54 Easy Ground Beef Recipes for Busy Nights

Go beyond just burgers and meatballs.

quick beef ragu
Chris Court

It's 5 p.m. and you need to whip something up fast for dinner. You look in the fridge and all you see is some ground beef. Although that may not seem like anything too inspiring at first, the truth is there are so many easy ground beef recipes you can make. You can cook your traditional beef tacos, meatloaves, and burgers — or opt for pasta, pizza or something even more creative.

But can these ground beef recipes stand the test of hectic nights when the kids are starving and demanding dinner right away? Of course, they can. We rounded up a few dozen of our favorite ground beef recipes that not only will have everyone asking for seconds but will be quick to whip up and quite filling. We have everything from sliders and meat pies to noodles and meatballs. We promise these recipes are fast and tasty.

Best of all, many of these ground beef recipes borrow from the classics and spice them up with an exciting twist. The addition of chipotle, cumin, oregano, balsamic vinegar and more manage to turn a common meal into an unforgettable dinner experience.

quick beef ragu
Chris Court
1 of 54
Quick Beef Ragu

This pasta dish with tomatoes, parmesan and creamy sauce is the epitome of food for the soul.

Get the Quick Beef Ragu recipe.

chipotle beef and cheddar stuffed shells
IAIN Bagwell
2 of 54
Chipotle Beef and Cheddar Stuffed Shells

Add a bit of smokiness to your regular stuffed shells recipe for an easy dinner with a twist.

Get the Chipotle Beef and Cheddar Stuffed Shells recipe.

meatloaf
Iain Bagwell
3 of 54
Balsamic Meat Loaf with Garlicky Beans and Greens

In this recipe, meatloaf takes on a robust twist with the addition of garlic, red pepper flakes and balsamic vinegar.

Get the Balsamic Meat Loaf with Garlicky Beans and Greens recipe.

armenian beef kebabs
MARY ELLEN BARTLEY
4 of 54
Armenian Beef Kebabs

These easy, broiled kebabs are packed with flavor and compliment the cucumber, mint and tomato tabbouleh perfectly.

Get the Armenian Beef Kebabs recipe.

5 of 54
Italian Orzo and Beef Stuffed Peppers

Ditch the typical rice dinner and opt for this rice-shaped pasta instead. The combination of orzo, fennel and basil makes this ground beef dish unforgettable.

Get the Italian Orzo and Beef Stuffed Peppers recipe.

mediterranean fried rice
Chris Court
6 of 54
Mediterranean Fried Rice

Say no to just another rice dish, and say yes to a tasty dish that will transport you to Greece with less than 30 minutes of prep time.

Get the Mediterranean Fried Rice recipe.

moroccan meatballs with roasted tomatoes and chickpeas
Mike Garten
7 of 54
Moroccan Meatballs with Roasted Tomatoes and Chickpeas

In just 25 minutes you can make a protein stuffed lunch that will make all your co-workers envious.

Get the Moroccan Meatballs with Roasted Tomatoes and Chickpeas recipe.

mexican meatballs
Hector Sanchez
8 of 54
Mexican Meatballs

Turn a dinnertime classic into a robust Mexican delight with the addition of cumin, chipotle chiles and oregano.

Get the Mexican Meatballs recipe.

meat loaf with roasted green beans
CON POULOS; FOOD STYLING BY ANNE DISRUDE; PROP STYLING BY ERIN SWIFT
9 of 54
Meat Loaf with Roasted Green Beans

In less than 30 minutes of prep time you can enjoy this flavor-packed ground beef meal. The addition of smashed potatoes and fresh parsley makes this dinnertime staple a hit.

Get the Meat Loaf with Roasted Green Beans recipe.

blue cheese, bacon, and balsamic onion burger
Steve Giralt
10 of 54
Blue Cheese, Bacon, and Balsamic Onion Burger

This hamburger topped with ooey gooey blue cheese and balsamic vinegar on a brioche bun will feel like heaven in your mouth

Get the Blue Cheese, Bacon, and Balsamic Onion Burger recipe.

beef stuffed pepper
Chris Court
11 of 54
Beef and Rice Stuffed Peppers

These stuffed peppers are a hearty slow cooked delight that wil be sure to please!

Get the Rice and Stuffed Peppers recipe.

kid friendly dinner ideas smoky beef tacos
Mike Garten
12 of 54
Smoky Beef Tacos

Nail Taco Tuesday with this simple yet memorable recipe. That smoky flavor will be sure to please.

Get the Smoky Beef Tacos recipe.

RELATED: 36 Mexican Recipes You'll Want to Dish Up Again and Again

easy ground beef recipe
Christopher Testani
13 of 54
Hamburger Casserole

This casserole takes less than a half hour to prepare, but it'll taste like something you could've ordered at a restaurant. You'll go back for a second serving for sure.

