10 Quick and Easy Ground Beef Dinner Recipes for Busy Families

10 Quick & Easy Ground Beef Dinner Recipes Your Whole Family Will Love

Struggling to find dinner ideas that the whole family will devour without complaints? Ground beef could be your go-to ingredient in the kitchen! It’s versatile, quick to cook, budget-friendly, and can be transformed into a variety of dishes that even the pickiest eaters will enjoy. 

Whether you’re looking for comfort food, something healthy, or a bit of spice, this list of ground beef recipes for dinner will make your life easier while satisfying everyone’s taste buds. Let’s dig in!

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1. Classic Ground Beef Tacos

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Time to Prep: 20 minutes 

Make dinnertime exciting with ground beef tacos! Seasoned with a mix of spices—think chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and paprika—this recipe delivers bold flavors wrapped in a warm tortilla. 

Ingredients: 

• 1 lb ground beef 
• 1 tbsp chili powder 
• 1 tsp cumin 
• 1 tsp garlic powder 
• 1/2 tsp paprika 
• Salt and pepper to taste 
• 8 small tortillas (flour or corn) 
• Shredded lettuce 
• Shredded cheese 
• Diced tomatoes 
• Sour cream 

Instructions: 

1. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat. 
2. Add chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to the beef. Stir well and simmer for 2-3 minutes. 
3. Warm the tortillas in a pan or microwave. 
4. Assemble the tacos: fill each tortilla with seasoned beef, then top with lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, and sour cream (or your favorite toppings). 

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2. One-Pan Ground Beef and Veggie Bake

Time to Prep: 30 minutes 

Who doesn’t love a dump-and-bake recipe? This quick dinner idea is packed with protein and veggies, great for sneaking in some extra greens. 

Ingredients: 

• 1 lb ground beef 
• 2 cups chopped veggies (e.g., zucchini, bell peppers, carrots) 
• 1 tsp garlic powder 
• 1 tsp paprika 
• 1/2 tsp salt 
• 1/2 tsp black pepper 
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 

Instructions: 

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). 
2. In a casserole dish, combine ground beef, chopped veggies, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything evenly. 
3. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the top. 
4. Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden. 
5. Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your one-pan dinner! 

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3. Quick Ground Beef Stir-Fry

Time to Prep: 25 minutes 

Craving something quick and flavorful? This stir-fry is a lifesaver for busy weeknights! 

Ingredients: 

• 1 lb ground beef 
• 1 tbsp sesame oil 
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced 
• 2 cups stir-fry veggies (e.g., broccoli, snap peas, bell peppers) 
• 3 tbsp soy sauce 
• 2 tbsp hoisin sauce 
• 1 tsp honey 
• Cooked rice or noodles (for serving) 

Instructions: 

1. Heat sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. 
2. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. 
3. Stir in garlic and ginger, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. 
4. Add your choice of stir-fry veggies and cook for 3-5 minutes until tender-crisp. 
5. In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and honey. Pour the sauce into the skillet and stir to coat everything evenly. 
6. Serve hot over rice or noodles and enjoy your quick and flavorful meal! 

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4. Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

Time to Prep: 30 minutes 

There’s something magical about a skillet full of cheesy pasta goodness! This dish is comfort food at its finest.  

Ingredients: 

• 1 pound ground beef 
• 1 small onion, diced 
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 
• 2 cups marinara sauce 
• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth 
• 8 ounces uncooked pasta (penne or rotini work well) 
• 1 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese 

Instructions: 

1. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until softened. 
2. Stir in marinara sauce, chicken broth, and uncooked pasta. Mix well and bring it to a simmer. 
3. Cover the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender (about 10-12 minutes). 
4. Once the pasta is cooked, sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top. 
5. Place under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden. 
6. Serve hot with garlic bread and enjoy! 

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5. Mini Ground Beef Meatloaf Muffins

Time to Prep: 35 minutes 

Making meatloaf in muffin tins is a genius hack to save time and add a fun twist to a classic dish. Plus, they’re kid-friendly! 

Ingredients: 

• 1 lb ground beef 
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs 
• 1 egg 
• 2 tbsp ketchup 
• 1 tsp salt 
• 1/2 tsp pepper 
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder 
• 1/2 tsp onion powder 
• 1/4 cup BBQ sauce 

Instructions: 

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a muffin tin. 
2. In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, ketchup, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until well combined. 
3. Divide the mixture evenly among the muffin tin cups, pressing it down lightly to form individual meatloaf muffins. 
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until fully cooked. 
5. Brush the tops with BBQ sauce and bake for an additional 5 minutes. 
6. Let cool slightly before removing from the tin. Serve with mashed potatoes and green beans for a complete meal. 

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6. Ground Beef and Black Bean Quesadillas

Time to Prep: 20 minutes 

Crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside—quesadillas are always a crowd-pleaser. Adding black beans to ground beef makes this recipe even heartier. 

