Ground Beef Recipes Under 300 Calories

Updated September 11, 2013
Credit: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro

Whether you're prepping for a quick weeknight meal or a weekend dinner party, these dishes put lean ground beef in the spotlight and deliver a flavor-packed meal that's big on taste, but low on calories. These recipes range from the classic meat loaf to shepherd's pie, meatballs, and everything in between. 

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Ground Sirloin Sliders

Credit: Quentin Bacon

Ground Sirloin Sliders Recipe

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Southwestern-Style Meatballs

Credit: Greg Dupree; Styling: Claire Spollen

Southwestern-Style Meatballs Recipe

These meatballs are made with onion, minced garlic, corn tortilla, egg, ground sirloin, and chipotle chile. 

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Cheesy Meat Loaf Minis

Credit: Johnny Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

Cheesy Meat Loaf Minis Recipe

We add white cheddar cheese to this comfort-food favorite making it seem more indulgent than it actually is at less than 300 calories per serving (no joke!).

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Beef, Cheese, and Noodle Bake

Credit: Lee Harrelson

Beef, Cheese, and Noodle Bake Recipe

This easy ground beef noodle bake features cheese made from 2% milk and lean ground sirloin to keep the fat and calorie counts low. It's sure to be popular with both the kids and adults around your dinner table. Serve with a store-bought bagged salad for a simple weeknight meal.

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Italian-Style Meat Loaf

Credit: Jan Smith

Italian-Style Meat Loaf Recipe

Keeping ingredients such as tomato sauce, dried herbs, eggs and breadcrumbs on hand as kitchen staples makes this meatloaf a cinch to prepare. Reheat leftovers to make delicious and low-fat sandwiches the following day.

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Superfast Salisbury Steak

Credit: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro

Superfast Salisbury Steak Recipe

Bored with burgers? For a lean and tasty ground beef alternative, this dish will bring cheers to the table and can be made in less than 25 minutes.

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Healthy Picadillo

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Healthy Picadillo Recipe

This flavorful dish is packed with nutritious veggies like carrots, bell peppers and tomatoes. Serve over brown rice for a pleasing meal that's quick and simple to prepare.

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Meat, Bulgur, and Rice Dolmades

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Lydia DeGaris-Pursell

Meat, Bulgur, and Rice Dolmades Recipe

Gather family or friends in the kitchen to help with rolling these flavorful stuffed grape leaves. Serve as an appetizer at your next gathering or on top of a bed of mixed salad greens and veggies for a meal that's full of flavor, but not calories.

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Meatballs and Peppers

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Meatballs and Peppers Recipe

Choosing ground round in place of high-fat ground beef is an easy way to cut back on fat without sacrificing flavor. In this recipe, ground round is combined with herbs, spices, and flavorful veggies then simmered in beef broth.

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Slow-Cooker Meat Loaf with Shiitake Mushrooms

Credit: Photography: Karry Hosford

Slow-Cooker Meat Loaf with Shiitake Mushrooms Recipe

Using a mixture of half ground turkey and half ground round lessens the fat and calories in this meatloaf without forfeiting flavor. At 262 calories per serving, you can feel great about enjoying this dish.

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Porcini Meat Sauce

Credit: James Carrier

Porcini Meat Sauce Recipe

Porcini mushrooms lend a meaty flavor to this recipe without adding unnecessary fat. Crushed tomatoes are an excellent source of the super-nutrient lycopene. Serve over whole wheat noodles for a dish that tastes hearty but not heavy.

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Shepherd's Pie

Credit: Karry Hosford

Shepherd's Pie Recipe

Fast and easy, this classic dish is perfect for busy weeknight meals. Kidney beans adds a healthy dose of fiber, and using prepared mashed potatoes and salsa saves on prep time and clean-up.

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Sloppy Joes

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Sloppy Joes Recipe

Sloppy Joes are a classic family favorite and, at 202 calories per serving, this version is sure to become a regular in your household. Skip the store-bought sauce and make these Joes from scratch to reduce the sodium content often found in canned sauces.

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Diner Meat Loaf 'Muffins'

Credit: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro

Diner Meat Loaf 'Muffins' Recipe

Serve these delicious meatloaf muffins with steamed green beans and roasted potato wedges for an at-home version of a blue-plate special.

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