53 Simple & Budget-Friendly Ground Beef Recipes You’ll Love
Ground beef is a kitchen staple that’s as versatile as it is budget-friendly.
🍳 Budget-Friendly Ground Beef Recipes & Dinner Ideas
Whether you’re craving something quick and comforting or hearty and family-sized, there’s no shortage of delicious ways to use it.
From classic favorites like burgers and meatloaf to flavorful international dishes, ground beef can be transformed into a satisfying meal any night of the week.
This roundup features the best ground beef recipes to keep dinner fresh, flavorful, and fuss-free.
Whether you’re looking for one-pan meals, comforting casseroles, or easy weeknight ideas, you’ll find plenty of inspiration to make your next dinner a hit.
Meatball Pita Pockets
These 5 ingredient Meatballs Pita Pockets, made with pantry staples, are the perfect easy back to school eat, family dinner, appetizer, or snack. Go to recipe.
The Best Homemade Sloppy Joes With Heinz Chili Sauce
This Heinz chili sauce sloppy joes recipe is sure to take you back to your childhood. Perfect for kids and adults alike, it’s an easy weeknight dinner that’s ready in a total time of less than 30 minutes! Go to recipe.
Instant Pot Sloppy Joes
Sweet, tangy, and savory ground beef cooked with tomato paste, ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, onions, and peppers. Pressure‑cooked in under 30 minutes, these sloppy joes are family‑friendly, freezer‑friendly, and perfect for busy weeknights. Go to recipe.
Spiced Beef Croquettes
Crispy and delicious Beef Croquettes made with mildly spiced beef mince, aromatics and spices…. an excellent appetizer for your next party. Go to recipe.
Sloppy Joe Cups
These Sloppy Joe Cups turn a classic into a handheld, easy-to-eat version with just a few simple ingredients. Ground beef in a rich, tangy sauce is tucked into biscuit dough and baked until golden. Go to recipe.
Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas
Gooey, cheesy ground beef quesadillas are the perfect weeknight meal for both kids and adults. Made in about thirty minutes, this delicious recipe combines savory seasoned ground beef, tender corn and gooey cheese all toasted between layers of golden brown tortilla. Go to recipe.
Beef Empanadas Recipe
Beef Empanadas Recipe gives you golden, flaky pockets bursting with juicy seasoned beef, soft onions, earthy cumin and paprika. Homemade dough makes them tender and beautifully crisp. Go to recipe.
Easy Beef Enchiladas Recipe
Easy Beef Enchiladas are a delicious dinnertime favorite. Flavorful seasoned ground beef is combined with veggies and black beans, topped with salsa and finished with melty cheese. You’ll love these! Go to recipe.
Best Greek Meat Pie Recipe With Phyllo: Kreatopita
Looking for a delicious traditional Greek meat pie recipe? You will love this kreatopita! Seriously, I made this Greek mince meat pie with phyllo dough for my personal chef clients for 14 years, and it was one of my most popular dishes! Go to recipe.
Lahmacun – Turkish Meat Flatbread
This Lahmacun – Turkish meat flatbread, is a popular authentic recipe, yeast-free & easy to make, on the stove or in the oven. Topped with a thin layer of a meat & vegetable paste, is known by some other names, (such as Lahmajun, or Lahmadjo) in Middle Eastern countries. Go to recipe.
Ground Beef Fajitas
Ground beef fajitas are a quick and easy dinner option perfect for busy weeknights. With simple ingredients and minimal prep, you’ll have a delicious meal on the table in no time. Go to recipe.
Vegetable Beef Soup
Enjoy a hearty, soul-warming bowl of this Vegetable Beef Soup, packed with wholesome ingredients. This easy recipe includes instructions for both the Instant Pot and the stovetop. Go to recipe.
Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup
Rich and cozy lasagna soup made with ground beef, marinara, and lasagna noodles. Finish with a creamy ricotta topping for all the flavors you love about lasagna, without the work! Go to recipe.
Egg Roll in a Bowl recipe
Perfect for busy weeknights, Egg Roll in a Bowl is a quick and delicious dinner. It features the traditional filling with vegetables and Asian flavors, but skips the wrapper. Go to recipe.
Hamburger Tater Tot Casserole
The ultimate comfort food, this tater tot casserole from scratch is taken to the next level by ditching the canned soup. Go to recipe.
Mexican Tater Tot Casserole
Tater Tots meet taco night in this cheesy Mexican Tater Tot Casserole. It’s layered with ground beef, black beans, salsa, and plenty of melted Colby Jack cheese, all baked under a golden blanket of crispy tots. It’s an easy win when you want something hearty and full of flavor. Go to recipe.
