23 Scrumptious Ground Beef Recipes for Busy Weeknights

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Ground beef is a versatile ingredient that can transform into countless delicious meals, perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners. Whether you’re craving classic comfort foods like meatloaf and spaghetti or something a bit more creative like cheeseburger bombs or stuffed pasta shells, there’s a recipe here to satisfy everyone. These hearty, flavor-packed dishes are easy to make and ideal for feeding a crowd or meal-prepping for the week. Explore this collection of ground beef recipes that will quickly become staples in your kitchen.

One Pot Cheesy Mushroom Spinach Beef Pasta

A skillet filled with creamy pappardelle pasta featuring sliced mushrooms, spinach, and ground beef. The wide noodles are coated in a rich, light-colored sauce, and the dish is garnished with bits of herbs and seasonings. A white napkin lies beside the skillet—a standout among ground beef recipes. — Image Credit: Ambitious Kitchen

You’ve got to try this amazing one-pot spinach beef pasta with tasty mushrooms and cheesy goodness in every bite! This creamy beef and spinach pasta recipe is super easy to whip up and loaded with protein, making it a cozy dinner that the whole family will enjoy!

Get The Recipe: One Pot Cheesy Mushroom Spinach Beef Pasta

Stuffed Pasta Shells with Ground Beef and Spinach

A close-up of a dish featuring large pasta shells stuffed with a mixture of ground beef and spinach, generously covered in tomato sauce and sprinkled with shredded cheese. The dish appears baked and garnished with fresh herbs and grated parmesan, making it a standout among ground beef recipes. — Image Credit: Cooking For Keeps

These Stuffed Pasta Shells with Ground Beef and Spinach are seriously the best stuffed shell recipe out there. They’re loaded with ground beef, yummy parmesan cheese, a touch of spinach, and the perfect amount of creamy ricotta to keep it all together. Served in a simple marinara sauce, topped with fresh mozzarella, and baked. It’s like classic comfort food at its finest!

Get The Recipe: Stuffed Pasta Shells with Ground Beef and Spinach

Cheeseburger Casserole

Get ready to indulge in this incredibly easy Cheeseburger Casserole recipe! It’s a cheesy delight, combining the savory flavors of ground beef with the comforting goodness of macaroni for a meal that’s sure to please everyone.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Casserole

Hamburger and Rice

This savory hamburger and rice recipe comes together quickly, packing tons of flavor without dirtying many dishes. Tender ground beef, fluffy rice, and a touch of magic (okay, maybe some delicious seasonings) make this a satisfying meal for any busy night.

Get The Recipe: Hamburger and Rice

Cheddar Cheeseburger Meatloaf

This super cheesy Cheddar Cheeseburger Meatloaf is studded with melty nuggets of cheddar, and topped with a tangy tomato-mustard sauce.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Cheeseburger Meatloaf

Salisbury Steak

Whip up a delightful and comforting meal with our fantastic Salisbury Steak recipe, ready in 30 minutes. Ideal for hectic weeknights, this dish is bound to become a beloved family favorite.

Get The Recipe: Salisbury Steak

One-Pot Pasta and Ground Beef Soup

A large pot of hearty soup containing bow-tie pasta, ground beef, diced tomatoes, spinach, and a rich tomato-based broth. The ingredients are well mixed, creating a colorful and appetizing combination—perfect for anyone looking for delicious ground beef recipes. — Image Credit: Averie Cooks

One-Pot Pasta and Ground Beef Soup — Super easy, hearty comfort food that’s packed with flavor!! A quick and delicious soup the whole family will totally love! It’s perfect for keeping you warm on those chilly winter nights!!

Get The Recipe: One-Pot Pasta and Ground Beef Soup

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Skip the jar! These homemade Italian meatballs are simmered in rich spaghetti sauce for a taste of authentic Italian comfort food.

Get The Recipe: Spaghetti and Meatballs

Sloppy Joes

Homemade Sloppy Joes! Filled with yummy browned beef, hidden veggies, and a rich, slightly sweet, lightly smoky tomato sauce. This recipe is speedy, bursting with flavor, and sure to satisfy those nostalgic cravings!

Get The Recipe: Sloppy Joes

The Best Hamburger Recipe

a Cheeseburger on a bun piled high with toppings — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Searching for the best hamburger recipe? With this comprehensive guide, you can make delicious, juicy burgers using any cooking method.

Get The Recipe: The Best Hamburger Recipe

Cheeseburger Bombs

Flavor-packed Cheeseburger Bombs are filled with beef, cheese, bacon, and pickles, all wrapped up and baked in biscuit dough buns.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Bombs

Chili Con Carne

Dive into a pot of pure comfort! This Classic Chili Con Carne is a hearty and flavorful crowd-pleaser, perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.

Get The Recipe: Chili Con Carne

Baked Rigatoni

Indulge in baked rigatoni with savory sausage! Bursting with robust flavors and gooey melted cheese, this dish also sneaks in some hidden veggies for a nutritious twist. It’s the perfect balanced meal, all in one delicious pan!

