5 Cheap Ground Beef Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights
Ground beef is a weeknight warrior’s best friend—affordable, versatile, and quick to cook. These five budget-friendly ground beef recipes are designed for busy families who need delicious, filling dinners without breaking the bank or spending hours in the kitchen. Each recipe costs under $10 to make and takes 30 minutes or less from start to finish.
Why Ground Beef is Perfect for Budget Cooking
Ground beef stretches your food budget further than almost any other protein. A single pound can feed a family of four when combined with inexpensive staples like rice, pasta, potatoes, and beans. These recipes maximize flavor while minimizing cost, proving that cheap dinners can still be incredibly satisfying.
Recipe 1: One-Pot Beef Taco Skillet
This colorful, flavorful skillet brings all the best taco flavors together in one pan with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 lean)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tablespoons homemade)
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1½ cups instant rice
- 1½ cups beef broth or water
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: sour cream, cilantro, sliced jalapeños, tortilla chips
Utensils Needed
- Large skillet with lid
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Can opener
- Knife and cutting board
Preparation Method
Step 1: Heat the skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it up with your spoon until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
Step 2: Add diced onion and garlic to the beef. Cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Step 3: Stir in taco seasoning, black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes with their juices. Mix well to combine all ingredients.
Step 4: Pour in rice and beef broth. Stir everything together, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover with lid and simmer for 12-15 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
Step 5: Remove from heat, sprinkle cheese on top, cover for 2 minutes to melt. Serve with your favorite toppings.
Cost per serving: Approximately $2.00 | Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes
Recipe 2: Classic Beef and Macaroni Skillet
A homemade version of boxed hamburger helper that’s healthier, tastier, and costs half the price.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: ¼ cup heavy cream for creaminess
Utensils Needed
- Large deep skillet or pot with lid
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife and cutting board
Preparation Method
Step 1: Brown ground beef in skillet over medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes. Break apart with spoon and drain excess grease.
Step 2: Add chopped onion and garlic, cooking for 2 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
Step 3: Stir in uncooked macaroni, tomato sauce, beef broth, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to ensure pasta is submerged.
Step 4: Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce to medium-low heat. Cover and simmer for 12-14 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and sauce has thickened.
Step 5: Stir in cream if using. Remove from heat and mix in half the cheese. Top with remaining cheese, cover for 1 minute to melt, then serve.
Cost per serving: Approximately $1.75 | Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes
Recipe 3: Budget-Friendly Beef Fried Rice
Transform leftover rice into a restaurant-quality dinner that’s cheaper than takeout.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 4 cups cooked rice (day-old works best)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil (or vegetable oil)
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, minced (or ½ teaspoon ground ginger)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Utensils Needed
- Large wok or skillet
- Spatula or wooden spoon
- Small bowl for eggs
- Measuring spoons
- Knife and cutting board
Preparation Method
Step 1: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in wok over high heat. Scramble beaten eggs for 1-2 minutes until just set. Remove to a plate and set aside.
Step 2: In the same wok, cook ground beef over high heat for 5-6 minutes, breaking it into small crumbles. Drain excess fat.
Step 3: Add garlic and ginger to the beef, stirring for 30 seconds until aromatic.
Step 4: Add frozen vegetables and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until heated through.
Step 5: Add cold cooked rice, breaking up any clumps. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until rice is heated and slightly crispy on edges.
Step 6: Pour soy sauce and remaining sesame oil over rice, stirring to coat evenly. Add scrambled eggs back in, breaking them into pieces. Toss in green onions, stir for 1 minute, and serve hot.
Cost per serving: Approximately $1.50 | Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 15 minutes
Recipe 4: Hearty Shepherd’s Pie Casserole
Comfort food at its finest—a complete meal with meat, veggies, and creamy mashed potatoes on top.
Ingredients
For the filling:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the topping:
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt to taste
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Utensils Needed
- Large pot for potatoes
- Large oven-safe skillet or 9×13 baking dish
- Potato masher or fork
- Colander
- Wooden spoon
- Knife and cutting board
Preparation Method
Step 1: Boil cubed potatoes in salted water for 12-15 minutes until fork-tender. Drain and mash with milk, butter, and salt until smooth. Set aside.
Step 2: While potatoes cook, brown ground beef in oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes. Drain fat.
Step 3: Add onion and garlic to beef, cooking for 2-3 minutes. Stir in frozen vegetables, tomato paste, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 4: Simmer mixture for 5-7 minutes until vegetables are tender and sauce has thickened slightly.
Step 5: Preheat broiler. Spread mashed potatoes evenly over the beef mixture. Use a fork to create texture on top. Sprinkle with cheese if using.
Step 6: Place under broiler for 3-5 minutes until potatoes are golden brown on top. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Cost per serving: Approximately $2.25 | Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 25 minutes
Recipe 5: Simple Beef and Bean Burritos
Quick, customizable, and perfect for feeding hungry kids. Make extras and freeze them for future meals.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) refried beans
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- ½ cup water
- 8 large flour tortillas
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
- Optional fillings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, salsa, jalapeños
Utensils Needed
- Large skillet
- Wooden spoon
- Knife and cutting board
- Measuring cups
- Can opener
- Microwave or additional skillet for warming tortillas
Preparation Method
Step 1: Cook ground beef in skillet over medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes until browned. Drain excess grease.
Step 2: Add diced onion and garlic, cooking for 2 minutes until softened.
Step 3: Stir in taco seasoning and water. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until thickened. Mix in refried beans and heat through for 2 minutes.
Step 4: Warm tortillas in microwave for 20-30 seconds wrapped in damp paper towel, or heat individually in a dry skillet.
Step 5: Assemble burritos by placing beef-bean mixture down the center of each tortilla. Add cheese and desired toppings.
Step 6: Fold in sides, then roll tightly from bottom to top. Serve immediately, or wrap in foil to keep warm.
Freezer tip: Wrap assembled burritos individually in foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen in oven at 350°F for 25-30 minutes.
Cost per serving: Approximately $1.60 | Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 15 minutes
Money-Saving Tips for Ground Beef Recipes
Buy in Bulk: Purchase family packs of ground beef when on sale and freeze in 1-pound portions.
Choose the Right Fat Ratio: 80/20 ground beef offers the best flavor-to-cost ratio for these recipes. The fat adds flavor and moisture.
Use Pantry Staples: Stock up on rice, pasta, beans, and canned tomatoes when they’re on sale to always have meal foundations ready.
Stretch It Further: Add beans, lentils, or extra vegetables to ground beef to make it go further without sacrificing protein.
Batch Cook: Double these recipes and freeze half for even quicker future meals.
Storage and Reheating
All five recipes store well in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in microwave or on stovetop with a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out. Most can also be frozen for up to 3 months—perfect for meal prep.
Why These Recipes Work for Busy Families
These ground beef dinners check all the boxes for weeknight success: they’re budget-friendly (all under $2.50 per serving), quick to prepare (30 minutes or less), use simple ingredients, require minimal cleanup, and most importantly, they taste amazing. Kids love them, adults appreciate the convenience, and your wallet will thank you.
Ground beef doesn’t have to mean boring or unhealthy. With the right seasonings and smart ingredient combinations, you can create restaurant-quality meals at home for a fraction of the cost and time.
Total Cost for All 5 Recipes: Under $50 feeds a family of 4 for an entire week | Average Prep Time: 10 minutes | Average Cook Time: 20 minutes
