Ground Beef That Does It All—25 Recipes To Prove It

No need to stare at the fridge wondering what to make. Ground beef pulls its weight with 25 different ways to keep meals interesting. From quick fixes to crowd-pleasers, it’s the ingredient that never lets dinner plans fall apart. Unlike that wobbly chair, everyone keeps pretending is fine.

Close-up of a delicious slice of lasagna, showcasing layers of pasta, ground meat, tomato sauce, ricotta cheese, and garnished with chopped basil.
Homemade Lasagna. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Baked Beef Tacos

Two tacos with beef, diced tomatoes, jalapeño slices, shredded cheese, sour cream, and cilantro on a white plate.
Baked Beef Tacos. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Crunchy shells and a juicy filling meet in your oven for a perfect weeknight meal. Baked Beef Tacos transform simple ingredients into a dinner favorite. Just top them with your favorite fixings and you’ll see why these are a hit. Everyone gets to customize their taco, making it interactive and fun.
Get the Recipe: Baked Beef Tacos

Easy Meatloaf Recipe

A close-up of a savory meatloaf slice topped with a glossy sauce. The hearty meatloaf reveals visible chunks of vegetables like carrots and celery.
Easy Meatloaf Recipe. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Nothing says home cooking quite like a classic dish that’s both hearty and comforting. A slice of Easy Meatloaf Recipe is like a warm hug on a plate. Enjoy it with a side of mashed potatoes and watch it become a go-to. The best part? Leftovers make great sandwiches the next day.
Get the Recipe: Easy Meatloaf Recipe

Big Mac Crunchwrap

Close-up of a stack of folded tortillas filled with beef, melted cheese, lettuce, and onions on a white plate.
Big Mac Crunchwrap. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Imagine your favorite burger flavors wrapped to perfection. Big Mac Crunchwrap offers that indulgent taste in a neat, handheld package. It’s a family-pleaser that brings fast-food vibes to the dinner table without the drive-thru.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Crunchwrap

Cowboy Casserole

Close-up of a cowboy casserole in a white dish, showing layers of ground meat and vegetables topped with a golden-brown mashed potato crust, garnished with chopped parsley.
Cowboy Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Picture layers of savory goodness waiting to fill you up after a long day. Cowboy Casserole is where comfort food meets hearty ingredients. It’s the dish you turn to when you need something warm and filling. And you can count on everyone asking for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Cowboy Casserole

Southwest Sweet Potatoes

Baked sweet potato topped with black beans, corn, avocado, sliced jalapeños, cheese, salsa, sour cream, and cilantro, with lime slices on the side.
Southwest Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Give ground beef a south-of-the-border twist with a surprising base. Southwest Sweet Potatoes are filled with spice-infused beef and baked to perfection. One bite brings a mix of savory meat and sweet potato you can’t resist. It’s a creative spin on your typical stuffed vegetable dish.
Get the Recipe: Southwest Sweet Potatoes

Million Dollar Spaghetti

Close-up of a serving of cheesy baked spaghetti with meat sauce, topped with fresh parsley, being lifted from a dish.
Million Dollar Spaghetti. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

When spaghetti goes all out, you get a cheesy, creamy pasta dish like no other. Million Dollar Spaghetti is a luxurious take on a familiar favorite. With every forkful, you’ll understand why it’s named after riches. It’s the comfort food jackpot that’ll impress adults and kids alike.
Get the Recipe: Million Dollar Spaghetti

Beef Enchilada Casserole

Close-up of a cheesy dish with melted cheese, beef, beans, and scattered cilantro leaves. Red onion slices are visible in the foreground.
Beef Enchilada Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

With layers upon layers of flavors, this casserole brings the essence of enchiladas without the fuss. Beef Enchilada Casserole simplifies a beloved dish into an easy-to-serve form. It’s a crowd-pleaser with a mix of melted cheese and seasoned ground beef. And it has the bonus of being great for leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Beef Enchilada Casserole

