I can't lie. I have absolutely fallen into the dinnertime trap where dinner becomes mundane and we rely on our weekly takeout rotation. Sometimes it's best to just get the family fed and call it a day. However, this all-star roundup of ground meat recipes had saved my family from many pizza nights. From ground beef to chicken, and turkey, these recipes are tried and true - and pretty delicious if I say so myself.
I know, you're thinking, "what could possibly be so intriguing about ground meat?" The beauty about having these recipes on hand is that they make dinnertime a heck of a lot easier when life get busy during the school year, or on nights where you forget to take something out of the freezer. Been there, and trust me, these recipes slap over and over again.
Ground Meat Tips and Tricks
- One of the most important tips for working with any sort of ground meat is to NOT OVER MIX OR WORK THE MEAT. Since meat is a muscle, if it's mixed too aggressively and over mixed, it can get very chewy, gummy, and tasteless.
- Season, season, season. I was known to under-season my meats before I took cooking more seriously, and I can tell you from experience, a tasteless. meatball or chili is not it. Typically 1 teaspoon (maybe 1 ½ tsp) is a good estimate for seasonings.
- I hate to say, but I do truly believe that the quality of the meat matters. I've always been aware of where I buy my meats, and typically choose organic, pasture raised, and when I can, grass-fed. These cuts of meat, especially when ground, taste a lot better and come with loads more flavor when there's more fat, and when they're not pumped with extra fillers or antibiotics. ButcherBox is one of my favorites, as well as US Wellness Meats.
- Let the ground meat come to room temperature before you prep. Meat is a muscle, and muscle has to soften up otherwise it tenses. Similar to if you were going to strength train after a lapse of going to the gym, you should stretch before getting into the exercise routine.
What to do with... Ground Beef!
Ground Beef and Bean Chili
This chili has become a family favorite, especially around the chillier months. Classic flavors with ample amounts of protein and ground beef.
Why You'll Love:
- Game day
- Freezer meals
- Leftover lunches
Shepherd's Pie
Ground beef takes centerstage with my shepherd's pie recipe. Perfectly seasoned and paired with buttery mashed potatoes.
Why You'll Love:
- Family friendly meals
- Freezer dinner
- Holidays
Taco Zucchini Boats
No need for tortillas when you've got zucchini as the vessel for these tacos. Ground beef, avocado crema, and melty cheese.
Why You'll Love:
- Low-carb option
- Simple dinners
One Pot Sausage Broccoli pasta
One pot dinners are always on rotation, and this sausage broccoli pasta is no exception. A take on "ground beef", this sausage and broccoli cooks together in a dutch oven.
Why You'll Love:
- One pot clean up
- Lunchtime leftovers
- Weeknight dinner
High Protein Ground Beef Taco Bowl
Clearly, tacos are a fan favorite here, but this taco bowl is a take on the classic fast-casual restaurants. Homemade cilantro lime rice, a zesty and flavorful corn salsa, beans, and topped with ground beef and greek yogurt.
Why You'll Love:
- High protein focus
- Weeknight dinner
What to do with...Ground Chicken!
Crockpot Sweet and Sour Chicken Meatballs
Whenever the crockpot comes out, you know it's going to be a huge win. These chicken meatballs are sweet, slightly sour and tangy, and completely cooked in the crockpot. Done and dusted.
Why You'll Love:
- One pot dinner
- Weeknight win
Chicken Meatloaf
I know, meatloaf can be very boring, but when seasoned right and we use white and dark ground chicken, this is a huge dinnertime winner. Moist, juicy meatloaf with a herby topping.
Why You'll Love:
- Minimal clean up
- Great for leftovers
- Easy to prep and bake
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
Fast food meats homemade, and air fried with these chicken nugs. They're insanely juicy, quick to throw together, and last a long time in the freezer. Double win.
Why You'll Love:
- Kid-friendly meals
- Quick and easy during the week
- Easy to prep and bake
Greek Chicken Burgers
Ground chicken gets doctored up with a boat load of mediterranean seasonings to make greek burgers that everyone will love. Chopped into a salad, or sandwiched between brioche with tzatziki.
Why You'll Love:
- BBQ nights
- Simple clean up
- Busy weeknights
Mini Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Appetizer? Quick dinner? Adult Party? These buffalo chicken meatballs bring the flavor, the heat, and are equally versatile as they are delicious.
Why You'll Love:
- Quick and easy dinner or appetizer option
- Meal prep friendly
What to do with...Ground Turkey!
Italian Baked Turkey Meatballs
One of my first meatball recipes I perfect, and one of my most popular recipes. Dark and light meat ground turkey combine with standard meatball ingredients, plus a generous seasoning of dried Italian herbs. This is a 10/10 every time.
Why You'll Love:
- Ready in 30 minutes
- Meal prep friendly
- Quick clean up
Ground Turkey Baked Turkey Tacos
These baked turkey tacos were a home run in my family, especially with my older son. The ground meat brings the classic taco flavors, and baked in the oven makes this a breeze for weeknight dinner.
Why You'll Love:
- Minimal dishes
- Simple ingredients
- Great for leftovers
Turkey Stuffed Acorn Squash
A take on a stuffed pepper, but in squash form. Ground turkey mixed with seasoned rice, all stuffed into a baked acorn squash. Perfect for transitioning into fall flavors, and leftovers for days!
Why You'll Love:
- Perfect for lunch the next day
- Quick weeknight dinner
- A complete meal in one dish
Hearty Turkey Chili
Who doesn't love a chili?! My turkey chili is packed with warm chili spices, and with the combination of light and dark meat ground turkey, there's no shortage of flavor in the mix.
Why You'll Love:
- Uses pantry staples
- Hands-off cooking
- Meal prep friendly
Ground Turkey Sweet Potatoes
Ground turkey mixed with classic mirepoix veggies of carrot, celery, and onion, then stuffed into a tender baked sweet potato for the ultimate cozy dinner.
Why You'll Love:
- Simple cleanup
- Easy to customize
- Includes vegetables
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