Skip to content

Top Navigation

EatingWell EatingWell
  • Healthy Recipes
  • Special Diets
  • Diabetes
  • Healthy Meal Plans
  • Healthy Eating
  • Healthy Lifestyle
  • Healthy Cooking
  • Shop
  • News
  • Videos
Log In Account Details

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Pin FB

Explore EatingWell

EatingWell EatingWell
  • Explore

    Explore

    • What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Avocado Every Day

      What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Avocado Every Day

      Can an avocado a day keep your health at bay? What does the research have to say? Read More
    • 7-Day No-Sugar High-Protein Meal Plan

      7-Day No-Sugar High-Protein Meal Plan

      Skip the added sugar and bump up the protein to keep yourself full on this 7-day meal plan. Read More
    • 20 Low-Carb, High-Protein Dinners Ready in 3 Steps or Less

       If you're looking for low-carb, high-protein dinners that don't require cooking for hours, these recipes got you covered. These dinner options are ready to serve in 3 steps or less so you can meet your nutrition goals easily. Each recipe l meets our nutrition parameters, with less than 14 grams of carbs and more than 15 grams of protein, without wasting on flavor. Recipes like 20-Minute Chicken Cutlets with Creamy Pesto Sauce and Cheesy Ground Beef Cauliflower Casserole are delicious options for you to get a healthy meal on your table in no time.  Read More
  • Healthy Recipes

    Healthy Recipes

    See All Healthy Recipes
    • Healthy Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Healthy Lunch Recipes
    • Healthy Dinner Recipes
    • Healthy Snack Recipes
    • Healthy Dessert Recipes
    • Healthy Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Salad Recipes
    • Healthy Smoothie Recipes
    • Healthy Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Healthy Slow-Cooker & Crockpot Recipes
    • Healthy Kids Recipes
    • Healthy Holiday Recipes
    • Healthy Vegan Recipes
    • Healthy Vegetarian Recipes
    • Healthy Mediterranean Diet Recipes
    • Healthy Diabetes-Friendly Recipes
    • Healthy Low-Calorie Recipes
    • Healthy Weight Loss & Diet Recipes
    • More Lifestyle Diet Recipes
    • More Health Condition Recipes
    • More Dietary Restriction Recipes
    • More Nutrient Focused Recipes
  • Special Diets

    Special Diets

    See All Special Diets
    • Clean Eating Diet Center
    • Mediterranean Diet Center
    • Low-Carb Diet Center
    • Weight Loss Center
    • Dairy-Free Diet Center
    • Gluten-Free Diet Center
    • High-Fiber Diet Center
    • Vegan Diet Center
    • Vegetarian Diet Center
    • Heart-Healthy Diet Center
    • Cholesterol Diet Center
    • Diabetes Diet Center
    • High Blood Pressure Diet Center
    • Low Sodium Diet Center
    • Healthy Aging Diet Center
    • Pregnancy Diet Center
  • Diabetes

    Diabetes

    See All Diabetes
    • Meal Plans for Diabetes
    • Diabetes-Friendly Recipes
    • Diabetes Diet Center
  • Healthy Meal Plans

    Healthy Meal Plans

    See All Healthy Meal Plans
    • Meal Planning 101
    • Dinner Plans
    • Clean Eating Meal Plans
    • Mediterranean Diet Meal Plans
    • Low-Carb Meal Plans
    • Weight-Loss Meal Plans
    • Dairy-Free Meal Plans
    • Gluten-Free Meal Plans
    • High-Fiber Meal Plans
    • Vegan Meal Plans
    • Vegetarian Meal Plans
    • Heart-Healthy Meal Plans
    • Low Cholesterol Meal Plans
    • Meal Plans for Diabetes
    • Blood Pressure Meal Plans
    • Low Sodium Meal Plans
    • Anti-Aging Meal Plans
    • Pregnancy Meal Plans
    • Healthy Kids Meal Plans
    • ThePrep
  • Healthy Eating

