12 Delicious Things to Make with 1 Lb of Ground Beef

Have a pound of ground beef in the fridge?

You’re halfway to dinner!

Here are 12 crowd-pleasing recipes that’ll put that beef to good use—from quick weeknight fixes to comfort food classics.

1. Classic Beef Tacos

What you need:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning (or make your own with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and paprika)
• 8-10 taco shells or tortillas
• Toppings: shredded lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, sour cream, salsa

How to make it: Brown the beef in a skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain the fat, then stir in taco seasoning and ½ cup water. Simmer for 5 minutes until thickened. Serve in shells with your favorite toppings.

2. One-Pot Beef and Macaroni

What you need:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 small onion, diced
• Salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste

How to make it: Brown beef with onion in a large pot. Add broth, tomato sauce, and macaroni. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for 12-15 minutes until pasta is tender. Stir in cheese until melted.

3. Sloppy Joes

What you need:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 small green pepper, diced
• ¾ cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard
• 4-6 hamburger buns

How to make it: Cook beef, onion, and pepper until beef is browned. Drain fat. Add ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire, and mustard. Simmer for 10 minutes. Pile onto buns and serve with pickles.

4. Korean Beef Bowls

What you need:

• 1 lb ground beef
• ⅓ cup soy sauce
• 3 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
• Cooked rice
• Green onions and sesame seeds for topping

How to make it: Brown the beef and drain. Mix soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger in a bowl. Pour over beef and cook for 2-3 minutes. Serve over rice and top with green onions and sesame seeds.

Try this Korean BBQ Rice Casserole!

5. Stuffed Bell Peppers

What you need:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 4 large bell peppers, tops cut off and seeded
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1 small onion, diced
• Italian seasoning, salt, pepper

How to make it: Preheat oven to 375°F. Brown beef with onion. Mix in rice, tomatoes, half the cheese, and seasonings. Stuff peppers with mixture, place in baking dish with ½ cup water. Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes. Top with remaining cheese and bake uncovered 10 more minutes.

Try this unique stuffed pepper recipe!

6. Beef Quesadillas

What you need:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 8 flour tortillas
• 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• Sour cream and salsa for serving

How to make it: Season and cook beef as for tacos. On half of each tortilla, layer cheese and beef, then fold over. Cook in a skillet over medium heat until golden and crispy on both sides (about 3 minutes per side). Cut into wedges.

Or try these sheet pan quesadillas!

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7. Chili

What you need:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained
• 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper

How to make it: Brown beef with onion in a large pot. Add everything else. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 30 minutes (or longer for deeper flavor). Serve with cheese, sour cream, and cornbread.

8. Beef Fried Rice

What you need:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 3 cups cooked rice (day-old works best)
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Green onions

How to make it: Heat oil in a large skillet or wok. Scramble eggs and set aside. Brown beef with garlic. Add vegetables and cook until tender. Add rice, breaking up clumps. Stir in soy sauce and eggs. Cook until rice is heated through and slightly crispy.

9. Meatballs

What you need:

• 1 lb ground beef
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper

How to make it: Preheat oven to 400°F. Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Form into 16-20 meatballs. Place on a greased baking sheet and bake 20 minutes. Serve with marinara sauce over pasta or in sub rolls.

10. Beef Stroganoff

What you need:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 8 oz egg noodles
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 small onion, diced
• 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tbsp flour
• Salt and pepper

How to make it: Cook noodles according to package. Brown beef with onion and mushrooms. Sprinkle flour over beef and stir. Add broth and simmer until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream. Serve over noodles.

Try this twist on a classic favorite – stroganoff pot pie!

11. Salisbury Steak

What you need:

• 1 lb ground beef
• ⅓ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1 packet onion soup mix
• 1 can (10 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• ¾ cup water
• 8 oz mushrooms, sliced

How to make it: Mix beef, breadcrumbs, egg, and half the soup mix. Form into 4-6 oval patties. Brown in a skillet. In a bowl, mix soup, water, and mushrooms. Pour over patties. Cover and simmer 15 minutes.

Try these salisbury steak meatballs!

12. Beefy Nachos

What you need:

• 1 lb ground beef
• Tortilla chips
• 2 cups shredded cheese
• Taco seasoning
• Toppings: jalapeños, black beans, tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole, salsa

How to make it: Preheat oven to 375°F. Season and cook beef. Spread chips on a large baking sheet. Top with beef and cheese. Bake 8-10 minutes until cheese melts. Load up with all your favorite toppings and dig in.

The Bottom Line

One pound of ground beef is your ticket to dozens of satisfying meals.

Whether you’re in the mood for something quick like tacos or ready to spend a little more time on stuffed peppers, there’s always a way to turn that beef into something delicious.

Stock your pantry with basics like rice, pasta, and canned tomatoes, and you’ll never be stuck wondering what’s for dinner!