14 comfort food dinners you can make with a pound of ground beef

ByAnne Jolly

That pound of ground beef sitting in your fridge is more versatile than you think. Whether you’re craving something cheesy, something with pasta, or something that reminds you of childhood dinners, this protein has you covered.

A bowl of French onion casserole.
French Onion Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Walking Taco Casserole

Mexican casserole in a glass dish.
Walking Taco Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This casserole takes that single pound of ground beef and turns it into a fun family dinner with layers of seasoned meat, cheese, veggies, and crunchy Fritos. It’s easy to throw together and always gets cleaned off the table fast.
Get the Recipe: Walking Taco Casserole

Italian Wedding Soup

A slow cooker filled with Italian wedding soup featuring meatballs, spinach, carrots, celery, and small pasta in broth.
Italian Wedding Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Your pound of ground beef becomes tender little meatballs in this slow cooker soup that practically cooks itself. Toss in pasta and veggies with a rich broth and you’ve got a cozy dinner ready when you are.
Get the Recipe: Italian Wedding Soup

Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

Two slices of meatloaf on a plate with mashed potatoes and carrots.
Cracker Barrel Meatloaf. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This copycat recipe stretches a pound of ground beef into a classic comfort dinner that tastes like the restaurant version. Season it right and you’ve got a straightforward meal that hits the spot every time.
Get the Recipe: Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili

Cincinnatti chili on top of spaghetti and covered with cheese, beans and onions.
Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Dump your ground beef in the slow cooker with spices and tomato sauce, then walk away while it does all the work. This hands-off recipe is perfect when you want something different from regular chili night.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili

Instant Pot Gnocchi with Sauce

An Instant Pot recipe for a bowl of pasta with meat and vegetables.
Instant Pot Gnocchi with Sauce. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

One pound of ground beef combines with gnocchi and vegetables in a creamy tomato sauce for a hearty one-pot dinner. The whole thing comes together in 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Gnocchi with Sauce

Birria Chili

A bowl of chili topped with lime slices, red onion, crumbled cheese, and chopped herbs in a black pot.
Birria Chili. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This slow cooker chili puts a bold spin on the classic by using ground beef with birria seasoning and chipotle peppers. It’s a dump-and-go recipe that feeds plenty of people and freezes great for later.
Get the Recipe: Birria Chili

Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers

Two stuffed yellow bell peppers with melted cheese and herbs served on a white plate.
Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Your air fryer cooks these stuffed peppers fast, giving you crispy exteriors and juicy beef filling in less time than the oven. One pound of ground beef is all you need for this healthy weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers

French Onion Casserole

A bowl of French onion casserole
French Onion Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This one-pan dinner uses ground beef and a clever French onion dip trick to create something different from your usual weeknight rotation. Crispy onions on top make it feel a little special without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Casserole

Taco Tater Tot Casserole

A close-up of a tater tot casserole topped with melted cheese and chopped green onions, with a serving being lifted out on a metal spatula.
Taco Tater Tot Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Crispy tater tots sit on top of cheesy taco-seasoned ground beef for the kind of comfort food that disappears fast. It’s quick to assemble and totally family-friendly.
Get the Recipe: Taco Tater Tot Casserole

Taco Pasta Casserole

A baking dish filled with baked pasta covered in melted cheese and garnished with chopped herbs.
Taco Pasta Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This cheesy baked casserole comes together in about 30 minutes using ground beef and pasta for an easy weeknight dinner. Let everyone add their own toppings and you’ve got a customizable meal the whole family will eat.
Get the Recipe: Taco Pasta Casserole

Baked Manicotti

Baked manicotti in a cast iron skillet.
Baked Manicotti. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Pasta shells get stuffed with cheese, then topped with ground beef and marinara for a hearty Italian dinner. It’s the kind of comfort food that feels a little fancy but doesn’t require fancy skills.
Get the Recipe: Baked Manicotti

Slow Cooker Chili Mac

Cheese covered slow cooker chili mac in the crock pot with a wooden spoon.
Slow Cooker Chili Mac. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This recipe combines chili and mac and cheese in one pot, using your slow cooker so you don’t have to babysit dinner. The result is a hearty, cheesy meal that beats the same old weeknight routine.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chili Mac

Taco Rice Skillet

Closeup of a skillet with ground beef, cheese and tomatoes.
Taco Rice Skillet. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Get dinner on the table in 20 minutes with this one-dish skillet that uses just 8 ingredients including ground beef and rice. It’s straightforward comfort food for busy nights when you need something fast.
Get the Recipe: Taco Rice Skillet

Chili Cornbread Casserole

Chili cornbread casserole on a white plate.
Chili Cornbread Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Ground beef chili gets topped with cornbread in this easy casserole that delivers big flavor without complicated steps. It’s perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something hearty and comforting.
Get the Recipe: Chili Cornbread Casserole