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Home / Ground Beef Recipes for College Students

Ground Beef Recipes for College Students

Credit: Southern Living

Ground beef recipes are a weeknight favorite for so many reasons: Ground beef is inexpensive, cooks up fast, and can be used in endless delicious ways. If you're looking for a tasty new spin on classic ground beef recipes like meatloaf, hamburgers, chili, and lasagna, the Southern Living Test Kitchen has you covered. Or, if you're in the mood for something different with ground beef, you'll also find surprising new ways to use ground beef in stir-frys, soups, calzones, kabobs, and more. Ground beef freezes well too, so stock up at the supermarket and bookmark this gallery as your go-to source for easy ground beef recipes.

Sheet Pan Meatloaf

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Recipe: Sheet Pan Meatloaf

If you're feeding the entire family, a loaf pan simply won't do. This sheet pan meatloaf recipe makes for easy cleanup and serving is a breeze. Our Test Kitchen pros said this new classic is a "home run of a recipe," and we have a feeling you'll agree.

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Instant Pot Baked Ziti

Credit: Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Christine Kelly Food Stylist: Ali Ramee

Recipe: Instant Pot Baked Ziti

Thanks to your Instant Pot, you can get this baked pasta dish on the table in just 35 minutes. Plus, every step of the cooking process is done in the multicooker as well, so there's not many dishes to cleanup after dinner is over.

Classic Beef Chili

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Classic Beef Chili

Perhaps one of the most classic dishes that uses ground beef is homemade chili. This beef chili comes together in just one pot in under an hour and delivers plenty of flavor.

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Easy Taco Casserole

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Recipe: Easy Taco Casserole

Bake this fiesta-worthy casserole in under 30 minutes tonight, and your kids just might wonder where your superpowers come from. The secret is in the pantry-staple ingredient list, but they never have to know that. If you've got picky eaters on your hands, serve this simple taco casserole with the toppings on the side so everyone can pick their own combination.

Fire-Roasted Tomato-and-Beef Ragù

Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Recipe: Fire-Roasted Tomato-and-Beef Ragù

While this hearty sauce recipe comes together in just 40 minutes, it's also great to keep in the freezer for those nights that you want to enjoy a home-cooked meal but don't have the time to spend in the kitchen.

Beef Sliders with Bacon Jam

Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Recipe: Beef Sliders with Bacon Jam

Southerners will always have a soft spot for King's Hawaiian Rolls, and this big-batch slider recipe is further proof. Conveniently portioned and simple to serve, these sliders are so much easier for game day parties and kids' gatherings than flipping patties all night. The thing that sets these ground beef sliders apart from other recipes? Two words: Bacon Jam. You'll want to serve this sweet-and-savory condiment on just about everything once you try it.

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Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole

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Recipe: Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole

This hearty bake is a dinnertime hero. Whether you prepare it in advance, freeze it, and pop it in the oven right before dinner or you start from scratch while the kids are doing their homework, this supper staple takes only takes about an hour. Pair it with a garden salad, Baked Zucchini Fries, or Fried Skillet Potatoes for an easy meal that's sure to make everyone a member of the clean plate club.

Sloppy Joe Casserole

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Recipe: Sloppy Joe Casserole

Your beloved cafeteria favorite gets an upgrade in this simple ground beef supper. Sure, you may lose the bun and need to grab a fork instead, but it's just as fun to dig into as the summer camp classic. Plus, even if you didn't think it was possible, this casserole is even easier to prepare than your traditional sloppy joe sandwich. As with anything with the word "sloppy" in the title, though, we can't guarantee the kids will leave the table completely clean. But isn't that half the fun?

Mini Meatloaves with Potatoes, Leeks, and Brussels Sprouts

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Recipe: Mini Meatloaves with Potatoes, Leeks, and Brussels Sprouts

Why make one loaf when you can make four mini meatloaves? Now everyone can help his or herself to a personal-size meatloaf in this sheet-pan take on the classic dinner dish. Roast them in the oven alongside red potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and leeks for a hearty dinner that's ready in just an hour. The best part? since it's all baked together on a single pan, clean up is a breeze.

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Hamburger Stew

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Recipe: Hamburger Stew

We love a reimagined classic, and this cozy stew has everything you love about a good burger. This oh-so-comforting soup starts with ground chuck and includes store-bought staples like frozen veggies and canned tomatoes. To really load this stew with hamburger flavor, our Test Kitchen professionals added ketchup and dry mustard, but the hamburger bun croutons really take it over the top. Since day-old bread makes for great croutons, this is an ideal recipe to throw together with leftovers.