    Healthy Eating

    See All Healthy Eating
    • Healthy Eating 101
    • Eat More Vegetables
    • 30-Day Challenges
    • Good Food Fast
    • Healthy Eating for Kids
    • Best Healthy Foods
    • Green and Sustainable Eating
    • The Beet
    • Transformed
  • Healthy Lifestyle

    Healthy Lifestyle

    See All Healthy Lifestyle
    • Wine, Beer & Spirits Guide
    • Entertaining
    • EatingWell in Real Life
    • Plant Your Plate
    • Healthy Pets
    • American Food Heroes
    • Future of Food
    • Food with Purpose
    • Obsessed
  • Healthy Cooking

    Healthy Cooking

    See All Healthy Cooking
    • Healthy Cooking How-To's
    • Ask the Test Kitchen
    • Budget Cooking Guide
    • Thrifty
    • Heritage Cooking
  • Shop

    Shop

    See All Shop
    • EatingWell Cookbooks & More
    • EatingWell Frozen Meals
  • News
  • Videos

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Healthy Recipes
  3. Healthy Mealtime Recipes
  4. Healthy Dinner Recipes
  5. Healthy Family & Kids Dinner Recipes
  6. 25 Family-Friendly Dinners That Start with Ground Beef

25 Family-Friendly Dinners That Start with Ground Beef

Leah Goggins headshot
Leah Goggins March 26, 2022
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Cheesy Tex-Mex Taco Stuffed Peppers

Make the most of your family dinner with one of these healthy recipes that serves at least four. Soups, casseroles, pastas and potpie are all on the menu, so you're bound to find a recipe that your crew will enjoy. Recipes like our Tater Tot Casserole with Beef, Corn & Zucchini and Cheesy Tex-Mex Taco Stuffed Peppers are delicious dinners that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Start Slideshow

1 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Ground Beef & Potatoes Skillet

Ground Beef & Potatoes Skillet
Credit: Photography / Caitlin Bensel, Styling / Ruth Blackburn
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In this healthy dinner recipe, ground beef and potatoes are paired with colorful veggies, including kale, tomato and peppers. Everything is cooked in one skillet, which allows for layers of flavor to build quickly while also cutting back on the number of dishes.

1 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Stuffed Pepper Soup

Stuffed Pepper Soup
Credit: Jacob Fox
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Inspired by stuffed peppers, this soup is ready faster and with fewer dishes too! Have fun with the toppings—we top it with onion, Cheddar cheese and tortilla chips here, but salsa, sour cream and corn would also make stellar additions.

2 of 25

3 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Tater Tot Casserole with Beef, Corn & Zucchini

Skillet Beef, Corn & Zucchini Tater Tot Casserole
Credit: Jason Donnelly
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Casseroles can be for summer too! We packed this one with peak-season vegetables—corn, zucchini and tomatoes—then topped it with crispy tater tots and gooey melted cheese, making it a dinner winner.

3 of 25

Advertisement

4 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Mini Meatloaves with Green Beans & Potatoes

3758791.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This healthy meatloaf recipe and side dishes are all made in the oven on two sheet pans so that everything's ready for the dinner table at the same time. The potatoes go into the oven first to start roasting while the mini meatloaves and green beans are prepped and added to the oven partway through.

4 of 25

5 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Stuffed Cabbage with Beef

Stuffed Cabbage with Beef
Credit: Photography / Jennifer Causey, Styling / Ali Ramee / Audrey Davis
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This lightened-up version of stuffed cabbage uses lean ground beef and less sugar than the traditional recipe—but is every bit as delicious. The sauce sinks into the cabbage rolls while baking, which helps deepen the flavors.

5 of 25

6 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

American Goulash

5238089.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

American goulash, also known as old-fashioned goulash, is the perfect economical family meal. The pasta cooks right in the sauce, so this satisfying dish can cook in just one pot.

