Long day? No problem. I can slap together a meal with ground beef without needing to do any planning. I can even do this with an empty fridge. When it’s meal time for the whole family and the kids are getting hangry, it’s also beef to the rescue. It cooks fast, goes with any pasta or rice, and I can even make it into a different meal so I’m not stuck with the same thing over and over again.
It may not solve every dinner problem, but it is super easy and reliable for a lot of families. I have 34 meals that I can make. Some may be classics like Tacos but others are may be pantry miracles.
Rachael’s Nutrition Note If you are watching your saturated fat intake, choose 97% lean ground beef. 1) Spaghetti Bolognese
I guess I can say I’ve made a “real” Bolognese, the one you have to do a long simmer for, and I’ve made the Tuesday type that’s done in 30 minutes. While the pasta is cooking, do the ground beef with the onions and garlic, and then put in some crushed tomatoes and a little bit of tomato paste, let it bubble. If your sauce is too sharp, just put in a bit of milk to soften it up. And please when you are done, add some Parmesan cheese on top, and if you don’t have some that’s fine.
Contents
- 2) Regular Beef Tacos
- 3) Sloppy Joes
- 4) Beef And Broccoli Stir-Fry
- 5) Beef Chili
- 6) Beef Enchiladas
- 7) Hamburger Helper
- 8) Kofta Meatballs
- 9) Simple Meatloaf
- 10) Stuffed Peppers
- 11) Taco Rice Skillet
- 12) Cottage Pie
- 13) Swedish Meatballs
- 14) Beef Quesadillas
- 15) Basil Beef
- 16) Taco Salad
- 17) Beef Lasagna
- 18) Korean Beef Bowls
- 20) Beef Vegetable Soup
- 21) Beef Empanadas
- 22) Beef Nachos
- 23) Greek Beef Pitas
- 24) Beef Potato Hash
- 25) Beef Lettuce Wraps
- 26) Stuffed Shells
- 27) Beef Picadillo
- 28) Beef Ramen
- 29) Beef Manicotti
- 31) Beef Casserole
- 32) Bulgogi Beef Bowls
- 33) Beef Minestrone
- 34. Cheeseburgers
2) Regular Beef Tacos
Taco night is like an event where everyone gets to make their own signature deal. I like adding some ground beef with cumin, chili powder, and a touch of oregano to the pan. I loosen it with water, so it can stick to the tortilla. Put out the topping bowls and let the picky eaters serve themselves. A little squeeze of lime will make it taste better.
3) Sloppy Joes
Children will find the mess appealing. Think ketchup-mustard-pickle vibes, but in a spoonable beef mixture that you pile into buns I normally cut the pickles up and mix them into the meat so every bite has that tang. If you’re trying to reach some sort of cosmic balance, eat this with some oven fries or carrot sticks.
4) Beef And Broccoli Stir-Fry
My possible answer for “I meant to buy flank steak, but I didn’t” is beef. Ground beef browns in no time and broccoli is meant to get tossed in a garlic soy ginger sauce. If you want it glossy and clingy, a cornstarch slurry will do the trick. Quick, a bit salty, and super good.
5) Beef Chili
Chili is pretty forgiving. Almost too forgiving. You brown the beef, throw in some onions, chili powder, cumin, a can of tomatoes, and a can of beans, and let it simmer until it smells like you did some work. Some people like it really spicy. I keep it at medium but have hot sauce on the side. If any of the leftovers make it through the night, they taste even better the next day.
6) Beef Enchiladas
I love eating enchiladas, but after a long day the thought of rolling them is a little daunting. This recipe is like an enchilada casserole, with layers in the skillet of ripped up tortillas, beef in sauce, cheese, and then repeat. Cover and let everything steam, then add the cheese to the top to let it melt. It gives you a similar level of comfort with way less work.
7) Hamburger Helper
This meal is both simple and nostalgic. You brown some ground beef, mix it with a kind of pasta, broth, and some milk, and let it simmer until the noodles soak everything up. A sprinkle of cheddar cheese takes it right to the next level. And if you want to add peas, that’s totally okay.
8) Kofta Meatballs
These prevent us from falling into a “not tomato sauce again?” routine. Mix the beef with onion, garlic, cumin, coriander, and parsley. Shape into balls and either pan-sear or bake. A simple yogurt sauce keeps things cool and tangy (just yogurt, lemon, salt). If you serve this with rice or flatbread, dinner will feel very intentional.
