Super Easy Ground Beef Recipes (2024)

These Super Easy Ground Beef Recipes are made with few ingredients and packed full of flavor with easy to follow instructions.

Super Easy Ground Beef Recipes

Ground beef is one of my favorite ingredients to start a dinner with because it’s easy to work with and the variations of recipes you can create are endless! Not to mention the fact that ground beef is affordable and easily freezable, making it the perfect budget friendly choice!

One Pan Ground Beef Recipes

Starting off this comprehensive list of ground beef recipes are these super simple dinners that can be made in just one skillet!

Cheesy Ground Beef Chili Mac35 minutes minutes

This creamy and cheesy Chili Mac is a beefy, one-pan dinner that the whole family will love!

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Italian Beef and Rice Skillet27 minutes minutes

This hearty and cheesy Italian Beef and Rice Skillet is ready in less than 30 minutes for an easy weeknight dinner the whole family will love!

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Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Skillet Recipe40 minutes minutes

Get ready for some ultimate comfort food with this Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Skillet Recipe!

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Chili-Pasta Skillet30 minutes minutes

Chili-Pasta Skillet is a tasty and filling dinner that is made all in one pan!

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Ground Beef Stuffed Pepper Skillet28 minutes minutes

This super easy Ground Beef Stuffed Pepper Skillet is made in just one pan in less than 30 minutes! All the flavors you love of a stuffed pepper without all the hassle!

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One Skillet Ground Beef Stroganoff25 minutes minutes

One Skillet Ground Beef Stroganoff is filled with hearty ground beef, mushrooms and tender egg noodles in a delicate, yet simple sauce.

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Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet35 minutes minutes

This quick and easy taco inspired skillet comes together so fast and will become a family favorite.

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Ground Beef Casserole Recipes

Adding ground beef to a classic casserole is one of my favorite ways to use it. These recipes are not only quick and easy to prepare, but also great for freezing and baking later!

Easy Ground Beef Enchiladas50 minutes minutes

These super easy Ground Beef Enchiladas are filled with seasoned ground beef and cheese, then topped with all your favorite taco toppings!

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Ground Beef Cottage Pie Recipe38 minutes minutes

This cozy Cottage Pie recipe is made with ground beef in a rich brown gravy with frozen vegetables and homemade mashed potatoes.

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Easy Stuffed Peppers Recipe45 minutes minutes

This hearty Italian-inspired Stuffed Pepper Casserole is another quick and easy weeknight dinner that the family will love!

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Cheeseburger and French Fry Casserole55 minutes minutes

This Cheeseburger and French Fry Casserole is filled with cheesy hamburger, crispy french fries and a delicious fry sauce on top!

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Slow Cooker Steakhouse Cowboy Baked Beans3 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

These savory and hearty Slow Cooker Steakhouse Cowboy Baked Beans are a simple side dish or main dish that’s filled with beef, bacon and beans!

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Kid-Friendly Ground Beef Recipes

Feeding kids can be tricky when they are picky eaters. That’s not the case with these easy ground beef recipes though! These recipes are sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face!

Super Easy Walking Tacos Recipe20 minutes minutes

These super easy Walking Tacos are a quick and delicious recipe that’s perfect for camping or enjoying the outdoors!

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Comfort Food Ground Beef Recipes

There is something to be said about comfort food. These easy ground beef recipes are pure comfort with a touch of easy. Great for a rainy day or stock piling in the freezer for when you just don’t want to cook.

Easy Meatball Recipe42 minutes minutes

This simple and easy Meatball Recipe is filled with ground beef and pork, seasoned to perfection and then baked in the oven until tender and juicy.

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Quick and Easy Taco Soup15 minutes minutes

Quick and Easy Taco Soup Recipeis filled with ground beef, beans, corn and taco seasoning. It’s a quick dinner that uses lots of pantry staples!

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Best Classic Meatloaf Recipe1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

This is the BEST Classic Meatloaf Recipe out there! Super moist, easy to make and everyone always gives it RAVE reviews!

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Slow Cooker Steakhouse Stuffed Peppers4 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Slow Cooker Steakhouse Stuffed Peppers are filled with ground beef, rice and a steak sauce, then cooked to perfection in the crock pot.

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Easy Korean Ground Beef Recipe13 minutes minutes

This super easy Korean Ground Beef Recipe is a slightly sweet and spicy beef mixture that’s served on top of a bed of hot rice.

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Frequently Asked Questions

It never fails that I’ll be asked questions about ground beef. How to freeze it, how long it lasts, how to tell if it’s gone bad? I’ve compiled to most common questions with my best answers for you here.

How Do You Freeze Ground Beef?

Stock up when you find a good deal on ground beef because it is easy to freeze and pull out when needed for a recipe.

If you are refrigerating ground beef, keep at 40 degrees F or below for up to 1 to 2 days.
For longer FREEZER STORAGE, wrap tightly in heavy duty plastic wrap, aluminum foil, freezer paper or plastic bags made for freezing.
When I buy ground beef in bulk I like to use my Vacuum Sealer Machine to get all the air out of the bags to prevent freezer burn.

How Long Does Beef Last in the Freezer?

Ground beef will last indefinitely if kept frozen, but will lose quality over time.
It’s best to use frozen ground beef within 4 months.

How To Defrost Frozen Beef?

The safest way to defrost frozen ground beef is in the refrigerator.

Keeping the meat cold while defrosting is crucial to prevent the growth of any unwanted bacteria.
PRO TIP: Use or refreeze the ground beef within 1 to 2 days.