Walking Taco Casserole
Get ready to fall in love with the ultimate comfort food delight, the Walking Taco Casserole. With layers of flavorful ground beef, gooey cheese, and the satisfying crunch of Fritos, this dish is a guaranteed winner for both weeknight dinners and lively gatherings alike. Go to recipe.
Cowboy Meatloaf And Potato Casserole
Juicy, flavorful meatloaf topped with creamy, buttery mashed potatoes and melted cheddar cheese makes for the ultimate one-pan meal. It’s hearty, easy to make, and packed with smoky, tangy flavors your family will love. Go to recipe.
Easy Stuffed Pepper Casserole
My stuffed pepper casserole has flavorful beef, saucy rice, and melty cheese. It is SO much easier and faster to make than actual stuffed peppers. Go to recipe.
Texas Hash – Easy Weeknight Meal
Texas Hash is a hearty, flavorful one-pot dinner that comes together fast on busy nights. Perfectly cheesy, mildly spicy, and comfortingly filling. Go to recipe.
Wendy’s Chili Recipe Copycat
When the weather starts to get cooler and you seek more comfort food, Wendy’s Chili is about as comforting as it gets. This budget-friendly recipe has so many uses, freezes well, is perfect for meal prep, and can be made to serve your family or a large crowd. Go to recipe.
Slow Cooker Cuban Picadillo
Cuban picadillo is comfort on a plate: ground beef simmered with tomatoes, cumin, green olives, and capers until thick and saucy. Go to recipe.
Slow Cooker Beef And Potato Au Gratin
If you’re looking for a hearty meal, this Slow Cooker Beef and Potato Au Gratin is the perfect recipe to try. Packed with hearty Russet potatoes, ground beef, and simple flavors, your family will love this dinner choice. Go to recipe.
Easy Cheesy Taco Potatoes
These delectable spuds are loaded with all the classic taco fixings: seasoned ground beef, gooey melted cheese, and tomatoes, all cooked in one pan for an easy weeknight dinner. Go to recipe.
Taco Casserole
This flavorful casserole is made with pantry staples, and the recipe includes vegetarian and freezer meal directions. Go to recipe.
Ground Beef Burrito Skillet
Ground beef burrito skillet has all of the flavors of a ground beef burrito in an easy, one-skillet dinner that’s ready in just 30 minutes. Go to recipe.
Cheesy Ground Beef And Rice Casserole
Cheesy ground beef and rice casserole is a hearty, family-friendly dish packed with seasoned beef, tender rice, and plenty of melted cheese baked to perfection. It’s an easy comfort food classic that comes together in one pan for a satisfying weeknight dinner. Go to recipe.
Easy Zucchini Casserole With Ground Beef
This casserole is a very easy family dinner recipe to make. Zucchini mixed with ground beef makes for a very hearty dinner that even the kids will love. Go to recipe.
Simple Cottage Pie
Everything you love about shepherd’s pie, but in a quick 30-minute meal form. Hearty, comforting, and delicious! Go to recipe.
Ground Beef And Potatoes
Simple yet packed with flavor, ground beef and potatoes skillet is an easy, cheesy family favorite comfort food. It’s a budget-friendly dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights! Go to recipe.
Frito Taco Bake
Frito taco bake is a fun and flavorful casserole layered with seasoned ground beef, gooey cheese, and crunchy Fritos for the perfect Tex-Mex twist. It’s an easy crowd-pleaser that’s great for busy weeknights or game day! Go to recipe.
How to Make Homemade Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy
Seasoned hamburger patties with rich, savory mushroom gravy make this homemade Salisbury steak recipe just like the TV dinners of your youth – but so much better! Make mostly with pantry staples, this meal whips up in just an hour and freezes and reheats well. Go to recipe.
Beefy Mac And Cheese
Beefy Mac and Cheese is a complete meal, filling, and creamy. It’s a one pan meal ready in 20 minutes. Go to recipe.
Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf
Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf is loaded with bacon, cheese, and generously seasoned! Go to recipe.
Healthy Meatloaf
This easy Healthy Meatloaf recipe is perfect for a simple weeknight dinner. You can have this ready in about an hour, with most of that time being hands-off cooking time in the oven. Go to recipe.
Italian Stuffed Peppers
Italian Stuffed Peppers are a classic dinner recipe that is filling and easy to make. These are a simple recipe that consists of fresh green bell peppers, stuffed with Italian seasoned meat and rice, smothered in a cheesy, tomatoey sauce. Go to recipe.
Easy Healthy Stuffed Peppers With Ground Beef (30 Minute)
These Healthy Stuffed Peppers with Ground Beef make the perfect weeknight dinner! They’re lower in carbs, high in protein and you can have dinner on the table in just 30 minutes! Go to recipe.