Get The Recipe: Baked Rigatoni

Italian Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed peppers right out of the oven with golden tops. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This colorful dish is sure to delight any crowd! Not only is it an easy and delicious recipe perfect for midweek meals, but it’s also impressive enough to serve to dinner guests!

Get The Recipe: Italian Stuffed Peppers

Swedish Meatball Soup

A close-up of a bowl filled with creamy chicken and vegetable noodle soup. The soup contains egg noodles, chicken chunks, meatballs made from ground beef recipes, carrots, celery, and is garnished with chopped fresh herbs. The rich broth looks smooth and hearty. — Image Credit: Carlsbad Cravings

This Meatball Soup features tender, juicy meatballs, hearty egg noodles, carrots, mushrooms, and celery all floating in a deliciously creamy brown gravy broth mixed with sour cream. It’s hearty and satisfying, and with just one bite, you’ll know it’s going to be a beautifully delicious day!

Get The Recipe: Swedish Meatball Soup

Oven Baked Meatballs

meatballs in tomato sauce — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

These flavorful meatballs are your weeknight hero! Packed with herbs and Parmesan cheese, they’re perfect for a quick and satisfying lunch, dinner, or even an appetizer. Enjoy them on their own, or toss them in your favorite tomato sauce for a complete and delicious meal.

Get The Recipe: Oven Baked Meatballs

Cowboy Pasta Salad

A large bowl of vibrant pasta salad with bowtie pasta, cherry tomatoes, diced cheese, black olives, and garnished with fresh chopped herbs sits elegantly. Wooden salad tongs rest in the bowl on a striped cloth. For a twist on ground beef recipes, consider adding savory crumbles to this dish. — Image Credit: Carlsbad Cravings

Get ready to indulge in this Cowboy Pasta Salad that’s utterly addictive! It’s packed with mouthwatering ground beef, crispy bacon, sweet corn, hearty black beans, ripe tomatoes, and gooey cheese, all drizzled with a zesty, creamy southwest barbecue sauce. Each bite is a flavor explosion you won’t want to miss!

Get The Recipe: Cowboy Pasta Salad

Traditional Homemade Meatloaf

A sliced meatloaf on a serving dish. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This Traditional Homemade Meatloaf recipe is moist, tender, and flavorful. Once you try it, you’ll cherish this recipe forever!

Get The Recipe: Traditional Homemade Meatloaf

Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

A close-up of a juicy sloppy joe sandwich filled with seasoned ground beef and onions, topped with melted cheese, in a glossy, toasted bun. The sandwich is on a blue plate, with a blurred view of another mouthwatering ground beef recipe in the background. — Image Credit: Chelsea’s Messy Apron

These Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes mix juicy ground beef with a splash of A.1. and Worcestershire sauce, a hint of sweetness from ketchup, and the creamy goodness of Provolone cheese. All of this is tucked into a buttery toasted brioche bun, creating a fun mash-up of two beloved American classics!

Get The Recipe: Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

Ultimate Cottage Pie

A spoon serving cottage pie stopped with cheesy potatoes. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This recipe is a game-changer. The thick, rich gravy is absolutely delicious, and the topping will blow you away!

Get The Recipe: Ultimate Cottage Pie

Stuffed Pepper Soup

A bowl of hearty soup filled with ground beef, rice, tomatoes, green and red bell peppers, garnished with fresh parsley. A spoon rests in the soup, and a striped cloth napkin is visible beside the bowl, all set against a dark textured background — perfect for ground beef recipes. — Image Credit: Chelsea’s Messy Apron

All the best parts of Stuffed Peppers come together in Stuffed Pepper Soup. It’s packed with lean ground beef, tender rice, just the right amount of seasonings, and a bunch of veggies.

Get The Recipe: Stuffed Pepper Soup

Sarmale (Romanian Cabbage Rolls)

A close-up image of a cooked dish featuring stuffed cabbage rolls in a rich, reddish sauce with shredded cabbage. A wooden spoon rests on the left side of the pan, partly submerged in the sauce and cabbage mixture. Perfect for those who love slow cooker recipes, this dish promises hearty flavors and comfort. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Discover the authentic flavors of Romanian Cabbage Rolls (Sarmale). Ground meat, rice, and spices are wrapped in tender cabbage and baked in a savory tomato sauce. Perfect comfort food!

Get The Recipe: Sarmale (Romanian Cabbage Rolls)

Creamy Beef and Shells

Close-up of creamy, cheesy pasta shells mixed with ground beef. The pasta is coated in a rich, orange-colored sauce, creating a hearty and comforting dish. A wooden spoon is lifting a portion from the pan, showcasing one of the best ground beef recipes you'll ever try. — Image Credit: Chelsea’s Messy Apron

Creamy Beef and Shells is a tasty twist on your childhood favorite, Hamburger Helper® — way more flavorful and free from weird additives! This quick, family-friendly dish combines creamy pasta shells with seasoned ground beef and gooey melted cheese, all ready in just 30 minutes. It’s the ultimate comfort food!

Get The Recipe: Creamy Beef and Shells