Dinner made simple: 17 ground beef recipes

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Ground beef is a versatile and budget-friendly ingredient that can be transformed into a variety of delicious meals. In this post, we’ve compiled 17 easy and flavorful ground beef recipes that will save you time and stress in the kitchen.

Two slices of meatloaf on a plate with mashed potatoes and carrots.
Cracker Barrel Meatloaf. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Mongolian Meatballs

Mongolian Meatballs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These beef meatballs with sweet and spicy sauce make dinner fast and simple. The sauce coats each meatball and packs tons of flavor without much work.
Get the Recipe: Mongolian Meatballs

Slow Cooker Pineapple Chili

Slow Cooker Pineapple Chili. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.
Slow Cooker Pineapple Chili. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Ground beef and pineapple cook together in this simple throw-together chili that needs no watching. Just add your ingredients to the slow cooker and come back to a ready-to-eat dinner.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pineapple Chili

Walking Taco Casserole

Mexican casserole in a glass dish.
Walking Taco Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Ground beef mixed with cheese and topped with Fritos makes this casserole super easy to put together. All the taco flavors come together in one pan without any hard-to-find ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Walking Taco Casserole

Instant Pot Dirty Rice

Dirty rice with ground beef in a bowl topped with green onions.
Instant Pot Dirty Rice. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Ground beef and rice cook together in one pot with Cajun spices for a quick dinner. The Instant Pot does the work while you do other things.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Dirty Rice

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

A wooden spoon is being lifted out of a stuffed bell pepper casserole dish.
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Get all the taste of stuffed peppers without the extra steps in this simple ground beef dish. Everything cooks in one pan so there’s less to clean up after dinner.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Taco Pasta Casserole

A baking dish filled with baked pasta covered in melted cheese and garnished with chopped herbs.
Taco Pasta Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Mix ground beef with pasta and taco seasoning for a quick 30-minute dinner. Add cheese on top and let kids pick their own toppings.
Get the Recipe: Taco Pasta Casserole

Chili Cornbread Casserole Recipe

Chili cornbread casserole on a white plate.
Chili Cornbread Casserole Recipe. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Ground beef chili topped with cornbread makes an easy one-pan dinner. The cornbread bakes right on top while the meat stays hot underneath.
Get the Recipe: Chili Cornbread Casserole Recipe

Slow Cooker Pasta E Fagioli

A plate of pumpkin cake mix cookies studded with chocolate chips is artfully arranged in a circle on a white surface.
Slow Cooker Pasta E Fagioli. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This beef and pasta soup comes together without any work from you. The slow cooker turns ground beef, beans, and pasta into a rich soup that tastes like it took hours to make.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pasta E Fagioli

Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

Two slices of meatloaf on a plate with mashed potatoes and carrots.
Cracker Barrel Meatloaf. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This ground beef meatloaf needs just basic ingredients you probably have at home. Mix everything in one bowl, shape, and bake for a simple dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

Air Fryer Meatballs

Plate of frozen meatballs with toothpicks sticking out of them.
Air Fryer Meatballs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These ground beef meatballs cook up fast in the air fryer with no watching needed. Put them on pasta, in subs, or eat them plain – they work any way you serve them.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Meatballs

Slow Cooker Chili Mac

Cheese covered slow cooker chili mac in the crock pot with a wooden spoon.
Slow Cooker Chili Mac. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Throw ground beef, macaroni, and cheese in your slow cooker for an easy one-pot meal. Everything cooks together while you’re away.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chili Mac

Meatball Crescent Rolls

Meatballs wrapped in dough on a wooden cutting board.
Meatball Crescent Rolls. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Wrap seasoned ground beef meatballs in crescent dough for a simple dinner that comes together quick. The rolls bake up hot with melted cheese inside.
Get the Recipe: Meatball Crescent Rolls

Taco Rice Skillet

Closeup of a skillet with ground beef, cheese and tomatoes.
Taco Rice Skillet. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Eight basic ingredients and one pan are all you need for this quick ground beef dinner. The rice and meat cook together with taco flavors in about 20 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Taco Rice Skillet

Instant Pot Meatball Soup

Instant Pot Meatball Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Ground beef meatballs cook with vegetables in a tomato broth for a simple dinner. The Instant Pot makes everything tender without you having to stir or watch.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Meatball Soup

Taco Bubble Up Bake

A close-up of a cheesy taco casserole topped with shredded lettuce and sour cream, being served.
Taco Bubble Up Bake. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Ground beef and biscuits bake together with cheese for a super simple dinner. The meat mixture and store-bought biscuits make this an easy meal anyone can cook.
Get the Recipe: Taco Bubble Up Bake

Instant Pot Chili

Bowl of chili in front of the Instant pot.
Instant Pot Chili. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Cincinnati-style ground beef chili cooks up fast in the pressure cooker with no watching needed. The Instant Pot makes this dinner simple enough for any night.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chili

Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers

Two stuffed yellow bell peppers with melted cheese and herbs served on a white plate.
Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Ground beef and rice stuffed peppers cook up fast and simple in the air fryer. The outside gets a nice crisp while keeping the filling hot and juicy.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers

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