Ground beef can be a convenient and versatile part of your family’s meals. Featured in our Meal Maker, Family Pleaser, Freezer Filler, and aptly named Ground Beef bundles, there are countless ways ground beef can be used in your cooking.
Here are 45 ways that you can include ground beef in your meals:
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Hamburgers
The classic American sandwich, whether plain or with cheese, there are few meals as satisfying. Here are just a few hamburger variations to try.
Loose Meat Sandwiches
Few foods say ‘Iowa’ as much as loose meat sandwiches. A staple of John’s upbringing was browned ground beef piled on top of a piece of bread and topped with ketchup, horseradish mustard, and dill pickle slices. Here are a few more variations of the loose meat sandwich:
Meatloaf
Meatloaf is ground beef’s version of a nice warm hug. Hearty and satisfying, meatloaf can be made in a variety of styles.
Meatballs
Whether on top of pasta, in a sandwich, or on a pizza, there are few things as delicious as a good meatball. Here are a few variations:
Pasta Dishes
A pound of ground beef and a package of pasta can be taken in many directions to provide delicious meals.
- Classic Spaghetti
- Beef Bolognese
- Beef Stroganoff
- Lasagna
- Cheeseburger Macaroni
- Goulash
- Homemade Hamburger Helper
Casseroles
Casseroles (or “Hot Dishes” if you hail from somewhere north of Iowa) are the quintessential midwestern meal. Ground beef can be a key part of many recipes, here are just a few:
Mexican-Inspired Dishes
From Tacos to Tamales, ground beef plays a large role in a number of Mexican inspired dishes, including:
Asian-Inspired Dishes
While beef is not a large part of many Asian cuisines, ground beef can find its way into some tasty Asian inspired meals.
Soups and Stews
Whether it’s warming up with a cup of beef and vegetable soup on a cold day or deciding whether chili is best with cornbread or a cinnamon roll, ground beef is here to help.
Other Specialties
From a topping on pizza to a part of a taco salad, there are many other ways to use ground beef including these recipes: