25+ Quick and Easy Foods to Make With Ground Beef

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This post is a collaboration with National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, on behalf of the Beef Checkoff. I received compensation, but all opinions are my own.

Are you ready for back-to-school? It’s time! New clothes, school supplies, and a shift in schedule are sure signs of the season.

This time of year is always exciting for my family. Don’t get me wrong. I love summer. But there’s just something about a new start that is rejuvenating. 

After a few months of a carefree schedule, it’s nice to have the structure that school brings to our days. I look forward to filling my planner with all the activities 11th, 8th, and 6th grade has to offer. 

This clean slate makes me want to be more organized regarding meal prep. Between schooling and sports, each day looks different. Uncomplicated meal prep is key for me and my busy family.

However, one thing remains the same—the need for proper nutrition. As a dietitian, I know that my school-aged children need foods that support learning, activity, and development. Their minds and bodies are in constant need of nutrients to support growth.

The good news is one of our dietary staples is beef. Especially Ground Beef. When it comes to nutrition, lean Ground Beef supplies the high-quality protein, zinc, iron, choline, selenium, and vitamins B6 and B12 needed for healthy development and strong minds.

Plus, Ground Beef is super easy to cook and my kids love it. Some of their most requested meals contain Ground Beef. Whether I do meal preps in advance or I need a meal ready in 30 minutes or less, Ground Beef comes in clutch.

In this post, I share some of my family’s favorite quick and easy meals made with Ground Beef.

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Why Ground Beef?

First, why is Ground Beef my go-to when feeding my growing family? Well besides cooking up quickly, the nutrition in lean Ground Beef is impressive.

A 3-oz serving of cooked 93% Lean Ground Beef has 22 grams of high-quality protein. This is especially important for my young athletes. They need the amino acids in protein to grow and repair every cell in their bodies. 

Active children may need upwards of 1.4-1.6 grams of protein¹ per kilogram of body weight every day. If my child weighs 80 lbs, I divide by 2.2 to get their weight in kilograms (80/2.2=36.4). Then I multiply 36.4 by 1.4 and 1.6 to get the recommended protein range. So my 80 lb child needs on average 51-58 grams of protein/day and Ground Beef can help meet that need.

Aside from protein, Ground Beef provides iron that is easily absorbed to support the energy levels required for activity and academic achievement. Ground Beef is also a great source of zinc, which aids in brain function and development.

Furthermore, it pairs well with veggies and whole grains so it’s easy for my kids to enjoy all the nutrients they need for health and development.

Meal Prep with Ground Beef

One of my first tips for those with school-aged children is to prep foods in advance. You’re busy and likely going from one activity to the next.

Take an hour or two on the weekend to make some foods you can use on your hectic weekdays.

There is usually an evening every week when I am home and can cook a meal. If I’m going to make a mess in my kitchen, I’ll try to do more than one meal to get more bang for my buck.

For instance, I’ll either double the recipe and freeze it for later or make a few different meals using the same ingredient. The following are some of the make-ahead meals I prepare with Ground Beef.

Hamburgers

Hamburgers are my middle son’s favorite and he requests I make them weekly. Shaping the patties is what takes the most time. One way I can make sure these are readily available is to make a couple of pounds at once. 

In under 10 minutes, I can have seasoned Ground Beef patties that can be thrown on the grill and be served up in no time.

First, you mix up the Ground Beef with your favorite seasoning. I like to use a seasoning blend that contains onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and Italian seasoning.

Of course, you can mix by hand, but I use my stand mixer to speed things. I’ll sometimes make 4-5 pounds at a time, and the mixer effectively distributes the seasoning through the Ground Beef.

Next step is shaping the patties. A serving size of Ground Beef is 3-oz. To get a 3-oz portion after cooking, you’ll make 4, 4-oz patties, as the patties will shrink a bit during cooking. So, 4 patties per pound.

One of my tips for storing your patties, if you make them in advance, is parchment paper squares. They prevent your patties from sticking together, a total game-changer and time saver. 

If you’re using the patties within 2 days, you can keep them sealed with plastic wrap or tinfoil in the fridge. Otherwise, you can wrap them in freezer paper or place in freezer bags, pop them in the freezer, and use them within 4 months.

I’ll either grill the patties on our propane grill or I’ll fry them in a non-stick pan until the internal temperature is at 160℉, as measured by a meat thermometer. I’ll pair them with a whole grain bun and a side of sweet potatoes and veggies for a well-rounded meal everyone loves.

Ground Beef Enchiladas

I love using Ground Beef for enchiladas. When I’m cooking up taco meat (more on tacos down below), I always make two pounds. One for tacos, one to make a pan of enchiladas.

I know, this is not an authentic Mexican enchilada recipe. But it is tasty, and we never have leftovers with this dish.