9) Simple Meatloaf
Meatloaf has a reputation for being retro
It’s honestly a kind of magic. The addition of breadcrumbs and eggs allows the meat to stretch and hold everything together. The loaf shape also allows for those lovely browned edges that people like to fight over! I do a really simple glaze of ketchup, a bit of brown sugar, and a splash of vinegar because it reminds me of childhood (the good parts). Bake it until the middle gets to 160 degrees, and then let it cool for a couple minutes before cutting. Leftover slices make great sandwiches.
10) Stuffed Peppers
A simple, yet elegant meal are stuffed peppers. Mix some cooked rice, spices, chopped tomatoes, and browned beef together and stuff them into sliced peppers to be baked. If your family doesn’t want to eat the peppers, chop and put them in the bottom of a casserole dish. The flavors are warm and welcoming.
11) Taco Rice Skillet
This is the meal I make when I want taco flavor but don’t want to put a ton of toppings on the table. Brown the beef and mix in the taco spices, then add the rice and broth and let it boil until the rice is cooked. If you want to, you can also add corn or beans. It’s easy to serve, reheats well for leftover meals, and is great for lunch the next day.
12) Cottage Pie
A cottage pie is the mashed potato topped classic’s beef counterpart and it’s the type of dinner that makes an ordinary weeknight feel special. The beef and vegetable layer is like a thick hearty stew and above it is mashed potatoes that brown in the oven I love using a fork to create ridges on the potatoes before cooking so that they become nice and crisp. It’s comfort food with personality.
13) Swedish Meatballs
Even though this is made with basic ingredients from the pantry, it feels like a special little treat. Sear meatballs, then make a quick sauce Here’s a trick! Use some broth, a bit of cream (or milk), and a spoonful of Dijon mustard. The sauce will have a lovely warmth with the addition of some nutmeg. It can be a bit divisive, but I promise it’s great! Serve it over some noodles or mashed potatoes and watch it disappear.
14) Beef Quesadillas
For me, quesadillas are perfect for emergency dinners in the case that they need to be whipped up quickly. Beef seasoned with cumin and garlic, some cheese spread on the tortillas, and then they are toasted until they are crunchy. If they don’t crunch, just let them sit in the pan for another minute. If you want, you can serve it with some sour cream and it will feel more complete.
15) Basil Beef
Inspired by Thai pad kra pao, this one has been adjusted to fit life with normal grocery stores. Brown your beef quickly then add your garlic, chilies (or chili flakes), soy sauce, and sugar (just a bit). Wait to add the basil until the end and let it wilt to your liking. At my house, the fried egg on top is non-negotiable. It takes it from a “quick stir-fry” to “restaurant craving solved.”
16) Taco Salad
When I feel like I want tacos, but want to feel virtuous, I make taco salad. I place a good amount of beef on the seasoned and crisp lettuce and then add my layers of beans, tomato, and crushed tortilla chips. I like to top it with salsa mixed with a bit of sour cream (or plain yogurt) and dig in. It is messy and it is crunchy, but it is so entertaining to eat.
17) Beef Lasagna
Lasagna can take a lot of time, but can still be easy! Ricotta and mozzarella are perfect suggestions for your cheesy layer, and jarred marinara with some browned beef will do just fine for a meat sauce. I have survived using no-boil noodles more times than I can count. Just give it some time before slicing, or you might end up with “lasagna soup”. While this may actually be delicious, it’s definitely messy.
18) Korean Beef Bowls
This one has people too close to the stove “just to sample” all the good stuff. They just want to try it. The sauce couldn’t be easier. Just soy sauce, with some brown sugar (or honey) and garlic with sesame oil. If you want to be a grater of ginger, add that too. Serve with rice and quick cucumbers 19) Salisbury Meatballs
This dish is an old school classic. You’ll form the ground beef into patties or big meatballs, sear them, then let them cook in a simple onion gravy. The gravy is key because you want to make sure there’s enough to cover the potatoes. This is definitely a table silencer kind of meal.
20) Beef Vegetable Soup
Soups that use ground beef are better when you brown the ground beef first. Then you put in the soup base with the soup veggies, throw in the beef, and let it cook for multiple hours. I also like to add some small pasta or barley to increase how filling the soup is. You can serve some bread with it.
21) Beef Empanadas
I like making these when I want to make something that will still be able to be counted as dinner. You can buy pie dough or puff pastry from the store and make them portable and make way less mess. Fill it with the seasoned beef and onion, fold it, pinch the edges, and oven bake them to finish. Whichever way you decide to heat them up, don’t use the microwave. They taste best from the oven.
