Easy Recipes for Ground Beef

Morrocan Meat Loaf

Cost per serving: $1.08

Double the recipe with our Master Meat Mix and freeze the extra for a quick meal later on.

See recipe: Morrocan Meatloaf

Beefy Calzones

Cost per serving: $2

Ground beef should be cooked to a higher temperature (160ºF) than steak or roasts (145ºF). For best results, use an instant-read thermometer.

See recipe: Beefy Calzones

Tamale Pie

Cost per serving: $1.33

Seed and mince a chipotle; stir it into the mixture with the adobo. To top it off, garnish with sliced scallions or chopped cilantro.

See recipe: Tamale Pie

Meatloaf with Mozzarella, Mushrooms and Pepperoni

Cost per serving: $1.99

You know it as a topping for pizza, but pepperoni adds zing to a weeknight meatloaf. Using a slow cooker keeps the loaf nice and moist.

See recipe: Meatloaf with Mozzarella, Mushrooms and Pepperoni

Cincinnati Chili

Cost per serving: $1.05

Serve this chili over spaghetti and sprinkle with grated Cheddar, as they do in Cincinnati.

See recipe: Cincinnati Chili

Beef and Cheese Enchiladas

Cost per serving: $3.78

Make this dish ahead of time. You can cover and refrigerate it for up to 1 day. To heat it up, bake at 350°F for 45 minutes.

See recipe: Beef and Cheese Enchiladas

• VIDEO: See more creative ideas for ground beef from our Food Editor Beth Lipton.

Slow-Cooker Shepherd’s Pie

Cost per serving: $1.39

Get your meat-and-potatoes fix the easy way with a classic shepherd’s pie made in the slow cooker. Lean ground beef, a frozen veggie mix and potatoes mixed with just a touch of milk and butter make it a well-balanced meal.

See recipe: Slow-Cooker Shepherd’s Pie


 

Slow-Cooked Bolognese Sauce 

Cost per serving: $1.55

This rich slow-cooker sauce can be spooned over spaghetti, polenta or penne. Use left over sauce to incorporate into a baked ziti or zesty stew.

See recipe: Slow-Cooked Bolognese Sauce

Southwestern Hamburgers

Cost per Serving: $1.75

Dress up simple beef burgers with a dash of chili powder and homemade guacamole for instant Southwestern flair.

See recipe: Southwestern Hamburgers

Meatball Calzones

Cost per serving: $3.50

To make a more well-rounded meal, offer a green vegetable on the side, such as sauteed string beans or steamed broccoli, or toss a simple salad.

See recipe: Meatball Calzones

 

Football Fiesta Casserole

Cost per serving: $3.43

This tasy casserole is great for entertaining a crowd . Bake this crunchy, cheesey take on Frito-pie ahead of time and all you'll have to do when guests arrive is set it our with toppings, like salsa and sour cream.

See recipe: Football Fiesta Casserole

Ultimate Spaghetti and Meatballs

Cost per serving: $2.68

Toss some chopped basil or oregano into the sauce and mix gently.

See recipe: Ultimate Spaghetti and Meatballs

Southwestern Meatloaf

Cost per serving: $1.80

Make this kid-friendly meal in even less time. Instead of a single loaf, make minis. Mist a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray, divide the mixture among the cups and bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes. You can also switch up the dairy in the recipe. The yogurt gives this dish a tangy flavor, but you substitute milk if you prefer.

See recipe: Southwestern Meatloaf 

 

Ground Sirloin with Mushroom Cream Sauce

Cost per serving: $2.24

Don't mind the many mushrooms. They'll cook down when their liquid is released in the skillet.

See recipe: Ground Sirloin with Mushroom Cream Sauce

Slow-Cooker Macaroni and Beef

Cost per serving: $3.37

Not only is this time-saving dish cooked in your slow-cooker, but you can save half the prepared meat sauce to use later in the week with another meal or store in an air-tight container in the freezer for up to a month.

See recipe: Slow-Cooker Macaroni and Beef

Supersimple Stuffed Peppers

This delicious stuffed peppers recipe (with tomatoes, onions and ground beef) can be whipped up in no time.

See recipe: Supersimple Stuffed Peppers

Sweet-and-Sour Muffin Meat Loaves

A creative an easy mealoaf recipe for only $1.16 per serving.

See recipe: Sweet-and-Sour Muffin Meat Loaves

Tortellini Bolognese

This hearty, easy-to-prepare pasta dish will have the whole family asking for seconds.

See recipe: Tortellini Bolognese

Mini Meat Loaves

Cost: $1.24

For an easy appetizer, divide the recipe into a mini muffin tray and serve on a tray with toothpicks and dipping sauces.

See Recipe: Mini Meat Loaves

Beef and Spinach Pie

Cost per serving: $1.55

This recipe is perfect for leftover ground beef. Feel free to improvise with some other vegetables, too.

See recipe: Beef and Spinach Pie