Beef Calzones

Recipe: Beef Calzones

Satisfy your family's delivery cravings without ordering out with these beefy, cheesy calzones. Start with store-bought pizza dough and spoon in a homemade mixture of mushrooms, basil, onions, mozzarella cheese, ground chuck, tomato sauce, and sliced pepperoni. After 20 minutes in the oven, you'll serve a stuffed, Italian delight that will win over your entire dinner table.

West Texas Chili

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Recipe: West Texas Chili

With this much ground beef and heat, who even needs the beans? All you need to make a batch of this Texas-style chili is ground chuck, tomato pasta, a rich stock, and ale beer. But even though the saying goes, "Don't Mess with Texas," we'll let you mess with this recipe to add beans if you prefer. Use this recipe to make our Frito Pie or serve as is for a filing dinner any night of the week.

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Greek Baked Ziti

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Recipe: Greek Baked Ziti

Inspired by the classic Greek comfort dish known as pastitsio, this baked ziti with ground beef uses fresh and flavorful ingredients. It mixes the classic flavors of ground beef, onion, and garlic, with oregano and two rich cheeses: Parmesan and mozzarella. So bake a dish of this comfort-food favorite, and in under 30 minutes you can settle in for a warm, delicious, family meal. For an easy weeknight dinner, you can even make this ahead and freeze it.

Sheet Pan Nachos

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Sheet Pan Nachos

These ground beef nachos are the most delicious weeknight dinner or game day snack that the whole family will love. If you're on dish duty, this is the perfect dinner for you. Simply cover the entire sheet pan in tin foil, and voila—you don't have even have to wash it afterward. One of the best things about our ground beef nachos is that they're totally customizable. After you've set the base with ground chuck, tortilla chips, beans, and cheese, you can top these sheet pan nachos with whatever additions suit your family's taste.

Cowboy Casserole

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Recipe: Cowboy Casserole

If you're a tater tot lover, this is the dinner recipe you have got to try. "Made this so we could enjoy watching an afternoon of football," wrote one reviewer. "So easy and was delicious would highly recommend. Good one to have in my repertoire of recipes for a gathering or for during the week."

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Greek Stuffed Peppers

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Greek Stuffed Peppers

Hearty and healthy, these simple stuffed peppers give you room to play. Create your own combination by substituting or adding an ingredient here or there. Like zucchini? Add it in. Prefer an even healthier option? Use cauliflower rice instead of traditional rice. Regardless of what personal touches you add in, this quick and bright ground beef recipe will still be ready in under an hour.

Sloppy Joe Casserole with Dinner Rolls

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Recipe: Sloppy Joe Casserole with Dinner Rolls

We took this Mama-approved, nostalgic recipe and made it into a one-dish wonder the family will love just as much as the classic sandwich. Ready in just 30 minutes, this Sloppy Joe Casserole comes together in one skillet. We used King's Hawaiian Rolls, but you can top this Sloppy Joe casserole with any pre-cooked rolls you have on hand, like crescent rolls or biscuits.

Classic Patty Melt

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Recipe: Classic Patty Melt

Blow your everyday burger out of the water with this hearty patty melt that comes together in your cast iron skillet. With toasted sourdough as your base, this recipe gives you a sturdy foundation to layer ground beef patties, caramelized onions, Cheddar, Swiss cheese, mayonnaise, and any other topping you'd like on these thick, dinner-ready sandwiches. It's all melted together over butter in your skillet for a restaurant quality sandwich straight from your own kitchen.

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Cheeseburger Casserole

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Recipe: Cheeseburger Casserole

Skip the drive-thru and don't fuss with sweating by the grill to flip burgers. Instead, make this easy, one-dish casserole with all the flavor of your favorite cheeseburger. You'll love how portable this ground beef casserole is for tailgates and potlucks in the fall, and the kids will love how it tastes. Our Test Kitchen says don't count on leftovers with this delicious dish, though!

