30 Delicious Ways to Use a Pound of Ground Beef

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Wondering what to make with a pound of ground beef? Here are 30 simple ground beef recipes that make great dinner ideas for busy weeknights! These 1 lb ground beef recipes are both easy AND delicious!

Wondering what to do with that pound of ground beef? Look no further than these 30 simple ground beef recipes. Simplify meal planning and stretch your grocery budget with these easy and quick ground beef recipes!

Ever wonder what you can make with 1 pound of ground beef?

Ya know, that one that’s been sitting in your fridge or freezer.

Some of the easiest and cheapest meals are made from a simple pound of hamburger.

You can stretch it further than other types of meat, and feed your family well on a budget!

Plus, it’s one of the easiest proteins to prepare. There’s no guessing if it’s cooked through or not. 

If you struggle to come up with easy dinner ideas, and need inspiration for things to make with a lb of hamburger, look no further than this list of 30 simple ground beef recipes.

Thaw out that pound of lean ground beef gathering frost in your freezer, and make one of these quick dinners!

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Here are some of the best quick and easy ground beef recipes to add to your meal planning arsenal, or even to make for dinner tonight.

All these meal ideas can be customized to your family’s taste. And you could make them with ground turkey, chicken, pork, or vegetarian crumbles too!

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30 Simple Ground Beef Recipes

Mexican Ground Beef Recipes:

Wondering what to do with that pound of ground beef? Look no further than these 30 simple ground beef recipes. Simplify meal planning and stretch your grocery budget with these easy and quick ground beef recipes!

If you love Mexican food as much as I do, try making it at home for a change.

I’m sure Pandora has a Mariachi band station that you can play for that restaurant-style ambience!

1. Tacos 

It doesn’t get much simpler (or more popular) than easy ground beef tacos.

Simply brown a pound of beef, draining excess grease if necessary, and add taco seasoning.

You can choose flour or corn soft tortillas, or crunchy ones. Add cheese and your other favorite toppings like shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and salsa.

Everyone in your house will look forward to taco night!

2. Tostadas 

For tostadas, you basically follow the steps for tacos, but put it all on a flat tostada shell for a fun twist.

It’s a delicious meal and the entire family will love.

3. Nachos 

Just as easy as tacos, but use tortilla chips instead.

Refried beans make an easy side dish for any of these recipes as well!

4. Burritos 

To make burritos, simply place your ground beef, beans, and onions inside a large ‘burrito-size’ tortilla and roll up.

You can pour salsa or enchilada sauce over the top, sprinkle with cheese, and bake in your oven at 375 degrees for about 10 minutes, or until melty and gooey.

Wondering what to make with a pound of ground beef? Here are 30 simple ground beef recipes that make great dinner ideas for busy weeknights! These 1 lb ground beef recipes are both easy AND delicious!

5. Enchiladas 

Quite similiar to the ‘wet burrito’ above, but enchiladas use corn tortillas instead.

I usually buy the Old El Paso enchilada sauce, but you can make your own if you prefer.

To make life even easier, layer your tortillas lasagna-style instead of rolling them.

Just spoon sauce onto the bottom of an oven-safe dish, then place a layer of corn tortillas, topped with your cooked beef, then another layer of tortillas, sauce, and so on.

6. Quesadillas 

If you’ve never had a ground beef quesadilla, you’re missing out!

Sprinkle some cooked and seasoned ground beef, cheese, and onions inside two flour tortillas.

Warm it in a skillet until the cheese is melted.

7. Taco Salad 

Use your seasoned ground beef as part of a taco salad for a lower carb option.

You could use salsa or Catalina as your dressing. Crushed tortilla chips and cheese make it especially enjoyable.

👉 Like REALLY easy recipes like these? Grab my 6 Week Meal Plan to have six full weeks of easy dinners planned FOR you (plus the corresponding shopping lists)! 

8. Taco Rice 

Ground beef turns Spanish rice into a main dish!

Taco rice is a one pan recipe combines beef, taco seasoning, salsa, rice, and cheese.

It’s definitely going to become a new family favorite!

💡 Pro-tip: Next time your grocery store is having a great sale on ground beef, stock up and use a Foodsaver to have it ready in your freezer all the time – without any freezer burn!

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Italian Ground Beef Recipes:

It’s really hard to decide whether I love Mexican or Italian food more…

Luckily, I don’t have to choose, because here’s some Italian simple ground beef recipes!

Wondering what to do with that pound of ground beef? Look no further than these 30 simple ground beef recipes. Simplify meal planning and stretch your grocery budget with these easy and quick ground beef recipes!

