Growing up, ground beef was rarely on the dinner menu. It wasn’t until I moved out on my own that I started experimenting with this versatile, economical protein. At first, I just made basic things like hamburgers and meat sauce for pasta. But as I gained more confidence in the kitchen, I began trying adventurous global ground beef recipes. From Korean beef bowls to Greek kofta kebabs to Mexican picadillo, the possibilities were endless!
Whenever I had friends over, I made sure to include a ground beef dish. It didn’t take long for them to start requesting my beefy specialties at our weekly gatherings. The flavors were bold, the portions were hearty, and the prices were unbeatable on a twentysomething’s budget. Ground beef quickly became a staple in my repertoire and a crowdpleaser amongst my friend group. Who knew this humble ingredient could create such delicious, internationally-inspired dinners?
1. Classic Beef Meatballs
Bold, savory, and deeply satisfying flavor.
Ingredients; Ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, parmesan, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper
- In a bowl, mix together ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, parmesan, garlic, parsley, salt and pepper until well combined.
- Roll into 1-inch meatballs and place on a baking sheet.
- Bake at 400°F for 16-20 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Serve with marinara sauce over pasta.
Total Cook Time: 30 mins
2. Hamburger Steaks with Mushroom Gravy
Rich, umami-packed patties smothered in a creamy mushroom gravy.
Ingredients; Ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, Worcestershire sauce, onion, butter, mushrooms, beef broth, flour, milk
- Form ground beef into 4 patties, season with salt and pepper.
- Cook patties in a skillet over medium-high heat until browned on both sides.
- Remove patties and make gravy in same skillet: Cook mushrooms and onions in butter.
- Whisk in flour and slowly add broth and milk. Simmer until thickened.
- Return patties to gravy and let simmer 5 more minutes.
Total Cook Time: 35 mins
3. Korean Beef Bowls
Sweet, savory, with a kick of heat and incredible flavor depth.
Ingredients; Ground beef, brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, green onions, rice
- Cook ground beef over high heat until browned and crumbled.
- Add brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger and red pepper flakes. Cook 2 mins.
- Serve over rice, garnished with green onions.
Total Cook Time: 20 mins
4. Beef Empanadas
Flaky pastry pockets filled with a zesty, meaty filling.
Ingredients; Ground beef, onions, garlic, tomato sauce, green olives, raisins, cumin, oregano, egg, empanada discs
- In a skillet, cook ground beef with onions and garlic until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in tomato sauce, olives, raisins, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper.
- Let filling cool slightly then place a spoonful onto each empanada disc.
- Fold disc over into a half-moon shape and crimp edges with a fork to seal.
- Brush tops with beaten egg wash.
- Bake at 400°F for 20-25 mins until golden brown.
Total Cook Time: 1 hour
5. Shepherd’s Pie
Comfort food classic – a savory beef mixture topped with creamy mashed potatoes.
Ingredients; Ground beef, onions, carrots, peas, beef broth, Worcestershire, thyme, butter, milk, russet potatoes, cheddar cheese
- Cook ground beef with onions in a skillet until browned. Drain fat.
- Add carrots, peas, broth, Worcestershire and thyme. Simmer until thickened.
- Transfer to a baking dish.
- Make mashed potatoes: Boil potatoes, mash with butter, milk, salt and pepper.
- Spread mashed potatoes over beef mixture and sprinkle with cheddar.
- Bake at 375°F for 30 mins until hot and lightly browned.
Total Cook Time: 1 hour
6. Baked Ziti with Beef Ragu
Hearty baked pasta smothered in a rich, meaty tomato sauce.
Ingredients; Ziti pasta, ground beef, onions, garlic, crushed tomatoes, basil, parmesan, ricotta, mozzarella
- Cook ziti al dente according to package instructions. Drain and rinse.
- In a saucepan, cook ground beef with onions and garlic until browned.
- Add crushed tomatoes, basil and simmer for 20 mins.
- In a baking dish, spread some sauce, then layers of ziti, ricotta, sauce and mozzarella.
- Top with remaining sauce and cheeses.
- Bake at 375°F for 30 mins until hot and melty.
- Let stand 10 mins before serving.
