50 Cheap Ground Beef Recipes That Your Family Will Love

Let’s face it. Dinner isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

By that, I mean that everyone eats dinner (most of the time), and if you’ve got kids, well, congratulations — your dinner demands are higher than most!

Ground beef recipes are probably the hero of the dinner recipes world — simply brown the beef, change up the seasonings as desired, and you’re on your way! I mean, think of how many ways you can use ground beef that’s seasoned for tacos!

Whether you’re looking for a meal you can throw together in minutes, homemade hamburger recipes, or even a classic (or not-so-classic) meatloaf recipe, we’ve got you covered!

50 Cheap Ground Beef Recipes To Take Dinner Up A Notch

1. Hamburger Casserole

A homemade and flavor-filled twist on those “hamburger helper” boxes you can grab at the grocery store, but a whole lot better for you! I would be a total piece of cake to tweak this to have as many different flavors as you could want, like adding taco seasoning or sliced jalapenos!

2. Creamy Beef and Shells

Is there anything better for a quick weeknight meal than something that’s easy to make AND super satisfying? This recipe is comfort food at it’s finest, yet ready in a flash.

3. Ground Beef & Broccoli

A nice twist of one of our favorite easy crockpot recipes but made in minutes with browned ground beef instead! If you forgot to get the crockpot set up before you left for work, this is an excellent “plan B” recipe!

4. Korean Ground Beef Bowl

What a fun twist on a stir-fry sort of recipe! I gotta be honest, I need to figure out how to turn this recipe into a meatloaf with some sort of soy sauce “gravy” — talk about yum!!!!

5. Sloppy Joe Recipe

I swear, after trying this easy ground beef recipe, you’re never going to buy a can of Manwich ever again. Even with the exact same ingredients, the homemade version of something ALWAYS tastes so much better!

6. Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas

Excuse me, I’m drooling.

I might never order a quesadilla at a restaurant again after finding this amazing ground beef recipe!

7. Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet

Try this super easy and quick ground beef recipe for your next “Mexican Monday” because it is seriously something else! Take the leftovers and wrap them in a soft tortilla for an easy taco lunch for the next day!

#mealprep at it’s finest!

8. One-Pot Ground Beef Stroganoff

I don’t know that I’ve ever met someone that doesn’t like beef stroganoff, so finding an easier, faster, and cheaper version of that classic beef crockpot meal is a TOTAL win in my book!

I think my FAVORITE part of this recipe is the super minimal cleanup. 😉

9. Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

There is something about a creamy, cheesy dish that satisfies pretty much everyone. This skillet ground beef recipe with savory, melty cheese all over it is no exception!

10. Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole

A little bit cheesy masterpiece, a little bit of “deconstructed spaghetti and meatballs,” and a lotta bit delicious!

In a house where spaghetti and meatballs is high on everyone’s list of favorites, this is a GREAT beef recipe for mixing things up but still getting that tried-and-true flavor!

11. Easy Chili Mac

We are definite chili lovers over here, and serving it over pasta or even mac-and-cheese is a great, easy go-to meal idea.

Why have we never thought of combining it all together into one simple skillet meal before? #dinnertimegamechanger

12. Cheeseburger Biscuit Bake

A cheesy, tomato-y, delicious, easy ground beef recipe that hits all the flavor spots! Consider this a twist on making sloppy joes, for a different but equally satisfying flavor that even the kids will devour!

13. Homemade Beef Enchiladas

Would a collection of ground beef recipes be complete without an enchilada recipe? I think not.

Here’s a delicious, classic recipe with homemade enchilada sauce that is to die for!

14. Ground Beef Fried Rice

Asian food, check.

Easy to make, check.

Totally making this ground beef recipe tonight?! CHECK!

15. Easy Taco Casserole

I love the versatility of this recipe! It’s basically a taco lasagna, with tortilla layers in there, but I see no reason why you couldn’t wrap some up in another tortilla for a handheld dinner on the run!

You could easily take out the tortillas and go easy on the cheese to make this a keto-diet-friendly recipe!

16. Instant Pot Hamburger Soup

Ready in about 45 minutes, this is a recipe that proves yet again how amazing instant pot recipes can be for getting dinner on the table in a busy family!

17. 10-Minute Beef Teriyaki Skillet

Wait a second…did she say 10 MINUTES??? I don’t think any working mom has ever heard sweeter words when it comes to making dinner! This recipe is definitely going on the shortlist for me!