9. Spaghetti 

Who doesn’t love spaghetti? You can brown your beef while the water for your pasta boils.

Adding garlic and onion make the meat even tastier.

Add your favorite homemade bolognese sauce or jarred sauce, and done!

Feel free to use spaghetti squash or zoodles as a healthier alternative if you want.

10. Lasagna 

While lasagna sounds complicated, it really isn’t.

Grocery stores now sell noodles that you don’t have to boil ahead of time.

Once your beef is browned, combine it with your pasta sauce and spoon over the bottom of your oven-safe dish.

Then layer the no-bake noodles, the beef/sauce mixture and cheese, then more noodles and sauce, cheese, etc.

11. Ziti 

Baked ziti, made with just 5 ingredients, always makes a mouth-watering crowd pleasing meal.

It also freezes really well, making it the perfect freezer meal.

12. Meatballs 

Meatballs can also be made with just a few ingredients.

They’re one of those great ground beef recipes that just feel extra special somehow.

Whether you decide to make traditional Italian meatballs for spaghetti, or Swedish meatballs, you simply can’t go wrong with this great way to please both picky eaters and the whole family.

Comfort Food Ground Beef Recipes:

These simple ground beef recipes are especially fantastic in the Fall and Winter, but I’ll take comfort food any time I can get it!

Wondering what to do with that pound of ground beef? Look no further than these 30 simple ground beef recipes. Simplify meal planning and stretch your grocery budget with these easy and quick ground beef recipes!

13. Meatloaf 

I like to make mini-meatloaves in a muffin tin.

Combine 1 lb. of uncooked ground beef with a cup of water and a box of Stovetop stuffing mix for a super easy dinner.

And according to my husband, it’s the best meatloaf he’s ever had.

It’s one of those 30-minute meals that I make often, and serve with mashed potatoes. So simple!

14. Goulash 

American-style goulash is pure comfort food.

Ground beef, canned tomatoes, and macaroni transform into something you’d love to eat at your grandma’s house.

15. Chili Mac 

A great use up for leftover chili is chili mac.

Boil some macaroni noodles, and once drained, combine with canned or leftover chili.

It sounds weird, but it’s seriously so delicious!

16. Sloppy Joes 

Your grocery store sells pre-made sloppy joe sauce (like Manwich), or you can make your own with ketchup, brown sugar, and garlic powder.

Once you’ve browned your pound of ground beef, pour in the sloppy joe sauce until warmed through.

Serve on hamburger buns with an easy side dish. and wa-la!

17. Shepherd’s Pie 

Shepherd’s pie is definitely a classic comfort food dish.

And it’s not nearly as complicated as it sounds!

Wondering what to make with a pound of ground beef? Here are 30 simple ground beef recipes that make great dinner ideas for busy weeknights! These 1 lb ground beef recipes are both easy AND delicious!

18. Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed peppers are one of those popular ground beef recipes that uses just a few simple and cheap ingredients.

Bell peppers, stuffed with savory ground beef, white rice (or brown rice), and tomato sauce is such a frugal, hearty meal – it might just become your new family favorite! 

19. Hamburger Helper 

This was one of my favorites growing up.

If you prefer to make your own, instead of a boxed mix, here’s a pretty easy recipe.

20. Salisbury Steak 

Salisbury steak is similar to the meatloaf, except you cook it in a skillet instead of the oven.

Smother it in beef gravy, and maybe some onions and mushrooms for extra goodness.

21. Ground Beef Stroganoff 

The simplest way to make ground beef stroganoff is to brown your meat while egg noodles boil in another pot.

Combine the cooked meat and noodles with a can or two of cream of mushroom soup.

22. Hamburgers 

My favorite way to make hamburgers is to mix the (raw) ground beef with an egg, and approximately 1-2 tbs. of Worcestershire sauce, ¼ cup of breadcrumbs, and plenty of this delicious burger seasoning.

For best results, cook them in a cast iron skillet like this one.

23. Pizza topping 

Cooked hamburger can make Avery  tasty pizza topping.

Consider changing it up from the standard pepperoni if you’re making homemade pizza, or doctoring up a frozen one.

RELATED: 95 Pizza Topping Ideas to Jazz Up Homemade Pizza Night

Ground Beef Soup Recipes:

Speaking of comfort food, soup is always a classic. All of the recipes below can be made in a slow cooker for added convenience!

Wondering what to do with that pound of ground beef? Look no further than these 30 simple ground beef recipes. Simplify meal planning and stretch your grocery budget with these easy and quick ground beef recipes!

24. Chili 

Isn’t chili just the best? And you don’t have to be a gourmet chef to make it.

Ground meat, tomatoes, chili powder, and beans are basically all you need for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

You can even make it in your instant pot or slow cooker!

Here’s a super easy chili recipe.

I also like to add some bell pepper and corn when I make it.

25. Taco Soup 

Taco soup is super easy to make in the slow cooker!

Simply combine a pound of cooked ground beef with one can each of pinto beans, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and corn, plus a packet of taco seasoning in your Crock Pot.

Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

26. Hamburger Soup 

Hamburger soup is one those perfect winter recipes.

It’s budget friendly, you can make it ahead of time, and it reheats and freezes perfectly.

This hearty soup consists of vegetables, lean beef, diced tomatoes, and potatoes.

In other words, chock full of delicious flavors! 

27. Stuffed Pepper Soup 

It tastes like stuffed peppers, but made even easier in soup form.

You’ve got to try this Crock Pot stuffed pepper soup recipe soon. 

In need of a great slow cooker? This is the one I have and love!

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Ground Beef Casserole Recipes:

There are bajillions of ground beef casserole recipes available on the handy ol’ Internet. Here are a few favorites.

Wondering what to do with that pound of ground beef? Look no further than these 30 simple ground beef recipes. Simplify meal planning and stretch your grocery budget with these easy and quick ground beef recipes!

28. Taco Lasagna

Taco lasagna is kind of like tacos and lasagna had a delicious baby. 

It starts with a handful of ingredients and gets layered together to make the best taco lasagna with tortillas!  

29. Tator Tot Casserole 

Tater tots aren’t just for school cafeterias anymore!

Tater tot casserole makes the perfect weeknight meal. Kids and husbands alike will gobble it down.

Simply layer beef, cream of mushroom soup, and green beans in a casserole dish, then top with tater tots.

30. Stuffed Pepper Casserole 

Can you tell that I really like stuffed peppers? This dump and bake recipe takes all the prep work out of making them. 

Want even more ideas? Here are a bunch more ground beef casserole ideas!

Ready to make some delicious recipes with ground beef?

I hope this list of the best ground beef recipes to help diversify your meal planning. 

You can save a lot of money by buying the beef on sale, and feed even a BIG family on a budget.

And remember that you can substitute Italian sausage, ground chicken or turkey, or even black beans for a lot of these quick dinner ideas.

Kitchen gadgets to make meal prep faster and easier:

  • Vegetable chopper – Chop half an onion with one press! It also includes a spiralizer.
  • Egg cooker – Hard, medium, or soft boil eggs perfectly every time. It also cooks mini-omelettes and poaches eggs for you.
  • Meat claws – Shred cooked meat with fantastic ease, and have fun doing it.
  • Foodsaver – Preserve a wide variety of foods for your freezer, without any freezer burn!
  • Bread machine – There is nothing like the smell of hot, fresh bread in your home.
  • Salad spinner – Wash your lettuce quickly and easily, and have it ready to eat!
30+ Delicious and Easy Ground Beef Recipes

30+ Delicious and Easy Ground Beef Recipes

Wondering what to make with a pound of ground beef? Here are 30 simple ground beef recipes that make great dinner ideas for busy weeknights! These 1 lb ground beef recipes are both easy AND delicious!

Ingredients

  • Tacos
  • Tostadas
  • Nachos
  • Burritos
  • Enchiladas
  • Quesadillas
  • Taco salad
  • Taco rice
  • Spaghetti
  • Lasagna
  • Baked ziti
  • Meatballs
  • Meatloaf
  • Goulash
  • Chili Mac
  • Sloppy joes
  • Shepherds pie
  • Stuffed peppers
  • Hamburger Helper
  • Salisbury Steak
  • Stroganoff
  • Hamburgers
  • Pizza topping
  • Chili
  • Taco soup
  • Hamburger soup
  • Stuffed pepper soup
  • Taco lasagna
  • Tater tot casserole
  • Stuffed pepper casserole

Instructions

  1. Choose which simple ground beef recipe you'd like to make
  2. Gather the ingredients and prepare the meal
  3. Serve your delicious dinner with ground beef

Wondering what to do with that pound of ground beef? Look no further than these 30 simple ground beef recipes. Simplify meal planning!

 

Wondering what to do with that pound of ground beef? Look no further than these 30 simple ground beef recipes. Simplify meal planning and stretch your grocery budget with these easy and quick ground beef recipes!

Wondering what to do with that pound of ground beef? Look no further than these 30 simple ground beef recipes. Simplify meal planning and stretch your grocery budget with these easy and quick ground beef recipes!

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