Ground Beef Stew, Turkish Style
This Turkish style ground beef stew is hearty and perfect for a weeknight dinner. Packed with vegetables and spices, this stew can be served on its own or with some rice on the side. Go to recipe.
Easy Puerto Rican Picadillo (Spiced Ground Beef) 30-minutes
Puerto Rican Picadillo, a classic Latin ground meat dish is a fantastic option for a weeknight meal. It features ground beef simmered with veggies and spices and made in just 30 minutes. Go to recipe.
Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet
This Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet is an easy one pot recipe. It’s full of taco-seasoned ground beef, flavorful rice, and melty cheese. Load it up with your favorite toppings like sour cream, avocado, or guacamole. This is a quick weeknight dinner the whole family will love, plus it makes great leftovers! Go to recipe.
The Best American Chop Suey Recipe
A super quick and flavorful pot of American Chop Suey (American Goulash). Made with ground beef, pasta, tasty veggies and a secret ingredient, this is a nostalgic dinner that never disappoints! Go to recipe.
Ground Beef Stroganoff (One Pot!)
Ground beef stroganoff is the kind of hearty one-pot meal that never disappoints. With tender noodles in a creamy sour cream sauce, its fast, filling, and always a family favorite. Go to recipe.
Ground Beef Stroganoff
Enjoy this classic comfort food with this creamy and flavorful ground beef stroganoff recipe. This dish has tender ground beef, onions, mushrooms, and sour cream. It will satisfy your taste buds and leave you feeling full and satisfied. Go to recipe.
Tagliatelle Bolognese
Bolognese is the ultimate ground beef ragu. This authentic tagliatelle bolognese recipe is the official version commonly served in restaurants and homes in Bologna, Italy. It’s incredibly tasty and an absolute must-try! Go to recipe.
Italian Creamy Beef Ragu Recipe
This creamy Italian beef ragu recipe combines an easy ground beef ragu with basil pesto and fresh cream. The result is a fabulous and flavourful sauce that you can pair with your favourite pasta shape. Go to recipe.
Turkish Pasta Dish
Give this comforting Turkish pasta with ground beef and yogurt sauce or Manti a shot! Packed with hearty protein, delicious veggies, and creamy garlicky yogurt, it’s a delight. Plus, it’s ready in just about 30 minutes! Go to recipe.
One Pan Mexican Pasta
This quick and easy one-pan dinner is a perfect healthy comfort food meal, loaded with vegetables and protein! This healthy family-friendly recipe is great for busy weeknights. Ready in just 30 minutes with minimal cleanup, kids will love it too! Go to recipe.
Rigatoni al Forno
This rigatoni al forno recipe (baked rigatoni) is an Italian comfort food staple. Everyone has their favorite version of it. There’s no right or wrong. Make it the way you like it. Go to recipe.
Mediterranean Spiced Beef Lasagna
Layers of pasta are filled with a rich ground beef sauce, simmered gently with onions, carrots, garlic, and warm spices like cinnamon and cloves. The sauce gets its depth from beef broth and chopped tomatoes, while a creamy béchamel made from butter, flour, and milk adds a smooth, comforting touch to every bite. Go to recipe.
Authentic Italian Meatballs
The best authentic Italian meatballs. Loaded with Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley and garlic. They melt in your mouth and are incredibly tender. Takes less than 30 minutes to make! Go to recipe.
Mini Meatloaves Recipe
These Mini Meatloaves are baked in a muffin tin for perfect, individual-sized portions. It’s an easy version of the classic where no one has to share. Go to recipe.
Firecracker Meatballs
Firecracker meatballs bring the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory. Coated in a bold sauce with just the right kick, they’re a flavorful dinner or appetizer everyone will love. Go to recipe.
Italian Meatballs With Rosemary
These Italian meatballs with rosemary are fluffy, flavorful, and ready in no time. With just 10 minutes of prep, you combine beef, pork, Parmesan, and fresh rosemary into perfectly seasoned meatballs that are lightly fried until golden. The rosemary sprig garnish adds a rustic, aromatic touch that makes them as beautiful as they are delicious. Go to recipe.
🍝 Comfort Food That Works for Every Night
Ground beef recipes prove that you don’t need complicated ingredients to make something delicious. With a few pantry staples and the right recipe, you can whip up a meal that’s flavorful, filling, and family-approved.
Which recipe do you like? Let me know in the comments and don’t forget to save this roundup—it’s the perfect go-to list for busy nights, potlucks, and comfort food cravings.
Let’s enjoy easy dinners, happy plates, and ground beef recipes that never go out of style!
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