Quick Beef Chili

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Recipe: Quick Beef Chili

Hearty chili like this has chunks of meat cooked to perfection in a Dutch oven before being combined with its other ingredients. For our Quick Beef Chili we suggest using petite tender. This quick-cooking foundation for this dish is supermarket steak that is cut from the shoulder. It looks and tastes like tenderloin but costs a third of the price. If you can't find it, try chuck-eye steak, which also has great flavor but may need more trimming. Whatever your choice, this quick, spicy, delicious chili will have you filling your bowl for seconds. Smother it in great toppings: think green onions, sour cream, or many others.

Cheeseburger Egg Rolls with Special Sauce

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Recipe: Cheeseburger Egg Rolls with Special Sauce

Mix things up tonight with this reimagined take on a takeout favorite that proves creativity in the kitchen doesn't have to take all day. This fancy feeling dish doesn't take more than an hour to pull together, and it's substantial enough to feed a hungry crowd as large as eight people. Don't skip the special sauce—you'll soon be keeping jars of it in the fridge.

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Beef-and-Vegetable Soup with Gnocchi

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Recipe: Beef-and-Vegetable Soup with Gnocchi

If your go-to soup recipes are feeling worn out after a few weeks of winter, this 30-minute recipe is sure to revive you. The combination of ground beef and store-bought gnocchi make this vegetable soup innately filing. While the recipe calls for onion, tomatoes, and spinach, you can make the soup your own by adding in any extra vegetables you'd like.

Beef Stew with Cheddar Biscuits

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Recipe: Beef Stew with Cheddar Biscuits​​​​​​​

What's better than a bowl of beef stew? A bowl of beef stew with homemade cheddar biscuits on top, of course. We can't think of a better way to use up leftover biscuits from Sunday brunch (or an excuse to make even more) than this warm bowl of beef and vegetables. Pro tip: be sure to pay attention to the sharpness of your cheddar for the cheese biscuits. Mild cheddar melts the best, since it contains the most moisture.

Cheesy Beef-and-Spinach Ravioli

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Recipe: Cheesy Beef-and-Spinach Ravioli

A cheesy, one-pan creation that comes together in just 30 minutes? Sign us up any night of the week. This simple recipe transforms any package of ravioli into a decadent pasta bake, complete with fresh spinach and beef. Plus, with just one skillet required, your cast-iron clean up is as easy as eat, rinse, wipe, and oil.

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Cheeseburger Pie

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Cheeseburger Pie

Your everyday cheeseburger takes new form in this lovely latticed version that's as creative as it is delicious. Stuffed with a ground beef filling and American cheese (or whatever cheese your prefer), this weeknight dinner or party recipe takes your burger off the grill and into your oven. Make it gluten-free by bypassing the crust and serving this beefy filling over mashed potatoes instead. Add green salad and fries on the side (and maybe finish it off with a milkshake) and you've easily got a dinner that will serve 6.

Meatloaf Casserole

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Recipe: Meatloaf Casserole

Bypass the typical loaf. This Meatloaf Casserole takes your mom's go-to recipe up a notch. It's flavored with Worcestershire and tomato, so you'll still get your classic meatloaf flavors. The true game changer here? The mashed potato topping. This creamy addition builds your side dish right into the bake.

Beef-and-Black-eyed Pea Chili

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Recipe: Beef-and-Black-eyed Pea Chili

Pull some cornbread fresh out of the skillet and savor the aroma of our Beef-and-Black-Eyed Pea Chili. You can fill a Dutch oven with chili meat, sweet onion, black-eyed peas, beer, and more, and in under an hour sit down to a delicious bowl of chili. Serve it with jalapeño pepper slices, Cheddar cheese, or pico de gallo, or just enjoy it as it comes. However you prefer it, you won't go wrong. Pick up your spoon and enjoy this chili now.

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Taco Pie

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Recipe: Taco Pie

Taco Tuesday will never look the same with this sliceable Mexican dish that's ready in under an hour. The base of this pie-pan dinner is made of partially fried tortillas. After garlic, onions, and ground beef are browned, seasoned, and added in, you can rely on pantry staples to finish the job. Top it with queso fresco, cilantro, and sour cream and serve with a side of rice or oven-roasted corn, and you've created a weekday dinner that will make any Tex-Mex lover smile.

Shepherd's Pie with Potato Crust

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Recipe: Shepherd's Pie with Potato Crust

You might call yourself a shepherd too if it meant you would get a dinner this good. Our version of a Shepherd's Pie is certainly a Southern dinner classic. Instead of mashed potatoes we use scalloped potatoes for the crust, cut with a mandolin slicer—but a knife will work just as well. For the filling, lean ground chuck is perfect, while red wine will add flavors that are rich and bold. Our Shepherd's Pie has a dash of Worcestershire Sauce, as well as a hearty measure of English peas. This dish will keep you warm on a cool night, but it is fresh and delicious at any time. Round up your appetite and enjoy our Shepherd's Pie.

