Ground Beef on a Budget: 36 Affordable Recipes for Families

Feeling tired of having the same old ground beef meals over and over for dinner? No worries, friend! I’ve got just the thing to spice things up for you! Get ready to dive into these 36 delicious ground beef recipes that will totally make your taste buds dance! Whether you’re craving classic comfort foods or international flavors, these dishes will break you out of your cooking slump and turn your dinner routine into a fun food journey!

Picadillo

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Sweet, savory Puerto Rican-style Picadillo is a tomato-based ground beef stew that’s ridiculously delicious, versatile, and ready in thirty.
Get the Recipe: Picadillo

Joes Special My Way

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Joe’s special – a hearty ground beef and egg dish featuring spinach, parmesan cheese, and savory herbs.
Get the Recipe: Joes Special My Way

Taco Soup

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This easy Taco Soup recipe is a simple yet flavorful meal in a bowl featuring ground beef, beans, vegetables, and tons of tasty toppings!
Get the Recipe: Taco Soup

Ultimate Cottage Pie

This recipe is a game-changer. The thick, rich gravy is absolutely delicious, and the topping will blow you away!

Get The Recipe: Ultimate Cottage Pie

Baked Ground Beef Taco Recipe

Ground Beef Tacos are crafted with flavorful seasoned beef, hugged by golden corn tortillas, and sprinkled with gooey cheese. Baked to perfection for the crunchiest, easiest tacos. Top it off with your faves. Simply perfect.

Get The Recipe: Baked Ground Beef Taco Recipe

Italian Meatballs

This recipe produces generous meatballs, perfect for feeding a large group! Prepare a big batch for dinner and freeze the leftovers for a convenient meal whenever you need it.

Get The Recipe: Italian Meatballs

Curry Beef With Peas

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Meat and potatoes come together with savory curry powder in this super simple weeknight curried ground beef skillet.
Get the Recipe: Curry Beef With Peas

Quick & Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

This quick and easy Spaghetti Bolognese recipe makes a meat sauce bursting with Italian flavor. It’s ready in just 30 minutes!

Get The Recipe: Quick & Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

Hamburger Soup Recipe

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Packed with savory ground beef and a medley of vegetables, my hearty hamburger vegetable soup is the ultimate comfort food to warm up chilly winter days!

Get The Recipe: Hamburger Soup Recipe

Classic Chili Con Carne

This comforting and hearty Classic Chili Con Carne recipe is perfect for a family meal or for serving to friends at a casual dinner party.

Get The Recipe: Classic Chili Con Carne

Porcupine Meatballs

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These easy and flavorful Porcupine Meatballs are made with ground beef and rice, then simmered in a savory tomato sauce.
Get the Recipe: Porcupine Meatballs

Moussaka

Moussaka is a delightful Mediterranean classic. This version uses either lamb or beef, layers with roasted eggplant, and tops with feta.

Get The Recipe: Moussaka

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

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Sweet and Sour Meatballs: juicy meatballs cooked in a tangy sweet & sour sauce. Whip them up in the crockpot or on the stovetop; they’re simple & super yummy!

Get The Recipe: Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Greek Style Meat Sauce

This is a simple, classic Greek-style meat sauce made with tomatoes, perfect for tossing with pasta on those busy weeknights when you need a quick and delicious meal.

Get The Recipe: Greek Style Meat Sauce

Stuffed Pepper Soup

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Stuffed Pepper Soup – this hearty soup is like stuffed peppers in a bowl! It’s made with simple ingredients like ground beef, rice, and bell peppers, of course! You’re gonna enjoy this easy one-pot meal.

Get The Recipe: Stuffed Pepper Soup

Traditional Homemade Meatloaf

This Traditional Homemade Meatloaf recipe is moist, tender, and flavorful. Once you try it, you’ll cherish this recipe forever!

Get The Recipe: Traditional Homemade Meatloaf

One Pot Chili Mac

Ditch the boxed dinner! This One-Pot Chili Mac is a grown-up version of your childhood favorite, made entirely from scratch for a super filling comfort food classic.

Get The Recipe: One Pot Chili Mac

Italian Stuffed Peppers

This colorful dish is sure to delight any crowd! Not only is it an easy and delicious recipe perfect for midweek meals, but it’s also impressive enough to serve to dinner guests!

