No Brainer Ground Beef Dinners for Back to School Nights

We know getting dinner on the table every night is so hard. No matter how hard we try to plan ahead, sometimes we have a pound of ground beef looking back at us and no idea what to do with it.

Here are some great ideas for making a delicious dinner out of ground beef, which takes 30 minutes or less. These are true family-friendly meals that your kids will not turn their noses up at. Many of them make great leftovers, so plan to take some in your lunch the next day. Your coworkers will be jealous for sure!

Easiest Rigatoni Bolognese

Rigatoni pasta with meat and sauce. — Easiest Rigatoni Bolognese. Photo credit: The Almond Eater.

This easy Rigatoni Bolognese is a flavorful one-pot dinner recipe. This Italian meat sauce is a classic meal that’s perfect for weeknight dinners and special occasions. It’s extra delicious served over rigatoni pasta. Comfort in a bowl!

Get the Recipe: Easiest Rigatoni Bolognese

Baked Italian Meatballs

Baked meatballs on spaghetti. — Baked Italian Meatballs. Photo credit: Barley & Sage.

These classic baked Italian meatballs are moist, juicy, and full of flavor! Fresh Italian herbs, garlic, and cheese are delicious and served over pasta with your favorite marinara sauce! This is a favorite with the kids at my house.

Get the Recipe: Baked Italian Meatballs

Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry

Ground beef and cabbage on noodles. — Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry. Photo credit: Nyssa’s Kitchen.

This ground beef and cabbage stir fry is an easy, veggie-packed dinner that’s perfect for any night of the week! It’s quick to make and full of savory flavor. Even noncabbage lovers will enjoy this meal.

Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry

Cheeseburger Sliders With Hawaiian Rolls

Cheeseburger Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls are a quick and easy way to make burgers for your family! Beef, toppings, and layered between handfuls of cheese. This also makes a great dish to bring to a potluck or as an appetizer for game day.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Sliders With Hawaiian Rolls

Indonesian Beef and Quinoa Bowl

Beef and quinoa in a bowl. — Indonesian Beef And Quinoa Bowl. Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

This Indonesian Beef and Quinoa Bowl will warm you up right away. The beef is simmered in coconut milk with curry and cinnamon, so it’s full of flavor. Top it with all your favorite toppings to get a healthy protein bowl that’s perfect for meal prep.
Get the Recipe: Indonesian Beef and Quinoa Bowl

Easy Hamburger Soup

Delicious hamburger soup in bowl. — Easy Hamburger Soup. Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

Easy Hamburger Soup is loaded with sweet potatoes, carrots, peppers, onions, celery, and fire-roasted tomatoes. It can be ready in under 30 minutes and lasts well in the fridge for lunches during the week. Perfect for a chilly day.
Get the Recipe: Easy Hamburger Soup

Copycat Panera Bread 10 Vegetable Soup

Copycat panera bread in a bowl. — Copycat Panera Bread 10 Vegetable Soup. Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

This Copycat Panera Bread 10 Vegetable Soup is comforting, spicy, and loaded with vegetables. It’s easy to make in around thirty minutes and gluten-free! Bring on the comfort food.

Get the recipe: Copycat Panera Bread 10 Vegetable Soup

Tasty BBQ Smoked Meatloaf with Glaze

BBQ meatloaf sliced on wooden board. — Tasty BBQ Smoked Meatloaf with Glaze. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

BBQ smoked meatloaf is something you should know about! This is an incredible smoker ground beef recipe you can make on a pellet grill or Traeger. The garlicky tomato meatloaf glaze on this smoked meatloaf Traeger dish will make you think you died and went to heaven. You will taste the meat, your favorite BBQ sauce, and all the other amazing ingredients in your smoked meatloaf Traeger style.

Get the Recipe: Tasty BBQ Smoked Meatloaf with Glaze

Ground Beef Stir Fry

Quick, easy, healthy ground beef stir fry recipe featuring fresh vegetables and a homemade garlic ginger stir fry sauce. We don’t always think of using ground beef in a stir fry but it’s great for quick weeknight meals.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stir Fry

Korean Beef Tacos

Get dinner on the table in 20 minutes with these Korean Beef Tacos stuffed with ground beef bulgogi, rice, veggies, kimchi, and sriracha! Who says taco night has to be boring?
Get the Recipe: Korean Beef Tacos

American Goulash

A bowl of chili and macaroni soup in a white bowl. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

If you’re looking for an easy-to-make, delicious comfort food recipe, you will love American Goulash. I grew up eating this, and my kids love it now. It’s comforting and filling.
Get the Recipe: American Goulash

Ranch Burgers

A cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato on a bun, accompanied by fries. — Ranch Burgers. Photo credit: Valerie’s Kitchen.

Ranch seasoning and tender sautéed onions are the secret to adding a TON of flavor to these Ranch Burgers. Great on the grill or stovetop. Not your average hamburger here!
Get the Recipe: Ranch Burgers

Ground Beef Stroganoff

A bowl of pasta with mushrooms and parsley. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook

If you’re looking for a yummy dinner that doesn’t skimp on flavor or require much time or effort, this flavorful Ground Beef Stroganoff is just what you need! Tender ground beef, sautéed onions, and mushrooms simmer in a deliciously rich, creamy 3-ingredient sauce.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stroganoff

Lasagna Roll-Ups

A fork is being used to round up a piece of comfort food. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Lasagna Roll-Ups are a fun, creative, and delicious twist on traditional lasagna. They take a bit more time to make, but how cute are they in their own little serving size?
Get the Recipe: Lasagna Roll-Ups

Jucy Lucy Burgers

Beef burger with sautéed onions on a bun. — Jucy Lucy Burgers. Photo credit: Recipe Girl.

The best recipe for copycat Jucy Lucy Burgers. Jucy Lucys originated in Minneapolis: burgers with cheese inside the burger instead of on top. Bite into this burger and you get a most delicious cheesy bite.
Get the Recipe: Jucy Lucy Burgers

Slow Cooker Salisbury Steaks

Looking for a cozy meal the whole family will love? Try these Slow Cooker Salisbury Steaks! Tender beef patties are cooked in rich brown gravy and served over a big pile of mashed potatoes or rice.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Salisbury Steaks

Best-Ever Smoked Meatballs

Put these best-ever smoked meatballs on your next dinner party or game day menu, and watch how happily and quickly everyone gobbles them up! Add them to marinara and serve over pasta if you prefer.
Get the Recipe: Best-Ever Smoked Meatballs

Chocolate Chili

This Chocolate Chili Recipe—full-bodied, rich, and utterly scrumptious—will transform your everyday dinner into a five-star meal. This one-pot recipe builds layers of complex flavors, like warm cumin, deep cocoa powder, and spicy jalapenos. Get the Chocolate Chili recipe here.

Easy Smash Burger Recipe

A cheeseburger with lettuce and red onion, served with a side of waffle fries. — Easy Smash Burger Recipe. Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

This easy smash burger recipe cooks up thin and crisp cheeseburgers in sizzling butter heated in a hot cast iron skillet right on your stove! No need to get fast food when you can make this delicious treat at home.
Get the Recipe: Easy Smash Burger Recipe

Ground Beef Fajitas

Looking for a quick, easy, and satisfying dinner idea? Try these sizzling ground beef fajitas – from stovetop to table in just 30 minutes! This is an absolute favorite with my kids.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Fajitas