Burgers are yummy (OK, really yummy). Our only beef? There’s so much more to do with ground meat than shape it into patties to slap on a grill.
Whether you’re using the lean variety or going for the juicier, 30 percent-fat version, try out these recipes for some seriously creative ways to pack in your protein.
1. Sweet Potato Noodle Taco Bowls
While many taco bowls rely on cheese to add flavor and richness, this one allows the freshness of the meat and vegetables to speak for itself. Bonus: It’s gluten-free!
2. Greek Meatballs With Tzatziki Sauce
This is no Greek myth—meatballs can be this quick and taste this good! The ground is flavored well with spices, but what really takes these meatballs to another level is the refreshing, cucumber-filled yogurt tzatziki for dunking.
3.Asian Lettuce Wraps
Crunchy, crispy, and healthy, these tasty wraps are packed with Asian flavors and ready to roll in no-time.
4. One-Pot Chili Mac
Ground beef boosts the protein and potassium profile of an otherwise disproportionately carb-heavy dish. Spiced up with cumin, paprika, and chili powder, this is mac and cheese with some serious spunk.
5. Thai Beef Salad
This Thai salad is easy enough to whip up on a busy weeknight and delicious enough to bring to your next potluck. The spicy peanut sauce paired with the crunchy slaw is a true hit.
6. Homemade Hamburger Helper
A beef stroganoff that doesn’t require cream of mushroom canned soup or gobs of sour cream? Sign us up! This made-from-scratch, one-pot hamburger helper saves you time, clean-up, and unnecessary preservatives.
7. Enchilada Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Spoon the enchilada mixture right into the spuds for a super simple protein-packed dinner.
8. 15-Minute Quinoa and Korean Beef Bowl
In the amount of time it takes for the quinoa to cook, brown your meat and let it absorb the flavors of the easy soy-sesame sauce. With all the components getting prepped simultaneously, this dish comes together in a flash, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
9. Stuffed Pepper Soup
This ground beef and chopped veggie soup is basically a stuffed pepper turned inside out. It may look like a lot of ingredients, but it’s a matter of putting them in a single pot and letting them simmer. That’s manageable, right?
10. Lazy Girl Lasagna
With just seven ingredients, including part-skim ricotta and lean ground beef, this no-nonsense lasagna is guaranteed to hit the spot when you’re craving warm, cheesy, meaty—and still nutritious—comfort.
11. Sundried Tomato and Herb Meatloaf
Sundried tomatoes lend much more concentrated flavor to the beef in this otherwise straightforward meatloaf. They’re even used in the tangy glaze for a lower-sugar alternative to ketchup. Sounds like dinner to us!
