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25 Easy Meals Using a Pound of Ground Beef

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Need some new ideas for your usual pack of ground beef? These recipes make dinner exciting and are all really simple. You can make classic comfort food or try something new with big flavors. Each dish uses just one pound of beef, so it’s easy on your wallet. You’ll have a tasty and satisfying meal ready without a lot of fuss.

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Thai Basil Beef Stir Fry (Pad Gra Prow)

A white plate with a serving of white rice, topped with a sunny-side-up egg. Beside it is a stir-fry of ground meat with basil and chili peppers. Garnished with fresh basil, and red flowers are placed around the plate.
Thai Basil Beef Stir Fry (Pad Gra Prow). Photo by Coriander and Lace

This fast dish has ground beef cooked with garlic, chili, and fresh basil. Thai Basil Beef Stir Fry is packed with flavor and perfect over jasmine rice.
Get the recipe: Thai Basil Beef Stir Fry (Pad Gra Prow)

Ground Beef Taquitos

Three golden-brown, crispy taquitos filled with seasoned meat are arranged on a white plate with a small bowl of red salsa in the background. The taquitos have a deliciously crunchy texture, and the meat is slightly peeking out of each one.
Ground Beef Taquitos. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

These are crispy rolled tacos filled with seasoned ground beef. Ground Beef Taquitos are a fun and crunchy snack or meal with salsa.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Taquitos

Ground Beef Stir Fry

A skillet filled with a colorful stir-fry featuring ground meat, sliced carrots, broccoli florets, red bell peppers, and chopped green onions. A wooden spoon is in the skillet, and a striped cloth is nearby.
Ground Beef Stir Fry. Photo by Get Inspired Everyday

This quick meal has ground beef and lots of colorful vegetables in a simple sauce. Ground Beef Stir Fry is a fast and healthy weeknight dinner.
Get the recipe: Ground Beef Stir Fry

Mexican Picadillo

Mexican picadillo served on a white plate next to Mexican rice and chile pasado.
Mexican Picadillo. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

This savory dish mixes ground beef with potatoes in a flavorful tomato sauce. Mexican Picadillo is a classic and easy meal that’s great over rice.
Get Recipe: Mexican Picadillo

Easy Baked Spaghetti Squash with Beef and Veggies

A white plate holds spaghetti squash topped with a mix of ground beef, green bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms, garnished with fresh parsley. A fork rests on the side of the plate, set on a rustic wooden surface.
Easy Baked Spaghetti Squash with Beef and Veggies. Photo by Vibrantly G Free

Spaghetti squash strands are topped with a savory ground beef and vegetable sauce. This Easy Baked Spaghetti Squash with Beef is a healthy, low-carb meal.
Get the recipe: Easy Baked Spaghetti Squash with Beef and Veggies

Sweet Potato Cottage Pie

A plate of homemade shepherd's pie with a golden-brown baked top, featuring a filling of minced meat, peas, carrots, and potatoes. Surrounding the plate are garlic cloves, a fork, and a blue napkin on a gray surface.
Sweet Potato Cottage Pie. Photo credit: An Edible Mosaic.

This cozy pie has a savory beef and vegetable filling under a sweet potato topping. Sweet Potato Cottage Pie is a hearty and comforting dinner.
Get the recipe: Sweet Potato Cottage Pie

Lettuce Wraps With Ground Beef

A plate of lettuce wraps filled with ground meat, diced vegetables, and topped with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. The wraps are arranged neatly, displaying vibrant shades of green, orange, and brown. Small bowls of sesame seeds and green onions are nearby.
Lettuce Wraps With Ground Beef. Photo by Clean Eating Couple

These are a light meal with tasty, seasoned beef served in crisp lettuce leaves. Lettuce Wraps with Ground Beef are a healthy and low-carb option.
Get the recipe: Lettuce Wraps With Ground Beef

Slow Cooker Chipotle Chili

A bowl of chili topped with sour cream, shredded cheese, and chopped green onions, resting on a patterned cloth. A wooden spoon and scattered green onions are in the background.
Slow Cooker Chipotle Chili. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

This chili is full of ground beef, beans, and smoky chipotle flavor. Slow Cooker Chipotle Chili is an easy, set-it-and-forget-it dinner.
Get Recipe: Slow Cooker Chipotle Chili

Stuffed Pepper Casserole Recipe

A skillet filled with cheesy stuffed pepper casserole, featuring melted cheese, ground meat, rice, and colorful bell peppers. A spoon rests in the dish, and a small bowl of chopped herbs is nearby on the table.
Stuffed Pepper Casserole. Photo credit: Well Plated By Erin.

