Trying to get enough protein in your diet is a feat in and of itself—one that only gets more difficult when you have little (and picky) mouths to feed. In my household, we like to have a steady rotation of meats throughout the week to maintain some variety in our diets. Chicken, obviously, is an easy winner, but so is ground beef, especially when it comes to kid-friendly recipes. When you’re in need of something quick, easy, and healthy, it really is the ultimate go-to. There are so many ground beef dinner ideas out there that are perfect for families with kiddos.
So, for all the moms out there constantly in need of new dinner recipes that have beef in them, we’ve rounded up some easy ground beef dinner ideas to add to your weekly meal rotation. From sheet pan dinners to casseroles, this list is full of nutritious variety you and your kids will love.
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Ground Beef Crockpot Recipes
Slow cookers for the win! For any busy (and tired) mom, crockpot recipes are all the rage. Just throw everything in and—come evening time—you’ll have a delicious meal for the entire family.
1. Slow Cooker Chili
Slow cooker chili is a staple everyone should introduce into their family meal rotation, especially if scrambling to get dinner done is one of your weekly headaches. This recipe is packed with protein and perfectly hearty.
2. Beef Enchiladas
A true comfort food, if there ever was one. The recipe comes together with ground beef, tortillas, and red enchilada sauce. Then, let the slow cooker work its magic!
3. Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs
The great thing about this recipe? You can make the meatballs from scratch or use frozen ones, whichever is more convenient for you and your family. Then, you’ll just need some BBQ sauce, cherry jam, and chipotle peppers.
4. Stuffed Pepper Soup
Stuffed peppers are an all-time favorite of mine, and the fact that they can be made in a crockpot—in the form of a warm and cozy soup—is just another reason they should be added to your family’s weekly meal plan.
5. Crockpot Ravioli
If your kiddos love pasta and are in need of some protein in their diet, ravioli is an excellent choice. For picky eaters, this dish is loaded with cheese and marinara, which masks the ground beef if they’re not fans of this protein source.
Sheet Pan Ground Beef Recipes
Similar to crockpot recipes, sheet pan dinners are loved for their simplicity and easy clean up! Everything cooks in one pan, making for fewer messes and dishwashing headaches. These ground beef dinner ideas are so tasty, you’ll definitely want to give them a try.
6. Sheet Pan Sliders
Easy to prepare and great to serve at a large gathering or family dinner, sliders are a kid-friendly favorite that you just cannot go wrong with. Plus, there is no sauteeing or grilling necessary. Just smush half of the meat down into a sheet pan, top it with cheese and any remaining toppings, and bake.
7. Meatloaf and Potatoes
The sweet ketchup glaze and warm, golden potatoes will make this recipe an instant family favorite. Meatloaf is one of those recipes that is easy to prepare and rich with protein—the best of both worlds!
8. Baked Greek Meatballs and Potatoes
These Greek meatballs deliver all of the authentic flavor without the hours of prep. The tzatziki and tangy lemon potatoes really set this recipe apart.
9. Loaded Sheet Pan Nachos
Another easy, kid-friendly winner, especially on busy weeknights when you may have kiddos eating on the go. The recipe is loaded with beef, salsa, and cheese, and is totally customizable!
Air Fryer Ground Beef Recipes
My air fryer may be the one thing in my kitchen I absolutely cannot go without. These basic recipes are known winners (especially for kids) and can be thrown in the air fryer for a quick, mess-free prep and clean up.
10. Air Fryer Meatballs
Meatballs are a staple that can be added to anything: pastas, casseroles, bowls, etc. These couldn’t be simpler. Just shape the meatballs, add minced garlic, egg, grated cheese, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Then, air fry for 10 to 12 minutes!
11. Air Fryer Meatloaf
Another family staple that can be made in the air fryer (much faster than in the oven!). With this recipe, the inside stays moist and tender while the edges get a little crispy.
12. Air Fryer Tacos
While I love a soft flour tortilla, something about a crispy tortilla feels extra delicious to me. In the air fryer, these basic, kid-friendly tacos come out extra crispy around the edges.
Ground Beef Casserole Recipes
Casseroles are always a go-to in my house for their single pan nature (another win for an easy clean up!). Plus, they’re such a simple way to get proteins, veggies, and grains into your diet in one go. Keep reading for some ground beef meal ideas your family will love.
13. Chili Spaghetti Squash Casserole
This is a super balanced family meal option with protein, healthy fats, and veggies. It can easily be cooked ahead of time and served as leftovers for the weeknights to come!
14. Baked Taco Mac and Cheese Casserole
Mac and cheese with added protein? That sounds like a win-win to me. This recipe is great with ground beef, but you can also use ground turkey if you’re looking for some more variety!
15. Hamburger Casserole
With veggies and whole grains, this casserole is family friendly and healthy! The cheesy noodles and ground beef are wrapped in a creamy sauce and topped with toasted breadcrumbs.
16. Easy Taco Casserole
This recipe is an excellent way to spice up your family’s taco night! Plus, there are a million different things you can serve with it to add more flavor: Greek yogurt, guacamole, and salsa, to name a few.
17. Ground Beef Zucchini Casserole
Baked until bubbly and golden, this zucchini casserole contains pasta, marinara, and a cottage cheese blend. It takes only 15 minutes to prep!
18. Ground Beef and Rice Casserole
Ground beef and rice are an obvious and healthy combo, and this recipe is the ultimate go-to. The ground beef is coated with cheesy goodness!
19. Sloppy Joe Casserole
This recipe takes everything you know and love about sloppy joes and bakes it into a family-friendly, cozy dish you’ll quickly become obsessed with. The fluffy mashed potatoes are sure to be a winner with the kiddos.
20. Ground Beef Potato Casserole
The tender diced potatoes, seasoned ground beef, enchilada sauce, and gooey melted cheese in this recipe create a delicious, Southwest-inspired casserole. Plus, no canned soup is used, making it an excellent homemade (and healthy) option.
21. Easy Beef Burrito Casserole
Similar to a taco casserole with plenty of room for personalization, this burrito casserole includes rice, veggies, beans, and a cheese topping that will make your mouth water.
22. Butternut Squash Casserole
Made in one dish, this is a flavorful and nutritious family option with easy cleanup. It can also easily be frozen or refrigerated for school lunches!
Ground Beef Pasta Recipes
You can never go wrong with a pasta dinner, especially when little ones are involved. But getting in some protein is important, too. These pasta dinner ideas use ground beef, so your kiddos can enjoy all the noodles they want—while not missing out on important nutritional benefits.
23. Cheesy Taco Pasta
Pasta with some added protein is always a winner for picky eaters. This one’s a little reminiscent of Hamburger Helper, but with way more nutritional value.
24. Bolognese Pasta
Bolognese is a family staple for a reason. This recipe includes onion, celery, mushrooms, and carrots, making for a healthy dinner choice.
25. Stuffed Shells With Meat
Stuffed shells are a favorite from my childhood, and it was one of the easiest ways my mom snuck in secret protein and veggies. For this recipe, you’ll want to have lots of Parmesan, basil, and garlic on hand.
Rebecca Smith, Editorial Intern
As editorial intern, Rebecca works with The Everymom team on updating existing content, photo sourcing, pitching original articles, and more. She’s passionate about creating authentic and diverse online content, and is thrilled to help women of all ages feel represented by contributing to The Everymom.
