Make dinner and affordable with this delicious list of 71 cheap dinner ideas with ground beef. Ground beef does not need to be boring!
Original post: March 2020 | Updated: March 2024
Cheap Dinner Ideas With Ground Beef
Ground beef as a standalone ingredient might seem boring, but with a little help from other ingredients it can easily be transformed into a cheap and delicious meal. I have always been a huge fan of this versatile protein and it has been fun getting creative with it.
One of my favorite things about it, aside from it’s delicious flavor, is its affordability! There are so many filling, hearty, delicious ground beef recipes that are also affordable and easy to make. As beef prices continue to rise, stick to your food budget by making one of the recipes below for those busy weeknights!
Enjoy this collection of easy, delicious recipes that are sure to satisfy the bellies around your table tonight! The below compilation includes recipes from these categories:
- Ground beef casseroles are a convenient and versatile choice for using this meat. Combine the ground meat with vegetables, pasta or rice, for a hearty and flavorful meal.
- Ground beef is the perfect main ingredient for making delicious and budget-friendly burgers. Customize the patties with spices, herbs and toppings of your choice. Whether grilled or pan-fried, burgers are a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner option.
- Mexican cuisine offers a wide range of options to use ground beef, such as tacos, enchiladas or burritos. Season the meat with taco seasoning or other Mexican spices for a flavorful and fun twist. Mexican beef dishes are not only tasty but also cost-effective.
- Ground beef is a key ingredient in making a hearty and filling chili recipe. Combine it with beans, tomatoes and spices for pure comfort food! It’s the perfect dish for a cozy night in, and leftovers often taste even better the next day.
- Ground beef adds richness to pasta dishes such as spaghetti, beef stroganoff or lasagna. The meat pairs well with a variety of pasta shapes and sauces, creating satisfying and economical meals the whole family will love.
- Meatloaf is one of those comfort food classics that can be made using ground beef. Mix it with breadcrumbs, eggs and seasonings, then bake it to perfection. Meatloaf is not only delicious for dinner but can also make tasty sandwiches for lunches.
- Ground beef sandwiches offer a quick and easy meal option. Sloppy Joes feature seasoned ground beef served on a bun. Other options include beef and cheese sliders or Philly cheesesteak sandwiches.
- Ground beef can be shaped into meatballs and cooked in various ways, such as in tomato sauce, on skewers or in soups. Meatballs are versatile and can be served as appetizers, with pasta or in a sub sandwich.
- Create your own budget-friendly pizza using ground beef as a topping. Combine it with other ingredients like melty cheese, vegetables or your favorite sauce for a homemade pizza that is both tasty and affordable.
- Ground beef adds protein and flavor to soups. Whether in a classic beef and vegetable soup or a hearty minestrone, this juicy meat enhances the overall richness of the dish. It is an excellent option for comforting and filling easy dinners.
- Explore other main dishes that incorporate ground beef, such as stuffed green peppers, beef stir-fry or beef and vegetable skewers. This category allows for creativity and diversity when preparing satisfying meals using this protein-rich ingredient.
Why Does Ground Beef Turn Brown
Ground beef can turn brown when it has been exposed to air for an extended period of time, whether in the fridge or at room temperature. This does not necessarily mean the meat has gone bad, but can reduce the shelf life. Store ground beef properly in the fridge in airtight containers to reduce air exposure.
Best Way To Store Ground Beef
Store ground beef in the refrigerator in an airtight container for best results. For longer storage, freeze it in portioned packages, removing as much air as possible to maintain its quality and prevent freezer burn.
Can Ground Beef Be Refrozen
Ground beef can be refrozen if it has been frozen once and thawed in the fridge. It is not recommended to do this more than one time.
Best Hamburger Meat for Burgers
The best ground beef to use when making burgers is 80/20 or 90/10 ground chuck, which is 80% lean meat and 20% fat. The more fat, the more flavorful and juicy the end result will be.
Best Ground Beef for Tacos
80/20 or 90/10 ground chuck is best when making tacos. The more fat, the more flavorful and juicy the end result will be.
How To Make Ground Beef Taste Better
Flavor in any recipe is important, but what do you do if you find yourself with a bland dish that has already been cooked? Check out this post for some tips about how to enhance the flavor in any type of food or dish!
Ground Beef and Cream of Mushroom Soup Recipes
Simplify dinner tonight! Create an easy, affordable and delicious meal using two hearty main ingredients. Click over for a handful of ground beef and cream of mushroom soup recipes!
Cheap Dinner Ideas With Ground Beef
Below you will find an extensive roundup of my favorite ground beef recipes that are both cheap and delicious. Any of the below recipes will be perfect for dinner tonight!
- Runza Casserole
- Add it to a taco salad
- Cheeseburger pizza
- Swedish meatballs or Parmesan meatballs
- Homemade Ground Beef Taco Meat
- Add it to pasta to create a cheeseburger pasta dish
- Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole
- Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
- Add it to hollowed-out bell peppers along with rice to create stuffed peppers
- Spaghetti Sauce
- Oven Baked Beef Tacos
- Make a delicious skillet using rice, beef, cheese and beans
- Baked Cheesy Ground Beef Sliders
- Beefy Shells and Cheese with Ranch
- Mexican pizza
- Empanadas
- Slow Cooker Goulash
- Make your own burrito bowl
- Instant Pot Lasagna
- Cabbage rolls
- Create a cabbage roll skillet
- Instant Pot Meatloaf
- Easy Crock Pot Ravioli
- Meatball sub sandwiches
- Instant Pot Meatballs
- Ditch the buns and create burger bowls such as Korean beef bowls
- Instant Pot Sloppy Joe recipe
- 5 Ingredient Chili
- Add it to a batch of mac and cheese
- Salsa Burgers
- Enchiladas
- Baked Ziti
- Beef nachos
- Taco Cups
- Taco soup
- Instant Pot Goulash
- Use ground beef in place of pot roast or roast beef in any beef stew such as poor man’s stew
- Instant Pot Chili
- Sloppy Joe grilled cheese
- Homemade Hamburger Helper
- Ground beef totchos
- Burgers with Grilled Peaches, Brie and Cherry Jam
- Baked Spaghetti
- Stir fry
- Hamburger soup
- Taco skillet
- Include it in any soup to add protein
- Best Chili Ever
- Cabbage roll soup
- Burgers with Sweet Potato Buns
- Meatloaf
- Rice + ground beef + your favorite salsa
- Shepherd’s Pie or cottage pie
- Patty melt
- One Pot Chili Mac
- Lasagna
- Taco casserole
- Taco salad pizza
- Add it to pasta salad
- Add it to breakfast hash browns or potatoes
- Tater Tot Hotdish
- Walking tacos or lettuce wraps
- Tostadas
- Meaty Cast-Iron Calzone
- Combine cooked ravioli, pasta sauce and cooked hamburger meat
- Three Cheese Manicotti
- Add it to taco dip for a complete dinner
- Baked Meatballs
- Chalupas
- Salisbury Steak
- Add it to a batch of baked beans
Leave a Reply