What To Do With The Ground Beef in Your Fridge: 27 CFC Favorite Recipes
If you’re like me, you probably cook extra meat when you make it so you can prepare multiple meals throughout the week (we love a good meal prep!). One of the most versatile meats is ground beef. It can truly be used in SO many dishes, including soups, casseroles, enchiladas, meatballs, meatloaf, tacos, and chili.
Maybe your family already loves those dishes, or maybe you’re looking for some new recipes to use up that extra ground beef you prepared. Look no further – here’s a complete breakdown of my favorite ways to use that leftover ground beef in the fridge!
Meatloaf & Meatballs
1. Ultimate Italian-Inspired Meatloaf
I love a good meatloaf, and what’s better than one kind of meat? TWO kinds of meat. In this recipe, I’ve included ground beef and Italian sausage, as well as two kinds of cheese and vegetables to keep this meatloaf clean but super flavorful.
2. French Onion Meatloaf
Our French Onion Meatloaf is an incredible combination of caramelized onions, lean ground beef, and a hint of thyme, all topped with a golden-brown crust of Gruyère cheese and onions. Each bite is a flavor explosion that will leave you wanting more.
3. Best Ever Clean Eating Meatloaf
If you’re looking for a straightforward, clean version of classic meatloaf, this is the recipe for you. If you’d rather, you can swap the ground beef for ground turkey as well – the recipe will work just the same!
4. Cheesy Meatloaf Cups
I like to make these cute mini meatloaves when we don’t have as much time for dinner. They bake a lot quicker than a standard loaf pan, and I’ve found that kids REALLY enjoy these cups, given their fun shape.
5. Greek Inspired Meatballs
These meatballs can be made with lean ground beef, bison, or lamb, and are infused with the freshness of parsley, garlic, and oregano. Serve them with some crisp seasonal vegetables and a dollop of creamy Tzatziki or Greek yogurt for a satisfying snack or meal.
6. Tender & Delicious Crockpot Slow Cooker Meatballs
Cooking these meatballs in the slow cooker lets them really absorb all the added spices and ingredients and keeps them really tender as well. Meatballs are a great option at carry-ins or parties, especially because they can be kept warm in the cooker throughout the night.
7. Beef Spinach Meatballs for Meal Prep
These meatballs are great for meal prepping, as they keep really well and can be paired with an assortment of sides, from tomatoes to green beans to rice. Plus, they can be eaten cold and don’t require you to warm them up, making them a great on-the-go meal!
Bowls
8. Korean-Inspired Ground Beef Bowls
Korean ground beef is often made by cooking ground beef and garlic in a skillet over medium heat, then seasoning it with brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, and red pepper flakes. We exchanged the brown sugar for honey and added freshly squeezed orange juice to brighten it up!
9. Beef Burrito Bowls
If you love burritos but don’t love all the calories in the shells, toss all the ingredients into a bowl instead! You get the same yummy flavors of ground beef, beans, onions, cheese, and even jalapenos without all the heavy carbs.
10. Firecracker Beef Bowls
This recipe is a perfect blend of spicy and sweet, with a kick of heat from the crushed red pepper flakes and a drizzle of hot sauce in the Firecracker Sauce. The sweet mini peppers and carrots add a pop of color and a crunchy texture, while the brown rice or quinoa provides a nutritious, filling base for our bowl.
11. Sweet Potato Meal Prep Bowls
Did you know sweet potatoes have quite the nutritional profile? They’re super good for you, but also super delicious and pair well in these meal prep bowls, adding flavor to the already great flavors of ground beef and our tangy homemade dressing.
12. Sweet Potato Sloppy Joe Bowls
Our homemade Sloppy Joe recipe has just a hint of sweetness from the tomato sauce/ketchup, & maple syrup/honey, and it gets a lot of flavor from the fresh chopped vegetables, with a tangy finish thanks to the mustard and coconut aminos.
