16 Easy Meals with Ground Beef – Ready in 30 Minutes

Ground beef is a budget friendly protein that can turn into a delicious dinner in minutes.

Whether you want something cheesy, delicious, or healthy, these ground beef recipes are perfect for busy nights. They are packed with flavor and don’t require fancy ingredients or long prep times.

From family favorites to new twists, these easy ground beef meals will save you time without sacrificing taste. Let’s dive into some simple and satisfying dishes your whole family will love.

1. One-Pan Ground Beef and Rice Skillet

This easy ground beef and rice meal is cooked all in one pan with less mess and more flavor. With tender rice, savory beef, and colorful veggies, it is a perfect family dinner that’s both filling and fast.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

1 cup uncooked rice

2 cups beef broth

1 cup frozen peas and carrots

1 small onion, diced

1 tsp garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

Steps For the Recipe:

Brown ground beef and onion in a skillet.

Add rice, broth, vegetables, and spices.

Cover and simmer for 20 minutes until rice is cooked.

2. Ground Beef Tacos

Taco night just got easier with this quick ground beef taco recipe, seasoned to perfection and ready in under 20 minutes, it is a delicious option that the whole family will devour.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

1 packet taco seasoning

1/4 cup water

Taco shells

Toppings: lettuce, tomato, cheese, sour cream

Steps For the Recipe:

Brown beef, drain fat.

Add seasoning and water, simmer for 5 minutes.

Spoon into taco shells and top as desired.

3. Easy Ground Beef Pasta Bake

This easy beef pasta bake is cheesy, comforting, and perfect for busy weeknights. With just a few ingredients, it is a perfect dinner for any day of the week.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

2 cups cooked pasta

1 jar marinara sauce

1 cup shredded mozzarella

1 tsp Italian seasoning

Steps For the Recipe:

Brown ground beef, mix with marinara sauce.

Combine with pasta and place in a baking dish.

Top with cheese and bake at 375°F for 15 minutes.

4. Ground Beef Stuffed Peppers

These ground beef stuffed bell peppers are colorful, healthy, and loaded with flavor. A low carb option that is still super satisfying and surprisingly simple to make.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

4 bell peppers, halved and deseeded

1/2 cup cooked rice

1/2 cup tomato sauce

1/2 cup shredded cheese

Salt, pepper, garlic powder

Steps For the Recipe:

Brown beef, mix with rice, tomato sauce, and seasonings.

Fill pepper halves, top with cheese.

Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes.

5. Ground Beef Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes are the ultimate easy ground beef comfort food. Sweet, tangy, and saucy. This recipe comes together fast and is perfect for casual weeknight dinners.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

1/2 cup ketchup

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tbsp brown sugar

1/4 cup chopped onion

Burger buns

Steps For the Recipe:

Cook beef and onion, drain.

Stir in ketchup, Worcestershire, and sugar.

Simmer for 5 minutes, serve on buns.

6. Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps

These healthy ground beef lettuce wraps are quick, fresh, and low carb, perfect for lunch or dinner. They are packed with flavor and crunch without the extra calories.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

2 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp hoisin sauce

1 tsp garlic, minced

1/2 cup shredded carrots

Romaine or butter lettuce leaves

Steps For the Recipe:

Cook beef with garlic, soy, and hoisin sauce.

Stir in carrots.

Scoop into lettuce leaves and serve.

7. Beef and Bean Burrito Bowls

Build your own easy burrito bowl with ground beef in just 30 minutes. Packed with beans, rice, and fresh toppings, it is a protein rich meal with endless flavor combos.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

1 can black beans, drained

1 cup cooked rice

1 tsp cumin

Toppings: avocado, cheese, salsa, sour cream

Steps For the Recipe:

Cook beef with cumin, mix in beans.

Layer rice, beef, and toppings in a bowl.

Serve warm or cold.

8. Ground Beef Zucchini Skillet

This low carb ground beef and zucchini skillet is a one pan wonder full of protein and fresh veggies Recipe. It is ideal for clean eating and perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

2 zucchinis, chopped

1/2 onion, diced

1 tsp Italian seasoning

Salt and pepper

Steps For the Recipe:

Brown beef with onion.

Add zucchini and seasoning.

Cook until veggies are tender and serve.

9. Beef and Cheese Quesadillas

These quick ground beef quesadillas are cheesy, crispy, and kid approved. Ready in just 15 minutes, they are perfect for a snack, lunch, or dinner.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

1 tsp taco seasoning

1 cup shredded cheese

Flour tortillas

Steps For the Recipe:

Cook beef with seasoning.