Total Cook Time: 1 hour 15 mins
7. Beef Picadillo Tacos
Warmly spiced, vibrantly flavorful taco filling with hints of sweet and tangy.
Ingredients; Ground beef, onions, garlic, tomato sauce, green olives, raisins, cumin, oregano, cider vinegar, taco shells/tortillas, toppings
- In a skillet, cook ground beef with onions and garlic until browned and crumbled. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in tomato sauce, olives, raisins, cumin, oregano, cider vinegar, salt and pepper.
- Simmer for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Warm taco shells/tortillas as per package instructions.
- Spoon picadillo filling into taco shells and top with desired toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, sour cream, etc.
Total Cook Time: 30 mins
8. Chili Stuffed Baked Potatoes
Hearty baked potatoes loaded with a zesty, meaty beef chili.
Ingredients; Russet potatoes, ground beef, kidney beans, tomato sauce, beef broth, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, cheddar, green onions
- Scrub potatoes and prick several times with a fork.
- Bake potatoes at 400°F for 1 hour or until easily pierced with a fork.
- Meanwhile, cook ground beef in a skillet until browned and crumbled.
- Add kidney beans, tomato sauce, beef broth and seasonings. Simmer for 15 mins.
- Split baked potatoes and fluff with a fork. Top with beef chili and shredded cheddar.
- Garnish with sliced green onions.
Total Cook Time: 1 hr 30 mins
9. Beef Kofta Kebabs
Robustly spiced ground beef patties, grilled to perfection.
Ingredients; Ground beef, onions, parsley, mint, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, cayenne, lemon zest, naan/pita bread, tzatziki sauce
- In a bowl, mix ground beef with onions, parsley, mint and spices until well combined.
- Form into oblong patties and thread onto skewers.
- Grill over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until cooked through.
- Serve kebabs with warm naan or pita bread and tzatziki sauce for dipping.
Total Cook Time: 30 mins
10. Beef Cabbage Rolls
Hearty beef and rice filling enveloped in tender cabbage leaves.
Ingredients; Ground beef, onions, garlic, cooked rice, tomato sauce, dill, cabbage leaves, beef broth
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Remove core from cabbage head and carefully peel off leaves. Blanch leaves briefly in boiling water to soften.
- In a skillet, cook ground beef with onions and garlic until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in cooked rice, tomato sauce, dill, salt and pepper.
- Lay a cabbage leaf flat and place a scoop of beef filling in the center. Roll up, tucking in sides.
- Arrange cabbage rolls seam-side down in a baking dish and pour in beef broth.
- Cover and bake at 350°F for 1 hour until cabbage is very tender.
Total Cook Time: 1 hr 30 mins
11. Cheesy Beef Burrito Skillet
A quick and easy one-pan meal with Tex-Mex flair.
Ingredients; Ground beef, onions, taco seasoning, salsa, refried beans, tortilla chips, shredded cheese
- In a large skillet, cook ground beef with onions until browned and crumbled.
- Stir in taco seasoning and salsa. Allow to simmer for 5 minutes.
- Stir in refried beans until heated through.
- Crush some tortilla chips and stir into the beef mixture.
- Top with shredded cheese and let melt.
- Garnish with sour cream, guacamole, etc.
Total Cook Time: 30 mins
12. Beef and Spinach Manicotti
Tender pasta tubes stuffed with a cheesy spinach and beef filling.
Ingredients; Ground beef, spinach, ricotta, parmesan, eggs, manicotti shells, marinara sauce, mozzarella
- Cook manicotti shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- In a skillet, cook ground beef until browned and crumbled. Drain excess fat.
- Chop the spinach finely and stir into the ricotta along with parmesan, eggs, salt and pepper.
- Stuff each manicotti shell with a spoonful of ricotta spinach mixture and a pinch of beef.
- Arrange stuffed shells in a baking dish and top with marinara and shredded mozzarella.
- Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes until hot and melty.
Total Cook Time: 1 hr
13. Beef Stroganoff
Tender beef and mushrooms in a rich, creamy sauce over egg noodles.
Ingredients; Ground beef, mushrooms, onions, garlic, beef broth, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire, sour cream, egg noodles, parsley
- In a skillet, cook the ground beef until browned and crumbled. Drain excess fat.