Ingredients: 

• 1 lb ground beef 
• 1 cup black beans (cooked or canned, drained and rinsed) 
• 1 tsp chili powder 
• 1/2 tsp cumin 
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder 
• Salt and pepper to taste 
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Monterey Jack) 
• 4 large flour tortillas 
• 1 tbsp olive oil (for cooking) 
• Guacamole and salsa (for serving) 

Instructions: 

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef, and cook until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary. 
2. Stir in black beans, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes until heated through. 
3. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over two tortillas, add the beef and bean mixture on top, then sprinkle more cheese. Place the remaining tortillas on top to make a sandwich. 
4. Heat a clean skillet over medium heat with a little olive oil. Carefully place a quesadilla in the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden and crispy. Repeat with the second quesadilla. 
5. Slice into wedges and serve with guacamole and salsa on the side. 

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7. Easy Ground Beef Chili

Time to Prep: 35 minutes 

Nothing beats a steaming bowl of chili, especially on chilly nights (pun intended)! 

Ingredients 

• 1 lb ground beef 
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed 
• 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes 
• 1 small onion, diced 
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 
• 1 tbsp chili powder 
• 1 tsp cumin 
• 1 tsp paprika 
• Salt and pepper to taste 
• Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions 
• Optional side: cornbread 

Instructions 

1. In a large pot, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat. 
2. Add the diced onion and garlic to the pot, cooking until softened, about 3 minutes. 
3. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute to toast the spices. 
4. Add the kidney beans and diced tomatoes (with their juices) to the pot. Stir well to combine. 
5. Reduce the heat and let the chili simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thick and flavorful. 
6. Serve hot, topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, and green onions. Add cornbread on the side for extra comfort! 

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8. Ground Beef Stuffed Bell Peppers

Time to Prep: 40 minutes 

Stuffed bell peppers are colorful, filling, and surprisingly easy to make. 

Ingredients: 

• 4 large bell peppers (any color) 
• 1 lb ground beef 
• 1 cup cooked rice 
• 1 cup tomato sauce 
• 1 cup shredded cheese (e.g., cheddar or mozzarella) 
• 1 small onion, diced (optional) 
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional) 
• 1 tsp salt 
• 1/2 tsp black pepper 
• 1/2 tsp paprika (optional) 

Instructions: 

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). 
2. Cut off the tops of the bell peppers, remove the seeds and membranes, and hollow them out. Place the peppers in a baking dish. 
3. In a skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Add diced onion and garlic if using, and sauté until softened. 
4. Stir in the cooked rice, tomato sauce, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Mix well. 
5. Fill each bell pepper with the beef and rice mixture, pressing down gently to pack. Top with shredded cheese. 
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly. 
7. Serve warm and enjoy! 

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9. Simple Ground Beef Shepherd’s Pie

Time to Prep: 50 minutes 

Shepherd’s pie is a true comfort food classic that satisfies all the right notes. 

Ingredients: 

• 1 lb ground beef 
• 1 onion, diced 
• 2 carrots, diced 
• 1 cup frozen peas 
• 2 cups mashed potatoes (prepared) 
• 1 cup shredded cheese (optional) 
• 1 tbsp olive oil 
• 1 tbsp tomato paste 
• 1/2 cup beef broth 
• 1 tsp garlic powder 
• Salt and pepper to taste 

Instructions: 

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). 
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced onion and carrots until softened. 
3. Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned. Drain any excess grease. 
4. Stir in tomato paste, beef broth, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes. 
5. Mix in frozen peas and remove from heat. Spread the mixture evenly in a baking dish. 
6. Spread mashed potatoes over the beef layer, smoothing the top. 
7. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top (optional). 
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and slightly crisp. 
9. Let it cool for a few minutes, then serve with a green salad for a complete meal. 

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10. Ground Beef and Rice Bowls

Time to Prep: 25 minutes 

For a lighter, healthier option, these rice bowls are endlessly customizable and perfect for families with varying tastes. 

Ingredients: 

• 1 lb ground beef 
• 2 tbsp soy sauce 
• 2 cloves minced garlic 
• 1 tbsp lime juice 
• 2 cups cooked rice 
• 1 cucumber, sliced 
• 1 carrot, shredded 
• 1 avocado, sliced 
• Sriracha or creamy dressing (optional, for topping) 

Instructions: 

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the ground beef until browned. 
2. Add soy sauce, minced garlic, and lime juice to the skillet. Stir well and cook for another 2-3 minutes. 
3. Divide the cooked rice into bowls as the base. 
4. Spoon the ground beef mixture over the rice. 
5. Top each bowl with fresh veggies like cucumbers, shredded carrots, and avocado slices. 
6. Drizzle with sriracha or creamy dressing for extra flavor, if desired. 

Read More:

• 8 Easy Sheet Pan Dinner Recipes You’ll Love
• 8 Quick Rice Bowl Recipes for Easy Weeknight Dinners

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Why These Recipes Work for Busy Families

Each of these recipes proves that ground beef recipes for dinner don’t have to be boring or complicated. They’re quick, easy, and delicious, making them perfect for busy parents and anyone looking for fresh, flavorful, easy family dinners.

These dishes, ranging from tacos to rice bowls, perfectly balance variety, taste, and convenience. Save yourself the stress of deciding “what’s for dinner”—add some of these recipes to your weekly rotation today!

Happy cooking!

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