Slow-Cooker Bolognese Sauce over Pappardelle Pasta

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Recipe: Slow-Cooker Bolognese Sauce over Pappardelle Pasta

Traditionally, Bolognese sauce requires hours of babysitting as it simmers on the stove, but our recipe is virtually hands-off. The lean ground beef is flavored with red wine, and onions, garlic, and Italian seasonings really add fullness and depth. A little cream goes a long way to make the sauce rich, and it comes into its own in the slow cooker. Once everything is together, the best approach is to simply leave it alone, to check it occasionally, to make sure its consistency is just right,—and to be ready to spoon it onto your pappardelle and cover it in Parmesan cheese. Serve it hot, and enjoy!

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Cheesy BBQ Sloppy Joes

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Recipe: Cheesy BBQ Sloppy Joes

Cheesy BBQ Sloppy Joes take the traditional sloppy joe and kick them up a notch. At its most basic, the recipe for these adds barbecue sauce to the ground beef, and tells you to grab your grater and get ready for later. But for a true Texas kick, we suggest you add in all the options, and for this recipe that means stepping out of the box and into the heat with chopped picked jalapeños and some pickled jalapeño juice. If that seems a bit too spicy, simply brown your ground beef, slop a heaping helping on some Texas toast, and pile on some Cheddar cheese. That'll give you a Cheesy BBQ Sloppy Joe you will love. Grab some napkins and dig in.

Cocktail Meatballs

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Recipe: Cocktail Meatballs

Cocktail meatballs hold a special place in the canon of Southern party appetizers, in part because they are a study in ground-beef perfection and simplicity. While we love the ones our mamas made with chili sauce and grape jelly, this recipe is the one we still pull out for company. This recipe mixes ground beef with the sweet, the tart, and the unexpected: brown sugar, lemon juice, and horseradish, to make a cocktail-fork temptation that should grace every Southern party table or tray. So grab a bottle of wine—for the recipe—get ready to party, and enjoy making these delicious cocktail meatballs.

30-Minute Chili

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Recipe: 30-Minute Chili

Do you want delicious chili but you don't want to wait all day? Our 30-Minute Chili recipe will have you enjoying one of our quick-fix suppers in no time. This simple-to-make chili recipe only has six ingredients, but you'll marvel at its slow-cooked flavor. Simmering the ground beef is probably the hardest part; once you've finished that, you just pour everything else in, and stir. If you prefer an Italian-style take on 30-Minute Chili, spice this up and use 1 pound of ground sausage and 1 pound of ground beef. Whether you prefer a traditional chili or you would like to enjoy some Italian-infused flavors, this easy-to-make chili will always be ready when you are.

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Sloppy Cola Joe Dogs

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Recipe: Sloppy Cola Joe Dogs

Think of having Sloppy Cola Joe Dogs as a delicious and convenient way to enjoy making a mess. Our Test Kitchen couldn't get enough of these new sloppy Joes enlivened with a splash of cola, which gives the ground beef a sweet boost that plays well off the filling's spices. Try these with traditional or split-top hot dog buns, or hoagie rolls. You'll love these even more when you add your favorite coleslaw for crunch and color.

Shepherd's Pie

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Recipe: Shepherd's Pie

Shepherd's Pie is a classic Southern staple, and when you see how simple it is to make this meal you'll understand why. It is one of our favorite ground beef quick-fix dinners, and this recipe makes it even easier to get that Shepherd's Pie on the table. Begin with ground round—we think its flavor is perfect for this dish. Next, put the pie together. This potato-topped delight gets extra flavor from the cheese and carrots that are added to the mashed potato crust. And you can take a shortcut with the crust because the recipe calls for frozen mashed potatoes. Fresh out of the oven you will enjoy this fantastic dish. Shepherd's Pie is a mainstay on Southern tables because it is easy to make, but even easier to eat. Enjoy!

All-In-One Spaghetti

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Recipe: All-In-One Spaghetti

Only 15 minutes of prep and just one pan to clean makes this homemade pasta sauce labor-light, but it tastes like it was made with a secret recipe handed down in your family for generations. It has the basics: ground beef, onions, and garlic, but also has a hint of sugar for sweetness and a touch of chili powder for spice. That makes everything nice, and you'll think so to as you devour this delicious sauce on plate after plate of pasta. Top it with grated Parmesan cheese, and garnish it with fresh parsley for even more subtle, delicate flavors. Now eat!

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Tomato 'n' Beef Casserole With Polenta Crust

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Recipe: Tomato 'n' Beef Casserole With Polenta Crust

Casseroles are fantastic one-dish dinners, and our Tomato 'n' Beef Casserole with Polenta Crust brings together a range of delicious flavors in a single mouthful. You'll love the cornmeal crust, with its secret ingredients—steak seasoning that adds extra spice to every bite, and Cheddar cheese. Tomato paste adds richness to this casserole. So lightly grease a baking dish and get ready to prepare what is sure to become one of your favorite casseroles of all time. Once you've had your first taste, we're sure that the mouthwatering combination of beef and tomato sauce on a hearty cornmeal crust will make this your ultimate comfort food.

One-Pot Pasta

Recipe: One-Pot Pasta

Making ravioli doesn't have to be an all-day affair—it should just taste like it might have been. This recipe takes all the richness and flavor of ground beef and makes it the star of a simple dinner classic that you'll be able to make any day of the week. Sautéed with onions and mushrooms, this dish helps you get the homemade pasta taste without all the fuss! A jar of your favorite store-bought pasta sauce—we used tomato-basil—and refrigerated ravioli are mixed with plenty of fresh veggies and garlic to make this pasta a speedy and delicious quick-fix dinner.

Cheesy Chili Hash Brown Bake

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Recipe: Cheesy Chili Hash Brown Bake

You simply can't get any easier than this casserole recipe. This 5-ingredient casserole features convenient, frozen hash brown potatoes, a can of Sloppy Joe sauce, and can of chili. But it is not what it is, it is what you do with it, and this recipe takes those simple ingredients and turns them into a delicious bake. You can choose between ground beef or ground turkey—the recipe works equally well, and tastes just as delicious, with both. For an even easier one-dish meal, we turned this into the ultimate quick-fix supper: these are baked in individual ramekins, allowing your family to just eat grab-and-go style. Or, you can eat what you need and freeze the rest. However you prefer it, this Cheesy Hash Brown Chili Bake is a great meal.

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Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

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Recipe: Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

Skip takeout and make this easy ground beef stir-fry that's ready in just 20 minutes, way faster than delivery would make it to your door. A tip from the Test Kitchen: Ground chuck has more fat than ground sirloin, so it cooks up extra crispy without drying out. The tasty juices are soaked up by the rice to ensure there's not a single bland bite. This ground beef and broccoli makes it easy to get the kids to eat their veggies.

Beefy Butternut Squash Pasta

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Recipe: Beefy Butternut Squash Pasta

This ground beef pasta recipe is a delicious way to use fresh butternut squash this fall. You only need one skillet to get this simple pasta supper on the table. If you have leftovers, our Test Kitchen recommends adding more chicken broth and reheating in a skillet (not the microwave), so the pasta doesn't become chewy.

Bacon Cheeseburger

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Recipe: Bacon Cheeseburger

You know what they say: If it ain't broke, don't fix it. This recipe proves you shouldn't ruin a good thing by overcomplicating it. Classic burger toppings like cheddar cheese, sliced tomatoes, lettuce, and condiments are delicious complements to savory ground beef and bacon. The only thing we fancied-up a bit for this recipe? Adding a few homemade Bread-and-Butter Pickles for just the right amount of tang and zing.

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Cottage Pie with Potato Crust

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Recipe: Cottage Pie with Potato Crust

Prepared mashed potatoes will help you whip up this ground beef cottage pie so fast. Our Test Kitchen recommends making a double batch so you can freeze half for later. Simply prepare through step three, then wrap the top of the casserole dish in aluminum foil before popping into the freezer. You'll want to allow it to thaw completely in the fridge, a process that will likely take 24 hours. In order to avoid excessive browning, add a shield of aluminum foil to the top for the last 25 minutes of baking. For testing purposes, we used Simply Potatoes frozen mashed potatoes from Crystal Farms, but you can use your favorite frozen variety.