Crunchwrap Supreme

Three folded tortillas filled with seasoned ground meat, diced tomatoes, and melted cheese.
Crunchwrap Supreme. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Wrapped to tuck in all the goodness, this option is a street food star turned homemade hero. Crunchwrap Supreme combines crispy textures with mouthwatering fillings. It’s quick to make and just as quick to disappear from the plate. Don’t be surprised when it’s requested time and time again.
Get the Recipe: Crunchwrap Supreme

Spicy Beef Enchilada Tortellini

Close-up of a Beef Enchilada Tortellini dish topped with ground meat, corn, black beans, and chopped green onions.
Spicy Beef Enchilada Tortellini. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

It’s the kind of magic that happens when Italian meets Mexican in a pot. Spicy Beef Enchilada Tortellini is a fusion that will surprise your palate. Spice it up a notch for those who like a kick or keep it mellow for a family-friendly meal. Either way, it’s a bold twist on pasta night.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Beef Enchilada Tortellini

Easy Tater Tot Casserole

A serving of tater tot casserole on a spoon.
Easy Tater Tot Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

For a cozy night in, nothing beats a classic casserole topped with everyone’s favorite potato morsels. Easy Tater Tot Casserole combines crunchy tots with savory beef in a dish that promises clean plates. It’s something you can whip up with minimal effort but expect maximum enjoyment.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tater Tot Casserole

Beef Chili

Two bowls of chili with kidney beans, meat, tortilla chips, shredded cheese, and cilantro. A black spoon in one bowl. Additional chili flakes in a small dish nearby.
Beef Chili. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

A bowl of this is your ticket to flavor town, where every spoonful is hearty and rich with taste. Beef Chili boils down to simmering goodness that’s perfect for any get-together. Customize the toppings to your liking and it’s a personalized feast. It’s also the go-to for making chilly evenings better.
Get the Recipe: Beef Chili

Cheeseburger

A cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion, and ketchup on a plate. A bowl of lettuce is in the background.
Cheeseburger. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

There’s nothing quite like the joy of biting into a juicy burger, especially when it’s homemade. Cheeseburger perfection is about the right balance of bun, beef, and your favorite toppings. Grill it or cook it on the stove, and it’s a party pleaser or a rewarding solo treat.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger

Taco Soup

A bowl of red soup topped with avocado slices, sour cream, cilantro, sliced onions, corn, and shredded cheese.
Taco Soup. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

It’s like every good taco decided to jump into a pot and transform into a warming, spoonable delight. Taco Soup brings the fun and versatility of taco night into a comforting soup. It’s a one-pot wonder that checks all the boxes for ease and flavor. Plus, you get to sprinkle all your top taco garnishes.
Get the Recipe: Taco Soup

Spaghetti Bolognese

A plate of spaghetti topped with meat sauce and a fresh basil leaf, accompanied by a fork on the side.
Spaghetti Bolognese. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

A plate of this is a ticket to an Italian feast, and the secret’s in the simmer. Spaghetti Bolognese coats your favorite pasta with a rich, meaty sauce. It’s classic, it’s heartwarming, and it might just become your signature dish. Break out the garlic bread and you’ve got a meal that’s hard to beat.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Bolognese

Copycat Smash Burger

Close-up of a copycat smash burger with lettuce, tomato, and a thick beef patty on a sesame seed bun.
Copycat Smash Burger. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Craving that crispy-edged, buttery burger from your favorite joint? Copycat Smash Burger lets you recreate the magic at home. Squeeze onto a hot griddle and watch it transform into a fast-food masterpiece. Every bite is a nod to the iconic, thin-pattied burgers that fans can’t get enough of.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Smash Burger

Spaghetti Casserole

A serving of cheesy baked spaghetti is being lifted with a utensil. The dish is topped with melted cheese and garnished with herbs.
Spaghetti Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Transform your typical spaghetti night into a cheesy, oven-baked sensation. Spaghetti Casserole is the ultimate blend of pasta, cheese, and meat merged together in one dish. It’s the kind of meal that makes you want to stay in on a Friday night. Enjoy a square, or two, and see why no one misses the plates.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Casserole

Cheeseburger Soup

A pot of cheesy potato and meat stew garnished with chopped parsley and crispy bacon.
Cheeseburger Soup. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Who says you can’t sip your burger? Cheeseburger Soup turns your all-time favorite sandwich into a creamy, dreamy soup. It’s all the taste you expect, spoon-ready, and just so unique. When the weather turns cool, this is the bowl you want to cozy up with.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Soup

