—affordable, versatile, and downright delicious! Whether you’re craving cheesy comfort with a tater tot casserole or bold flavors with saucy sesame meatballs, these recipes showcase just how much you can do with this humble ingredient. From hearty classics like spaghetti and meatballs to creative twists like sloppy joe tacos, there’s something here for everyone. Get ready to transform your dinner rotation with these 18 must-try ground beef dishes.

Taco Mac and Cheese

Scrumptious Taco Mac and Cheese photo
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

This super easy Taco Mac and Cheese is the perfect mix of taco night and comfort food, all in one cheesy, flavorful bite. It’s a meal the whole family—especially the kids—will love!
Get the Recipe: Taco Mac and Cheese

Slow Cooker Pizza and Pasta Soup

A slow cooker containing a hearty stew with bow-tie pasta, sliced carrots, ground beef, and beans in a rich tomato-based sauce offers a delightful twist on traditional recipes.
Image Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

Slow Cooker Pizza and Pasta Soup is the ultimate family favorite! Packed with bold pizza supreme flavors and hearty bow-tie pasta, this comforting dish is sure to be a hit around the dinner table.

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Pizza and Pasta Soup

Tater Tot Casserole

This Tater Tot Casserole takes comfort food to the next level with a rich, homemade mushroom sauce—no canned soup here! It’s a cozy, irresistible dinner everyone will love.

Get The Recipe: Tater Tot 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 hamburger and rice recipe is quick, flavorful, and uses just a few dishes. With tender ground beef, fluffy rice, and tasty seasonings, it’s perfect for any busy night!

Get The Recipe: Hamburger and Rice

Slow Cooker Bacon Barbecue Meatloaf

A crockpot filled with sliced meatloaf, crafted from ground beef recipes, is topped with a rich glaze and pieces of bacon. The dish appears juicy and savory, ready to be served.
Image Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

Transform your traditional meatloaf into a crowd-pleaser with this Slow Cooker Bacon Barbecue Meatloaf—packed with smoky, savory flavors that your family will love!

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Bacon Barbecue Meatloaf

One Pot Hamburger Stroganoff

A close-up of an easy beef and mushroom stroganoff with wide egg noodles, garnished with chopped parsley. The creamy sauce coats the ingredients, making it perfect for simple yet satisfying dinners, and a wooden spoon is partially visible.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This one-skillet ground beef stroganoff is the ultimate weeknight hero—creamy, flavorful, and ridiculously easy to make. With just a handful of simple ingredients, you’ll have a comforting, delicious meal on the table in under 30 minutes. Who’s ready to dig in?

Get The Recipe: One Pot Hamburger Stroganoff

Saucy Sesame Meatballs

Close-up of glazed meatballs made from flavorful ground beef recipes, accented with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. They're skewered on wooden sticks and artfully arranged on a white rectangular plate. The glossy sauce enhances their savory appeal.
Image Credit: Gimme Some Oven

These saucy sesame meatballs are incredibly easy to make and smothered in a rich, mouthwatering sesame ginger sauce that will have you coming back for seconds (or thirds)!

Get The Recipe: Saucy Sesame Meatballs

Spaghetti and Meatballs

a close up of Spaghetti and Meatballs on a plate with a fork
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

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

Italian Meatloaf

Close-up of a sliced meatloaf made with ground beef, topped with melted cheese and tomato sauce, garnished with herbs in a white dish. Perfect for hearty recipes!
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This Italian Meatloaf is like a cozy dinner party in a loaf! It combines the comfort of meatballs with beef, Parmesan, marinara sauce, and melty mozzarella. Savory, cheesy, and worth every bite—you might need a nap after!

Get The Recipe: Italian Meatloaf

Cheeseburger Casserole

A close-up of a pasta dish featuring curly noodles, ground beef, melted cheese, and garnished with sliced pickles, cherry tomatoes, and diced onions creates a vibrant and appetizing presentation—an enticing addition to any collection of ground beef recipes.
Image Credit: Spend With Pennies

This hearty, crowd-pleasing entrée is sure to become a family favorite! It’s easy to make, perfect for prepping ahead, and tastes just as delicious when reheated.

Get The Recipe: Cheeseburger Casserole

Salisbury Steak

Close-up of a savory Salisbury Steak covered in a rich mushroom and onion gravy, served in a cast-iron skillet. The dish is garnished with fresh herbs, and the sauce glistens, highlighting the tender meat's juicy texture.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Create a warm, hearty meal in just 30 minutes with our irresistible Salisbury Steak recipe! Perfect for busy weeknights, this comforting classic is sure to win over your family and become an instant favorite.

Get The Recipe: Salisbury Steak

Sloppy Joe Tacos

A row of five tacos, crafted from cherished recipes, features seasoned ground beef filled with diced red peppers, all topped with shredded cheese and cilantro on a pristine white rectangular platter.
Image Credit: Gimme Some Oven

This recipe takes all the deliciousness of classic sloppy joes and transforms it into tacos. Because honestly, who wouldn’t love a sloppy joe taco mashup?

Get The Recipe: Sloppy Joe Tacos

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

Classic Chili Con Carne

A bowl of chili con carne served over white rice, garnished with chopped herbs. The dish includes kidney beans and ground meat in a rich, red sauce. A fork is placed beside the chili in the bowl.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Get ready to cozy up with a bowl of comfort! This Classic Chili Con Carne is a warm, hearty favorite that’s perfect for family dinners or casual hangouts with friends.

Get The Recipe: Chili Con Carne

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 rich and flavorful Greek-style meat sauce, made with tomatoes, is the perfect go-to for busy weeknights. Toss it with your favorite pasta for a quick, comforting meal that’s sure to satisfy every time!

Get The Recipe: Greek Style Meat Sauce

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 vibrant dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! It’s quick, easy, and bursting with flavor—perfect for busy weeknights. Plus, it’s so impressive, your dinner guests will think you’ve spent hours in the kitchen!

Get The Recipe: Italian Stuffed Peppers

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

Cheeseburger Quesadillas

A close-up of stacked cheeseburger quesadillas filled with ground beef, melted cheese, and pickles. A drizzle of sauce tops the layers, showcasing a delicious twist on classic beef recipes against a blurred background.
Image Credit: Culinary Hill

Indulge in the irresistible flavors of a classic fast-food cheeseburger with my easy-to-make Cheeseburger Quesadillas! For the perfect pairing, serve them alongside a crisp wedge salad topped with a drizzle of tangy special sauce. Deliciously simple, seriously satisfying!

Get The Recipe: Cheeseburger Quesadillas

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