Get the Hamburger Casserole recipe.

sloppy joe slider
14 of 54
Sloppy Joe Sliders

Take basic meatballs to the next level by turning them into tasty sliders.

Get the Sloppy Joe Sliders recipe.

easy ground beef recipes
Woman's Day
15 of 54
BBQ Beef and Mashed Potato Pie

BBQ beef and mashed potatoes is the ultimate comfort food combination. You'll be feeling all sorts of warm, cozy, and satisfied after a serving of this pie.

Get the BBQ Beef and Mashed Potato Pie recipe.

easy ground beef recipes
ERIKA LAPRESTO
16 of 54
Beef and Lentil Chili

You can add some extra veggie protein to your typical chili with lentils. And the best part of all? This recipe only takes 20 minutes to make.

Get the Beef and Lentil Chili recipe.

easy ground beef recipes
DANIELLE OCCHIOGROSSO
17 of 54
Beef and Mushroom Burgers with Snap Pea Fries

The best way to sneak some extra veggies into your kids meals is to hide them in an incredibly tasty burger.

Get the Beef and Mushroom Burgers with Snap Pea Fries recipe.

easy ground beef recipes
RYAN LIEBE
18 of 54
Pumpkin, Beef, and Black Bean Chili

Pumpkin chili is the ultimate fall dinner recipe. Top it off with some chipotle sour cream and your tastebuds will be singing.

Get the Pumpkin, Beef, and Black Bean Chili recipe.

easy ground beef recipes
STEVE GIRALT
19 of 54
Red Wine Beef Ragu

Slow cooker fans, this one's for you. All you need is 20 minutes to prep the ingredients and six to nine hours for your slow cooker to do its thing. The end result is a mouth-watering pasta dish.

Get the Red Wine Beef Ragu recipe.

easy ground beef recipes
Romulo Yanes; Food styling by Stephana Bottom; Prop styling by Megan Hedgpeth
20 of 54
Beef and Sausage Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

The sweet Italian sausage in these meatballs makes them moist and full of flavor, and the crushed red pepper flakes add some heat!

Get the Beef and Sausage Meatballs in Tomato Sauce recipe.

easy ground beef recipes
Iain Bagwell
21 of 54
Beef and Stout Skillet Pie

A store-bought crust makes this one-pan beef pie easier to make, and the hearty filling means there might even be leftovers (maybe).

Get the Beef and Stout Skillet Pie recipe.

easy ground beef recipes
RAYMOND HORN
22 of 54
Spicy Ketchup-Glazed Meatloaf

A fun twist on the classic ketchup meatloaf recipe, this recipe gives the traditional dish a spicy kick.

Get the Spicy Ketchup-Glazed Meatloaf recipe.

easy ground beef recipes
Mike Garten
23 of 54
Cottage Pie

This hearty beef pie is the perfect dish to whip up in your cast iron skillet on a cold day.

Get the Cottage Pie recipe.

light dinner ideas mediterranean pita pizzas
Mike Garten
24 of 54
Mediterranean Pita Pizzas

This recipe features spicy ground beef and a tangy yogurt sauce that'll tame the heat for your taste buds.

Get the Mediterranean Pita Pizzas recipe.

kid friendly dinner ideas sloppy joe sliders
Con Poulos
25 of 54
Sloppy Joe Sliders

Sloppy joes are way cuter inside mini slider buns.

Get the Sloppy Joe Sliders recipe.

easy ground beef recipes  cinncinati chili
Con Poulos
26 of 54
Cincinnati Chili

Cincinnati has their own unique take on chili; they serve it over spaghetti. Try this unique recipe at home by making an easy, tasty slow-cooker chili and then serving it over spaghetti noodles.

Get the Cincinnati Chili recipe.

easy ground beef recipes
Christ Court
27 of 54
Spiced Mini Burgers with Spinach and Couscous

This healthy meal gets a burst of flavor from Middle Eastern spices.

Get the Spiced Mini Burgers with Spinach and Couscous recipe.

kid friendly dinner ideas tex mex meat loaf sandwiches
Chris Court
28 of 54
Tex Mex Meat Loaf Sandwiches

Switch up your standard meatloaf recipe by adding cumin, brown sugar, and cinnamon, and serving it sandwich style.

Get the Tex Mex Meat Loaf Sandwiches recipe.

easy ground beef recipes
Kate Sears
29 of 54
Greek Ziti Bake

This Greek-inspired twist on a classic baked ziti will liven up any family dinner.

Get the Greek Ziti Bake recipe.

easy ground beef recipes
Con Poulos
30 of 54
Slow Cooker Mini Meat Loaves and Polenta

Get reacquainted with this throwback dinnertime classic.

Get the Slow Cooker Mini Meat Loaves and Polenta recipe.

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