The Best Ground Beef Meals

July 22, 2008
Photo: Hector Sanchez
Transform a package of ground beef into a mouthwatering meal packed with flavor. The results are budget friendly and oh so delicious.
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The Cheeseburger Salad

Photo: Jennifer Causey Styling: Claire Spollen
The Cheeseburger Salad Recipe
Classic burger elements become a fast, fun salad--a deconstructed take on a diner favorite.
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Cowboy-Style Beef and Vegetable Ragout

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen
Cowboy-Style Beef and Vegetable Ragout Recipe
Think of this savory meat sauce as a cross between beef stew and sloppy joe filling. The addition of cauliflower to traditional polenta lightens the recipe. To add more vegetables to this ragout, add carrots and parsnips during the fall.

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Sheet Pan Beef and Black Bean Nachos

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford
Sheet Pan Beef and Black Bean Nachos Recipe
Load up the nachos on a baking sheet, then bring straight to the table for easy serving and a great presentation.
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Sirloin and Parmesan Meat Loaf

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Thom Driver
Sirloin and Parmesan Meat Loaf Recipe

For even shaping, use a loaf pan as a mold to shape the meat loaf; then invert onto the baking sheet.

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Cincinnati Chili

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Thom Driver
Cincinnati Chili Recipe
We add a little ground chuck to the beef mixture for extra richness.

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Slow Cooker Beef-and-Sweet Potato Chili

Jennifer Causey
Slow Cooker Beef-and-Sweet Potato Chili Recipe
Leaving the peels on the sweet potatoes has three benefits: Prep is faster, you add more fiber, and the potatoes hold their shape better after the 7-hour simmer. Besides, the peels get so tender that you barely notice they're there. You don't need to fully cook the ground beef before it goes into the slow cooker; just cook it enough to "set" the shape of the crumbles.
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Spiced Beef Tostadas with Cilantro-Lime Rice

Photo: Greg Dupree; Styling: Claire Spollen
Spiced Beef Tostadas with Cilantro-Lime Rice Recipe
These tostadas are inspired by classic taco night toppers and sides. Our version amps up the spice while keeping sodium numbers in check.

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Classic Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders

Photo: Johnny Miller; Styling: Sarah Smart
Classic Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders Recipe
Though we usually shy away from processed foods, we do love American cheese here for that old-school burger joint flavor.

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Cheeseburger Pizza

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower, Claire Spollen
Cheeseburger Pizza Recipe
Our take on this guaranteed family favorite saves more than 200 calories, 16 grams of fat, and nearly 670 milligrams of sodium over the leading fast-food cheeseburger pizza.
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Quinoa Bibimbop Bowls

Photo: Jennifer Causey
Quinoa Bibimbop Bowls Recipe
Bibimbop is a Korean dish that means "mixed rice." For this version, we took a hearty grain like quinoa and served it with crunchy vegetables and a fried egg. Let the family build their own bowls, so this way, everyone's happy.

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Meatball and Ziti Bake

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower
Meatball and Ziti Bake Recipe
Whole-wheat pasta holds up well in this cheesy, saucy pasta bake.

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Parmesan Polenta with Quick Ragù

Parmesan Polenta with Quick Ragù Recipe
Polenta is a great option when you crave Italian comfort food but have pasta fatigue.
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Quick Taco Salad

Photo: Kelsey Grace Harrison
Quick Taco Salad Recipe
This easy mexican taco salad will become your go-to weekday recipe to please the whole family. Rated 5 stars by our users, this flavorful salad is fast, easy, and so delicious.

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Ground Beef and Pasta Casserole

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower
Ground Beef and Pasta Casserole Recipe
Better break out the big pot for this beefy pasta casserole, it makes plenty to share or for delicious lunch leftovers tomorrow.

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Slow-Cooker Bolognese Sauce over Pappardelle Pasta

Photo: Greg Dupree; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas
Slow-Cooker Bolognese Sauce over Pappardelle Pasta Recipe

Traditionally, Bolognese sauce requires hours of babysitting as it simmers on the stove, but our recipe is virtually hands-off.

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Greek Baked Ziti

Photo: Greg Dupree; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas
Greek Baked Ziti Recipe

Inspired by the classic Greek comfort dish known as pastitsio, this pasta casserole uses fresh and flavorful ingredients.

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Calzones with Italian Tomato Sauce

Calzones with Italian Tomato Sauce Recipe
Make your own portable dinner pockets by stuffing refrigerated pizza crust with ground beef, cheese, spinach, tomato and Italian seasonings. This meaty pizza-inspired favorite is great for on-the-go meals, or a fun family night in.