Place beef and cheese on one half of tortilla, fold.

Cook on skillet until golden and crispy.

10. Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

This ground beef and broccoli stir fry is a quick and healthier alternative to takeout, Loaded with flavor and protein, it is a 20 minute meal perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

2 cups broccoli florets

2 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp sesame oil

1 tsp garlic, minced

1 tsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water

Steps For the Recipe:

Cook beef and garlic until browned.

Add broccoli and soy sauce, cover to steam for 5 mins.

Mix cornstarch slurry if desired, simmer until thick.

11. Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Hash

This hearty beef and sweet potato hash is full of flavor, color, and protein. It is perfect for breakfast for dinner nights and comes together in one skillet.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

2 medium sweet potatoes, diced

1/2 red bell pepper, diced

1/2 onion, diced

1 tsp smoked paprika

Salt and pepper

Steps For the Recipe:

Fry sweet potatoes until softened.

Add beef, onion, and pepper, cook until browned.

Season, stir well, and serve.

12. Easy Ground Beef Stroganoff

This easy ground beef stroganoff is creamy, comforting, and comes together in under 30 minutes. It is a family favorite served over noodles or mashed potatoes.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

1 small onion, chopped

1 cup sliced mushrooms

1/2 cup sour cream

1 cup beef broth

2 cups egg noodles (cooked)

Steps For the Recipe:

Cook beef, onion, and mushrooms until soft.

Stir in broth and simmer 10 mins.

Mix in sour cream, serve over noodles.

13. Ground Beef Enchilada Casserole

Layered with cheese, tortillas, and seasoned beef, this enchilada casserole is an easy Tex-Mex dish the whole family will love. It’s packed with protein and baked to bubbly perfection.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

1 can enchilada sauce

1 cup shredded cheese

6 small corn tortillas

1/2 onion, diced

1 tsp cumin

Steps For the Recipe:

Cook beef with onion and cumin.

In a dish, layer tortillas, beef, sauce, and cheese.

Repeat layers and bake at 375°F for 20 mins.

Picture Idea.

14. Ground Beef Gnocchi Skillet

This one pan beef gnocchi skillet is rich, cheesy, and super filling. It is the perfect comfort food that looks fancy but takes less than 30 minutes to make.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

1 package (16 oz) potato gnocchi

1 can diced tomatoes

1 cup mozzarella cheese

1 tsp Italian seasoning

Steps For the Recipe:

Brown beef, add tomatoes and seasoning.

Add gnocchi and cook until tender.

Top with cheese and melt under lid or broiler.

15. Ground Beef Nachos

Make a fun and fast dinner with these loaded ground beef nachos. They are perfect for sharing, game day, or even a lazy night when you want something cheesy and satisfying.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

1 packet taco seasoning

Tortilla chips

1 cup shredded cheddar

Toppings: jalapeños, tomatoes, sour cream, green onions

Steps For the Recipe:

Cook beef with taco seasoning.

Layer chips, beef, and cheese on a baking sheet.

Bake at 400°F for 5 to 7 minutes, add toppings.

16. Ground Beef Mac and Cheese

This creamy ground beef mac and cheese is a comfort food classic with a protein boost. It is rich, cheesy, and comes together in one pot in just 25 minutes.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

2 cups elbow macaroni

2 cups milk

1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar

1/2 tsp garlic powder

Salt and pepper

Steps For the Recipe:

Cook beef, set aside. Boil macaroni in milk until tender.

Stir in cheese and garlic powder.

Mix in beef and serve warm.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I make quickly with ground beef?

You can make tacos, pasta, skillet meals, nachos, or even lettuce wraps in under 30 minutes using ground beef.

Do I need to drain ground beef before using it in a recipe?

Yes, it is best to drain the fat after browning the beef to keep your meal from getting greasy.

Can I freeze cooked ground beef meals?

Absolutely. Most cooked ground beef meals freeze well. Just cool completely, store in airtight containers, and freeze for up to 3 months.

What seasonings go well with ground beef?

Garlic, onion, paprika, cumin, Italian seasoning, taco seasoning, and chili powder are all great choices.

Are ground beef meals budget friendly?

Yes. Ground beef is one of the most affordable protein options, making it perfect for family meals on a budget.

Can I use ground turkey instead of beef in these recipes?

Definitely. Ground turkey works in most ground beef recipes if you want a lighter option.

What vegetables pair well with ground beef?

Zucchini, bell peppers, onions, broccoli, tomatoes, and corn go great with ground beef.

Is it okay to cook ground beef from frozen?

Yes, but it takes longer. For quicker cooking, thaw it in the fridge overnight.