17 ground beef recipes to beat your mealtime monotony

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This post is will rescue you from the monotonous fast-food rut and into a world of delicious, homemade ground beef creations. We’re talking about 17 irresistible recipes that go way beyond the basic burger.

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

Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

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

Enjoy homestyle flavor with this Cracker Barrel Meatloaf, a seasoned and satisfying dish. It’s the kind of delicious flavor that will break you out of boring dinners.
Get the Recipe: Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

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.

Slow Cooker Chili Mac melds the heartiness of chili with the creamy indulgence of mac & cheese. It’s an easy one-pot meal that’s more enticing than any tired and lukewarm drive-thru offering.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chili Mac

Instant Pot Dirty Rice

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

Instant Pot Dirty Rice is a simple one-pot meal offering the zest of Cajun cooking. This beef and rice dish is a flavorful that will add excitement to your weeknight meals.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Dirty Rice

Meatball Crescent Rolls

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

Meatball Crescent Rolls encase savory meatballs and melted cheese in buttery dough. They make a tempting meal that’s satisfying and deliciously different.
Get the Recipe: Meatball Crescent Rolls

Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

Plate of spaghetti and meatballs topped with parmesan.
Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs is a convenient one-pot meal. Homemade meatballs, sauce, and pasta come together to form a compelling, all in one dinner the whole family will love.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

Taco Rice Skillet

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

This Taco Rice Skillet is a simple, one-dish meal that’s ready in about 20 minutes. With just 8 ingredients, it’s a twist on a boring taco night meal.
Get the Recipe: Taco Rice Skillet

Walking Taco Casserole

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

Walking Taco Casserole layers ground beef, cheese, veggies, and Fritos for a deconstructed take on the portable snack. This dish is a playful and more gratifying alternative to your ordinary dinner routine.
Get the Recipe: Walking Taco Casserole

Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili

Cincinnatti chili on top of spaghetti and covered with cheese, beans and onions.
Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili offers a rich blend of ground beef, spices, and tomato sauce. It’s a hands-off meal that makes a more enticing and comforting option that takes almost no effort.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili

Taco Bell Mexican Pizza

Copycat recipe: Cheesy corn tortillas with tomatoes and cheese on a plate.
Taco Bell Mexican Pizza. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Recreate Taco Bell’s Mexican pizza at home. Layered tortillas with meat and beans, smothered in cheese and all your favorite toppings, this homemade version is a more exciting choice than the fast-food original.
Get the Recipe: Taco Bell Mexican Pizza

Crock Pot Pineapple Meatballs

A spoonful of meatballs and vegetables in a pot.
Crock Pot Pineapple Meatballs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Crock Pot Pineapple Meatballs offer a sweet and savory treat that’s effortlessly prepared. They’re a standout choice for any gathering, and add a fun tropical flavor to boring meatballs.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Pineapple Meatballs

Fajita Burgers

A burger topped with peppers and onions with guacamole.
Fajita Burgers. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These Fajita Burgers bring the sizzle of fajitas into a juicy burger form. Seasoned with fajita spices and grilled alongside veggies, they’re a casual yet compelling alternative to boring burgers.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Burgers

Instant Pot Meatball Soup

Instant Pot Meatball Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Instant Pot Meatball Soup combines beef meatballs, carrots, and potatoes in a savory tomato broth. It’s a quick and hearty dinner that easily surpasses ordering take out again!
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Meatball Soup

Taco Bell Nacho Fries Supreme

Nacho fries covered with beans and cheese.
Taco Bell Nacho Fries Supreme. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Homemade Nacho Fries Supreme brings the Taco Bell favorite to your kitchen. Spicy fries topped with taco-seasoned beef, beans, and warm cheese make a delicious dinner the whole family can customize with toppings.
Get the Recipe: Taco Bell Nacho Fries Supreme

Instant Pot Pineapple Chili

Top view of a bowl of pineapple chili.
Instant Pot Pineapple Chili. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Instant Pot Pineapple Chili mixes sweet pineapple with spicy beef for a unique flavor. This sweet and spicy combination creates a comforting dish that’s more alluring than typical chili.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pineapple Chili

Cheeseburger Egg Rolls

Cheeseburger egg rolls cut in half and dipped into sauce.
Cheeseburger Egg Rolls. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Cheeseburger Egg Rolls, ready in 30 minutes with an air fryer, pack all the flavors of a cheeseburger into a crispy wrapper. These are a fun take on burgers that will add excitement to your mealtime routine.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Egg Rolls

Air Fryer Meatballs

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

Whip up Air Fryer Meatballs in about 20 minutes for a versatile meal. These meatballs are a quick and easy option that stands out against the standard drive-thru fare.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Meatballs

Instant Pot Gnocchi with Sauce

An Instant Pot recipe for a bowl of pasta with meat and vegetables.
Instant Pot Gnocchi with Sauce. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Instant Pot Gnocchi with Sauce is a hearty meal that’s ready in 30 minutes. It combines ground beef and vegetables in a creamy tomato sauce, providing a heartier and satisfying choice that will something different to your dinner routine.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Gnocchi with Sauce

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