22) Beef Nachos
If you treat nachos with some respect, you could make them dinner. Don’t just put toppings on the top. Lay chips, beef, nachos, and cheese evenly so that each portion has toppings. Let the cheese melt in the oven and then put some fresh toppings and salsa on the top. At first, everyone will want to use forks to eat, but then nobody will use them and they will eat with their hands.
23) Greek Beef Pitas
This is a good impersonation of a gyro, especially for a weeknight one. Season beef with oregano, garlic, and a bit of cinnamon for the extra adventurous, then go for it! Soft pita is so nice and the yogurt, cucumber, and a splash of lemon sauce really brings freshness! And of course, the best part is the warm beef and everything sauce in the pita – real food evidence.
24) Beef Potato Hash
Hash is dinner for people who don’t want to… admit they’re making breakfast for dinner The instructions u2014 simple as they are u2014 do not even mention that the most important step is to crisp the eggs so that they are the top most crunchy element of the dish. The rest is just about assembling the other ingredients. It is crispy, rich, and immensely gratifying.
25) Beef Lettuce Wraps
I like to make lettuce wraps when I’m eating heavier meals or when my pants start getting tight. I do a stir-fry with beef, garlic, soy sauce, and a little bit of sweetness, and then I serve it in crispy lettuce wraps. For added crunch, I also do shredded carrots or cucumbers. They are light but still feel like a meal. Here is a recipe for chicken lettuce wraps if that’s what you like.
26) Stuffed Shells
Stuffed shells are really fun and relaxing to make, like you’re doing edible origami. You mix the ground beef with ricotta and herbs, fill the shells, cover with marinara, then bake with mozzarella If you have a lot going on later in the evening, you can get ready before. Put together a salad and unwind while the oven does the job.
27) Beef Picadillo
Picadillo is a mix of sweet and salty tastes from tomatoes, warm spices, and sometimes olives. I like to add diced potatoes so it becomes a complete meal all in one pot. You can eat it with rice, or you can use it to fill tortillas. If your family isn’t so sure about olives, you might want to start with a bit, since they tend to grow on people.
28) Beef Ramen
The possibilities of instant ramen with a little creativity is endless! First, you start by browning some beef with garlic and a splash of soy sauce. Then, mix that into the ramen broth and noodles. If you’re feeling extra, toss in some spinach or bok choy and maybe crack an egg in there. You’ll be surprised how quick and satisfying it is when you need something quick and delicious!
29) Beef Manicotti
Manicotti is a great option for a Sunday family dinner, but when you simplify the filling, this can easily be done for a weeknight dinner recipe as well. A combo of beef, ricotta, and spinach is delicious and filling without being too heavy. You can use a zip-top bag (seriously, do it) and snip off a corner to fill the tubes (less mess, less regrets). Once you bake and let it cool for a few minutes, it’ll be extra cheesy and bubbly and ready to serve.
30) Beef Curry Ground beef curry is a pantry dinner I guess you’d made some sort of plan for this meal. Cook the onions, then add the curry powder (or paste), brown the beef, then cook it with the tomatoes and potatoes until they are soft. Soothe the taste with some coconut milk if it is too strong. It can also be served with rice and, if you want to keep things balanced, perhaps a cucumber salad.
31) Beef Casserole
This is for the evenings when you want something more substantial that doesn’t take much time. Just do a simple base of beef and tomatoes (you can even add beans), and then put a cornbread batter on top and bake it. The cornbread gets crispy on the top and softer on the bottom, doing 2 things at once. It’s even better with a bit of butter on top, which is mildly excessive in the best way.
32) Bulgogi Beef Bowls
This is like the Korean beef bowl, but styled more like a ‘taco-bowl cousin’. Sweet soy-garlic sauce should be drizzled on top, with a base of rice, then shredded lettuce, and hot beef for the hot and cool contrast. A swirl of sriracha mayo (or just sriracha) gives it a nice kick. It’s a fun way to stretch a pound of beef through several bowls.
33) Beef Minestrone
When I want a soup that’s filling, the first thing that comes to my mind is beef minestrone. Brown the beef first, then add the onions, carrots and celery, followed by canned tomatoes, beans, and a broth. Add the small pasta near the end to avoid mush. Even if the day wasn’t good, a sprinkle of Parmesan makes it taste complete.
34. Cheeseburgers
Sometimes it’s best to keep things simple! Burgers are always a great option. Just be sure to form your patties gently (if you do it too much they’ll be tight), season them, and toss them on a hot skillet or grill pan to cook them until they’re browned and juicy. Then add cheese and cover them for a bit so it melts. Lastly, you can set out as many toppings as you like and everybody can create their own!