This casserole has all the flavors of stuffed peppers with ground beef, rice, and cheese. Stuffed Pepper Casserole is a simple, all-in-one dinner.
Get the recipe: Stuffed Pepper Casserole Recipe

Fideo con Carne (Mexican Beef and Pasta)

Fideo con Carne in a decorative clay bowl topped with sour cream and chopped cilantro.
Fideo con Carne. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

This is a Mexican stew with thin noodles, potatoes, and ground beef in a rich broth. Fideo con Carne is a super satisfying and comforting dish.
Get the recipe: Fideo con Carne

Irish Inspired Ground Beef Stew

A copper bowl filled with beef stew containing chunks of meat, potatoes, and carrots. The bowl is on a newspaper-patterned surface, accompanied by slices of toasted bread. In the background, there is an onion and a garlic bulb.
Irish Inspired Ground Beef Stew. Photo by Kim Schob

This hearty stew is full of ground beef, potatoes, and carrots in a rich broth. Irish Inspired Ground Beef Stew is a warm and comforting meal.
Get the recipe: Irish Inspired Ground Beef Stew

Pasta e Fagioli Soup – One Pot Olive Garden Copycat

A hearty pot of minestrone soup with ditalini pasta, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, carrots, celery, and ground meat in a rich broth. Topped with parsley and shaved Parmesan cheese. The pot is on a marble surface.
Pasta e Fagioli Soup – One Pot Olive Garden Copycat. Photo by Hollis Homestead

This Olive Garden copycat soup has pasta, beans, ground beef, and vegetables. Pasta e Fagioli Soup is a rich and satisfying one-pot meal.
Get the recipe: Pasta e Fagioli Soup – One Pot Olive Garden Copycat

Best Beef Pasta Hamburger Helper {without Milk}

A close-up of a spoonful of macaroni and beef in a rich, savory sauce. The background features more of the pasta dish, slightly out of focus.
Best Beef Pasta Hamburger Helper. Photo by Healthy Kids Recipes

This homemade version is a creamy pasta dish with ground beef and no milk. The Best Beef Pasta Hamburger Helper is a tastier take on the boxed classic.
Get the recipe: Best Beef Pasta Hamburger Helper {without Milk}

Ground Beef and Broccoli

Two bowls of white rice topped with beef and broccoli stir-fry, garnished with green onions. Wooden chopsticks rest on the bowls. A light background with a cloth napkin adds to the presentation.
Asian-inspired Ground Beef and Broccoli. Photo credit: Wholesome Made Easy.

This easy dinner has ground beef and broccoli in a simple Asian-inspired sauce. Ground Beef and Broccoli is a faster version of the takeout favorite.
Get the recipe: Ground Beef and Broccoli

Ground Beef Stroganoff (Stovetop Recipe)

A skillet filled with egg noodles topped with creamy beef stroganoff. Sliced mushrooms and chopped parsley are scattered on top. A wooden spoon is beside the skillet on a wooden table with a blue napkin and some parsley sprigs.
Ground Beef Stroganoff. Photo by The Slow Roasted Italian

This creamy pasta dish is made with ground beef and a rich, sour cream sauce. Ground Beef Stroganoff is a comforting classic that’s ready fast.
Get the recipe: Ground Beef Stroganoff (Stovetop Recipe)

One Pot Mexican Beef and Beans

One Pot Mexican Beef and Beans - Savor the flavors of this easy beef recipe. Made in one pot and absolutely perfect for busy weeknights- by Mama Maggie's Kitchen
One Pot Mexican Beef and Beans. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

This simple dish combines seasoned ground beef with beans in one pot. One Pot Mexican Beef and Beans is flavorful and makes cleanup easy.
Get the recipe: One Pot Mexican Beef and Beans