18. Ground Beef Carbonara

I’m a sucker for anything alfredo, creamy, and not exactly “healthy diet” friendly. Whoops.

But THIS recipe is incredibly easy to make, supremely delicious, and (best of all) ready in less than half an hour!

19. Cheesy Beef Breakfast Scramble

I wouldn’t normally think of using ground beef in a breakfast recipe but I mean, why not? It’s a similar if not cheaper cost than sausage, adds protein and great flavor, and cooks up in a few minutes.

20. Beefy Breakfast Burritos

Everything about this looks SO delicious. These would be a great make-ahead freezer meal recipe for grab-heat-and-go breakfasts!

21. Classic Stuffed Peppers

A ground beef recipe list wouldn’t be complete without a good, classic stuffed peppers recipe! Is there anything better than colorful, flavorful, delicious, AND easy meals to feed your family with?

Try making these as a crockpot recipe instead of in the oven for a truly easy, almost hands-off cooking experience!

22. Keto Ground Beef Casserole

This looks totally delicious, I gotta be honest! Smothered in cheese, even picky kids will likely enjoy their green bean this way! If you’re not in search of keto recipes, it would be super easy to serve this over rice or pasta for a heartier meal!

23. Best Classic Meatloaf

Who doesn’t love some classic meatloaf served with mashed potatoes? If there was ever a dish that screams “grandma’s go-to recipe,” meatloaf might be it.

Pro tip:  make your meatloaf without the pan for a more rounded shape, then slice and use as “hamburger” substitutes for those cold winter months when the grill is hibernating!

24. Mushroom Salisbury Steak

A classic twist on what at its very base build is a hamburger, in a way! Usually served with mashed potatoes, this would make another fun twist on a winter hamburger recipe if you’re feeling creative!

25. Smash Burger Tacos

Who says tacos need to be wrapped in a tortilla, or in salad form? Take your next backyard barbeque to a new level!

26. Greek Baked Ziti

It’s basically your regular old baked ziti recipe, but jazzed up with a few extra spices and seasonings. It’s just as easy to make but so much more flavorful than the old version! You might never be able to eat plain pasta plus tomato sauce plus cheese again (sorry, not sorry)!

27. Bolognese Sauce

This is a really great way to get the same sort of comfort food flavor of a classic dish like spaghetti and meatballs, but with HUGE cost savings over restaurant prices.

28. Classic Shepherd’s (Cottage) Pie

Whether you call this cottage pie or shepherd’s pie, either way it’s a favorite winter comfort food in a lot of homes. There is something super cozy about warm, smooth potatoes with the hidden amazing flavor in this ground beef recipe!

29. Homemade Beef Nachos

Can you say “perfect tailgating food”? Because yeah, this looks AMAZING! It’s like the perfect blend of BBQ food, smooth flavors, and wow factor, yet so easy to put together!

30. Best Chili

I don’t think any recipe has ever topped the “fall food must-have” list more than chili. You can’t go to a tailgate party without seeing some. Where we live, almost the minute the leaves start changing colors everyone we know says “time to make some chili!” Give this classic, flavorful staple food a try — your wallet and freezer will thank you!

31. Classic Patty Melt Sandwich

Ok, so there is something about “bar food” like their sandwiches and such that is SO hard to recreate at home. But that problem is totally solved with this easy and delicious hamburger recipe!

32. Classic Meatballs Recipe

Ok, so technically this recipe ALSO calls for ground pork, to make the true, traditional meatball flavor. But there is no reason why you can’t just adjust the amounts and make only ground beef meatballs instead! Stock up your freezer with some of these, for spaghetti night, meatball subs, or just about anything!

33. Ultimate Homemade Lasagna

You didn’t think we’d forget such a widely loved favorite recipe, did you? Layers on layers on layers of flavor, warmth, and happiness. These make for an amazing freezer meal as well!

34. Easy Taco Pizza

Whether you decide to put this on your meal plan for Mexican Monday, Taco Tuesday, or Pizza Night (whenever that happens in your house), it’s definitely going to be a big hit! Just make sure you don’t plan on leftovers for the next night — there won’t be any!