Todefrost frozen ground beef more rapidlyyou can do so in cold water.

Put the meat in a watertight plastic bag and submerge.
Change the water every 30 minutes. Cook immediately.
Do not refreeze raw ground meat thawed in cold water or in the microwave oven unless you cook it first.

How Do You Know if Ground Beef Has Gone Bad?

Has your ground beef changed from a beautiful red color to a more dull shade of brown? If so, you’re probably wondering if it’s still ok to eat. Chances are yes, it’s still safe so long as it’s been stored properly (see above for storage recommendations).

The reason ground beef changes color is usually caused by the lack of oxygen penetrating below the surface layer of the meat.

When ground beef goes truly bad,signs of spoilage are normally present, including an off odor, a sticky or tacky feel, or a slimy appearance.

My best advice is always, “When in doubt, throw it out.”

More Recipes

Don’t forget to check out my full collection of SUPER EASY GROUND BEEF RECIPES for even more delicious and easy to make dinners!

One Skillet Ground Beef Stroganoff
This One Skillet Ground Beef Stroganoff is filled with hearty…
Chili-Pasta Skillet
This Chili-Pasta Skillet is a delicious and hearty dinner recipe…
Super Easy Swedish Meatballs
These super easy Swedish Meatballs are ready in about 45…

FAQs

How to simply cook ground beef? ›

Instructions

Heat the pan and coat with oil. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. ...
Add the meat to the hot pan and break into large pieces. Add the meat to the center of the hot pan. ...
Break meat into smaller pieces, season, and brown. ...
Finish browning.

Aug 29, 2023

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What is the secret to best ground beef? ›

For More Tender Ground Meat, Grind It After Cooking Too

And it's easy enough to get: Just cook your meat with seasonings as you usually would, then cool the mixture and transfer it to a food processor. Pulse it together to your desired consistency and you'll have a much more tender and hom*ogenous filling.

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What to do with extra ground beef? ›

Leftover Challenge: 8 Ways to Use Leftover Ground Beef

Spicy Chipotle Beef Enchiladas.
Spicy Eggplant & Beef Chili.
Kitchen Sink Hamburger Soup.
Big Batch Shepherd's Pie.
Beef & Mushroom Skillet Lasagna.
Mini Meat Pies.

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How do you cook ground beef hack? ›

Baking soda acts as a tenderizer for ground beef, keeps it moist during cooking, and encourages deep browning by raising the acidity level of the surface of the meat. Simply add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to 1 pound of ground beef for more tender meat with better browning.

What can I add to ground beef for flavor? ›

The magic lies in the seasoning – a simple yet potent mix of garlic, onion, cumin, and cayenne, creating some of the most tasty ground beef.

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How do you cook ground beef without making it tough? ›

After you add the ground beef to the hot pan, let it cook untouched for several minutes. Many cooks make the mistake of constantly stirring ground beef as it browns, but this agitation drives moisture out of the meat, creating a tougher texture.

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What does adding vinegar to ground beef do? ›

Vinegar can tenderize meat by breaking down its connective tissues and proteins, making it more tender and easier to chew. Additionally, vinegar can add flavor to the meat, especially when used as part of a marinade or sauce.

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What makes beef taste better? ›

Diet is one of the most influential factors that impacts beef flavor and aroma. This is because the dietary nutrients cattle consume directly impact the fatty acid profile and nutrient profile of their fat. One of the most-common mantras in the meat industry is that fat is flavor.

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What do you add to ground beef to make it brown better? ›

Toss the meat with the baking soda in a large bowl and set aside for 15 minutes. Lightly oil a large cast iron or stainless steel pan and get it hot—you want the oil to shimmer, but not smoke. Season the meat with salt and press it into the pan in an even layer with your spatula. Then leave it alone.

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What does adding milk to ground beef do? ›

The calcium-rich properties of milk react with enzymes in the meat to gently soften the proteins. Whole milk (not reduced fat), buttermilk, and yogurt all get the job done – with a special nod to buttermilk and yogurt for their optimal tenderizing acidity levels.

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What can be made from ground beef and rice? ›

25 Beef and Rice Recipes for Easy Dinners

01 of 26. Mexican Beef and Rice Casserole. ...
02 of 26. Ground Beef Casserole with Brown Rice. ...
03 of 26. Lentils with Ground Beef and Rice. ...
04 of 26. Grandmaw Cain's Beef Tips and Rice. ...
05 of 26. Beef and Rice Stuffed Bell Peppers. ...
06 of 26. Thai Beef Fried Rice. ...
07 of 26. ...
08 of 26.

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Sep 7, 2021

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Why do you put baking soda in ground beef? ›

However, by gently tossing a baking soda solution with the meat (about ¾ teaspoon baking soda to 2 tablespoons water for 2lbs of grind) and letting sit for 15 to 20 minutes before cooking, beef loses less liquid, browns faster and tastes better.

Should I crack an egg into ground beef? ›

If you opt to use a low-fat ground beef or another base for your burgers, you may need to add an egg to prevent the patty from crumbling during cooking. The University of California San Diego says that while you don't have to add an egg, you could add an egg or two or just the egg whites to your burger recipe.

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Do you have to cook ground beef before slow cooking? ›

Why do you need to brown meat before slow cooking? Typically, beef or pork can turn out dry or not as tender if they aren't browned first.

Super Easy Ground Beef Recipes (2024)