19 Ways To Use A Package Of Ground Meat For Dinner

Stuck in a dinner rut? Ground meat can be your weeknight hero, offering endless possibilities using chicken, beef, turkey or pork. From spicy stir-fries to comforting skillets, these recipes will help you transform that package of ground meat into something exciting. Break free from boring dinners with these easy and quick dishes that promise to bring new flavors to your table.

A skillet full of mac and cheese with turkey and herbs. — Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Mexican Ground Beef Skillet

Mexican ground beef in a skillet with tortilla chips. — Mexican Ground Beef Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Spice up your dinner with this one-pan Mexican ground beef recipe. Ready in 30 minutes and flavored with taco seasoning, it’s a simple and flavorful meal for any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Ground Beef Skillet

Greek Brown Rice Bowls

A plate of greek gyros with rice, cucumber, feta cheese, olives, red onions, and dill, accompanied by a fork on the side. — Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

These Greek brown rice bowls bring the essence of a gyro into a nutritious bowl. Featuring lamb, pickled onions, cucumbers, and feta, they’re a vibrant option for a meal that uses ground meat creatively.
Get the Recipe: Greek Brown Rice Bowls

Burger Bowls

Try these burger bowls for a lighter take on a classic. Complete with all the traditional toppings and a special homemade sauce, they’re perfect for a healthier, flavorful dinner using ground meat.
Get the Recipe: Burger Bowls

Bomb Meatloaf

Sliced meatloaf on a white plate with a fork. — Bomb Meatloaf. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This meatloaf might just be the best you’ll ever have. Easy to assemble with a juicy interior and a sweet and tangy glaze, it’s a fantastic way to make dinner interesting when using ground meat.
Get the Recipe: Bomb Meatloaf

Bison Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed peppers with meat and cheese in a baking pan. — Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Stuffed with ground bison, rice, and vegetables, these peppers are topped with melted cheese for a nutritious and satisfying meal. An excellent choice when looking for a healthier alternative to beef.
Get the Recipe: Bison Stuffed Peppers

Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry

Red cabbage and pork in a skillet with a wooden spoon. — Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This quick stir fry uses ground pork, cabbage, and mushrooms for a delicious meal that’s both easy and quick to prepare. A great way to whip up dinner using just a few ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry

Turkey Chili Pie

Turkye chili pie in a skillet on a blue tablecloth. — Turkey Chili Pie. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Combine turkey chili with a cornbread topping for a hearty skillet meal. It’s a nutritious and tasty option that simplifies dinner prep.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Chili Pie

Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet

Ground beef sweet potato skillet. — Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This easy one-pan meal combines ground beef with sweet potatoes in a Southwestern-inspired dish. It’s quick to prepare and the leftovers make for excellent meal prep, providing a creative way to use ground beef for a hearty dinner.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet

Healthier Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes on an English muffin on a plate. — Sloppy Joes. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

These healthier Sloppy Joes are made with lean beef and low-sugar condiments. They’re a lighter version of the classic, perfect for a quick, guilt-free meal.
Get the Recipe: Healthier Sloppy Joes

Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

Pasta with meat and tomatoes in a white dish with a wooden spoon. — Ground Beef Pasta Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Need a quick dinner idea? This ground beef pasta can be whipped up in less than 30 minutes, offering a comforting meal that tastes like it simmered all day. A great choice when you’re looking to use up any pasta you have on hand.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

Sausage Mac and Cheese

A bowl of macaroni and cheese with sausage and parsley. — Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This homemade sausage mac and cheese is creamy and comforting, loved by both adults and kids. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing dinner.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Mac and Cheese

Cheddar Stuffed Turkey Meatballs

Cheddar cheese stuffed turkey meatballs on a plate with zoodles. — Cheddar Stuffed Turkey Meatballs. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

These cheddar stuffed turkey meatballs are a flavorful twist on a classic. Cooked with zucchini and Italian seasoning in marinara sauce, they offer a simple yet flavorful meal solution.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Stuffed Turkey Meatballs

Spicy Skillet Lamb Ragu

A dish of pasta with lamb and vegetables in it. — Lamb Ragu Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

If you’re looking for a dish with a kick, this spicy lamb ragu with pasta and harissa paste is a hearty, flavorful dinner ready in one skillet.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Skillet Lamb Ragu

Ground Beef Stir Fry

A skillet full of vegetables and beef on a wooden table. — Ground Beef Stir Fry. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

When you’re out of ideas for dinner, this ground beef stir fry comes to the rescue. Cooked in one pan with fresh veggies and a homemade garlic ginger sauce, it’s a healthier option that’s faster than takeout.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stir Fry

Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

A bowl of beef and cabbage stir fry. — Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This ground beef and cabbage skillet is a fast and easy dinner that draws inspiration from Asian stir fries. With aromatic spices and a savory light sauce, it’s a quick meal that transforms ground beef into something special.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

Beef Kafta

For a dish with exotic flavors, beef kafta is surprisingly simple to make. This Middle Eastern-inspired recipe is excellent with rice and a tomato cucumber salad, making it a perfect dish to prepare with ground beef.
Get the Recipe: Beef Kafta

Lamb Bolognese

A plate of pasta with meat sauce and parmesan cheese. — Lamb Bolognese. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This lamb bolognese offers a rich twist on a traditional Italian sauce. Simmered with vegetables, red wine, and herbs, it’s a cozy choice for a comforting dinner.
Get the Recipe: Lamb Bolognese

Spicy Udon Noodle Stir Fry

A bowl of udon noodles with meat and peppers. — Spicy Udon Noodles. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This udon noodle stir fry packs a punch with a ginger-garlic sriracha sauce and is ready in under 30 minutes. It’s a tasty alternative to takeout, making good use of ground beef for a quick dinner.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Udon Noodle Stir Fry

Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese

This one-pot turkey mac and cheese updates a classic dish with spinach, peppers, and real cheddar. It’s a wholesome, quick meal perfect for a busy evening.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese

Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.