- Add sliced mushrooms, onions and garlic. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
- Whisk in beef broth, Dijon, Worcestershire and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in a dollop of sour cream until sauce is creamy.
- Serve beef stroganoff over cooked egg noodles, garnished with chopped parsley.
Total Cook Time: 35 mins
14. Chili Cheese Nacho
Crunchy tortilla chips loaded with beefy chili, gooey cheese and favorite toppings.
Ingredients; Ground beef, onions, kidney beans, tomato sauce, chili powder, tortilla chips, cheddar cheese, jalapeños, salsa, etc.
- Cook ground beef with onions until browned and crumbled. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in kidney beans, tomato sauce, chili powder and season with salt and pepper.
- On a sheet pan, layer tortilla chips and top with beef chili mixture and shredded cheddar.
- Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes until cheese is melted.
- Top with jalapeños, salsa, guacamole, sour cream, etc.
Total Cook Time: 30 mins
15. Classic Beef Lasagna
Layers of noodles, meaty tomato sauce and creamy cheese create perfection.
Ingredients; Ground beef, onions, garlic, tomato sauce, lasagna noodles, ricotta, parmesan, mozzarella
- Cook ground beef with onions and garlic until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in tomato sauce and season with salt, pepper, basil, etc. Let simmer for 10 mins.
- Cook lasagna noodles al dente according to package instructions.
- In a baking dish, start layering with sauce, noodles, ricotta, parmesan and mozzarella.
- Continue layering, ending with sauce and shredded cheese.
- Cover and bake at 375°F for 45 mins. Uncover and bake 15 mins more.
- Let lasagna rest 15 mins before slicing.
Total Cook Time: 1 hr 30 mins
16. Beef Taco Salad
A fresh, crunchy salad exploding with zesty taco flavors.
Ingredients; Ground beef, taco seasoning, romaine lettuce, black beans, corn, tomatoes, cheddar, tortilla chips, catalina/ranch dressing
- In a skillet, cook the ground beef until browned and crumbled. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in taco seasoning and a splash of water. Set aside to cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, toss together chopped romaine, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes and shredded cheddar.
- Add the taco meat and crushed tortilla chips.
- Drizzle with catalina or ranch dressing and toss to coat everything well.
Total Cook Time: 25 mins
17. Beef and Vegetable Stir-Fry
Tender beef and crisp-tender veggies tossed in a savory sauce.
Ingredients; Ground beef, broccoli, bell peppers, snap peas, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, cooked rice
- Cook the ground beef in a wok or skillet until browned and crumbled. Remove beef, drain excess fat.
- Add a splash of oil and quickly stir-fry the veggies for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp.
- Make a sauce by combining soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil and a bit of cornstarch slurry.
- Return beef to wok/skillet and toss with veggies and sauce until everything is coated.
- Serve beef stir-fry over steamed rice.
Total Cook Time: 30 mins
18. Cheesy Beef and Hash Brown Casserole
Indulgent hash brown bake loaded with beef, veggies and cheesy goodness.
Ingredients; Ground beef, onions, garlic, condensed cream of mushroom soup, hash browns, cheddar, parmesan
- Cook ground beef with onions and garlic until no longer pink. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in condensed soup and seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, etc.
- In a greased baking dish, spread out half the hash browns, then top with beef mixture.
- Add remaining hash browns over top and sprinkle liberally with cheddar and parmesan.
- Bake at 350°F for 45-60 mins until hot and the top is golden brown.
Total Cook Time: 1 hr 15 mins
19. Stuffed Pepper Soup
Flavors of stuffed peppers in a hearty, comforting soup.
Ingredients; Ground beef, green bell peppers, onions, garlic, beef broth, tomato sauce, rice, Italian seasoning, parmesan
- In a pot or dutch oven, cook ground beef with onions, peppers and garlic until no longer pink. Drain excess fat.
- Add beef broth, tomato sauce, rice and Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes until rice is tender, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and stir in grated parmesan.
- Garnish with extra parmesan, parsley, etc.
Total Cook Time: 40 mins
20. Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet
The classic cheeseburger flavors tossed with pasta.
