8 Dinners to Make With a Pound of Ground Beef

Cooking with ground beef opens up a world of possibilities for delicious and satisfying dinners. Whether you’re in the mood for something classic like spaghetti or want to try something new like stuffed peppers, there are endless ways to use a pound of ground beef to create a memorable meal. Here are eight dinner ideas to inspire your next culinary adventure.

1. Classic Spaghetti Bolognese

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can crushed tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste
• Cooked spaghetti noodles

Instructions:

1. In a skillet, brown the ground beef with onions and garlic.
2. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and seasonings. Simmer for 15-20 minutes.
3. Serve the Bolognese sauce over cooked spaghetti noodles.

2. Beef Tacos

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• Taco seasoning
• Taco shells or tortillas
• Toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa

Instructions:

1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet and season with taco seasoning.
2. Fill taco shells or tortillas with the seasoned beef and top with desired toppings.

3. Stuffed Bell Peppers

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• Bell peppers (halved and seeds removed)
• Cooked rice
• Tomato sauce
• Shredded cheese
• Salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Brown the ground beef and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
3. Mix cooked rice and tomato sauce with the beef.
4. Stuff the bell pepper halves with the beef mixture and top with shredded cheese.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes until peppers are tender and cheese is melted.

4. Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• Broccoli florets
• Soy sauce
• Garlic, minced
• Ginger, grated
• Brown sugar
• Cooked rice or noodles

Instructions:

1. Brown the ground beef with minced garlic and grated ginger in a skillet.
2. Add broccoli florets and cook until tender-crisp.
3. Stir in soy sauce and brown sugar. Cook until the sauce thickens.
4. Serve over cooked rice or noodles.

5. Meatball Subs

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• Bread or sub rolls
• Marinara sauce
• Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• Italian seasoning
• Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Form the ground beef into meatballs and brown in a skillet.
3. Place meatballs in a baking dish, cover with marinara sauce, and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and Italian seasoning.
4. Bake until cheese is melted and bubbly.
5. Serve meatballs on bread or sub rolls, sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.

6. Beef and Vegetable Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• Assorted vegetables (bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, etc.)
• Soy sauce
• Garlic, minced
• Sesame oil
• Cooked rice or noodles

Instructions:

1. Brown the ground beef with minced garlic in a wok or large skillet.
2. Add assorted vegetables and stir-fry until tender.
3. Season with soy sauce and a splash of sesame oil.
4. Serve over cooked rice or noodles.

7. Beef and Potato Skillet

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• Potatoes, diced
• Onion, chopped
• Garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper
• Olive oil
• Fresh herbs (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté onions until translucent.
2. Add diced potatoes and cook until golden brown.
3. Push potatoes to the side and brown the ground beef in the same skillet.
4. Season with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
5. Mix everything together, garnish with fresh herbs if desired, and serve hot.

8. Beef and Cheese Quesadillas

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• Flour tortillas
• Shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, etc.)
• Salsa, sour cream, guacamole (for serving)

Instructions:

1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet and drain excess fat.
2. Lay out a tortilla, sprinkle with shredded cheese, and top with cooked ground beef.
3. Place another tortilla on top to form a quesadilla.
4. Cook on a skillet until cheese is melted and tortillas are golden brown.
5. Cut into wedges and serve with salsa, sour cream, and guacamole.

These eight dinner ideas showcase the versatility of ground beef and offer delicious options for any night of the week. Whether you prefer classic comfort foods or want to try something new, these recipes are sure to satisfy your taste buds. Enjoy experimenting with different flavors and ingredients to create your perfect ground beef dinner!