15 ground beef recipes for nights you forgot to plan dinner

Dinner can sneak up fast when the day gets busy and nothing has been planned. These 15 ground beef recipes cover quick tacos, skillet dinners, bubbling casseroles, pasta dishes, chili, and slower options that require little hands-on work. Some are ready in 20 to 30 minutes, while others give you enough servings for leftovers or another meal.

Spaghetti Bolognese

Built with 1 pound of ground beef, pancetta, onion, celery, carrots, and crushed tomatoes, Spaghetti Bolognese is ready in 40 minutes and serves 10. Milk softens the tomato sauce, while white wine and chicken broth add more depth as everything simmers. Spoon the sauce over cooked spaghetti and finish each plate with grated Parmesan. The large yield leaves plenty for lunch or another dinner.

Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Bolognese

Tater Tot Casserole

Covered with crisp tater tots and melted cheddar, Tater Tot Casserole turns ground beef, onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and cream of mushroom soup into a 25-minute dinner. The recipe makes 6 servings and bakes in a casserole dish after the beef is browned. Sprinkle parsley over the top before bringing it to the table. The creamy beef layer and potato topping make extra side dishes optional.

Get the Recipe: Tater Tot Casserole

Stuffed Cabbage

Wrapped in softened cabbage leaves, Stuffed Cabbage combines ground beef, rice, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, and herbs under a tomato sauce. The recipe takes 2 hours and 10 minutes from start to finish and makes 4 servings. Most of the cooking happens in the oven once the rolls are assembled. Serve them straight from the baking dish with extra sauce spooned over the top.

Get the Recipe: Stuffed Cabbage

Egg Roll in a Bowl

Ready in just 20 minutes, Egg Roll in a Bowl cooks 1 pound of lean ground beef with cabbage, carrots, onion, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Everything comes together in one skillet and makes 4 servings. Green onions and sesame seeds finish the dish without adding much prep. Eat it on its own or serve it over rice when a larger dinner is needed.

Get the Recipe: Egg Roll in a Bowl

Cowboy Casserole

Layered with ground beef, tater tots, corn, roasted tomatoes, bell pepper, taco seasoning, and shredded cheese, Cowboy Casserole takes 37 minutes and feeds 6. The beef mixture cooks first, then the casserole goes into the oven until the cheese melts and the tots finish cooking. Add cilantro before serving. It is filling enough to eat alone, though a simple salad works well alongside it.

Get the Recipe: Cowboy Casserole

Homemade Lasagna

Stacked with precooked noodles, ground beef, tomato sauce, ricotta, Parmesan, basil, and Italian seasoning, Homemade Lasagna is listed at 30 minutes total and makes 4 servings. The meat sauce is cooked before the noodles, sauce, and cheese are layered in a baking dish. Bake until the top is melted and the layers are heated through. Cut it into squares and serve with bread or a green salad.

Get the Recipe: Homemade Lasagna

Taco Casserole

Using baked corn tortilla pieces instead of a separate taco shell, Taco Casserole layers seasoned ground beef with black beans, tomatoes, olives, onion, and Mexican shredded cheese. It takes 45 minutes and serves 6 people. The tortillas add crunch while the cheese holds the filling together. Top each portion with cilantro, sliced green onions, sour cream, or any taco toppings already in the fridge.

Get the Recipe: Taco Casserole

Beef Chili

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Simmered with 2 pounds of ground beef, kidney beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder, and a little cocoa powder, Beef Chili makes 8 servings in 1 hour and 15 minutes. Beef or chicken broth keeps the mixture spoonable as the seasonings cook into the sauce. Ladle it into bowls with cheddar, sour cream, scallions, or avocado. Tortilla chips also work well for scooping.

Get the Recipe: Beef Chili

Cheeseburger Casserole

Bringing familiar burger ingredients into one baking dish, Cheeseburger Casserole mixes ground meat and elbow macaroni with cheddar, onion, garlic, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and chopped pickles. It takes 45 minutes and makes 6 servings. The pasta cooks before being combined with the browned beef mixture and cheese. Spoon it into bowls and add extra pickles or parsley at the table.

Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Casserole

Slow Cooker Taco Meatloaf

Seasoned with taco spices and green chiles, Slow Cooker Taco Meatloaf combines 2 pounds of lean ground beef with crushed nacho cheese chips, Monterey Jack, eggs, milk, and onion. It cooks for 6 hours on low or 3 hours on high and serves 6. Taco sauce and Colby Jack cheese cover the top before serving. Add tomatoes, avocado, sour cream, olives, or jalapeños to individual slices.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Taco Meatloaf

Big Mac Crunchwrap

Folded inside flour tortillas, Big Mac Crunchwrap layer seasoned ground beef with tostadas, cheddar, lettuce, onion, pickles, and homemade burger sauce. The recipe takes 45 minutes and makes 4 large servings. Each wrap cooks in a skillet until the tortilla is browned and the cheese begins to melt. Slice them in half before serving so the crisp tostada and stacked filling stay easier to eat.

Get the Recipe: Big Mac Crunchwrap

Sheet Pan Beef Enchilada Nachos

Spread across one pan, Sheet Pan Beef Enchilada Nachos layer corn tortilla chips with ground beef, red enchilada sauce, black beans, green chiles, red onion, and Mexican-style cheese. The recipe takes 35 minutes and serves 8. Sour cream and cilantro go on after baking, with tomatoes, jalapeños, and lime available as extra toppings. Serve the nachos immediately while the cheese is melted and the chips are still crisp.

Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Beef Enchilada Nachos

Meatloaf

Mixed with finely chopped onion, celery, carrots, green onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, and Worcestershire sauce, Meatloaf cooks in 1 hour and serves 6. A glaze made from ketchup, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, and more Worcestershire sauce goes over the loaf before baking. Let it rest briefly so the slices hold together. Pair it with mashed potatoes, vegetables, or use leftovers in sandwiches.

Get the Recipe: Meatloaf

Beef Enchilada Tortellini

Combining pasta night with taco-seasoned beef, Beef Enchilada Tortellini cooks cheese tortellini with ground beef, enchilada sauce, black beans, corn, and pepper Jack cheese. It is ready in 20 minutes and makes 6 servings. The tortellini boils separately while the beef and sauce cook in a skillet, then everything is mixed together. Add sour cream and chopped scallions before serving.

Get the Recipe: Beef Enchilada Tortellini

Beef Tacos

Seasoned with chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic, and tomato paste, Beef Tacos use 1 pound of lean ground beef and are ready in 30 minutes. The recipe makes 4 servings with 8 corn tortillas. Lettuce, shredded Mexican cheese, tomatoes, and red onion are listed for filling the tacos. Place the cooked beef and toppings on the table so everyone can build and eat their own.

Get the Recipe: Beef Tacos

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