24 Deliciously Different Things to Do with 1 Pound of Ground Beef

Ground beef is your budget-friendly secret to quick-and-easy meals.

a high angle view of creamy beef stroganoff in a skillet sitting on the kitchen counter.
Photo: Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

It always pays to keep a pound of ground beef on hand. Such a versatile ingredient, ground beef is your budget-friendly bestie, ready to help out with quick-and-easy meals. To make dinner planning easy, we've rounded up a few favorite ground beef recipes. There's so much variety here, you'll never get tired of the same ol' thing.

01 of 25

Ground Beef with Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix

Ground Beef Tacos
Ground Beef Tacos | Photo by Meredith.

It's easy to whip up your own homemade taco seasoning mix. Combine the spices and herbs with ground beef and dinner's ready in less than 30 minutes.

02 of 25

Ground Beef and Cabbage

close up view of Ground Beef and Cabbage in a green bowl
Laguna Lala

This simple, homey dish combines cabbage and ground beef cooked with tomatoes and simple seasonings. "Simple and easy, yet full of goodness," says mtgraham2. "My mother used to serve this with corn on the cob and cornbread. Very inexpensive and very good as well. Enjoy an Ozark memory."

03 of 25

Asian Lettuce Wraps

Asian Lettuce Wraps
Photo by Chef'd.

"Delicious and bursting with flavor, Asian lettuce wraps are a great idea for entertaining or a family style meal," says Rachel Castro. "Spoon a portion of the meat into a lettuce leaf. Wrap the lettuce around the meat like a burrito and enjoy!"

04 of 25

Chef John's Stuffed Peppers

Chef John's Stuffed Peppers
Photo by KGora.

A classic, comforting hot dish. You'll stuff a mixture of seasoned ground beef, rice, and tomatoes into tender sweet peppers — any color you like — then cook in a rich marinara and beef broth sauce.

05 of 25

Mini Meatloaves

Mini Meatloaves
Photo by Gabby Vernon-Melzer.

Individual meatloaves are made with ground beef, cheese, and quick-cooking oats and topped with a tangy tomatoey glaze. "Quick and easy to make, and a family favorite," says Tonya. "The ketchup and brown sugar give these loaves a tangy flavor."

06 of 25

Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Beef

Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Beef
Photo by Sherri.

Another straight-up American classic -- spaghetti in a rich tomato and meat sauce. It's easy, too; the prep work takes just 15 minutes. "Very tasty and easy. Something I can cook even after I get home from work," says Kristine. "I've attempted to make sauce before without luck, but this is clearly a winner."

07 of 25

Easy Chili

Easy Chili I
Photo by Kristen Flowers.

A spicy ground beef and bean chili with fresh jalapenos that's quick and easy to make. "Awesome and easy recipe!" says MelissasMeals. "We added some black and kidney beans to make a large batch for a get together. Can't go wrong with this recipe--fool proof."

08 of 25

Simple Beef Stroganoff

Simple Beef Stroganoff
Snacking in the Kitchen

Beef stroganoff in a snap. Ground beef and condensed cream of mushroom soup make the prep work easy. "We are a big family of six and everyone just loved this recipe, even our finicky eater!" raves Aubree. "I will defenitly be making this again. It was a fast and easy recipe,and it was a cheap meal for such a big family. A++++"

09 of 25

Cabbage Rolls

Cabbage Rolls II
Photo by lutzflcat.

Cabbage rolls you make in the slow cooker. Stuff the cabbage leaves with a tasty mixture of ground beef, onions, and rice, then cover everything with a sweet, tangy tomato sauce mixture. "I loved putting this together in the morning and having a wonderful dinner when I came home," says JENNALYNNA. "Next time we will double the sauce and maybe add a little more Worcestershire! Yummy!"

10 of 25

Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes II
Photo by Dianne.

This easy sloppy joe mixture combines ground beef, onions, and green bell pepper with simple, flavorful seasonings. "My one complaint is THERE ISN'T ENOUGH!" says MZSYLVER. "This recipe is... beyond words... perfection in a sloppy joe is a very delicate and delicious thing. This recipe attains it."

11 of 25

Baked Ziti

Baked Ziti I
Baked Ziti I | Photo by chibi chef.

Always a family favorite, this baked ziti recipe makes things easy on you. The recipe calls for sliced provolone, along with shredded mozz, and jarred spaghetti sauce. "This is an excellent recipe!" raves Lisa. "It is delicious and really easy to make (hey, I'm a clumsy teenager and I made it for my family). I recommend it highly!"

12 of 25

Hamburger Steak with Onions and Gravy

burger steaks with onions and gravy arranged on white plate
naples34102

Here's an easy-to-make classic featuring tasty hamburger "steaks" smothered in gravy and onions. "A great way to dress up a pound of ground beef, and you probably have all the ingredients on hand!" says Anne Marie Swedens.

