5 Delicious Ground Beef Recipes for an Easy Family Meal

Thawed some ground beef and have no idea what to do with it? Instead of making the same familiar meatballs yet again, you can turn it into a completely different meal with just a few simple ingredients.

From a quick one-pan stir-fry to stuffed potatoes, crispy puff pastry, and a complete rice-and-beef dinner in one pot, these five easy ground beef recipes are perfect for busy days. You probably already have most of the ingredients in your kitchen, the prep is simple, and there’s something here for the whole family.

Now all that’s left is to decide what you’re making today.

1. Tender Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

This classic recipe is always worth keeping on hand. The sauce is rich and flavorful, the meatballs are tender, and all you need alongside them is white rice or mashed potatoes.

Ingredients for the Meatballs

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 small onion, grated
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
• A handful of chopped parsley
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• A little black pepper

For the Sauce

• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 14 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 to 1 1/2 cups water

Directions

In a bowl, mix all the meatball ingredients just until combined. Form into small balls and set aside.

Heat the oil in a wide pot and sauté the onion until it begins to turn golden. Add the garlic, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and spices, and stir.

Add the water and bring to a gentle boil. Carefully add the meatballs to the sauce one at a time. Cover and cook over low heat for about 30 minutes. Toward the end of the cooking time, remove the lid and cook for a few more minutes if needed, until the sauce thickens.

Tip: Don’t overwork the meat mixture. Mixing it for too long can make the meatballs dense rather than tender.

2. One-Pan Ground Beef and Vegetable Stir-Fry

This is the recipe for days when you have absolutely no interest in washing multiple pots and pans. Everything comes together in one skillet, and dinner can be ready in less than half an hour.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, sliced into strips
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips
• 1 zucchini, cut into small cubes
• 1 carrot, cut into thin strips
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon date syrup
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil, optional
• A little black pepper
• 2 tablespoons oil for frying
• Scallions or sesame seeds for serving, optional

Directions

Heat the oil in a large, deep skillet. Add the beef and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned.

Transfer the beef to a plate, or push it to one side of the pan, then add the onion, carrot, bell pepper, and zucchini.

Stir-fry for a few minutes, until the vegetables have softened slightly but still have some bite. Add the garlic, soy sauce, date syrup, and sesame oil. Mix everything together and stir-fry for another 2 to 3 minutes.

Serve immediately, either on its own or over rice.

3. Ground Beef-Stuffed Potatoes

If you want a meal that looks impressive but is actually very simple to prepare, this recipe is a great choice.

Ingredients

• 5 medium to large potatoes
• 14 ounces ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons oil
• A handful of chopped parsley

Directions

Wash the potatoes well and bake them whole in an oven preheated to 400°F until tender, about 45 to 60 minutes depending on their size.

Meanwhile, prepare the filling. Heat the oil in a skillet and sauté the onion until golden. Add the garlic, followed by the beef, breaking it up well as it cooks. Once the beef is browned, add the tomato paste and spices and cook for a few more minutes.

When the potatoes are ready, cut them in half lengthwise and carefully scoop out some of the flesh with a spoon. Mix some of the scooped-out potato with the meat mixture, then spoon the filling back into the potato halves.

Return them to the oven for about 10 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with a large salad.

Shortcut: Microwave the potatoes until almost tender, then transfer them to the oven to finish cooking and brown.

4. Ground Beef Puff Pastry Bake

This is one of those recipes that looks like you put in far more effort than you actually did, making it a great option for both family meals and entertaining.

Ingredients

• 1 package puff pastry, thawed according to package directions
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1/2 teaspoon baharat
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• A handful of chopped parsley
• 1 egg, beaten, for brushing
• Black and white sesame seeds, for sprinkling

Directions

Heat the oil in a skillet and sauté the onion until golden. Add the beef, breaking it up well as it cooks. Add the baharat, paprika, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking until the meat is fully cooked and any excess liquid has evaporated.

Remove from the heat, stir in the parsley, and allow the mixture to cool.

Roll out the puff pastry and place the meat mixture in the center. Fold the pastry over the filling and seal the edges well. You can prepare one large pastry or cut the dough into squares to make individual pockets.

Brush with beaten egg, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and bake in an oven preheated to 375°F for about 25 to 35 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden.

Important: Let the meat mixture cool before placing it on the puff pastry. A hot filling can soften the fat in the dough and prevent the pastry from becoming crisp and flaky.

5. One-Pot Rice With Ground Beef

If you want the simplest complete meal on this list, this may be the one. Meat, rice, and vegetables cook together in a single pot, so there’s no need to prepare a separate side dish.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 cups rice
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 carrot, grated
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• A little cinnamon or baharat, optional
• Salt and pepper to taste
• About 3 cups hot water, or according to the type of rice you are using
• A handful of chopped parsley

Directions

Heat the oil in a wide pot and sauté the onion until golden. Add the beef and break it up well as it cooks. Continue cooking until the beef is browned.

Add the grated carrot and spices and stir for about a minute. Rinse the rice well, then add it to the pot. Stir for another minute or two so that the grains are lightly coated with the spices and flavors.

Add the hot water and salt and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat, and cook according to the directions for the type of rice you are using, usually about 15 to 20 minutes.

Turn off the heat and leave the pot covered for another 10 minutes. Uncover, fluff the rice gently with a fork, and sprinkle with chopped parsley.

Want to make it even better? Add peas, toasted pine nuts, or sliced almonds for extra flavor and texture.