Ground beef recipes are what I reach for when it's 5pm and nobody has a plan. One pound can turn into lasagna soup, stuffed shells, cabbage rolls, or a pan of Frito pie.
I've grouped them by how you'll cook them tonight: comfort classics, pasta bakes, soups and chili, and Tex-Mex. Cook ground beef to 160F every time; color won't tell you it's safe, a thermometer will.
We have this once a month!
Lasagna Soup
All the flavor of a pan of lasagna in one pot, and no layering required.
Ground Beef Comfort Classics: Cabbage Rolls and Meatballs
These are the slow Sunday recipes, the ones worth the extra 30 minutes of rolling and simmering. My Stuffed Cabbage Rolls are the ground beef recipe Google shows most often, and I grew up on them.
Lasagna, Stuffed Shells, and Pasta Bakes
A pound of ground beef plus a box of pasta goes a long way. Brown the beef well before it goes in the sauce; the fond is where the flavor lives.
Hamburger Meat and Rice Recipes
Got a pound of ground beef and a bag of rice? Start here.
Ground Beef Soups and Chili
Soup stretches ground beef further than anything else on this page, and most of these freeze well. Drain the fat after browning so it doesn't pool on top of the pot.
Tex-Mex and Game Day Ground Beef
Taco-seasoned ground beef does a lot of work: salad, casserole, egg rolls, and dip. Make a double batch of the meat and you're halfway to two of these.
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What can I make with a pound of ground beef?
Most of these recipes are built around one pound. Lasagna Soup, Lazy Lasagna with Frozen Ravioli, and Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Shells each call for a single pound. For more ideas, see my ground beef and rice roundup.
What temperature should ground beef be cooked to?
Cook ground beef to 160F, checked with an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part. Browned color isn't proof; ground beef can brown before it's safe.
How long does raw ground beef last in the fridge?
Use raw ground beef within 1 to 2 days of buying it, kept at 40F or below. If you won't cook it by then, freeze it.
Can I freeze ground beef soups and casseroles?
Yes. Cool them quickly, pack them airtight, and use them within 2 to 3 months for best quality. Reheat to 165F.
More Ground Beef Recipes
Every ground beef recipe on the site, newest first.