35. Cheesy Meatball Pasta Bake

I’m pretty sure that yes, adding cheese might be the only way to improve on meatballs. This recipe is extra cheesey, so you know it’s just about the best thing you’re ever going to eat! This would be perfect for making as a ground beef dinner recipe!

36. Cheeseburger Pizza

I love this recipe because it’s such a great idea to save time! Even on a busy weeknight, you can satisfy your kids’ request for cheeseburgers, since you don’t need to spend the time shaping the patties!

37. Giant Slow Cooker Meatballs

Most scratch meatball recipes have you bake them in your toaster oven. This recipe, on the other hand, let’s you put handmade, home-cooked meatballs on your dinner table even if you’re gone at work all day. It even requires less hands-on time with giant meatballs (so fewer total balls to shape), making this super easy to get prepped the night before or even in the morning!

38. Classic Cabbage Rolls

This is seriously one of the most budget-friendly recipes on earth. Ground beef itself is a super affordable option, but when you combine it with rice, tomato sauce, and cabbage leaves, it’s like you’re spending pennies on each serving! If you’ve never had these before, trust me, they’re delicious! Mix up the spices to get your own favorite flavor, like turning it into a sort of keto burrito!

39. Buffalo Sloppy Joe Tater Tots

Um, say what?! Tater tots seem to make everything better, so this recipe has to be amazing! Leave out the Buffalo spices to keep it a little more kid-friendly and I would bet you’ll have clean plates at the end of dinner!

40. Taco Stuffed Avocados

I love this sort of “inside out” recipe — instead of adding guacamole to your tacos, you’re basically adding tacos to your guacamole! This is so easy and delicious…it’s every avocado lovers’ dream.

41. Cheeseburger Soup

If you suffer cold winters as we do, this is an excellent replacement for those times you really want a cheeseburger but don’t want to grill in the snow! Creamy, cheesy, ooey-gooey amazingness in a bowl. What more could you want in a cheeseburger recipe?

42. Doritos Taco Salad

The thing I love the most about this recipe (besides the unique and drool-worthy flavor) is how readily you can switch this to be a side dish OR an all-in-one meal! Just go lighter on the beef for a unique side salad, or go heavier to add protein to a meal bowl!

43. Sloppy Joe French Bread Pizza

Sure, sloppy joe’s are great and all…but if I can have a sloppy joe AND pizza at the same time? Just amazing. And a lot less messy, which means less laundry to pre-treat later!

44. Beef Lettuce Wraps

Ok, before you go knocking lettuce wraps as some crazy healthy foodie thing…try them. They’re just as crunchy and flavorful as you could ever want a taco or burrito to be, healthier, yes, and JUST as satisfying.

And check this:  since the wrap is basically zero-calorie, you can technically get away with eating more of these than a traditional flour tortilla-wrapped burrito. So there.

45. Buffalo Cheeseburger Macaroni

Here is New York, buffalo flavored dishes are always a big hit. This one is no different! If you’ve never taken a mac-and-cheese style dish and added buffalo flavor to it, you’re seriously missing out!

46. Ground Beef Queso Dip

Take your nachos to the next level, or use it as a cheese sauce for pasta. Or eat it straight from the spoon, you’d be doing it right any of those ways with this DELICIOUS ground beef recipe!

47. 20-Minute Thai Beef & Rice Bowls

While ground beef recipes are pretty budget-friendly, a lot of rice-based Asian dishes tend to be even more budget-friendly! With fresh basil and lemongrass, this dish packs some serious flavor. You won’t miss buying lunch to go with a recipe like this!

48. Cheesy Taco Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Yet another more keto-friendly recipe, replacing traditional taco shells with hollowed-out zucchini! This is an especially affordable recipe if you have a summer veggie garden and can use fresh-picked zucchini.

49. Un-Stuffed Bell Pepper Bowl

I love that this recipe replaces the rice with quinoa, but there’s no reason you couldn’t still use the classic white rice! This is another recipe that’s excellent for meal prep each week and super portable as a great work lunch!

50. Crispy Southwest Wrap

There is nothing quite so satisfying as flavor-packed, crunchy foods. This is perfect for an on-the-go meal, and with plenty of hidden veggies, you know your kids are eating well!

Whether you’re working through a ground beef stockpile in your freezer, or simply looking to mix things up from the standard “taco Tuesday” recipes, this list is sure to have you covered! No matter your flavor preference or diet needs, these recipes are perfect for every family!