19 One-Pot Dinners with Ground Beef

By

Updated on January 3, 2024

Reviewed by Dietitian

Jessica Ball, M.S., RD

Make a delicious, one-pot dinner with these ground beef recipes. Whether it's pasta or soup, these dishes are packed with nutritious veggies and protein. And as a bonus, these recipes only require one pot or skillet to cook in so you'll have a quick clean up. Dinners like Beef & Bean Sloppy Joes and Ground Beef & Pasta Skillet are healthy, flavorful and the perfect choice for weeknight dinners.

01 of 19

One-Skillet Pastitsio

one-skillet-pastitsio

Pastitsio is a classic Greek baked pasta dish made with ground beef and bechamel. Our version has all the flavors and the comforting feel of the classic, but is made in one skillet (less cleanup!) and is healthier for you, using whole-grain pasta, lean meat and low-fat dairy. Source: EatingWell.com, October 2019

02 of 19

Beef & Bean Sloppy Joes

This healthy copycat recipe of the comfort food classic trades beans for some of the meat to bump up fiber by 7 grams. We also cut back on the sugar and ketchup in this Sloppy Joe recipe makeover to save you 12 grams of added sugar. Source: EatingWell Magazine, January/February 2019

03 of 19

Ground Beef & Pasta Skillet

Ground Beef & Pasta Skillet

Sneak extra vegetables into your child's day (and yours too!) with this easy one-skillet pasta recipe. Finely chop mushrooms to resemble the texture of ground beef and stir them into a classic meat sauce for an extra-healthy twist on a dinnertime favorite. Source: EatingWell.com, June 2017

04 of 19

Bean & Beef Taco Soup

This taco soup is filled with quintessential taco ingredients and flavors--from two types of hearty beans, to corn and ground beef--but it's the toppings that really make this soup stand out. Better yet, this healthy soup is easy to make and leftovers freeze beautifully for later. Source: EatingWell.com, September 2019

05 of 19

One-Pot Cheesy Pasta Bake

One-Pot Cheesy Pasta Bake — Jennifer Causey; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

This easy skillet pasta bake is a surefire family hit. Pasta and meat sauce topped with mozzarella cheese will make everyone at the table happy, and the all-in-one-pot technique will have the cook smiling pretty. Cooking the pasta in the meat sauce not only lessens the amount of dishes you have to do and the time it takes to get dinner done, but the starches in the pasta thicken the sauce—without you having to do a single extra thing.

06 of 19

Baked Beans with Ground Beef

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. Source: EatingWell.com, May 2018

07 of 19

Taco Lettuce Wraps

Don't limit yourself to lettuce for this low-carb, gluten-free taco lettuce wrap recipe--any fresh green sturdy enough to wrap around 1/2 cup of filling works. Source: EatingWell Magazine, March/April 2016

08 of 19

One-Pot Cheesy Tex-Mex Pasta

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. Source: EatingWell.com, May 2020

09 of 19

Pressure-Cooker Chili

Pressure-Cooker Chili

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. Source: EatingWell.com, July 2018

10 of 19

Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes

Two of our favorite comfort-food sandwiches join forces in these family-friendly dinner sandwiches. We found that softer buns make this easier to eat, and it's all the better when wrapped takeout-style in a sheet of foil. Source: EatingWell.com, February 2018

11 of 19

Sweet & Sour Beef-Cabbage Soup

sweet and sour beef cabbage soup

This wholesome sweet-and-sour soup combines beef, caraway seeds, sweet paprika and cabbage--ingredients that star in a number of German dishes. It is particularly nice served with crusty rye bread. For an even heartier soup, add diced cooked potatoes along with the cabbage. Recipe by Nancy Baggett for EatingWell. Source: EatingWell Soups Special Issue April 2016

12 of 19

American Goulash

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. Source: EatingWell.com, March 2018

13 of 19

Taco Soup

We gave the plain old taco an easy, one-bowl makeover by turning it into soup! We garnish this zippy dish with pickled jalapeños, Cheddar cheese and tortilla chips, but feel free to mix it up with any of your favorite taco toppers. Source: EatingWell.com, August 2018

14 of 19

Southern Beefy Skillet

Make this entire meal in one skillet! The beef soaks up the flavor from the vegetables and herbs, making it juicy and full of flavor. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

15 of 19

Mom's Chili

Mom's Chili

This healthy basic beef chili recipe is well worth doubling so you can throw a batch in the freezer. Serve topped with diced red onion, sliced scallions, shredded cheese and your favorite hot sauce. Source: EatingWell Magazine, January/February 2016

16 of 19

Hamburger Buddy

Very finely chopping onion, mushrooms and carrots in the food processor is not only fast--it makes the vegetables hard to detect for picky eaters. They also form the base for the sauce of this ground beef skillet supper. Make it a meal: Serve with a green salad. Source: EatingWell Magazine, September/October 2007

17 of 19

Chili-Cheese Nachos

Make nachos a healthy dinner when you top them with an easy 30-minute chili. Serve this healthy recipe with sliced scallions, avocado, fresh tomatoes and sour cream, if desired. Source: EatingWell Magazine, January/February 2017

18 of 19

Beef & Bean Chile Verde

Chile Verde, usually a slow-cooked stew of pork, jalapeños and tomatillos, becomes an easy weeknight meal with quick-cooking ground beef and store-bought green salsa. Make it a Meal: Serve with fresh cilantro, red onion and Monterey Jack. Add cornbread on the side and your favorite hot sauce. Source: EatingWell Magazine, January/February 2008

19 of 19

One-Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

One-Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce — Photography / Greg DuPree, Styling / Ruth BlackBurn / Julia Bayless

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.

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Tell us why!

Related Articles

Overhead photo of Ground Beef & Potato skillet with spoon and linen.

Ground Beef & Potatoes Skillet

American Goulash

American Goulash

Black Bean Chili

vegan chickpea coconut curry

20 One-Pot Dinners You'll Want to Make Forever

Photo of the Ground Beef & Pasta Skillet recipe

11 Healthy Ground Beef Skillet Dinner Recipes

Pressure-Cooker Chili

Pressure-Cooker Chili

A dark blue plate with a serving of the copycat hamburger helper recipe

Copycat Hamburger Helper

overhead shot of cheesy beef pasta in a white skillet

Ground Beef & Pasta Skillet

Baked Spinach and Feta Pasta

25 One-Pot Recipes for Sunday Dinner

Lemon-Garlic Dump Dinner with Chicken, Potatoes & Brussels Sprouts

31 One-Pot Recipes for Easy Weeknight Meals

Pork Chops with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

25 of the Tastiest One-Pot Dinners for When You're Craving Something Cozy

Beef & Bean Sloppy Joes

Baked Beans with Ground Beef

Baked Beans with Ground Beef

Creamy Chicken & Mushrooms

25 30-Minute One-Pot Dinners for Fall