13. Beef Fried Cauliflower Rice
Cauliflower rice is a great alternative to regular rice, with much less carbs and far more nutrients. You can buy cauliflower rice almost anywhere nowadays (my two favorites are from Trader Joe’s and Costco) or you can make your own!
Soup & Chili
14. The Best Garden Veggie Beef Chili
I LOVE chili and will often make it in the winter months, but it’s great year-round! I particularly like that you can start this early in the evening and wait for it to finish as your kids/spouse make it home from work and other activities.
15. Hearty Beef Vegetable Bean Soup
Vegetable soup is one of my favorites, as it’s hearty and packed with nutrition. But I love adding ground beef (or ground turkey) in as well, for an additional punch of protein and flavor! Plus, soup can last for a few days in the fridge, making it great for leftovers.
16. Creamy Beef White Bean Soup
Made with lean ground beef, sweet onions, carrots, garlic, and thyme, this soup has incredible flavor and texture. The addition of coconut milk adds a rich and creamy element, while the cannellini beans provide a boost of fiber.
17. Beefy Beanless Chili
Not a fan of beans? That’s okay! They’re not for everyone, so we wanted to make a chili recipe that didn’t require beans. This is still an AMAZING chili recipe, especially when you add avocado slices and cheese on top.
Casseroles, Skillets & Stir-Fry
18. Mexican-Inspired Beef Veggie Skillet
Skillets are so versatile and EASY and make so much food you can eat on them for days. This particular one lasts for 4 days in the fridge, so be sure to make as much as you want, and you’ll have ready-to-go meals all week!
19. Simple Ground Beef + Sweet Potato Skillet
Ground beef, sweet potatoes, onions, bell peppers, corn, and tomatoes on a bed of rice all combine in this skillet to make an incredibly flavorful, satisfying meal that’ll fill you up without that crummy bloating that comes from eating a big meal.
20. Ground Beef Stir Fry
Green beans are a veggie you don’t hear a lot about, even though they’re one of the most popular on the planet. They are a great source of vitamins A, C, and K, which can help support a healthy immune system, good eyesight, and great skin.
21. Beef Cauliflower Stove Top Casserole
The great thing about casseroles is that you can use pretty much any ingredient you have available, and it’ll more than likely make the dish even better. Use ground beef (or any ground meat you have) and any veggies and seasonings you like for this yummy dish!
22. Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Casserole
I’m a big fan of lasagna, but standard lasagna noodles are a carb-y nightmare when you’re trying to eat clean. Substitute them for spaghetti squash noodles instead! You’ll still get that great taste you love, but without all the guilt.
Enchiladas & Tacos
23. Beef Enchilada Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
I love meals like this where we can just set out the toppings and everyone scoops their own bowls in a “build-your-own” way. It lets your kids have some freedom and creativity over their food and makes it easier on you to prep!
24. Copycat Taco Bell Pizza
If you love Taco Bell but are super aware of the calories in most of their menu items, try this copycat Taco Bell Pizza recipe! While it’s not an exact copy, it has much healthier ingredients and way fewer carbs, especially if you use a carb-conscious tortilla.
25. Taco Salad with Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
As you can tell, I like using cauliflower rice in many of my recipes. It’s a great alternative to regular rice and adds a great flavor profile, especially when prepared with the cilantro lime flavors this recipe calls for. Super tasty!
26. Taco Roasted Pepper Shells
Anytime I can find an alternative to normal taco shells (hard or soft), I like to use them, because they allow me to still enjoy my taco cravings but without the carb crash later on. I LOVE using peppers as “shells” for my tacos. Still crunchy, but much cleaner.
27. Taco Stuffed Mini Peppers
Similar to the previous recipe, but this one is great for parties or an after-school snack for your kids because they’re smaller! Still stuffed with ground beef, tomatoes, and cheese, these peppers are sure to satisfy.
I hope something on this list sparks your interest and you try a new recipe this week! I love how versatile ground beef is and how many different ways you can flavor it for multiple dishes. What’s your favorite way to eat ground beef? Which recipe will you be trying next? Let me know, and happy eating!
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