28 Best Ground Beef Recipes

Ground beef is one of the most versatile and affordable proteins, making it a staple for weeknight dinners. Whether you’re craving a hearty soup, a comforting casserole, or a quick and easy meal, we’ve got you covered. These top-rated ground beef recipes from Allrecipes have received 4.5 stars or more, with dozens (if not thousands) of positive reviews from home cooks just like you.

10 Tiny Appetizers for a Mini Mexican Feast

1. Instant Pot Lasagna Soup

Instant Pot® Lasagna Soup in a white bowl

If you have a jar of marinara sauce and a few broken lasagna noodles, you’re just 45 minutes away from a delicious, comforting meal. Reviewers love how this soup captures the flavors of lasagna in a fraction of the time.

2. Wicked Easy Chili

Wicked Easy Chili

With pantry staples like tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and canned black beans, this ground beef chili comes together quickly. Adjust the jalapeno to control the spice level.

3. Kansas Baked Beans

Kansas Baked Beans

These homemade baked beans are a budget-friendly alternative to pricey restaurant versions. They pair perfectly with breakfast, lunch, or BBQ ribs.

4. Family Beef Salisbury Steak

salisbury steak with mashed potatoes, gravy, and green beans

A classic comfort dish featuring ground beef patties smothered in rich gravy. Serve with mashed potatoes and green beans for a complete meal.

5. Eggplant Bolognese

eggpant bolognese on patterned cream plate

A veggie-packed twist on traditional Bolognese, featuring eggplant to bulk up the sauce. Serve over spiralized zucchini noodles for a low-carb option.

6. Spicy Beef Burritos

side view of two burritos filled with ground beef, topped with shredded lettuce and jalapeno slices

A flavorful, spicy Mexican dish that can be customized to your heat preference. Cut back on jalapenos or add hot sauce to taste.

7. Blue Cheese and Beef Meatballs

meatballs topped with blue cheese crumblese

These five-ingredient meatballs are a hit with kids and adults alike. Blue cheese adds a bold flavor that takes them to the next level.

8. Quick and Easy Vegetable Beef Soup

232413 Quick and Easy Vegetable Beef Soup Kaye May

A hearty soup using frozen mixed vegetables and canned tomatoes, but you can easily swap in your family’s favorites.

9. Taco Salad Pizza

275382 Taco Salad Pizza sanzoe

A delicious fusion of tacos and pizza, with ground beef, cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes on a pizza crust.

10. Air Fryer Meatballs

Air Fryer Meatballs

Perfectly crispy meatballs in minutes, ideal for serving with pasta, subs, or soups.

11. Grammy’s Overnight Lasagna

Grammy's Overnight Lasagna

A make-ahead lasagna that allows flavors to meld overnight, making for an easy, stress-free dinner.

12. Paleo Mini Meatloaves

mini meatloaf topped with bacon served with zucchini spirals on a yellow plate

A flavorful, paleo-friendly meatloaf variation with bacon and fire-roasted tomatoes.

13. Sandie’s 7-Layer Bean Dip

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A crowd-pleasing appetizer featuring ground beef, sour cream, salsa, queso, and more.

14. Debdoozie’s Blue Ribbon Chili

Debdoozie's Blue Ribbon Chili

A five-star chili recipe with thousands of positive reviews, praised for its rich, hearty flavor.

15. Almost White Castle Hamburgers

242427_almost-white-castle-hamburgers_alaskanvailea23

A homemade version of the iconic sliders, customizable with your favorite toppings.

16. MeMe’s Pasta Fagioli

pasta soup with carrots and celery in a turquoise bowl

A comforting Italian soup loaded with pasta, beans, and vegetables.

17. Asian Lettuce Wraps

Asian Lettuce Wraps

A light yet flavorful meal featuring ground beef, hoisin sauce, and ginger, served in crisp lettuce leaves.

18. Instant Pot Italian Wedding Soup

Instant Pot® Italian Wedding Soup

A quick and flavorful soup featuring meatballs, pasta, and parmesan cheese.

19. Taco Mix With Black Beans

A budget-friendly recipe stretching ground beef with black beans, perfect for tacos, nachos, and burritos.

black beans wrapped in tortillas and topped with guacamole and tomatoes

20. Venus de Milo Soup

Venus de Milo Soup

A simple, pantry-friendly soup recipe inspired by a popular dish from southeastern Massachusetts.

21. Honey Garlic Meatballs

Honey Garlic Meatballs

A sweet and savory meatball recipe, perfect as an appetizer or served with rice.

22. Chef John’s Stuffed Peppers

Chef John's Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed bell peppers filled with a savory ground beef mixture, baked in marinara sauce.

23. Onion Ranch Burgers

Onion Ranch Burger on a paper plate

Elevate your burger game with ranch dressing mix and dry onion soup mix for extra flavor.

24. Spicy Albondigas

Spicy Albondigas in a white bowl

A traditional Mexican meatball soup, perfect for adding extra vegetables like zucchini and cabbage.

25. Just Like Wendy’s Chili

A homemade version of the fast-food favorite, perfected with a blend of spices.

Just Like Wendy's Chili in a yellow bowl

26. Ground Beef and Vegetable Soup

A customizable, hearty soup packed with vegetables and savory beef.

soup with green beans, carrots, potatoes, ground beef

27. Not So Stuffed Peppers

Not So Stuffed Peppers

A deconstructed version of stuffed peppers that turns into a comforting soup with minimal effort.

28. One Skillet Hearty Chili and Cornbread

One-Skillet Hearty Chili and Cornbread

A one-pan meal featuring chili topped with cornbread, baked together for a fuss-free dinner.

Conclusion

Ground beef is one of the easiest proteins to cook, making it a go-to for quick and hearty meals. Whether you’re craving classic comfort foods, international flavors, or healthy alternatives, these recipes are sure to satisfy. Try one tonight and discover why they’re top-rated among home cooks!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I substitute ground turkey for ground beef?

A: Yes! Ground turkey can be used in most recipes, but it may be leaner and require extra seasoning to match the flavor of ground beef.

2. How do I store cooked ground beef?

A: Store cooked ground beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days or freeze it for up to three months.

3. What is the best way to defrost ground beef?

A: The safest way is to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. If you need it quickly, use the microwave’s defrost setting or submerge the sealed package in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes.

4. How can I make ground beef healthier?

A: Opt for lean or extra-lean ground beef, drain excess fat after cooking, and mix in vegetables or beans to increase fiber and nutrients.

5. Can I cook ground beef from frozen?

A: Yes! Cook it on low heat in a skillet, breaking it apart as it thaws, or use an Instant Pot or slow cooker for hands-free cooking.

Try one of these top-rated recipes and elevate your ground beef meals today!

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