After the hayride wraps up, everyone is usually ready for something filling and familiar. These 21 ground beef recipes cover tacos, burgers, soups, casseroles, meatballs, rice, chili, empanadas, and saucy pasta for a relaxed evening menu. Pick a quick skillet or griddle recipe when hunger hits early, then save a slow cooker or oven dish for a night with more time.
Tacos Dorados
Crisp shells make Tacos Dorados a 30-minute recipe that yields six servings. Ground beef, baking soda, onion, garlic, chipotle in adobo, taco seasoning, Cheddar, vegetable oil, and corn tortillas create a crunchy filling with smoky heat. Fry the tacos until golden, then serve them with salsa, shredded lettuce, or a cool topping for a meal that suits a hungry table.
Get the Recipe: Tacos Dorados
Bacon-Wrapped Burgers
Smoky grill flavor makes Bacon-Wrapped Burgers a 20-minute recipe for four burgers. Burger patties, bacon, hamburger buns, lettuce, tomato, red onion, cheese, ketchup, mustard, and relish bring the whole backyard setup to the plate. Keep the toppings nearby so everyone can finish a hot burger just the way they like it after a long afternoon outside. Add a cold drink and plenty of napkins.
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Easy Ground Beef Fried Rice
Leftover rice gets a new direction in Easy Ground Beef Fried Rice, a 20-minute recipe for four servings. Ground beef, butter, cold cooked rice, sesame oil, carrot, onion, peas, ginger, garlic, egg, and soy sauce create a full skillet meal with color and texture. It is a practical choice when the hayride leaves everyone hungry but there is no reason to start from scratch.
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Beef and Barley Soup
Slow-cooked flavor gives Beef and Barley Soup a 50-minute cook time for six servings. Stewing beef, beef stock, onion, carrot, celery, garlic, corn, peas, pearl barley, and thyme build a thick soup with plenty of vegetables and grains. Serve it in deep bowls with bread when the evening calls for a dinner that can warm everyone up after the outdoor activities. Add a little parsley before serving.
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Authentic Bolognese Sauce
Slow-built sauce makes Authentic Bolognese Sauce a two-hour recipe with 15 minutes of prep and eight servings. Bacon or pancetta, garlic, olive oil, celery, onion, carrots, red pepper flakes, ground beef and pork, broth, white wine, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, and cream create a rich sauce for pasta. Start it early so dinner is ready when everyone comes back inside.
Get the Recipe: Authentic Bolognese Sauce
Big Mac Tacos
Griddle-style tacos bring familiar drive-in flavors to Big Mac Tacos, a 25-minute recipe for six tacos. Ground beef, flour tortillas, lettuce, sweet onions, pickles, American cheese, mayonnaise, relish, ketchup, and yellow mustard create crisp-edged tacos with a creamy special sauce. Serve them hot and let everyone add extra pickles or sauce at the table. Keep plenty of napkins nearby too.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Tacos
Shepherd’s Pie Bites
Handheld portions make Shepherd’s Pie Bites a 35-minute recipe for six servings. Ground beef, onions, beef broth, corn, peas, mashed potatoes, Cheddar, and pastry create small seasoned pies with a creamy potato topping. They fit an informal table well, especially when people want to keep talking while they pick up a warm bite instead of sitting down for a full plate. Serve them with extra gravy.
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Recipe for Poor Man’s Meal
Simple skillet cooking makes Recipe for Poor Man’s Meal a 35-minute recipe for four servings. Potatoes, onion, ground beef, diced tomatoes, vegetable oil, salt, and pepper turn basic pantry staples into a filling one-pan dinner. It is easy to portion into bowls and works well after a busy outdoor day when the table needs something familiar without a long ingredient list.
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Texas Roadhouse Chili Copycat Recipe
Chili-house flavor comes together in Texas Roadhouse Chili Copycat Recipe, a one-hour recipe for six servings. Ground beef, jalapeños, chili powder, cumin, paprika, crushed tomatoes, brown sugar, vinegar, kidney beans, and masa harina make a thick pot with smoky heat and a lightly sweet finish. Set out cheese, onions, or crackers so everyone can top their bowl. Add cornbread for a fuller dinner.
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Easy Grilled Beef Burgers
Grill marks give Easy Grilled Beef Burgers a 27-minute cook time and eight burgers. Ground beef, BBQ sauce, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, buns, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles create a straightforward spread for a full table. Keep the patties warm while the toppings are arranged, then let everyone build a sandwich after the hayride. Extra pickles belong on the side.
