Whether looking for weeknight dinner ideas or fun recipes for the kids, ground beef is a go-to ingredient. From classic easy meat lasagna to Tex-Mex sheet pan nachos, these creative ways to use ground beef packages will inspire you.
Sloppy Joes get a gourmet upgrade with the addition of sausage and sundried tomatoes. Try a bulgur-feta version for a lighter meal.
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Sloppy Joes
Saucy, meaty, and a touch sweet, these crowd-pleasing Sloppy Joes are easy to make in a snap with ingredients you likely already have. The recipe calls for browning the beef and cooking down onions and peppers for flavor before adding the remaining ingredients to create a delicious homemade sloppy joe sauce different from the canned Manwich version.
This quick and easy family dinner comes together in under 30 minutes. Cook up some hamburger buns to serve it on, and you have a filling, protein-packed meal that’ll leave everyone asking for more.
The sloppy joe meat can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days to make it even more convenient. When ready to eat, reheat the sloppy joe mixture on the stove and stir in the onions and peppers until warmed through. Pair it with a side of fries for a classic meal that will satisfy any appetite.
Tacos
While ground beef isn’t the traditional filling for Mexican-style tacos (like picadillo and chile relleno), it’s an easy and delicious option for weeknight family taco night. It can also be served as a taco quesadilla or over a bed of lettuce for an easy taco salad.
To prepare this recipe:
- Cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Once cooked, add the taco seasoning and stir to combine.
- Fill the taco shells (hard or soft) and top with your favorite adornments.
Whether you choose hard or soft shells, these tacos are ready in about 15 minutes and great for busy family weeknight meals. They can be made ahead and frozen for future use as well.
This is a fun way to get your kids involved in cooking for dinner. It’s super easy to make, and they will love creating their own customized eats. It’s also a nice change from the usual “what’s for dinner” conversations that can get dull afterward.
Chili
Try chili if you’re looking for a comforting, warm meal to come home on a cold night. This simple recipe can be made with various ingredients to suit your taste.
Start with lean ground beef to reduce the fat and calories in this dish. For a lighter option, you can also swap in other ground meats, like turkey or chicken. Add onions, green peppers, and garlic to saute with the ground beef to help it brown and give this meal a savory flavor. A pinch of cocoa deepens the savory notes of ground beef in this recipe and highlights the spiciness of the other spices.
To finish this filling soup, stir the beans, tomato paste, stock, and crushed or pureed tomatoes. Add a cornstarch slurry toward the end of cooking to get a gravy-like consistency for a richer chili. Sliced green onions, shredded cheese, or pickled jalapeño rings can be sprinkled on top of individual portions to add texture and flavor. Make a big batch of this simple chili and freeze some for later.
Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s pie (cottage pie) is an easy casserole of hearty ground beef and veggies topped with mashed potatoes. Traditionally, this dish is made with lamb, but you can substitute beef. It’s a great choice for weeknight comfort food.
Use a box of chilled mashed potatoes to cut cooking time, or make homemade mashed potatoes. To this recipe, you may also add a small amount of cocoa. The chili’s savory flavor is intensified, acquiring a more chocolaty quality.
Make this hearty dinner up to 3 days in advance by preparing the filling and the mashed potato topping, then sealing them in airtight containers and storing them in the fridge until ready to bake. When you’re ready to serve, reheat in the oven until piping hot and bubbly. You could sprinkle some shredded cheese on top of the pie for an extra-cheesy meal before baking. The entire family is likely to enjoy this dish. For the ideal entrée, serve with a side salad or steamed veggies.
Meat Loaf
Few dishes are more classic than meatloaf, but this version takes the meal to a new level with a cheesy topping. Garlic and oregano give the meatloaf flavor, while a glaze of pizza sauce adds a fun twist.
The ultimate comfort food, this dish is the perfect way to use any leftover ground beef in your pantry. Reheat and serve with potatoes, vegetables, or whatever your family prefers for a satisfying, easy dinner.
Try a Tex-Mex twist on meatloaf with this skillet casserole. It’s a great way to use up any leftover beef, and it’s also easily customizable with veggies and beans for a one-skillet meal everyone will love.
You don’t need sides for this hearty dinner, which comes together in 30 minutes. It’s a great choice for a busy weeknight, thanks to the use of many of the same ingredients as a traditional chili, including a can of tomato paste and ketchup. You can make these delicious mini meatloaves in a muffin tin for a bite-sized treat.
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