These healthy ground beef recipes make for the best weeknight dinners. From a classic beef chili to Mexican favorites like taco soup, here is how I get creative with ground beef!
Photo: Gayle McLeod
Ground beef is a staple ingredient in my kitchen, especially when I’m trying to get dinner on the table quickly! It’s easy to cook, budget-friendly, and a great way to pack in protein. It’s also the foundation for all the classic comfort foods I love, like a warm bowl of chili or bite-sized meatballs! But in true Downshiftology fashion, I’m always looking for ways to make each dish feel fresh and healthy, whether that’s adding more veggies or making a sauce from scratch. And I think you’ll love my tweaks! So, these are the ground beef recipes I always come back to. And I know you and your family will too!
Chili Recipe: There’s a reason this recipe has hundreds of positive reviews! The rich, savory flavors are the best I’ve ever had in a classic beef chili. Plus, it’s a healthy, one-pot meal that’s budget-friendly and so easy to make for fall and winter nights.
Meatloaf: Nothing tastes like home more than this classic meatloaf. It’s an adaptation of my mom’s recipe, with a gluten-free twist and an insane glaze on top. I’m swapping breadcrumbs for quick-cooking oats, but no one can tell the difference. Each slice is incredibly tender and juicy!
Stuffed Peppers: I’ve always loved these stuffed peppers for a cozy yet healthy dinner. The filling packs in juicy ground beef, rice, and plenty of veggies seasoned with Italian flavors. Basically, a whole balanced meal in each stuffed pepper!
Stuffed Pepper Soup: For an extra comforting and brothy twist on stuffed peppers, this soup is a great meal prep-friendly and family-friendly option. It comes together easily with a mix of ground beef, rice, bell peppers, onion, tomatoes, and spices.
Meatballs: This Italian version always satisfies my cravings for a solid meatball dinner. These meatballs have the best combination of ground beef and pork, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and fresh herbs. You can enjoy them on their own or simmer them in my favorite homemade marinara sauce.
Taco Soup: This soup is essentially a healthy version of ground beef tacos, minus the tortillas! It’s rich with flavor thanks to my taco seasoning and has a boost of protein with black and kidney beans.
Taco Salad: Don’t forget that ground beef is a great option for making hearty, protein-packed salads! And my favorite way to do that is this taco salad. Plus, I can add all my favorite toppings like pico de gallo, guacamole, and loads of cilantro.
Cottage Pie: Whether you’re making this or shepherd’s pie, this dish always hits the spot for a classic, comforting dinner. It starts with seasoned ground beef and chopped veggies, then it’s topped with creamy mashed potatoes and baked until golden.
Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry: I made this on a whim years ago with fridge leftovers, and it has since become one of the top recipes on my website! The fact that it’s so simple and easy to customize makes it such a lovable dish for weeknights.
Sheet Pan Nachos: Oh man, this is by far one of my favorite appetizers to make. It has layers of all the good stuff: spiced ground beef, beans, cheese, pickled jalapenos, avocado chunks, and fresh salsa. It’s perfect for Sunday night football or any time you have people over.
Zucchini Lasagna: I would honestly choose this zucchini lasagna over regular lasagna any day. Not because I’m gluten-free, but because it tastes just as good and has extra veggies included. That makes it a winner all around!
Zucchini Noodle Spaghetti Bolognese: I adore this way of making a bolognese pasta! The zucchini noodles make it a bit lighter and veggie-forward, but with all the same rich flavors of a classic bolognese sauce.
More Recipe Roundup Ideas
If you try any of these ground beef recipes, let me know how they turn out in the comments below! Your review will help other readers in the community. And if you’re hungry for more healthy food inspiration and exclusive content, join my free newsletter here.
Description
These easy and healthy ground beef recipes are the best weeknight dinners. From classics like chili to Mexican favorites like this amazing taco soup! Watch the video below to see how I make this in my kitchen.
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Cook the ground beef. In a large pot over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain any leftover fat.
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Cook the first set of vegetables. Add the diced onion, bell pepper, taco seasoning, and tomato paste to the pot. Stir and sweat the ingredients together for 1 to 2 minutes.
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Add the remaining vegetables and simmer. Add the black beans, kidney beans, corn, diced tomatoes, green chilies, and water. Bring the soup to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes.
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Serve it up. To serve, ladle the taco soup into bowls and add your favorite taco toppings.
Calories: 476kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 59mg | Sodium: 448mg | Potassium: 1285mg | Fiber: 16g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 260IU | Vitamin C: 34mg | Calcium: 96mg | Iron: 8mg
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