15 weeknight ground beef recipes that won’t bore you!

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Are you stuck in a dinner rut, recycling the same few ground beef recipes until the mere thought of another burger night makes you groan? These 15 recipes will revitalize your weeknight dinners and rekindle your love affair with this humble yet hearty staple.

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

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.

Kick boring meals to the curb with this Slow Cooker Chili Mac, where the heartiness of chili and the comfort of mac & cheese unite in an unexpected combo of flavors. It’s a culinary twist that adds excitement to your dinner routine, effortlessly prepared in your slow cooker for a flavor-packed meal that’s anything but ordinary.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chili Mac

Taco Bell Mexican Pizza

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

Switch up pizza night with a twist straight from the fast-food playbook—homemade Taco Bell Mexican Pizza. This recipe takes the mundane out of dinner, layering tortillas with a savory mix of meat and beans, all topped with a generous helping of cheese and fresh toppings.
Get the Recipe: Taco Bell Mexican Pizza

Instant Pot Dirty Rice

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

Enjoy the bold flavors of Cajun cuisine on a weeknight with Instant Pot Dirty Rice, a dish that brings the spice and heartiness of Louisiana straight to your table. This isn’t your average rice dish; it’s a flavor journey with beef and spices that promises to spice up any dinner routine in under 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Dirty Rice

Walking Taco Casserole

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

Turn tacos on their head with this Walking Taco Casserole, a dish that has the essence of the portable snack in a family-friendly, bake-and-serve format. Loaded with ground beef, cheese, veggies, and Fritos, it’s a playful yet hearty meal that promises to make weeknights far from boring.
Get the Recipe: Walking Taco Casserole

Pineapple Chili

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

Venture into the unexpected with Instant Pot Pineapple Chili, where the traditional chili gets a sweet twist with chunks of pineapple. This dish stands out by boldly combining sweet and spicy, creating a comforting yet exciting chili that challenges your expectations.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Chili

Meatball Crescent Rolls

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

Step up your meatball game with Meatball Crescent Rolls, where each bite is a blend of savory meatball and melted cheese wrapped in flaky crescent dough. This recipe is far from your standard fare, offering a mouthwatering twist on boring meatballs.
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.

Say goodbye to boring dinners with this Taco Rice Skillet, a dish that turns the vibrant flavors of tacos into a one-pan wonder. Ready in about 20 minutes, it’s a testament to how quick and simple ingredients can come together to create something extraordinary for your weeknight meal lineup.
Get the Recipe: Taco Rice Skillet

Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

Stuffed squash with meat and cheese on a plate.
Stuffed Spaghetti Squash. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Stuffed Spaghetti Squash offers a novel take on comfort food, filling tender spaghetti squash with a savory mix of spiced beef and melted cheese. This recipe is a creative, low-carb alternative that delivers all the flavor without the guilt, proving that healthy options can be far from dull.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

Instant Pot Meatball Soup

Instant Pot Meatball Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Instant Pot Meatball Soup shows you how to make weeknight dinners effortless yet extraordinary. Combining beef meatballs, veggies, and potatoes in a tomato broth, this dish is a comforting, quick meal that brings a touch of homestyle cooking to your fast-paced life.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Meatball Soup

Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

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

Bring the coziness of Cracker Barrel into your home with a meatloaf that’s anything but ordinary. This copycat recipe perfects the blend of seasoning and texture, creating a homestyle meatloaf that’s a cut above the rest, ready to transform your dinner into a nostalgic feast.
Get the Recipe: Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

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 mix the ease of slow cooking with the taste of pineapple, offering a sweet and savory treat that’s sure to stand out at any meal or gathering. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it recipe that ends with meatballs so tantalizing, they’ll be the talk of the table.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Pineapple Meatballs

Cheeseburger Egg Rolls

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

Reinvent the cheeseburger with these Cheeseburger Egg Rolls, a creative take that wraps the classic flavors in a crispy shell. Paired with a dipping sauce, these egg rolls are a fun, crunchy alternative to the ordinary burger, perfect for those seeking a twist on traditional favorites.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Egg Rolls

Fajita Burgers

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

Fajita Burgers bring the sizzle of fajitas into a juicy, flavorful burger, combining two beloved dishes in a way that’s anything but routine. Seasoned with fajita spices and grilled alongside veggies, these burgers are a vibrant, tasty escape from the everyday burger experience.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Burgers

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 distinctive take on chili that’s rich in spices and served over spaghetti or hot dogs, a Cincinnati tradition that’s as flavorful as it is unique. It’s a “dump-and-go” recipe that transforms into a comforting, complex chili, perfect for breaking the monotony of regular meals.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili

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.

This Instant Pot Gnocchi with Sauce is a culinary delight, proving that sophisticated dinners don’t have to take all night. With gnocchi, ground beef, and vegetables in a creamy tomato sauce, it’s a one-pot dinner that offers a taste of Italy in just 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Gnocchi with Sauce

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