30 5-Star Ground Beef Dinners Our Readers Make Every Week

From meatballs to stir fries, casseroles to soups and stews, it's time to meet our best-rated, most-loved ground beef recipes.

By
Devan Grimsrud
Devan Grimsrud
Devan Grimsrud

Devan Grimsrud is a Berlin-based writer, editor, and recipe developer originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota. After working in television production with James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Zimmern, she relocated to Berlin and became the managing editor at Kitchen Stories, an international digital cooking platform with millions of active users. 

Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Updated November 07, 2025
Devan Grimsrud
unstuffed cabbage rolls in a large pan at a table setting with a stack of plates, a small bowl of minced herbs, glasses of water, and a pepper cracker

Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower

Ground beef is a beloved weeknight go-to for many of us, and for good reason. It's cheap, quick to cook, and incredibly versatile. The hardest part of making a package of ground beef the basis of dinner? Choosing what to make with it!

To make it easier to decide, we've gathered only the best—our 5 star-rated ground beef recipes—that you can put on the table in an hour or less. They're family-friendly meals that spam the gamut from meatballs to simple pastas, casseroles to hearty soups, and they keep readers like you coming back time and time again!

Whether you're looking for something comforting and classic or want to branch out, here you'll find plenty of ground beef recipes that fit your needs.

Join MyRecipes to save, search, and organize your recipes all in one place! To start saving, click on any recipe below, then tap the heart ❤️ icon.

  • Easy Hamburger Soup

    A blue bowl with hamburger soup, ready to eat.

    Simply Recipes / Megan Keno

    "I'll make this again for sure. Really easy and so good. I didn't use the wine and it was still delicious." —Anni R., Reader

  • Easy Taco Casserole

    easy taco casserol in a pot at a table setting with bowls of toppings, chips on a platter, and a bottle of beer

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower

    "Made this as is with only 1 cup salsa and our favorite blue corn tortilla chips. The kids and the adults LOVED it. What a cool healthy spin on nachos. Keeping this one in rotation for sure! Plus enough for a family of 4 with leftovers for Hubby's lunch." —Kelli, Reader

  • Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

    Ground beef and broccoli stir fry over rice in a bowl at a table setting with a glass of water, a bowl of sliced scallions, and a bowl of sesame seeds

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower

    "Very good and easy. Next time I may add a little more garlic or some sesame oil but great the way it is." —Diane, Reader

  • Easy Puerto Rican Picadillo

    Angled view of a white plate with a blue rim of picadillo over rice on a white table cloth

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    "It was a great way to use ground beef! I tried it without the olive oil (even though I used lean ground beef (90/10) and did not miss the oil at all. We had enough oil in the dish with no problem. The flavors were nice, and it was pretty saucy. I served it over steamed long-grain rice, and it was an easy and delicious meal with a side of vegetables and salad. I will add it to my rotation of easy ground beef dinners." —Cecilia L., Reader

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  • Cheeseburger Twice Baked Potatoes

    cheeseburger stuffed baked potatoes on a plate at a table setting with bowls of toppings and sauce

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

    "I love this combination, it was so tasty. Thanks for the recipe!" —Lily, Reader

  • Classic Tater Tot Hotdish

    Classic Tater Tot Hotdish in a baking dish with one scoop removed

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

    "I loved how easy this was and it's a complete meal! I appreciated the crunch from the veggies and crispy tater tots. Some casseroles are all mush, but this had a good variety of textures. I liked the flavor more with every bite. It was well seasoned and while at first I felt like it was missing cheese, I changed my mind by the end. it's definitely going into our comfort/fast & easy dinner rotation." —Austin S., Reader

  • Best Ever Sloppy Joes

    Sloppy Joe Sandwich on a Plate With the Filling Cascading From the Bun

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    "This recipe has become a staple in my house. It's the only way to do sloppy joe's." —Amanda, Reader

  • Enchilada Skillet

    A beef enchilada skillet topped with melted cheese, chopped tomatoes, and sliced jalapenos, served with sour cream and additional toppings in dishes

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Julia Gartland / Food Styling by Samantha Seneviratne

    "Great basic recipe! Much easier to eat than tacos :) I added black olives, diced tomatoes & sour cream after it was done baking. I would add mild green chilies to the beef next time. Will be making again!" —Amoi, Reader