Get The Recipe: Italian Stuffed Peppers

Sloppy Joes

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This sloppy joes recipe is a weeknight dinner classic with juicy ground beef and a tangy homemade sauce. They’re kid-approved!
Get the Recipe: Sloppy Joes

Hamburger and Rice

Savor this tasty hamburger and rice recipe any night of the week. This comforting dish is simple to prepare and brimming with savory flavors!

Get The Recipe: Hamburger and Rice

Basic Chili

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This extremely popular chili recipe is the ultimate comfort food and is made with simple ingredients like ground beef, beans, and tomatoes.
Get the Recipe: Basic Chili

Salisbury Steak

Whether you’re following a Keto Diet or simply reducing carbs, this recipe for Low Carb Italian Meatballs offers a delicious gluten-free option.

Get The Recipe: Salisbury Steak

Beef Enchiladas

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Beef Enchiladas are all about tortillas, ground beef, beans, loads of cheese, and covered in enchilada sauce. This simple enchilada recipe is perfect for laid-back weeknight dinners, feeding a bunch of folks, or popping in the freezer for later!

Get The Recipe: Beef Enchiladas

The Best Hamburger Recipe

Searching for the best hamburger recipe? With this comprehensive guide, you can make delicious, juicy burgers using any cooking method.

Get The Recipe: The Best Hamburger Recipe

Curried Ground Beef with Peas and Potatoes

Craving comfort food with a twist? This weeknight curried ground beef skillet is your answer! Savory curry powder joins forces with classic ground beef and potatoes, creating a hearty and flavorful dish that comes together in a flash.

Get The Recipe: Curried Ground Beef with Peas and Potatoes

American Chop Suey (American Goulash)

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American chop suey (AKA American goulash) is a delectable and comforting dish that has gained popularity in the New England region. It features flavorful ground meat, savory sauce, and tender pasta, creating a satisfying and hearty meal.

Get the Recipe: American Chop Suey (American Goulash)

Cheesy Meatloaf

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Classic meatloaf becomes extra cozy when you stuff it with cheese! Make extra of this 7-ingredient comfort food dinner to enjoy meatloaf sandwiches with leftovers.

Get The Recipe: Cheesy Meatloaf

Lasagna Al Forno

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This mouthwatering lasagna al forno is an exquisite Italian classic, brimming with layers of succulent beef, velvety homemade bechamel sauce, a colorful array of fresh vegetables, and a medley of tantalizing spices, all delicately nestled between sheets of tender pasta.

Get the Recipe:Italian Baked Lasagna

Sautéed Beef Cabbage and Rice

Sautéed Beef, Cabbage, and Rice: It’s the trifecta of comfort food! This easy dish is packed with flavor and satisfaction, all at a budget-friendly price. Tender beef, savory cabbage, and fluffy rice come together for a heartwarming meal that won’t break the bank.

Get The Recipe: Sautéed Beef Cabbage and Rice

French Onion Salisbury Steak

Dinnertime just got an upgrade! Craving a restaurant-worthy dish without the restaurant bill? My easy French Onion Salisbury Steak with gravy is your answer. This modern twist on a classic combines the rich flavors of caramelized onions with a comforting gravy, all at a budget-friendly price.

Get The Recipe:  Salisbury Steak

Instant Pot Spaghetti

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A quick and convenient family dinner option – spaghetti cooked in the instant pot requires minimal preparation, ingredients, and cleanup. Perfect for busy weeknights!

Get The Recipe: Instant Pot Spaghetti

Tater Tot Casserole

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This simple Tater Tot Casserole has ground beef, green beans, and a creamy homemade mushroom sauce instead of canned soup. It’s the perfect comfort food for a cozy Sunday night dinner!

Get The Recipe: Tater Tot Casserole

Beef Taquitos

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Super easy Beef Taquitos for your Cinco de Mayo bash! Seasoned ground beef mixed with cream cheese, sour cream, salsa, and tasty pepper jack cheese, rolled up in a soft flour tortilla and baked to perfection. Enjoy!

Get The Recipe: Beef Taquitos

The Best Weeknight Pasta Sauce

Weeknights just got tastier! This incredibly easy pasta sauce hides a rich flavor that will make you wonder how it came together so quickly. No wonder it’s been dubbed “The Best Weeknight Pasta Sauce”!

Get The Recipe: The Best Weeknight Pasta Sauce

Beef Noodle Casserole

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Turn basic ingredients like ground beef, pasta, cheese, and pantry staples into a cozy Beef Noodle Casserole. This simple Midwestern hot dish is the perfect comfort food for dinner.

Get The Recipe: Beef Noodle Casserole