6 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

One-Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

One-Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
Credit: Photography / Greg DuPree, Styling / Ruth BlackBurn / Julia Bayless
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The whole family is sure to love this one-pot spaghetti recipe! The sausage, chicken broth and white wine impart slow-cooked flavors in this quick-cooking ragu. As the pasta sauce thickens, you'll want to scrape the bottom of the pot to prevent the sauce and pasta from sticking and to help the pasta cook evenly.

7 of 25

8 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Cheesy Tex-Mex Taco Stuffed Peppers

Cheesy Tex-Mex Taco Stuffed Peppers
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Tender, juicy bell peppers hold a Tex-Mex inspired filling of ground beef, taco seasoning and veggies finished with melted cheese on top in this easy stuffed peppers recipe. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with your favorite taco fixings.

8 of 25

9 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Broccoli, Beef & Tater Tot Hotdish

tater tot hot dish
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Hotdish may be a Minnesota tradition but everyone, everywhere, should add this cheesy casserole to their fall dinner rotation.

9 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Fresh Pasta with Quick Bolognese Sauce

fresh pasta with quick bolognese sauce
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Bolognese is not your average spaghetti sauce--it's known for its richness that's developed through a slow cooking process--but on a weeknight, it's not practical. This version speeds up the classic Italian recipe for a quick and easy Bolognese sauce with Italian sausage to build flavors fast. The cooking time is about 35 minutes for this mind-blowing pasta sauce. If you don't have Grana Padano cheese, Parmesan works just as well in a pinch.

10 of 25

11 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pressure-Cooker Chili

Pressure-Cooker Chili
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Chili cooks in just 15 minutes when it's made in a multicooker. The beef gets infused with the flavors of chili powder and cumin. Shredded cheese, scallion and sour cream round out the meal, but feel free to garnish with whatever toppings you choose.

11 of 25

12 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Cheesy Ground Beef & Cauliflower Casserole

Cheesy Ground Beef & Cauliflower Casserole
Credit: Jason Donnelly
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Ground beef and cauliflower combine to create a hearty weeknight casserole that both kids and adults will love. Serve with tortilla chips and sour cream.

12 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Chunky Cheeseburger Soup

6907651.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A spoonful of this tomatoey cheeseburger soup delivers the experience of a perfect burger bite--savory beef and onions, sweet and tangy condiments and, of course, Cheddar and American cheese! This kid-friendly and easy soup is sure to appeal to everyone in your household.

13 of 25

14 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

One-Pot Cheesy Tex-Mex Pasta

8153565.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This comforting one-pot pasta dish has a Southwestern kick. Chili powder and pico de gallo flavor the dish, while melted Mexican cheese adds a creamy finish. Top it with your favorite fixings like scallions, cilantro and sour cream, and serve it alongside a crisp green salad for an easy weeknight meal the whole family will love.

14 of 25

15 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Shepherd's Pie with Cauliflower Topping

7561905.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In this easy shepherd's pie recipe, we keep the carbs in check by using creamy mashed cauliflower in place of mashed potatoes. The ground beef filling is cooked in the same skillet used for baking the pie, making assembly (and cleanup) a breeze.

15 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pizza Sliders

8083531.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Mini burgers make a fun, kid-friendly meal. Italian herbs, marinara and melty mozz give them the appeal of pizza.

16 of 25

17 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Skillet Beef Potpie with Buttermilk Biscuits

7676936.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Using an oven-safe skillet (like cast iron) allows you to take this healthy homemade potpie from stovetop to oven without dirtying extra pans. A quick drop-biscuit topping made with white whole-wheat flour adds 2g fiber per serving and cuts the sodium in half compared to using refrigerated biscuit dough.

17 of 25

18 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Skillet Chili Mac

6885391.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Poblanos add a kick of heat to this chili mac recipe. If that's not your thing, swap in green bell peppers to tone down the heat in this easy pasta dish, which mashes up mac and cheese and chili into a seriously satisfying skillet dinner.

