20 Healthy Ground Beef Recipes That Prove Comfort Food Can Be Good for You
Weeknight dinners just got a whole lot better with these hearty, wholesome dishes!
When you need an easy dinner idea that's full of comfort and flavor without requiring much time and effort, ground beef recipes are almost always a reliable choice. Whether you're whipping up hearty casseroles or trying new soup recipes, ground beef makes any meal a crowd-pleaser, no matter the season. Plus, it's budget-friendly and filling, and paired with the right ingredients, it can easily be part of a healthful dinner, too.
While chicken recipes, turkey recipes, and salmon recipes tend to get the most attention for being healthy protein sources, these healthy ground beef recipes prove that dinner can be both balanced and satisfying. Turn to nostalgic favorites like Salisbury steak, stuffed bell peppers, or porcupine meatballs for a comforting weeknight meal, or try something new like cowboy spaghetti or Mexican meatball soup that you'll want to make on repeat. You can also turn heavier staples like lasagna and chili into lighter alternatives by loading them up with veggies. And if you're in a rush to get dinner on the table, hamburger soup is a 30-minute meal that hits every time.
Choose one of these healthy ground beef recipes and get cooking!
Add these recipes made with ground meat to your weekly dinner menu:
Stuffed Eggplant
This hearty dish turns tender eggplant into the perfect vessel for a spiced ground beef and veggie filling. Try adding spinach or zucchini to pack in even more color and flavor!
Get the Stuffed Eggplant recipe.
Porcupine Meatballs
These beef meatballs have rice mixed right in for a satisfying balance of protein and carbs. They’re simmered in a tomato sauce that adds lots of flavor without feeling heavy. Serve them with your favorite green vegetable for an easy, well-rounded dinner.
Get the Porcupine Meatballs recipe.
Stuffed Pepper Casserole
One of the simplest ways to make ground beef healthy? Load up your recipe with veggies! In each scoop of this stuffed pepper casserole, you’ll find bell peppers, zucchini, onions, and tomatoes, plus hearty additions like rice and cheese.
Get Ree's Stuffed Pepper Casserole recipe.
Cowboy Spaghetti
This mashup of spaghetti and chili is a little spicy and incredibly satisfying. With ground beef, fiber-rich beans, a tomato-based sauce, and pasta all working together, it’s a balanced meal that keeps you full and happy.
Get Ree's Cowboy Spaghetti recipe.
Stuffed Bell Peppers
Stuffed peppers are an old-school classic that can't be beat. The stuffing for these is made with lean ground beef, rice, zucchini, and tomato. Top 'em with a sprinkle of pepper jack!
Get Ree's Stuffed Bell Peppers recipe.
Spaghetti Squash and Meatballs
Turn your traditional spaghetti dinner into a nutrient-dense alternative by swapping starchy pasta for spaghetti squash. Eating this healthy ground beef recipe out of a squash boat just makes wholesome eating more fun!
Get Ree's Spaghetti Squash and Meatballs recipe.
Cowboy Beans
When you crave something warm, cozy, and satisfying, make a big pot of cowboy beans. With four types of beans adding protein and fiber, plus lean ground beef, it’s an extra hearty and filling dish.
Get the Cowboy Beans recipe.
Feta Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles
These oven-baked beef meatballs are juicy, tender, and packed with flavor. Served with zucchini noodles, they make a cozy, veggie-forward meal that still feels satisfying.
Get Ree's Feta Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles recipe.
Italian Meatball Soup
You'll find carrot, celery, potatoes, and cabbage in this soup, but the star is the bite-sized, homemade meatballs. This recipe comes together in just over an hour, making it perfect for weeknight dinners.
Get Ree's Italian Meatball Soup recipe.
Eggplant Lasagna
Swap noddles for eggplant in this delicious, veggie-packed lasagna. Ground beef in the sauce makes this dish extra filling and satisfying.
Get the Eggplant Lasagna recipe.
Summer Beef Chili
Don't let the name of this healthy ground beef recipe fool you—it hits the spot year-round! The meat, beans, and veggies are flavored with delicious seasonings and simmered in a single pot, which makes family dinners so much easier.
Get Ree's Summer Beef Chili recipe.
Salisbury Steak
Nostalgic salisbury steak is so easy to make at home with simple ground beef. The patty is juicy and flavorful, but the creamy mushroom gravy ladled over the top may just be the best part of it.
Get the Salisbury Steak recipe.
Hamburger Soup
Meet your new go-to cold weather soup! While Ree Drummond often uses carrots, bell pepper, and potatoes in hers, you can use almost any vegetable you have on hand.
Get Ree's Hamburger Soup recipe.
Easy Taco Salad
Take all the best flavors, textures, and colors of crunchy beef tacos, and turn them into a salad! With seasoned ground beef, black beans, a combo of veggies, and tasty toppings, this recipe makes the perfect healthy lunch or dinner.
Get the Easy Taco Salad recipe.
Albóndigas
If you're new to this classic Mexican meatball soup, prepare to fall in love. Albóndigas features a tomato-based broth with zucchini, potatoes, carrots, and the most delicious, flavorful meatballs. Far different than Italian meatballs, these are made with beef, rice, cilantro, and spices.
Get the Albóndigas recipe.
Cheeseburger Pie
This savory pie doesn't have a crust so it's a bit lighter. Instead, the ground beef and cheese filling cook up nice and fluffy for a dish that's almost like a crustless quiche.
Get the Cheeseburger Pie recipe.
Slow Cooker Chili
A pot of chili will keep you (and your family) full and satisfied any night of the week. This one is loaded with ground beef and kidney beans for healthy protein and fiber.
Get the Slow Cooker Chili recipe.
Stuffed Cabbage Casserole
Line a casserole dish with these cabbage rolls, top with a sweet-and-sour tomato sauce, then bake and enjoy. Round out the meal with mashed potatoes, or go for something lighter like steamed broccoli or a big green salad.
Get the Stuffed Cabbage Casserole recipe.
Taco Soup
This soup recipe hits all the right notes: It's savory, spicy, filling, and so comforting. For an extra boost of goodness, serve it with slices of avocado.
Get the Taco Soup recipe.
Cheesy Beef and Sweet Potato Taco Casserole
Take on taco night, but make it cozy. This flavorful recipe features a full layer of tortilla chips—but it's also loaded with nutritious sweet potatoes.
How to Make the Most of Summer Squash Season
Here’s What to Make With a Pound of Ground Turkey
Grilled Seafood Recipes That Taste Like Summer
13 Tasty Ways to Have Fruit for Dinner This Summer
