Six Ground Beef Dinner Recipes

When it comes to meat products, there are few more deliciously versatile than ground beef, and thanks to this collection of reliable recipes courtesy of Martha Stewart’s cooking blog, dinner time doesn’t need to be predictable just because you’re cooking with ground beef.

Due to the inexpensive nature of ground beef and its versatile appeal, it’s a family favorite, especially when it’s incorporated into a stir fry, platter of sloppy joes, or italian meatballs. Though, it’s the versatility and willingness to be incorporated in a variety of cuisines when combined with the right flavors that makes this meat a reliable staple of the kitchen that it is. So, consider the following recipes when you have a surplus of ground beef due to a supermarket bargain, and you find yourself looking to spice things up figuratively and literally.

Taco Casserole

To some, ground beef is synonymous with taco shells, taco salads, and mexican cuisine in general, so it’s a good idea to lean into that association whenever Taco Tuesday comes around with this recipe that only takes a half hour of preparation and cooking. Your ground beef is sautéed in a nicely seasoned skillet (consider cast iron) alongside bell peppers, onions, pinto beans, diced tomatoes, and a beaucoup assortment of mexican spices. Top it all off with tortilla chips and two of your favorite cheeses for a casual meal that will satisfy the whole family.

Mini Meatballs in Lettuce Cups

Many leave ground beef in the grocery store cooler due to its tendency to “oil up,” when heated, immediately associating the meat with an unhealthy lifestyle, but it definitely doesn’t have to be that way. Consider this light ground beef appetizer from an asian-inspired cuisine with these meatballs that are uniquely flavored thanks to the combination of garlic, sesame oil, fish sauce, ginger, and toasted sesame oil. Bite-sized, portable, and aesthetically-pleasing, these little keto-friendly bites will make any cynic smile.

Lasagna with Meat Sauce

A tried and true favorite, italian cuisine is always perfectly paired with ground beef, and this Italian-American casserole uses no-boil lasagna noodles, saving you prep time to prepare an accompanying salad or other complimentary side dish (maybe a hand pie of beef and cheddar?). Favor, texture, and heft are brought together in this recipe with the combination of italian sausage and ground beef, making it a classic treasure of italian cooking that you’d be wise to commit to memory.

Sausage-and-Kale Stuffed Shells

Sometimes when shopping, you purchase the ground beef because you’re short on time, and in that cast this make-ahead recipe is perfect for a quickly-approaching dinner. This baked pasta dish is packed with hearty winter ingredients like pork sausage, kale, ricotta cheese, parmigiano reggiano, mozzarella, and marinara to fill an oven-safe casserole dish with cheesy, savory stuffed shells sure to satisfy the whole family.

Easy Beef Chili

Winter is here, and there’s no method of warming up more satisfying than a bowl of warm chili and crackers on a cold winter’s night after a long day of work or shopping. This comforting bowl of chili can be made much more interesting than a premade package from the store by cooking the ground beef with aromatics such as onions, garlic, jalapeno, chili powder, cocoa, tomato paste, and assorted seasoning. Then, it’s the fire roasted tomatoes and toppings of sour cream and chives that make this a hearty, satisfying December favorite.

Meatball Casserole

Transform what would otherwise be a basic meatball recipe into a delicious easy-to-prepare casserole with this colorful and inventive recipe that simmers ground pork and beef meatballs in a quick tomato sauce before topping them off with mozzarella before it’s all broiled. Top it off with fresh basil before you take pictures of this aesthetic and tasty dish.

For more delicious recipes, click here.