18 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Skillet Ravioli Lasagna

6691964.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This easy inside-out ravioli lasagna is the ultimate weeknight comfort food--no layering or mixing bowls required. Feel free to swap in ground turkey for the beef. Look for fresh mozzarella balls (also called "pearls") in the specialty cheese section of your grocery store.

19 of 25

20 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Taco Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie

5771133.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Revamp traditional shepherd's pie with this Tex-Mex take on the classic comfort food with taco seasoning, black beans and a little jalapeño. The flavor- and veggie-packed filling gets topped with cilantro-lime sweet potatoes for a satisfying and healthy dinner recipe.

20 of 25

21 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Easy Lasagna

6481819.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This classic beef lasagna recipe is easy to make and will be ready to eat in just over an hour.

21 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Baked Beans with Ground Beef

5419911.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Upgrade baked beans from classic side dish to a meaty main meal by adding lean ground beef. The final result, a superfast hearty casserole, is an easy and fast dinner option. Ground turkey or even sausage would work nicely in this dish. Just watch the sodium.

22 of 25

23 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Better-Than-Takeout Burgers with Sweet Potato Fries

Better-Than-Takeout Burgers with Sweet Potato Fries
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This healthy take on burgers and fries swaps in chopped mushrooms for some of the meat in the burger patties, to cut back on calories and saturated fat.

23 of 25

24 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Chili-Topped Sweet Potatoes

4293496.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Transform ordinary baked potatoes into a full dinner with these chili-topped spuds. In this healthy recipe, we use sweet potatoes for an added nutrient kick. Sprinkle on extra toppings as you see fit--sliced scallions, chopped fresh cilantro, diced avocado and sliced jalapeños are all tasty choices.

24 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Spaghetti with Quick Meat Sauce

Spaghetti with Quick Meat Sauce
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Instead of opening a jar of sauce, try this easy spaghetti with meat sauce on a weeknight. Serve with steamed broccoli and garlic bread. The recipe makes enough for 8 servings. If you're serving only four for dinner, cook 8 ounces of spaghetti and freeze the leftover sauce.

25 of 25

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Leah Goggins

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 25 Ground Beef & Potatoes Skillet
    2 of 25 Stuffed Pepper Soup
    3 of 25 Tater Tot Casserole with Beef, Corn & Zucchini
    4 of 25 Mini Meatloaves with Green Beans & Potatoes
    5 of 25 Stuffed Cabbage with Beef
    6 of 25 American Goulash
    7 of 25 One-Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
    8 of 25 Cheesy Tex-Mex Taco Stuffed Peppers
    9 of 25 Broccoli, Beef & Tater Tot Hotdish
    10 of 25 Fresh Pasta with Quick Bolognese Sauce
    11 of 25 Pressure-Cooker Chili
    12 of 25 Cheesy Ground Beef & Cauliflower Casserole
    13 of 25 Chunky Cheeseburger Soup
    14 of 25 One-Pot Cheesy Tex-Mex Pasta
    15 of 25 Shepherd's Pie with Cauliflower Topping
    16 of 25 Pizza Sliders
    17 of 25 Skillet Beef Potpie with Buttermilk Biscuits
    18 of 25 Skillet Chili Mac
    19 of 25 Skillet Ravioli Lasagna
    20 of 25 Taco Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie
    21 of 25 Easy Lasagna
    22 of 25 Baked Beans with Ground Beef
    23 of 25 Better-Than-Takeout Burgers with Sweet Potato Fries
    24 of 25 Chili-Topped Sweet Potatoes
    25 of 25 Spaghetti with Quick Meat Sauce

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    EatingWell

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • Recipe Index
    • Jobs
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletters
    Sign Up
    Meredith© 2023 EatingWell.com is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. EatingWell may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. All Right Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright EatingWell. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.eatingwell.com

    Sign in

    View image

    25 Family-Friendly Dinners That Start with Ground Beef
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.