Get the Recipe: Easy Grilled Beef Burgers
Carne Molida: Mexican Ground Beef
Bright Mexican flavors make Carne Molida: Mexican Ground Beef a 30-minute recipe for six servings. Ground beef, potato, onion, green bell pepper, garlic, cumin, cilantro, and lime juice create a seasoned skillet filling that can work in tacos, bowls, or tortillas. It gives the table a flexible main dish with toppings that can be adjusted for different appetites. Warm tortillas make serving easy.
Get the Recipe: Carne Molida: Mexican Ground Beef
Homestyle Hamburger Stew
A thick, spoonable dinner makes Homestyle Hamburger Stew a one-hour, five-minute recipe for eight servings. Ground beef, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, potatoes, diced tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, peas, and corn create a full meal in one pot. Serve it with rolls when everyone needs something warm after a long evening outside. The leftovers reheat well the next day too.
Get the Recipe: Homestyle Hamburger Stew
Air Fryer Beef Empanadas
Golden pastry pockets make Air Fryer Beef Empanadas a 36-minute recipe that yields eight servings. Pie dough, leftover beef, shredded cheese, potatoes, refried beans, onion, chipotle powder, salt, black pepper, and egg create crisp handheld portions with a hearty filling. Place them on a tray with salsa or sour cream for easy sharing after the hayride. They travel well for a late snack.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Beef Empanadas
Classic Patty Melt
Diner-style layers make Classic Patty Melt a 55-minute recipe for four servings. Ground beef, rye or sourdough bread, butter, provolone, Cheddar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, onions, balsamic vinegar, mayonnaise, relish, and ketchup create a toasted sandwich with a rich filling. Serve each one hot, cut in half, so the melted cheese stays visible and easy to handle. Add a crisp pickle beside it.
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Cowboy Cornbread Casserole
Cornbread topping gives Cowboy Cornbread Casserole a four-hour, 10-minute slow cooker time and eight servings. Cornbread mix, ground beef, onion, taco seasoning, Rotel, pinto beans, corn, green chiles, red bell pepper, and Cheddar build a layered dish that can stay warm while everyone comes in from outside. Add a spoonful of sour cream before serving. A slow cooker keeps it ready for late plates.
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Best Ever Giant Meatballs
Oversized meatballs make Best Ever Giant Meatballs a 35-minute recipe for eight. A ground beef and pork blend, bread, egg, onion flakes, Italian seasoning, garlic, Parmesan, and milk create tender portions with a seasoned center. Serve them with pasta, toasted bread, or toothpicks depending on whether the evening calls for dinner plates or a more relaxed spread. A little marinara completes the meal.
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Cheeseburger Pie
Sliced portions make Cheeseburger Pie a 40-minute recipe that yields six slices. Ground beef, onion, Cheddar, milk, Bisquick, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder create a seasoned pie with a biscuit-style crust and familiar burger flavor. It is easy to cut and serve when everyone wants a hearty dinner without assembling individual sandwiches. Add ketchup or pickles at the table.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Pie
Southwestern Chili
Slow cooker convenience makes Southwestern Chili a four-hour, 15-minute recipe for six servings. Ground beef, onion, poblano, garlic, cumin, chili powder, chipotle powder, crushed tomatoes, Rotel, black beans, and corn create a smoky pot with plenty of texture. Keep it warm for late arrivals and set out toppings so everyone can finish a bowl their own way. Cornbread makes an easy side.
Get the Recipe: Southwestern Chili
Easy Cheesy Lasagna Soup
Cheesy noodles make Easy Cheesy Lasagna Soup a 55-minute recipe for eight servings. Mafalda pasta, ground beef, onion, garlic, tomato paste, chicken broth, beef broth, diced tomatoes, ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella turn lasagna flavors into a bowl-friendly dinner. Ladle it out with crusty bread when the outdoor plans run late and a full casserole feels like too much work. Serve it piping hot.
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Cabbage Roll Casserole
Layered vegetables make Cabbage Roll Casserole a one-hour recipe for eight servings. Cabbage, olive oil, ground beef, onion, garlic, red pepper flakes, diced tomatoes, water, long-grain rice, and butter bring the familiar flavors of cabbage rolls into an easier dish. Scoop it into bowls and serve it with bread for a simple meal after the hayride. A dollop of sour cream works well.
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Dirty Rice with Ground Beef and No Liver
Cajun-style rice makes Dirty Rice with Ground Beef and No Liver a 45-minute recipe for eight servings. Ground beef, olive oil, yellow onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic, Cajun seasoning, paprika, optional cayenne, black pepper, long-grain rice, beef broth, water, green onions, and bay leaf create a one-pot meal with bold seasoning. Serve it as a main dish or a hearty side.
Get the Recipe: Dirty Rice with Ground Beef and No Liver