First, you brown up the Lean Ground Beef in a pan and season it with your favorite taco seasoning. While that is simmering, I’ll load soft taco-sized flour tortillas (you can use whole wheat for a boost in fiber) with 2 Tablespoons of refried or black beans. 

Add the taco meat, sprinkle on some cheese, and roll it up. I can make 8-10 enchiladas with one pound of Ground Beef. Then I top it with 2 10-oz cans of enchilada sauce and shredded cheddar cheese.

I’ll cover the dish with tinfoil and keep it in the fridge until I am ready to bake it. Pop it in at 375℉ for 20-30 minutes (making sure the internal temperature is 160℉ as measured by a meat thermometer) and you’ll have a delicious meal. 

Meatballs

Next up is meatballs. This is another Ground Beef meal I like to make ahead. 

Of course, spaghetti with meat sauce is one of the fastest meals to make and is a mainstay in our meal plan.

However, serving spaghetti with meatballs takes the meal up a notch. One way I like to boost my family’s nutrient intake is to serve meatballs with zucchini noodles or zoodles. You can make zoodles with an inexpensive spiralizer or a mixer attachment. 

Once you make the zoodles, you can sauté them in a pan for a few minutes with olive oil and they are done. 

Here are some meatball recipes you can try:

• Baked Italian Meatballs
• Beef and Veggie Meatballs
• Lean Meatball Subs

This is how I like to make mine:

Meatball recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 pound Lean Ground Beef
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup whole wheat bread crumbs
• 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
• ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
• ¼ t garlic powder
• ¼ t onion powder
• ½ t salt
• ¼ t pepper

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 400℉.
2. Mix all the above ingredients together.
3. Form 1 ½ inch balls and place on parchment lined baking sheet.
4. Bake for 10 minutes and turn meatballs over. Bake for another 10 minutes or until the middle of the meatballs reach 160℉ as measured by a meat thermometer.

If I’m going to freeze them, I’ll let the pan cool for about 10 minutes and then place them directly in the freezer. After a couple of hours, they’re frozen solid and can be put in a freezer container or bag. 

When ready to serve, you can simmer the meatballs in spaghetti sauce until thoroughly warmed. Serve whole wheat spaghetti noodles or zoodles (or a mix!). 

Meatloaf

The last Ground Beef meal prep recipe I have to share is for meatloaf. Meatloaf kind of has a bad reputation, but we love the simplicity and comforting taste of this meal.

Meatloaf is so versatile, and adding chopped veggies can enhance its nutrient content. I like to add zucchini or peppers to provide some added fiber and vitamin C. The vitamin C will help your child absorb the iron in the Ground Beef. 

Because meatloaf takes an hour or so to cook, I like to mix it ahead of time and place it in the fridge. Then I can pop it in the oven when I’m ready and go about my busy schedule. 

Here’s how I make my simple meatloaf:

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds Lean Ground Beef
• 1 packet onion soup or dip mix
• 1 cup whole wheat bread crumbs
• 1 cup of grated zucchini (well-drained), peppers, or carrots
• 2 eggs
• ¾ cup water
• ⅓ cup no sugar added ketchup

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350℉.
2. Mix ingredients in a large bowl (I use my stand mixer for this, too!)
3. Spoon mix into parchment paper lined 9×5 or 8×4 inch loaf pan.
4. Bake for 1 hour or until the middle of the meatloaf reaches 160℉ as measured by a meat thermometer.

Because I like to use the baking time to do other things (like tackling a mountain of laundry or playing outside with the kids), I like to pair meatloaf with low-lift sides. I’ll wrap some sweet potatoes in foil and place in the oven with the meatloaf and prepare a steamable bag of frozen veggies for a nutrient-rich and balanced meal my whole family will gobble up.

Quick and Easy Foods to Make with Ground Beef

What if you’ve got hungry kids RIGHT NOW and you don’t have anything prepped? I’ve been in this situation more times than I can count! But no worries if you’ve got Ground Beef on hand. 

Ground Beef cooks quickly and there are many meals you can make in under 30 minutes. Even if your meat is frozen when you’re starting.

We raise cattle to provide our family with a steady supply of protein. I can always rely on a package of frozen Ground Beef to come to my rescue at dinnertime.

You can quickly defrost Ground Beef in the microwave. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Check your microwave manual for defrost settings and time recommendations—they often differ depending on the model.
2. Remove the food packaging and place the meat in a microwave-safe dish.
3. If your microwave’s turn table doesn’t rotate while in defrost mode, turn the meat halfway through and finish defrosting.

According to the USDA, it is best to cook it immediately after thawing since some of the areas become warm and cooked in the microwave. 