Taco Casserole

A bowl of taco casserole topped with melted cheese, black olives, tomatoes, and green onions, with a creamy dip in the background.
Taco Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

It’s taco flavors without any of the hassle of assembly. Layered and baked, Taco Casserole is a dish you can cut into neat squares of deliciousness. It’s a perfect solution when you can’t decide between tacos or a baked meal. This casserole is the answer to ‘what’s for dinner?’ dilemmas.
Get the Recipe: Taco Casserole

Copycat Big Mac Salad

Close-up of a salad featuring ground beef, sliced pickles, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, and diced onions, topped with a creamy dressing.
Copycat Big Mac Salad. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Love the classic burger but want it lighter? Copycat Big Mac Salad deconstructs your favorite fast food into a fresher form. Every forkful combines the notorious flavors without the bun. Who knew salads could rival the taste of a beloved burger? Plus, it’s customizable—it’s your salad, your rules.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Big Mac Salad

Cheeseburger Pasta

A skillet filled with penne pasta topped with shredded cheese, ground beef, diced tomatoes, lettuce, and pickles—a delicious take on cheeseburger pasta.
Cheeseburger Pasta. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

It’s the kind of dish that answers the call when you can’t decide between pasta or a burger. Cheeseburger Pasta swirls the two cravings into a meal that promises to be a family favorite. It’s simple, it’s hearty, and it checks all the boxes for a comfort dish. And the best part? It tastes like a cheeseburger.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Pasta

Cattle Drive Casserole

A slice of cheesy lasagna being lifted from a baking dish, topped with melted cheese and parsley.
Cattle Drive Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Imagine warm, filling, and rustic—all in one bite. Cattle Drive Casserole takes you on a homestead adventure with layers of robust flavor. It’s the dish to prepare when you’ve got hearty appetites to satisfy. As for seconds? Practically guaranteed.
Get the Recipe: Cattle Drive Casserole

Swedish Meatballs (Ikea Copycat)

A close-up of Swedish meatballs covered in a creamy sauce, piled in a wooden bowl.
Swedish Meatballs (Ikea Copycat). Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Missing those iconic Scandinavian flavors from your favorite furniture store’s food court? Swedish Meatballs bring that taste home. Served with a side of nostalgia, they’re perfect for dinner or as a snack. And you won’t need to assemble anything but your appetite.
Get the Recipe: Swedish Meatballs (Ikea Copycat)

Beef Tacos

Three beef tacos filled with ground meat, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, grated cheese, and sliced red onions.
Beef Tacos. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Taco Tuesday or any day, a good taco can brighten things up. With Beef Tacos, you’ve got a quick, customizable meal that satisfies all sorts of preferences. Whether you like them soft or hard shells, loaded with toppings, or simply dressed, they always seem to hit the spot.
Get the Recipe: Beef Tacos

Stuffed Pepper Casserole

A spoonful of stuffed pepper casserole with ground meat, red and green bell peppers, cheese, and rice, garnished with herbs.
Stuffed Pepper Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

If you like your veggies filled with savory goodness, you’ll love them layered in a casserole. Stuffed Pepper Casserole takes the classic stuffed pepper flavors and turns them into an easy-to-serve dish. It’s a pleasing and colorful meal that makes getting your servings of vegetables a whole lot more enjoyable.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Pepper Casserole

Homemade Lasagna

Close-up of a delicious slice of lasagna, showcasing layers of pasta, ground meat, tomato sauce, ricotta cheese, and garnished with chopped basil.
Homemade Lasagna. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Layer after layer, there’s nothing quite like slicing into a homemade Italian masterpiece. Homemade Lasagna stacks pasta, cheese, and meat to create the ultimate comfort food. It’s a labor of love that’s worth every moment. And, sitting down to a hearty piece is like a celebration in itself.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Lasagna

About the Author
A woman with long brown hair is smiling and standing with her arms crossed. She is wearing a sleeveless, black and white diamond-patterned dress.

Hey there! I’m Mandy

Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.

She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.

She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.

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