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Beef, Cheese, and Noodle Bake

Photo: Lee Harrelson
Beef, Cheese, and Noodle Bake Recipe
Trick the picky "noodles only" eaters at the table with this macaroni and cheese casserole. It's packed with lean sirloin, shredded veggies, and lots of calcium–each serving has 200 milligrams. Serve with a green veggie or side salad.
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Chorizo-Beef Nachos

Annabelle Breakey; Dan Becker
Chorizo-Beef Nachos Recipe
Beef up a traditional Mexican-inspired appetizer recipe by adding protein-packed black beans, fresh herbs, melty cheese, and lean ground beef. Make dinner time a party by serving the nachos on a large platter, or let everyone make their own stackers.

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Chili-Topped Potatoes

Photo: William Dickey; Styling: Cindy Manning Barr
Chili-Topped Potatoes Recipe
Serve Mexican-style chili, flavored with dry Ranch dressing mix, on a cooked baked potato. Microwave the potatoes to save time and you'll have this dish on the table in about 20 minutes.

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Mini-Cheeseburgers

Photo: Tina Cornett; Styling: Leslie Byars Simpson
Mini-Cheeseburgers Recipe
Whether you're planning a party or just a festive night in, make mini-cheeseburgers using ground beef, party rolls, and slices of American cheese, cut into quarters. Serve with a side of baby carrots for a scaled-down meal that's fun to eat.
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All-In-One Spaghetti

Photo: William Dickey; Styling: Mary Lyn Hill Jenkins
All-In-One Spaghetti Recipe
Make clean-up a snap by serving a one-pot spaghetti dish. The liquid from the sauce cooks the pasta in the Dutch oven, infusing the noodles with the flavor of dried oregano and chili powder. Serve with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and a slice of garlic bread.

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French Market Meat Loaf

French Market Meat Loaf Recipe
Meatloaf has long been a dinner table favorite. Shelve your go-to recipe and try a new one packed with dried herbs and topped with smooth tomato gravy. Diced Cajun sausage links add extra meat to the loaf, along with a vibrant punch of flavor.

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Richard's Sloppy Joes

Richard's Sloppy Joes Recipe
Serve a grown-up version of the kid-friendly favorite. This meaty sandwich gets its mild heat from Worcestershire and the liquid from pickled jalapeños. If you're serving younger palates, reduce or omit the juice and stick with the more traditional version. Toast hamburger buns before adding the meat mixture, and serve with a side of potato wedges or a green salad.
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Stuffed Peppers

Cooking Light
Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Bulk up the popular side dish, traditionally stuffed with rice, by adding ground sirloin to the hollowed red pepper. Use boil-in-a-bag rice to save preparation time, then cook for about 20 minutes for a dish that's a meal in itself.

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Meatballs and Peppers

Becky Luigart-Stayner
Meatballs and Peppers Recipe
Nothing beats homemade meatballs, so pick a recipe that keeps the number of ingredients low and the flavor content high. Serve with a bell pepper stir fry over mashed potatoes to absorb all the juices.

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Hamburger Steak

Photo: Tina Cornett; Styling: Mary Lyn Hill Jenkins
Hamburger Steak Recipe
Serve skillet hamburger steaks like grandma used to make. Worcestershire and dry mustard add a sharp bite to the ground chuck, while lightly sautéed onion and bell pepper add crisp texture. Plate with instant mashed potatoes and a fresh veggie for a home-style meal that's ready in less than 30 minutes.
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Mediterranean Burgers

Photo: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Dan Becker
Mediterranean Burgers Recipe
Greek meets the grill in this recipe that's perfect for summer. Add feta and fresh herbs to the ground beef for a savory kick, and when you're ready to serve on a toasted Kaiser roll, slather on a layer of olive spread made with kalamatas, lemon, and dill. For toppings, we recommend lettuce, sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion.

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Lean Green Lettuce Tacos

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Buffy Hargett
Lean Green Lettuce Tacos Recipe
Ready in less than 30 minutes, these tacos are lighter version their corn or flour cousins. Layer a mixture of ground beef, zucchini, yellow squash, cilantro, lime, and tomatoes with the toppings of your choice. Instead of Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, try queso fresco, a crumbly, mild Mexican cheese for an authentic touch. You can often find this cheese at larger grocery stores.

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Thai-Style Ground Beef

Thai-Style Ground Beef Recipe
Transport yourself to Southeast Asia with this Thai-inspired one-pot dish. Simmer ground beef in a sauce made from Thai red curry paste, fish sauce, brown sugar, coconut milk, and fresh lime juice. Serve in lettuce leaves for a cool addition to the spicy beef, and add a side of rice and tropical fruit to round out the meal.
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Shepherd's Pie with Potato Crust

Photo: Greg Dupree; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas
Shepherd's Pie with Potato Crust Recipe
Instead of mashed potatoes, use thinly sliced potatoes to form the gorgeous, scalloped crust. We used a mandoline for slicing, but a sharp knife will also work.