Slow-Cooker Tomato-Basil Meatloaf

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Recipe: Slow-Cooker Tomato Basil Meatloaf

The down-home classic just got an elegant upgrade with Italian sausage, sundried tomatoes, and fresh basil. The combination of ground chuck and spiced sausage adds so much flavor, and a sundried tomato mixture is way more delicious than the old-school ketchup-only topping. The best part about this ground beef recipe? It comes together in your slow cooker.

Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

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Recipe: Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

This Instant Pot ground beef recipe puts a classic dinner on the table with only a bit of hands-on time. Since your Instant Pot can truly do it all, this is a one-dish meal with little cleanup. Let your little ones help form the meatballs for some fun time in the kitchen.

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Easy Chili

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Recipe: Easy Chili

It's all in the name with this one! These easy ground beef chili needs just a few ingredients and your slow cooker to come together. Set up a toppings bar with cheddar cheese, sour cream, and green onions for the family to top their warm bowls of chili. This simple recipe is just as easy for a tailgate on the road as it is a winter weeknight dinner.

Beefy Nacho Casserole

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Recipe: Beefy Nacho Casserole

How can we make ground beef nachos even better? By turning them into a cheesy, rich, one-dish dinner, that's how! Consider yourself warned, though: Once you make this nacho casserole, your family will request it again and again. Some advice from the Test Kitchen: For the best texture, opt for a store-bought salsa that's not watery. Some of their favorites for the job are Chi-Chi's Thick-and-Chunky Salsa, Tostitos Chunky Salsa, and Pace Chunky Salsa.

Cowboy Pasta Salad

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Recipe: Cowboy Pasta Salad

Your family potluck hasn't seen a pasta salad quite like this before! Full of hearty ingredients like ground beef, black beans, chopped veggies, and plenty of cheese, this pasta salad can actually stand alone as a filling main dish. A lime dressing adds just the right amount of acidity and tang, and a sprinkling of fresh chopped cilantro on top adds color and flavor.

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Instant Pot Chili Mac

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Recipe: Instant Pot Chili Mac

This ground beef pasta recipe is on the dinner table in just 30 minutes. If you're in need of kid-friendly suppers that will leave everyone full and happy, this Instant Pot ground beef recipe fits the bill. Mac and cheese and chili meet in a recipe mashup that will make you feel like a kid again.

Deb Wise's Tamale Pie Mix-Up

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Recipe: Deb Wise's Tamale Pie Mix-Up

This recipe has been a reader favorite for decades, and you'll quickly understand why once you try it. If you happen to have leftovers, be glad: One reviewer said this casserole "just keeps getting better" the next day. This "mix-up" combines all the ingredients into one cheesy casserole instead of layering like other tamale pie recipes might.

Chunky Vegetable Beef Soup

Recipe: Chunky Vegetable Beef Soup

This ground beef and vegetable soup will hit the spot on a chilly winter night. With flavor that tastes like this soup has been simmering on the stovetop all day, you'll be amazed that it came together in just 45 minutes. With ingredients like ground chuck, canned vegetables, and tomato sauce, this hearty soup is also a budget-friendly option for weeknights.

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Doritos Casserole

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Recipe: Doritos Casserole

Talk about a dinner the kids will love! This Doritos Casserole is basically like a nacho casserole with Doritos instead of tortilla chips. Store-bought shortcuts like canned green chiles, fire-roasted tomatoes, and cream of chicken soup make this hearty supper come together in a flash. If you have picky eaters at your table, this is a ground beef casserole you have to make.

Creole Burger

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Recipe: Creole Burger

Ground chuck gets a kick from Creole seasoning (our Test Kitchen uses Zataran's), a hint of cayenne, Creole mayonnaise, and a bit of hot sauce. Since the burger patties have so much flavor on their own, you can keep the toppings simple with crunchy romaine lettuce and red onions.

Instant Pot Meatloaf

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Recipe: Instant Pot Meatloaf

We love finding new ways to put our Instant Pot to use at dinner, and this meatloaf recipe tastes just like the classic you know and love. With a blend of spices and Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard, this Instant Pot ground beef recipe is so tender and full of flavor. There's one secret ingredient you might not remember from your old meatloaf recipe—balsamic vinegar. According to our Test Kitchen pros, it adds just the right amount of acid to balance everything out.