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  • Cowboy Stew

    Overhead view of a bowl of cowboy stew with a spoon next to a bowl of shredded cheddar, scallions, and a cloth napkin all on a marble countertop

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Robby Lozano / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

    "Super hardy chili-like soup filled with Southwestern flavors. This was delicious! The flavors were robust, but not overpowering; the only thing that tasted bland, ironically, was the sausage (the majority of the saltiness cooked out into the soup), but even then, it tasted great with everything else. I ended up serving the leftovers of this soup with some rice; I highly recommend it!" —Munni Pramanik, Editorial Projects Manager

  • Classic Patty Melt

    A patty melt, cut in half and stacked on a plate with chips and a pickle, ready to eat

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Nico Schinco / Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne

    "Made it tonight, it was a hit. Tasted like we had ordered it when going out to eat. Used light rye and pepperjack cheese. This gets a two 👍👍 in my recipe file on my iPad." —Julie, Reader

  • Salisbury Ground Beef

    salisbury ground beef with a side of green beans on a plate

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower

    "Yum! Salisbury steak is taken up a notch! This feels like a homey, cozy dish, but also dinner party appropriate." —Beth W., Reader

  • Cheeseburger Soup

    Cheesy bacon cheeseburger soup served for dinner.

    Simply Recipes / Nick Evans

    "This is a really fun, delicious and creamy soup. I served it with toasted hamburger buns and my whole family loved to dip and eat. They request it often now for dinner and I enjoy making it much more than a regular burger, thank you!" —David

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  • Dad's Stuffed Bell Peppers

    Side view of three bell peppers stuffed with beef and rice.

    Simply Recipes

    "I've made this recipe twice and I don't see any reason why I would need another recipe. It's absolutely fantastic. I did not grow up eating stuffed peppers, my mom being from Barbados. My husband and I love this recipe. Thank you for sharing it with us!" —Bolanle, Reader

  • Copycat Crunchwrap Supreme

    Copycat Crunchwrap Supreme Wrap on Parchment Paper Over a Wooden Board

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    "These are so good! They are a little time consuming, but definitely worth the time. Will definitely be making these again and again." —Theresa, Reader

  • American Chop Suey

    close-up view of American Chop Suey with a fork

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Josh Hoggle

    "Whatever you call it — chop suey, goulash, or Tuesday night magic — it still looks absolutely delicious! Comfort food by any name tastes just as good. I just call it dinner at my house tonight." —Lucy M., Reader

  • Meatloaf Muffins

    A plate of meatloaf muffins with mashed potatoes and peas next to a muffin tin with remaining muffins

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

    "Excellent recipe. Easy and makes a great dinner. I make them and roast seasoned baby potatoes while they are baking and whip up green beans with bacon and onion." —Denise, Reader

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  • Pastelón (Puerto Rican Plantain Lasagna)

    A slice of pastelon on a plate, ready to eat

    Simply Recipes / Marta Diaz

    "Delicious!!! Husband and I loved it. I was born in Puerto Rico but grew up in NY. One of my Italian friends taught me how to cook lasagna. I recently retired in PR and learned about the pastelon as being the Puerto Rican lasagna, so I was making it like the Italian lasagna with the ripe plátanos. This time I decided to make it the PR way, looked up this recipe and it turned out amazing. I only minus the sazón and the olives (husband doesn’t like olives). Turned out amazing. It’s going to be all gone very soon. Thanks for the recipe." —Maria S., Reader

  • 20-Minute One-Pan Beef and Chickpeas

    plate of 20-Minute One-Pan Beef and Chickpeas with rice and greek yogurt

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

    "The combination of seasonings was fantastic! We don't typically have beef around, so I used some fresh ground lamb. The wife and three boys devoured it! Definitely saving this one!" —Eric, Reader

  • Crispy Ground Beef Tacos

    Crispy ground beef tacos on a plate at a table setting with glasses of beer, bowl of diced tomatoes, and a table napkin

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Christina Daley

    "Homemade taco shells are so much easier to make than you’d think, and don’t require a ton of oil! They’re so crunchy and salty and perfect vehicles for this perfectly spiced ground beef mixture." —Marianne, Reader

  • Burger Salad

    Bowl of Burger Salad Topped With a Hefty Drizzle of Dressing, Sitting on a Table Napkin

    Simply Recipes / Coco Morante

    "What a fun recipe! Best part is how easy it comes together. Whole family asked to have it again sometime. So cool to enjoy a burger in a new way. I loved how the burger was the centerpiece of the salad and had a nice, burger-y char that you wouldn't get if you'd just browned the beef into crumbles. I added halved cherry tomatoes to mine because I always have tomato on my burger." –Annie R., Reader

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  • Tamale Pie

    A casserole dish with a tamale pie and a piece missing.

    Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker

    "Delicious!! Its officially in the rotation. My husband and son loved this dish. I omitted the olives and raisins (personal preference) and added a can of black beans. Even my husband went back for thirds and he's an extremely picky eater. Thanks for the recipe!!" —Amber, Reader

  • Easy Porcupine Meatballs

    Overhead closeup view of a cast iron skillet of finished meatballs with expanded rice on the surface and sauce on a wooden cutting board

    Simply Recipes / Coco Morante

    "Yum! I used to have a paper recipe booklet put out by Hunt's and this recipe was in it. So easy to make, and the whole family loved it. I have searched for the booklet but cannot find it. If you like rice and ground beef, you'll love this simple recipe." —Lynne, Reader

  • Loaded Sheet Pan Quesadillas

    Stack of Loaded Sheet Pan Quesadillas Pieces on Sheet Pan with More Quesadilla Pieces

    Simply Recipes / Nick Evans

    "So quick and easy to make during the work days. It's totally awesomeness!" —Tam, Reader

  • Scrambled Eggs with Spinach, Beef, and Mushrooms

    A plate with Joe's special scramble ready to serve

    Simply Recipes / Coco Morante

    ""I grew up in SF and eating at the “Original Joe’s” as a kid. My mom would make Joes special at home as well. Now I have kids and make it for them - they LOVE it. Good with beef or ground turkey." —Sarah R., Reader

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  • Frikadellen (German Meatballs)

    Plate of cooked German meatballs with a spatula

    Simply Recipes / Shilpa Iyer

    "Absolutely delicious and filled with flavor! The meatballs are patty-like in shape and meatloaf-like in texture. This was my first time making Frikadelle, and it won't be my last." —Munni, Reader

  • Beef Enchilada Casserole

    Beef Enchilada Casserole in a Casserole Dish Next to a Table Cloth, a Plate, and a Bowl with Side Salad

    Simply Recipes / Marta A Rivera Diaz

    "Definitely a 5 star...tried it last night and it was a big hit. I used the beef stock instead of water and it added a deeper beef flavor. I may use that in some of my other dishes that use ground beef." —Pam, Reader

  • Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls

    unstuffed cabbage rolls in a large pan at a table setting with a stack of plates, a small bowl of minced herbs, glasses of water, and a pepper cracker

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower

    "This recipe is fantastic, whole family loves it. I substitute white wine for the water, add a little extra flavor." —Michael, Reader

  • Albondigas Soup (Mexican Meatball Soup)

    A bowl of mexican meatball soup, ready to eat

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Morgan Hunt Ward / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Phoebe Hausser

    "This recipe is on a monthly dinner rotation for my family. So delicious and fresh! We love the mint in the meatballs! Thanks for sharing!" —Marisa, Reader

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  • 4-Ingredient Johnny Mac

    plate of Johnny Mac (4-Ingredient Casserole)

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    "This recipe only requires four ingredients, which is great! It is easy, convenient, great for weeknight dinners, or party gatherings. I may come out a little dry (as I used 93% lean beef), but the taste was just right and perfect -- not too salty. The top cheese crust complemented the pasta and sauce." —Apple, Reader

  • French Onion Meatballs

    French Onion Meatballs in a Pan at a Table Setting With Toasted Baguette Slices on a Wooden Platter and a Spoon on the Counter, All on a White Table Cloth

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

    "Delicious! My children enjoyed them (which is high praise for these picky eaters). Only swap I did was chicken broth for my homemade no-sodium stock which has super rich flavor that contributed nicely to the finished product. Would definitely make again - but double the batch!" —Paula, Reader

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