Braised Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

A plate of spaghetti topped with tomato sauce and two large meatballs, placed on a wooden table. The dish is served on a white plate with a dark border.
Braised Meatballs in Tomato Sauce. Ugly Duckling Bakery

These tender meatballs simmer in a rich and simple marinara sauce. Braised Meatballs in Tomato Sauce are perfect over pasta or in a sandwich.
Get the recipe: Braised Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Chili Mac Recipe: A One Pot Dinner

Two bowls and a pot filled with hearty tomato-based pasta soup, topped with shredded cheese, are placed on a white and blue striped cloth. Spoons are in each bowl, ready for serving.
Chili Mac Recipe. Photo by On Sutton Place

This one-pot meal mixes the flavors of chili with macaroni and cheese. Chili Mac Recipe is a super satisfying and family-friendly dinner.
Get the recipe: Chili Mac Recipe: A One Pot Dinner

Juicy 1-Pound Meatloaf Recipe

A plate with a slice of meatloaf topped with ketchup, fluffy mashed potatoes, and steamed broccoli and carrots, all served on a white dish.
Juicy 1-Pound Meatloaf Recipe. Photo by Caramel and Cashews

This smaller meatloaf is tender, juicy, and topped with a tangy glaze. The Juicy 1-Pound Meatloaf Recipe is a classic and easy dinner.
Get the recipe: Juicy 1-Pound Meatloaf Recipe

Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

A dish of shepherd's pie with sweet potato topping in a glass baking dish. Part of the topping is scooped out, revealing the savory filling underneath. A white cloth with embroidery is beside the dish on a wooden surface.
Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie. Photo by The Clean Happy Life

Savory ground beef and vegetables are topped with creamy mashed sweet potatoes. Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie is a colorful and comforting twist on the classic.
Get the recipe: Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

Cheeseburger Salad with Secret Sauce Dressing

A colorful salad in a bowl topped with grilled chicken, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, shredded cheese, and a drizzle of dressing. Two black utensils rest in the bowl. A napkin, cherry tomatoes, and a bottle of dressing are beside it.
Cheeseburger Salad with Secret Sauce Dressing, Photo By Get Inspired Everyday

This salad has all the flavors of a cheeseburger with a special sauce dressing. Cheeseburger Salad with Secret Sauce is a fun and lighter dinner option.
Get the recipe: Cheeseburger Salad with Secret Sauce Dressing

Savory Pumpkin Stew

A bowl of soup contains chunks of potatoes, ground meat, and leafy greens, garnished with fresh basil leaves. The broth appears rich and seasoned, with a warm color. The bowl is white, placed on a white surface.
Savory Pumpkin Stew. Photo by Vibrantly G Free

This hearty stew combines ground beef with pumpkin and warm spices. Savory Pumpkin Stew is a cozy, big-batch meal that’s full of flavor.
Get the recipe: Savory Pumpkin Stew

Big Mac Tacos {Smash Burger Tacos}

A flatbread topped with ground meat, sliced pickles, shredded lettuce, and a drizzle of sauce. Surrounding the flatbread are additional pickle slices, lettuce shreds, and a tomato slice on a white surface.
Big Mac Tacos {Smash Burger Tacos}. Photo by Haute and Healthy Living

These small tacos are filled with ground beef and taste just like the famous burger. Big Mac Tacos are a fun and trendy dinner or snack.
Get the recipe: Big Mac Tacos {Smash Burger Tacos}

Ground Beef Layered Hummus

Oval platter with creamy hummus topped with ground meat, diced cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, and crumbled feta cheese. Garnished with parsley and served with a small spoon. Vegetables and herbs visible on the side.
Ground Beef Layered Hummus. Photo by A Cedar Spoon

Creamy hummus is topped with spiced ground beef and fresh vegetables. Ground Beef Layered Hummus is a tasty and unique appetizer or light meal.
Get the recipe: Ground Beef Layered Hummus

Stovetop Chili

A bowl of chili topped with shredded cheese, chopped avocado, and green onions. A spoon is placed in the bowl. The dish is served on a white plate.
Stovetop Chili. Photo credit: The Feathered Nester.

This simple chili is made with ground beef, beans, and tomatoes. Stovetop Chili is a hearty and easy meal you can make any night.
Get the recipe: Stovetop Chili

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