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Taco Dinner Mac and Cheese

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Recipe: Taco Dinner Mac and Cheese

When you can't decide between tacos and mac and cheese for dinner, you don't have to! This ground beef pasta recipe requires just 15 minutes of hands-on time, and you probably have all the ingredients on hand already. Even though this is a hearty dinner can be topped with fresh ingredients like chopped tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and diced avocado to add a little color.

Cheeseburger Soup

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Recipe: Cheeseburger Soup

This 30-minute ground beef soup is easy and kid friendly. "Leave the grill off when you crave a cheeseburger in cold months and whip up this soup!" said one Test Kitchen Pro. Sesame Seed Bun Croutons are the cutest and tastiest topping for this creamy, satisfying soup.

Slow-Cooker Bolognese Sauce

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Recipe: Slow-Cooker Bolognese Sauce

If you need a simple but elegant meal to feed a holiday crowd this season, look no further. This delicious Bolognese sauce serves 12 generously or 16 with smaller portions. Made with ground beef, spicy Italian sausage, and diced pancetta plus red wine, Italian seasoning, and lots of vegetables, it's a robust, full-bodied way to serve a pasta dinner. If you want to save yourself time the day you're hosting and make it ahead, the sauce can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 5 days or frozen in an airtight container (or zip-top freezer bags) up to 3 months.

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Extra-Easy Lasagna

Credit: Photo: Lee Harrelson

Recipe: Extra-Easy Lasagna

This recipe may be speedy, but it does anything but skimp on flavor. This is one of those recipes that's great to have on hand when you can already hear stomachs rumbling as you walk in the door. Whether you've made it ahead and kept it in the freezer or you're starting from scratch right before dinner time, it'll be ready in under an hour regardless. Avoid a dinnertime disaster with this ground beef superhero.

Beef Tamale Pie

Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Beef Tamale Pie

From the ground beef filling to the corn muffin topping, this entire dinner comes together in your cast-iron skillet. A topping of jalapeno slices adds color, pizazz, and a little spice to this already-flavorful dish. This will be a repeat supper in your house.

Muffin Tin Meatloaf

Credit: Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist Prissy Lee

Recipe: Muffin Tin Meatloaf

Personal portions make serving so much easier for the cook of the house, and who doesn't love any food in miniature? This version of the timeless comfort food recipe was inspired by culinary legend Julia Child's take on it. Because these mini meatloaves come together in your muffin tin, each side gets deliciously caramelized and browned, so every bite is full of texture and flavor. Plus, you can enjoy these mini meatloaves on a sandwich (like a meatball sub) the next day for lunch.

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Cheesy Lasagna Soup

Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Recipe: Cheesy Lasagna Soup

Our Test Kitchen reimagined the Italian favorite with a comforting soup recipe. Tender ground chuck and velvety noodles meet in this easy, 25-minute recipe that was made for cold winter nights. A few tips straight from our Test Kitchen: Be sure to allow the beef to drain on paper towels, which removes some of the oil and prevents a layer of fat developing on the surface of the soup. Skip the no-boil pasta for this recipe—it will overcook and turn mushy.

Slow-Cooker Sloppy Joes

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Sloppy Joes

When it comes to getting a budget-friendly, kid-friendly, and schedule-friendly dinner on the table, you can't go wrong with Sloppy Joes. Letting all of the ingredients meld in the slow cooker provides rich flavor that you'll love. If you have leftovers or like to meal prep, these Slow-Cooker Sloppy Joes freeze beautifully in zip-top bags for up to a month.

Cast-Iron Skillet Burgers

Credit: photographer: Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Cast-Iron Skillet Burgers

You don't have to fire up the grill to enjoy tasty burgers—you just might like the taste of Cast-Iron Skillet Burgers better. Red onion rings that have been caramelized in bacon grease make for a delicious burger topping. Our Test Kitchen Pros even said this is "the burger to end all burgers."

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Texas-Style Beef Enchilada Casserole

Credit: Photo William Dickey / Styling Katherine Eckert / Food Styling Alyssa Porubcan

Recipe: Texas-Style Beef Enchilada Casserole

Instead of rolling individual enchiladas, throw this one-dish casserole together with incredible ease. This ground beef casserole only calls for a few ingredients, so it's a budget-friendly win for weeknights. To lighten it up and cut a few calories and a little fat, sub ground sirloin for ground chuck, fat-free cream of mushroom soup, light sour cream, and reduced-fat sharp Cheddar cheese.

