65 Easy Ground Beef Recipes for a Quick Weeknight Dinner
Meatballs, meatloaf, casseroles and more!
Ground beef is always a reliable go-to meal staple for an easy weeknight dinner recipe. If you've got some in the freezer, then you know you always have a go-to by just thawing the meat the night before or day of. Most people have a few ground beef recipes in their back pocket, whether it's your mom's meatloaf, a delicious hamburger recipe, or a meatball dish that everyone raves about. But if you're looking for new ideas, we've got plenty of easy ground beef recipes here to get you started.
You're sure to find inspiration with one of these easy ground beef recipes, whether it's a hearty pasta bolognese that's perfect for a family dinner, a comforting dish like BBQ beef nachos, or a new twist on a hamburger. Many of these recipes come together by just using an air fryer, which will make it easy to get dinner on the table, even during a busy weeknight.
And if you're cooking for vegetarians, you can even swap in plant-based meat alternatives for many of these recipes without sacrificing flavor. Because everyone should be able to enjoy these delicious recipes.
So before you give up on having dinner at home tonight, here are some delicious and easy ground beef recipes that everyone will love.
Sweet and Sour Meatballs
These flavorful meatballs are made with cranberry sauce, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce and ketchup.
Get the Sweet and Sour Meatballs recipe.
Blue Cheese, Bacon, and Balsamic Onion Burger
This loaded burger calls for ground sirloin, but you can definitely swap in ground beef. Pile it high with melty cheese and crispy bacon.
Get the Blue Cheese, Bacon, and Balsamic Onion Burger recipe.
Air Fryer Meatball Sub
Featuring tender meatballs on a toasted hero roll with creamy ricotta and fresh tomato sauce, this makes a tasty family dinner that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
Get the Air Fryer Meatball Sub recipe.
RELATED: 46 Easy Air Fryer Recipes That Are Fast and Super Delicious
Skillet Meatballs
Cook your protein and your veggies in the same skillet for a healthy dinner with less clean-up.
Get the Skillet Meatballs recipe.
Spiced Meatball Pitas with Crispy Carrot Slaw
These hearty stuffed pitas can be lunch or dinner.
Get the Spiced Meatball Pitas with Crispy Carrot Slaw.
RELATED: 70 Tasty, Healthy Lunch Ideas That Will Truly Keep You Full Until Dinner
Beef Kofte with Kale and Chickpea Salad
Kofte is a kind of meatball popular in South Asian, Middle Eastern and Central Asian cuisines. Spiced up with cumin and coriander, it'll become a part of your family's dinner rotation!
Mexican Beef Meatballs with Chipotle Sauce
Meatballs don't have to be all oregano and Parmesan. Spice 'em up with this flavorful option.
Soy-Glazed Meatloaf
Ground beef mixed with balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, onion and parsley creates a kicked-up meatloaf recipe that will be your family’s new go-to.
Get the Soy-Glazed Meatloaf recipe.
Spaghetti and Air Fryer Meatballs
Make this comfort food classic even easier with a little help from the air fryer.
Chili Dogs
Make this ballpark classic right at home.
Get the Chili Dogs recipe.
RELATED: 30 Fun Hot Dog Recipes to Get All Kinds of Creative
Fresh Veggie Beef Ragu
Cherry tomatoes and red onion add a pop of freshness to this hearty dish.
Get the Fresh Veggie Beef Ragu recipe.
Moroccan Meatballs
Warm spices and a sprinkling of fresh herbs give these meatballs, served with chickpeas and tomatoes, the flavor boost your dinner plate needs.
Get the Moroccan Meatballs recipe.
Green Chile Cheeseburger
Canned green chiles and a toasted brioche bun bring major flavor to a simple cheeseburger.
Get the Green Chile Cheeseburger recipe.
Spaghetti and Meatball Nests
Turn your favorite pasta dish into an adorable bite-size appetizer.
Get the Spaghetti and Meatball Nests recipe.
RELATED: 50 Easy Appetizers and Snacks to Get the Party Started
Scotch Eggs
Soft-boiled eggs wrapped in a tasty combo of ground beef and seasonings make for a delicious breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Get the Scotch Eggs recipe.
Lentil "Bolognese Spaghetti"
A mix of lentils and ground beef makes a hearty family-favorite a whole light lighter.
Get the Lentil "Bolognese Spaghetti" recipe.
BBQ Beef Nachos
Your favorite game day dish, loaded with flavor-packed ground beef, can easily become dinner, too! Serve with a side salad for a meal the whole family will love.
Get the BBQ Beef Nachos recipe.
RELATED: 37 Delicious Game Day Food Recipes Your Party Guests Will Love
Hearty Beef and Bean Chili
Chilly? Try homemade chili. This hearty, one-pot recipe will warm you up on the coldest of nights.
Get the Hearty Beef and Bean Chili recipe.
Classic Patty Melts
Step aside, cheeseburgers and grilled cheese. Meet the epic 20-minute mashup of these two nostalgic diner meals: the patty melt.
Get the Classic Patty Melts recipe.
Mini Meatballs with Garlicky Tomatoes
You'll never go back to boxed breadcrumbs after using leftover baguette in your meatballs.
Samantha (she/her) is an Assistant Editor in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, where she writes about tasty recipes, must-try food products and top-tested secrets for home cooking success. She has taste-tasted hundreds of products and recipes since joining GH in 2020 (tough job!). A graduate of Fordham University, she considers the kitchen to be her happiest place.
Becca Miller (she/her) has been working in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen since 2018, where she researches and writes about tasty recipes, food trends and top cooking tools. She graduated from NYU with a liberal arts degree focusing on creative writing. She makes killer scrambled eggs, enjoys a glass of un-oaked chardonnay and takes pride in her love of reality television.
Jamie Ballard (she/her) is a freelance writer and editor who covers news, lifestyle, and entertainment topics, including sex and relationships, TV, movies, books, health, pets, food and drinks, pop culture, shopping, and personal finance. She regularly contributes to Cosmopolitan, Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, and YouGov, among other publications. When she’s not working, you can find her running, traveling, or scrolling TikTok. Follow her on Twitter.
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