The Best Ground Beef Meals

Updated July 22, 2008
Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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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