Smothered Enchiladas

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Smothered Enchiladas

Enchiladas are wraps for when your appetite means business. These Smothered Enchiladas are ground beef-filled tortillas that you will enjoy served over Spanish rice and covered in a rich, creamy sauce. You can expect just the right amount of heat from a single small can of chopped green chiles-half of which you'll mix in with the ground beef. The other half will be part of that delicious sauce. Since these are so simple to make, they are a great addition to your quick-fix suppers. They make a filling and delicious weeknight dinner. Eat them fresh out of the oven, garnished with salsa and sour cream.

Easy Skillet Tacos

Credit: Photo: William Dickey

Recipe: Easy Skillet Tacos

Tacos are a great go-to weeknight meal, and these fantastic tacos make family dinners easy. We'll have you mixing up your own simple taco seasoning—these tacos get their flavor from cumin and chili powder without the additional sodium often found in packaged seasoning mixes—and you'll love the full, rich flavor of it with your ground beef. For these skillet tacos, we suggest you cover them with Cheddar cheese and cilantro, making every bite a cheesy, gooey, delicious sensation. Then, top off your crunchy tacos with any of our delicious toppings: try shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, salsa, or sour cream—or even better, just pile them all on.

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Old-fashioned Meatloaf

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Old-fashioned Meatloaf

Meatloaf may be one of the ultimate comfort foods, so a classic meatloaf recipe is always a reader favorite. Beginning with lean ground beef, this Southern meatloaf recipe features Creole and Greek seasonings and a hint of garlic. Celery, breadcrumbs, onion, and tomato paste all add flavor, richness, and depth to this delicious delight. A few tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce—that's the fantastic taste you're trying to figure out—spice up the traditional ketchup topping which keeps this meatloaf moist, tender, and juicy. This may be called the Old-Fashioned Meatloaf, but it is one of the best-tasting meatloaves you will eat today.

Hamburger Steak With Sweet Onion-Mushroom Gravy

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Hamburger Steak With Sweet Onion-Mushroom Gravy

This ground beef recipe helps you make the most of your busy weeknights. You can make the patties ahead, then simply thaw them in the fridge overnight before using. You'll love how the gravy keeps these moist and tender, while the onion adds just the right hint of sweetness and the garlic adds that little bit of spice. Mushrooms make this burger even richer, and sop up that gravy to make your burger even better. We love ground round for this burger. So get your skillet ready to brown this burger and cover it in sweet onion-mushroom gravy. You'll love how good this burger tastes.

Mexican Lasagna

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Mexican Lasagna

Making Mexican lasagna means you are getting the best of both flavor worlds on your table at one time, and this delicious ground beef recipe shows you how to put it all together. To let your lasagna go Mexican you'll be layering ground beef and sausage with corn tortillas, tomatoes, green chiles, enchilada sauce, and cheese. It tastes even more delicious than it sounds! And since this is a one of our favorite quick-fix suppers, this ground beef sensation is a convenient weeknight dinner that the kids will love as much as the grownups. So take your pasta south of the border and start layering your Mexican lasagna now.

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Red Bean Chili

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Red Bean Chili

Chili is always a great, simple, go-to meal, and this Red Bean Chili may only have a few ingredients but it is packed full of flavor. It starts with ground beef—we suggest you use lean ground beef in this recipe—seasoned with the flavors of tomatoes and chili powder. Kidney beans round out this beefy chili. Just brown ground beef with onion, stir in five additional ingredients, and let it simmer. To really let the flavors come together we suggest you prepare it in a slow cooker during the day. It will be ready in the evening for super-fast mealtime prep.

    Richard's Sloppy Joes

    Recipe: Richard's Sloppy Joes

    Few things are as delicious—or as decadent—as perfectly flavored, saucy ground beef slathered on a bun: otherwise known as a sloppy joe. This is our recipe for Richard's Sloppy Joes, and he certainly makes them good enough to make us want to share them with you. Lean ground beef, diced tomatoes, and Worcestershire sauce get blended together with ketchup, barbecue sauce, and jalapeños—plus jalapeño juice. The result is a mouthwatering blend of spicy ground beef that is precisely how it is described: delectable? Sloppy. Make Richard's recipe and enjoy these tasty treats packed with punch. Our adult taste-testers described this dish as mildly hot. If your family prefers less kick, adjust the amount of pickled jalapeños (and liquid from the jar) to suit their tastes.

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    Source: https://www.southernliving.com/food/whats-for-supper/ground-beef-recipes