Ground beef is one of the most affordable sources of protein and iron available. These one-pot meals take little effort and leave less cleanup than recipes that use multiple pots and pans. Brown your beef and prepare the rest of the meal in the same pot. In a half hour you’ll have a complete meal ready to serve. You can adjust all of these recipes for leftovers or to serve a larger group.
Cook ground beef to 160°F, the safe minimum USDA FSIS gives for ground meats.
Pasta
One-Pot Beef Bolognese
Bolognese is a good use of inexpensive ground beef. While the beef cooks and breaks down, it creates a thick sauce that is full of protein and iron. If you cook the pasta in the sauce, you will only have one pot to wash.
American Goulash
This one-pot meal combines beef, macaroni, and tomatoes. It is inexpensive and filling, and it has enough protein to constitute an actual dinner. Since everything cooks in one pot, there is little cleanup.
Cheeseburger Macaroni Skillet
This has the flavors of a cheeseburger without needing to grill. The cheese and ground beef provide protein and with the addition of pasta, everyone will be full. It is a quicker version of the boxed stuff, but made from scratch.
Cheesy Beef Spaghetti
This dish is high in protein since it’s made with ground beef, which is one of the most economical meat options to feed a family. It all comes together in one pot, which helps on a school night.
One-Pot Chili Mac
This dish combines chili and mac and cheese. This dish is high in protein due to the beef and beans. The addition of the pasta also makes it a complete meal. Everything, including the cheese, is cooked in one pot.
One-Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
This spaghetti and meat sauce cooks in one pot. You can simmer the noodles in the sauce so it is mostly hands-off.
Egg noodles and ramen
One-Pot Beef Stroganoff
The ingredients come together into a creamy dinner. It only takes one pot to make and is protein packed without breaking the bank as ground beef is used rather than steak. Cleanup is minimal because the noodles cook in the sauce.
Beef and Noodle Skillet
Egg noodles, ground beef, and a savory sauce make a one-pan dinner. The beef is high in protein, which means it will keep you full for longer. And since it all cooks in one pan, it is less clean-up for a busy school night.
Ground Beef Ramen Skillet
Skip the seasoning packet and make a ramen dish with ground beef. The beef increases the protein level so it feels more like a meal than a snack. It takes about fifteen minutes to set up and only uses one pot.
Chili and Tex-Mex
Classic Beef Chili
Chili has a low cost per serving with ground beef. Considering the meat and beans, it’s very protien dense. It also gets better the next day. Make a big batch on Sunday and you’ve got lunch meal prep done too.
Beef Taco Skillet
This taco dinner is a one pan meal, so there’s no assembly line required. With seasoned beef, beans, and cheese, you get a protein packed meal. Scoop it over some rice or chips and let everyone top their own.
Beef Enchilada Skillet
This has the flavors of enchiladas without rolling each tortilla. The beef and cheese add protein, and it all cooks in one skillet. Tear some tortillas into the pan and let them soak up the sauce.
Beef Burrito Skillet
All ingredients for the burrito are combined and cooked together. The beef, beans, and rice provide a protein packed meal. Cheese and salsa can be added on top and the wrapping is optional.
One-Pot Taco Rice
Combine taco seasoning, beef, and rice in one bowl. Prep and cooking are quick. You have a protein and carb meal. Everyone can assemble their own bowl and add toppings.
Beef Nacho Skillet
For nacho night, load your skillet with seasoned beef, beans, and cheese. It is high in protein. Scoop it with chips or pile it over rice.
Rice and stir-fry
Ground Beef Stir-Fry
Stir-fried crumbled beef with vegetables is quick. This is a quick meal option to get some protein as well as a whole bunch of veggies all in one pan. Add some rice and you can have dinner ready in under twenty minutes.
Beef and Broccoli Skillet
Using ground beef makes this takeout dish faster and more affordable. With the beef and broccoli, you can get your protein and greens in one dish. Serve it over rice on a busy evening.
Beef and Rice Skillet
One skillet beef and rice is simple. It gives you protein and carbs. Add any veggies you have in the fridge.
One-Pot Cheesy Beef and Rice
With just one pot, you can prepare this protein-rich meal made from beef, rice, and cheese. You can add veggies too.
Cabbage and pepper skillets
Beef and Cabbage Skillet
This is an inexpensive and quick one-pan meal. The beef provides the protein and the cabbage helps fill it out. It makes a full meal without much effort.
Unstuffed Pepper Skillet
This has the flavors of stuffed peppers without stuffing them. This beef and pepper dish combines all the ingredients for a protein-rich meal and cooks all in one skillet. It is a quick one-pan meal.
Sloppy joes and Salisbury steak
Sloppy Joe Skillet
Sloppy joes are kid-friendly and provide protein. One pound of beef can fill an entire pan of sloppy joe sandwiches. To enjoy it in a healthier way, you can ditch the sandwich buns and serve it over rice.
Salisbury Steak Skillet
Salisbury steak is a classic dinner. It offers a generous serving of protein, as its comprised of ground beef patties covered in a savory gravy. The entire meal, including the gravy, cooks in a single skillet.