Ingredients; Ground beef, onions, garlic, dill pickles, ketchup, mustard, pasta, cheddar, parsley
- In a skillet, cook ground beef with onions and garlic until beef is browned and crumbled.
- Stir in diced dill pickles, ketchup, mustard and season with salt & pepper.
- Add uncooked pasta and enough water/broth to cook pasta al dente.
- Simmer for 12-15 minutes until pasta is tender, adding liquid as needed.
- Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheddar until melted and creamy.
- Garnish with chopped parsley.
Total Cook Time: 30 mins
21. Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
Classic Chinese-American dish with tender beef and crisp broccoli.
Ingredients; Ground beef, broccoli florets, garlic, ginger, beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, cornstarch slurry
- Cook ground beef in a wok or skillet until browned and crumbled. Drain excess fat and set beef aside.
- Stir-fry the broccoli florets with garlic, ginger and a splash of beef broth for 2 minutes.
- Make a sauce by combining broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil and a cornstarch slurry.
- Return beef to the wok/skillet and toss everything together with the sauce.
- Let sauce thicken slightly, then serve stir-fry over steamed rice.
Total Cook Time: 25 mins
22. Beef Pad Thai
A Thai-inspired noodle stir-fry with bold flavors and textures.
Ingredients; Ground beef/cut beef, rice noodles, garlic, shallots, eggs, bean sprouts, carrots, green onions, pad thai sauce, peanuts, lime wedges
- Soak rice noodles in hot water until softened, then drain and set aside.
- In a wok or skillet, scramble the eggs and set aside.
- Add a splash of oil and quickly stir-fry the garlic, shallots, ground beef, bean sprouts and carrots for 2-3 minutes.
- Add drained noodles and pad thai sauce. Toss everything together for 1-2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in scrambled egg pieces and green onions.
- Serve pad thai topped with crushed peanuts and a lime wedge.
Total Cook Time: 30 mins
23. Sloppy Joes
The classic messy, tangy-sweet sandwich filling kids love.
Ingredients; Ground beef, onions, green bell pepper, garlic, ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire, hamburger buns
- In a skillet, cook ground beef with onions, bell pepper and garlic until beef is browned.
- Drain excess fat then stir in ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire and season with salt & pepper.
- Let the sloppy joe mixture simmer for 10-15 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Spoon sloppy joe filling onto hamburger buns.
- Serve warm with pickle chips on the side.
Total Cook Time: 30 mins
24. Hoisin Beef Bowls
Sweet, savory, with a kick – flavors abound in this beef rice bowl.
Ingredients; Ground beef, brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, green onions, cooked rice
- Cook ground beef in a skillet until browned and crumbled. Drain excess fat.
- Add brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, grated garlic and ginger, and red pepper flakes.
- Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes to thicken up.
- Serve Korean beef over bowls of steamed rice. Garnish with sliced green onions.
Total Cook Time: 20 mins
25. Beef Stuffed Peppers
Colorful bell peppers stuffed with a savory beef and rice filling.
Ingredients; Bell peppers, ground beef, onions, garlic, cooked rice, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire, parmesan
- Cut tops off bell peppers and remove seeds/membranes. Blanch peppers briefly.
- Cook ground beef with onions and garlic until no longer pink. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in cooked rice, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire and parmesan. Season with salt & pepper.
- Stuff beef mixture into bell pepper shells and arrange in a baking dish.
- Cover and bake at 350°F for 30-40 minutes until peppers are very tender.
Total Cook Time: 1 hr
Conclusion
Looking back, I’m amazed at the incredible variety of delicious ground beef dinners I’ve made over the years. From comforting classics like meatloaf and shepherd’s pie to unique fusions like beef pad thai and taco salads, ground beef’s versatility knows no bounds. Its affordability makes it an accessible protein for any budget.
Ground beef has been a constant in my kitchen, nurturing culinary creativity while satisfying family and friends. Whether it’s saucy pasta bakes, zesty taco fillings, or globally-inspired stir-fries, this humble ingredient transforms into something special. Easy to work with yet full of flavor, ground beef will always be a staple in my dinner rotation. It’s the gift that keeps on giving, meal after meal.