13 of 25

Slow Cooker Taco Soup

You make this Mexican-inspired ground-beef soup in the slow cooker. It's the perfect recipe for busy weeknight meals. Just combine seasoned ground beef with canned beans, corn, tomatoes, and green chilies. "This is a quick, throw together slow cooker soup with a Mexican flair," says Janeen Barlow. "Teenagers love it. Serve topped with corn chips, shredded Cheddar cheese, and a dollop of sour cream."

14 of 25

Weeknight Sauerbraten Meatballs

Weeknight Sauerbraten Meatballs in a red dish
lutzflcat

These savory meatballs feature a twist you maybe didn't see coming. The secret ingredient is gingersnap cookie crumbs. Lutzflcat, the recipe submitter, says, "This is a quick recipe to enjoy the sauerbraten flavor without waiting five days for a beef roast to marinate. And you'll have plenty of gravy to spoon over your buttered egg noodles and potatoes."

15 of 25

Grandma's Ground Beef Casserole

close up view of Ground Beef Casserole in a white baking dish
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS

This quick, creamy ground beef casserole combines sour cream and cream cheese with sharp Cheddar and tomato sauce. It's a very forgiving recipe that takes well to tweaks and modifications. Christa calls it, "Comfort food at it's best!"

16 of 25

Easy Korean Ground Beef Bowl

A bowl of seasoned ground beef on brown rice garnished with green onion
bd.weld

"Korean beef bowls are quick and easy to make," says bd.weld. "The ingredients can easily be adjusted to suit your taste. Serve over warm rice or spiralized vegetables."

17 of 25

Pakistani Ground Beef Curry

keema curry in a bowl
lutzflcat

A simple curry with ground beef, tomatoes, and peas. Danie says, "This Pakistani beef curry has been a family favorite for years. It's super easy and everyone loves it. Serve over steamed white rice."

18 of 25

Southern Ground Beef and Bean Skillet

Southern Ground Beef and Bean Skillet Recipe
karla harmer

Ground beef, garlic, beans, and salsa combine for a wholesomely delicious weeknight meal. Add chips, cornbread, or enjoy this boldly savory dish as-is.

19 of 25

Easy Mexican Casserole

Easy Mexican Casserole
Easy Mexican Casserole | Photo by LYNNINMA.

Here's an easy Mexican casserole that's as delicious as it is versatile. Using just a few ingredients, you can have this great casserole ready for dinner in under an hour. "This was fantastic," says ladylaughsalot. "I normally would have used refried beans with a dish like this, but the chili beans were perfect! They added just the right flavor to it. Our whole family loved this recipe."

20 of 25

The Perfect Basic Burger

The Perfect Basic Burger
Photo by sanzoe.

And, of course, we couldn't leave out the weeknight burger. Simply combine ground beef with a very basic bread crumb mixture. "Pile these burgers with your favorite condiments, pop open a cool drink and enjoy," says Lindsay Perejma.

21 of 25

Asian Ground Beef Noodle Bowls

Asian Ground Beef Noodle Bowls
Pictured: Asian Ground Beef Noodle Bowls. Yoly

Ramen noodles, frozen veggies, and ground beef stir fry with a flavorful sauce of Sriracha, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, cilantro, Chinese five-spice, and ginger. It preps in 10 and is ready in just 25 minutes. "Easy and quick to make using Top Ramen noodles and ground beef," says Yoly. "Great for a busy school night."

22 of 25

Cornflake Burgers

Cornflake Burgers
Yoly

This one puts a twist on breakfast for dinner. "A beef patty coated in cornflakes and fried to a crispy golden brown," says Yoly. "I like to eat mine with a little steak sauce on the side but my daughter eats hers like a regular burger with all the fixings."

23 of 25

Ranch Taco Soup

high angle looking at a bowl of ranch taco soup, with a spoonful coming out
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Stock up the pantry for this super-quick soup, featuring browned ground beef, crushed tomatoes, pinto beans, corn, black beans, diced tomatoes and green chiles, black olives, seasoned with ranch dressing mix and taco seasoning. "This thick and hearty taco soup comes together in a flash," says Soup Loving Nicole. "The subtle hint of ranch sets it apart from your average taco soup. Garnish with chopped cilantro if desired."

24 of 25

Easy One-Skillet Ground Beef Burrito

Ground Beef Burrito in a pot
fabeveryday

"I've made this recipe for years - it's easy and a crowd favorite," says reviewer clarhillsmom. "I add a can of tomato soup. Instead of beans, I like to include sautéed onions and peppers."

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