That works well for me because it’s going straight from the microwave into one of these easy and fast Ground Beef meals.

Ground Beef Chili

A crowd-pleaser for sure, chili is perfect for back-to-school season. The days are getting shorter and the evenings are getting a bit cooler. Bring on the comfort food!

And when you add legumes like kidney beans or black beans, you’re boosting your child’s fiber intake—important for a healthy gut.

My chili recipe contains some shortcut ingredients to get dinner on the table, pronto:

Ingredients:

• 1 pound Lean Ground Beef
• 1 28-oz can diced tomatoes
• 2 15-oz cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 64-oz bottle of tomato or V8 juice (can use low sodium version)
• 1 Tablespoon cumin
• 1 Tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon red cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, brown the Ground Beef with the cumin, chili powder, red cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder on medium-high until the meat is no longer pink.
2. Add diced tomatoes, beans, and tomato juice and keep on medium-high until chili is gently boiling.
3. Turn down to low-medium and simmer for 10-15 minutes.

Chili Topping Ideas:

• Avocado
• Sour cream
• Jalapeno pepper slices
• Black olives
• Cilantro
• Shredded cheese
• Tortilla chips

For a fun twist on chili, try this Santa Fe Beef & Corn Chili that is ready in 30 minutes.

Tacos

Tacos are not just for Tuesday! Ground Beef taco meat is one of THE fastest foods I can whip up on a busy school day.

So when we have school followed by practice or travel to a game, tacos are my go-to! If my Ground Beef is thawed, I can have taco meat in under 10 minutes. And there are never any complaints from the kids on taco night. That’s every parent’s dream, right?!

It’s as easy as browning the Lean Ground Beef and adding taco seasoning (or make your own). I’ll sometimes add chopped peppers and a can of drained and rinsed black beans to add more vitamins, minerals, and fiber. 

You can use the taco meat in taco shells, burritos, nachos, or a salad. One of my favorite ways is a taco bowl.

Fellow registered dietitian, Meme Inge shares her Ground Beef Taco Bowls recipe for an easy, quick dinner idea everyone will love. Cover in your favorite topping for a nutritious meal.

If you’re looking for other ways to spice up your taco night, try Confetti Beef Tacos or Buffalo-Style Beef Tacos.

Skillet Beef and Egg Noodles

Doing the dishes can be overwhelming, especially when you start the school year and there’s paperwork and activities that require your attention. That’s where skillet meals come in handy.

This skillet meal is made in one pan, so it’s easy to clean up. Here’s how you make it:

Ingredients:

• 1.5 pounds Lean Ground Beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• ¼ cup flour
• 4 cups low low-sodium beef broth
• 16 oz bag of egg noodles
• Optional: 1 package of sliced mushrooms and 2 cups of fresh baby spinach

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet, brown Ground Beef with onion and mushrooms (if adding) on medium-heat until the meat is no longer pink. 
2. Add flour, stirring until thick.
3. While you continue stirring, slowly add broth.
4. Add the noodles and cover for 10 minutes, occasionally stirring. Cook the ground beef to an internal temperature of 160 F, as measured by a meat thermometer. If adding spinach, place it on the top in the last 5 minutes.
5. Serve with a veggie and fruit and enjoy!

My kids will vouch that you cannot taste the spinach! It’s an excellent way to get in some extra nutrients. 

Interested in more skillet Ground Beef meals that can be ready in 30 minutes or less? Try one of these:

• Easy Skillet Chil Mac
• Chuckwagon Beef and Pasta Skillet
• Ground Beef and Pasta Skillet Primavera
• Skillet Breakfast Scramble

Sloppy Joes

If I’m pressed for time, I can make sloppy joes in under 15 minutes. With pre-made sloppy joe sauce or a seasoning packet, meal prep does not get any easier! 

You simply brown up your Ground Beef, add sloppy joe mix, scoop onto on a whole grain bun and pair with a veggie.

Don’t have sloppy joe mix or looking for a twist on a classic? The following recipes come together in 30 minutes and your kids will surely love them!

• Sloppy Joes Five Ways
• Beefy Sweet & Sloppy Joes
• Mongolian Beef Sloppy Joes
• Super Sloppy Joes with Broccoli Slaw

I hope these meal ideas can help you as you transition to the hustle and bustle that the back-to-school season brings. Be sure to visit the Beef for Tweens and Teens or the 30 Minutes or Less Collection for recipe inspiration!

1. Moore DR. Protein Metabolism in Active Youth: Not Just Little Adults. Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2019;47(1):29-36. doi:10.1249/JES.0000000000000170
2. Moore DR, Volterman KA, Obeid J, Offord EA, Timmons BW. Postexercise protein ingestion increases whole body net protein balance in healthy children. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2014;117(12):1493-1501. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00224.2014