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Smoky Beef-and-Bacon Chili

Photo: Peden & Munk; Styling: Amy Wilson    
Smoky Beef-and-Bacon Chili Recipe
Bacon, fire-roasted tomatoes, and smoked Spanish paprika update traditional beef and bean chili with a smoky, complex flavor. Serve with cornbread, and try to save some for later—it's even better the next day!

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Sweet-and-Sour Muffin Meat Loaves

Sweet-and-Sour Muffin Meat Loaves Recipe
Even a well-loved staple needs an update now and then. Instead of using a loaf pan, roll this meat loaf mixture into balls and bake in a muffin pan. Adding brown sugar and vinegar to ketchup makes a delicious sweet-and-sour sauce that kids and grownups will love. Serve with mashed new potatoes and peas.
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Lime-and-Cilantro Beef Salad

Lime-and-Cilantro Beef Salad Recipe
This recipe mixes rice and ground beef together over romaine lettuce. Toss the rice, beef, and lettuce with a dressing of cilantro, ginger, soy sauce, honey, and fresh lime juice. Garnish your salad with chopped roasted peanuts and sliced red onion.

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Fettuccine with Bolognese Sauce

Photo: Sang An
Fettuccine with Bolognese Sauce Recipe
Nothing beats a rich and savory pasta sauce like this bolgonese. Start with ground beef, vegetables, and tomatoes, then build the flavor with pancetta, a little whole milk, and nutmeg. Serve with slices of garlic bread and a salad to complete your meal. One reviewer says, "This recipe is amazing...my boyfriend thinks it's so good because I'm Italian and I learned how to make it from my mom (ha!)."

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Beef Tostadas with Quick-Pickled Onions

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen
Beef Tostadas with Quick-Pickled Onions Recipe
This Tex-Mex stack gets a bright punch of color from the quick-pickled onions that are so simple you'll make them again and again. For an extra kick, top with the jalapeño slices used in the pickling brine.
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Spicy Cheddar-Stuffed Burgers

Spicy Cheddar-Stuffed Burgers Recipe
No, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you—these burgers are extra large because they're stuffed with Cheddar cheese. Pureed chipotle peppers add a delicious kick to the beef, and you can adjust the amount of spice to your family's liking. Balance that heat with classic toppings like fresh tomatoes, lettuce, yellow mustard, mayonnaise, and cold sides like coleslaw and fruit salad.

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Beef and Bean Taco Salad

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower
Beef and Bean Taco Salad Recipe
To help keep the tortillas in the shape of a bowl, keep the ramekins on the pan when you flip the tortillas over, and use them as supports to help prop up the tortilla bowls.

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Shepherd's Pie

Photo: William Dickey; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey
Shepherd's Pie Recipe
This hearty dish pairs ground beef with earthy veggies like carrots, peas, mushrooms with flavorful, cheesy mashed potatoes. You can even make this dish ahead and refrigerate for an easy weeknight meal.
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Meaty Cheese Manicotti

Meaty Cheese Manicotti Recipe
Ground beef is just the base of this manicotti stuffing. Add hot Italian sausage, cheese, and tomatoes to the mix and stuff into prepared manicotti shells. Cover in a cream sauce, sprinkle with Parmesan, and bake until the cheese is browned. Serve with a salad and garlic bread for a complete meal.

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Whole-Grain Mini Meat Loaves

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen
Whole-Grain Mini Meat Loaves Recipe
Quinoa and vegetables bulk up meat loaf to a hefty portion; freeze leftover meat loaf up to 2 months.

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Minced Beef with Bok Choy and Fried Egg

Photo: Brian Kennedy; Styling: Claire Spollen
Minced Beef with Bok Choy and Fried Egg Recipe
For a little extra heat and a pop of color, drizzle a few drops of Sriracha over the eggs right before serving.
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Beefy Bolognese over Penne Pasta

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford
Beefy Bolognese over Penne Pasta Recipe
A meaty Bolognese needs a chance to reduce just a little as it cooks to concentrate flavors, and the Dutch oven allows for that, even with the lid on. This method also lets layers of flavors come through, as bacon, ground meat, and veggies are all browned in the same pot, then deglazed with cooking liquid.

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Veggie-Packed Bolognese

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen
Veggie-Packed Bolognese Recipe
More meat than actual sauce, Bolognese sings with fatty cuts of beef and pork, then sits atop a mountain of white pasta.

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Chili for a Crowd

Photo: Rob Howard; Styling: Marcus Hay
Chili for a Crowd Recipe
This simple chili can simmer for as little as half an hour before you dig in, and it only takes 25 minutes to prep. It has traditional ingredients like beef, garlic, bell pepper, cumin, and chile powder, but you'll also add lager-style beer, which gives this chili more flavor. Set out everyone's favorite toppings in small bowls so they can customize their chili.