10 Recipes for a Pound of Ground Beef

One pound of ground beef and a handful of budget friendly pantry staples and you’ll be on your way to a delicious dinner! Ground beef recipes are weeknight dinner champs. They're easy, budget-friendly, and downright delicious.

With just one pound of meat, you can whip up a variety of mouthwatering meals that'll have your family asking for seconds. From classic comfort foods like cheeseburger macaroni to these easy-peasy beef tacos, we’ve got you covered.

Not only are these recipes a breeze to make, but they also won't break the bank, making them perfect for anyone looking to stretch a dollar without feeling like you’re eating the same thing night after night.

Ground beef is one of the cheapest proteins available at the supermarket. They also vary in price depending on the cut and the fat content. Leaner is usually pricier. Look for sales and manager’s specials so you can snag great deals. Here’s a quick reference of ground beef labels and their lean to fat ratios.

• Ground Beef – 70% lean to 30% fat
• Ground chuck – 80-85% lean to 15-20% fat
• Ground round – 85-90% lean to 10-15 % fat
• Ground sirloin – 90-92% lean to 8-10% fat (use if you want the lowest fat content)

Freezing ground beef is an excellent way to buy in bulk and on sale. When you get it home separate it into one pound portions. Place each in a quart size plastic resealable baggie. Flatten it out, seal tightly, and freeze. But first remember to label each with the date and the cut.

1. Ground beef and potatoes skillet

In this recipe the ground beef is cooked with diced potatoes and flavored with onions, garlic, and spices. The ingredients are kept to a minimum, but it’s still packed with flavor. It’s a terrific way to get a homecooked dinner on the table on a busy weeknight.

2. Ground beef taco salad

This ground beef taco salad is a quick and easy dinner recipe to keep in your back pocket. It’s quick, filling, and wholesome. It’s also totally customizable. Everyone can top their own with their favorite toppings.

3. Ground beef and mushrooms

This simple ground beef and mushrooms recipe is a family favorite. Serve it with mashed potatoes, rice, or a piece crusty bread to soak up the gravy. Either way this dish offers a lot of flavor with minimal work.

4. Beef and macaroni casserole

This beef and pasta dish features tender elbow macaroni, a simple ground beef tomato sauce, and melty cheddar cheese. It’s great for family meals because It’s easy to make, budget friendly, and feeds a crowd.

5. Tacos with ground beef recipe

These ground beef tacos are the easiest weeknight dinner! They take less than 30 minutes from start to finish. They’re kid friendly, and the adults like them just as much.

6. Hamburger soup

In this hamburger soup recipe ground beef is seasoned and cooked with vegetables to make a hearty and flavorful meal. This soup is a good way to stretch a pound of meat and still get something wholesome on the table, even on busy weeknights.

7. Cheeseburger macaroni

This cheeseburger macaroni is a homemade take on the childhood favorite hamburger helper. With lean ground sirloin, onions, garlic, spices, macaroni and lots of cheese, there is plenty of flavor in this nostalgic dish.

8. Cuban Picadillo

Picadillo is flavorful ground beef dish cooked in tomato sauce. It’s quite versatile and there are many great recipes with varying ingredients. This is my version which includes little fried potatoes and olives. We sub carrots for green or red peppers (I know). Many folks will also add raisins, for a sweet touch, and capers.

9. Frito pie casserole

This frito pie casserole is a fun way to satisfy a comfort food craving, even when you are short on time. In this recipe, a quick beef chili is topped with cheese and corn chips making a delicious dinner the whole family will enjoy.

10. Ground beef stroganoff

This popular dish is traditionally made with beef chunks, but we use affordable ground beef with satisfying results. We still get the beefy flavor at a fraction of the price making a tasty, budget-friendly meal.