Food prepping can be an essential part of a weekly meal plan, saving time and money in the long run. Ground beef is one of the most versatile ingredients to have on hand, but it can be tricky knowing what to make with it when your week is so busy.
To help you get started on your journey, I’ve rounded up some delicious Ground Beef Meal Prep Ideas that are easy to make and will keep well all week long!
Why Ground Beef is GREAT for Meal Prep
Ground beef is one of those go-to ingredients that just makes meal prep easier. It cooks fast, is super versatile, and works in dishes from just about every cuisine. It holds up really well in the fridge and freezer, making it perfect for prepping ahead and storing in batches. Plus, it’s budget-friendly and easy to portion out into individual servings for grab-and-go lunches or quick weeknight dinners.
Tips for Meal Prepping with Ground Beef
- Drain the fat: Unless I’m using really lean beef, I always drain off excess fat to keep things from getting greasy, especially helpful when storing for a few days.
- Stretch it out: I often bulk up ground beef with veggies like zucchini, mushrooms, or chopped spinach. Not only does it make the meal go further, but it sneaks in extra nutrients too.
- Cool before storing: Let the beef come to room temp before sealing it up in containers. It helps prevent condensation and sogginess.
- Label everything: I can’t count how many times I’ve opened a mystery container in the freezer. I always write the contents and date so I’m not guessing later.
- Freeze for later: Ground beef freezes beautifully. I portion it out into individual servings in freezer-safe bags or containers for easy grab-and-go meals.
- Reheat gently: When you’re ready to eat, reheat the beef on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of broth or water to keep it juicy.
Ground Beef Meal Prep Ideas:
1. Taco Meat
If you want to nail your taco game on Tuesdays, you’ve gotta start with the perfect Taco Meat. And guess what? I’ve got you covered!
This taco filling is seasoned to perfection with my own homemade taco seasoning blend. It only takes about 20 minutes to whip up, and let me tell you, it’s incredibly versatile.
Get the Recipe: Taco Meat
2. Meaty Cabbage Soup Meal Prep
Do you need a simple yet delicious meal for weekly meal prepping? This Meaty Cabbage Soup is a great option.
This bowl is full of cozy, comforting, and healthy ingredients that give amazing flavors to this soup.
The recipe includes three different cooking methods, so choose your favorite and try this super flavorful, meaty cabbage soup tonight.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Cabbage Soup
3. Korean Ground Beef Meal Prep
This Korean Ground Beef recipe cooks in 15 minutes, doesn’t have a long list of ingredients, and it’s super tasty!
You are going to love the combination of flavors in this dish. It cooks so quickly that it’s a great option for your meal prep, so you can make a huge batch and savor it the entire week with different sides.
Everyone will enjoy this Korean delight.
Get the Recipe: Korean Ground Beef
4. Dirty Rice (Cajun Rice Recipe)
Dirty Rice is a famous dish in Creole and Cajun cuisines. White rice gets a “dirty” color from bits of meat and a generous dose of seasonings.
It’s a quick one-pot meal prep idea that makes great lunches as leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Dirty Rice
5. Savoury Mince (Australian Ground Beef)
My Savoury Mince recipe is the perfect answer to the age-old question, “what’s for dinner?” It’s easy, hearty and so delicious.
Popular in Australia, this is one ground beef recipe that I think you’ll be cooking over and over again.
Get the Recipe: Savoury Mince
6. Taco Pasta
This Taco Pasta is simply irresistible.
Imagine all your favorite cheesy taco flavors mixed with your favorite type of pasta. It’s an amazing Tex-Mex twist that everyone will love.
It’s an easy weeknight meal idea that can be on your table in just 30 minutes. Plus, it’s great for meal prep, as leftovers taste great, so you can make this in bulk. So get cooking!
7. Cincinnati Chili
Cincinnati Chili is very different from other chilis you’ve had, but is totally awesome.
Typically served over spaghetti noodles, it has a lot of flavorings you might not expect, like cinnamon, cloves and even chocolate. How cool!
Get the Recipe: Cincinnati Chili
8. Italian Baked Meatballs
Meatballs make the best and most delicious family meals, and these Italian Baked Meatballs are no exception. It will become your family’s new favorite meatball dish.
This dish is super easy to make. Tender and perfectly seasoned meatballs are drenched in a simple yet tasty homemade marinara sauce and then simply baked to perfection.
You can enjoy this super flavorful Italian bake in many different ways and make a new meal every time. Don’t forget to double the recipe to savor them thoroughly.
Get the Recipe: Baked Meatballs
9. American Goulash
This American Goulash recipe is a nostalgic classic pasta dish that never gets old.
This dish is made with tender macaroni and hearty ground beef tossed in a well-seasoned tomato sauce with plenty of cheese, making it the ultimate comfort food.
The recipe is super customizable, so you can easily make it your own. Plus, it’s pocket and freezer-friendly, so you can meal prep accordingly. It’s a must-try recipe for everyone!
Get the Recipe: American Goulash
10. Mongolian Ground Beef
This Mongolian Ground Beef recipe is a simpler version of the popular takeout dish, and it’s so delicious that you will make it again and again.
This super easy, 20-minute ground beef stir-fry is bursting with perfectly sweet and savory Asian flavors.
Serve with rice, noodles, make a lettuce wrap, or load it on tacos! You can enjoy this dish as a complete family meal every time.
Get the Recipe: Mongolian Ground Beef
11. Beef Kheema (Indian Ground Beef with Peas)
Want to make something different with your ground beef? Give it an Indian flavor by making this Beef Kheema, or Indian Ground Beef with Peas.
In this dish, ground beef is engulfed by classic Indian masala made by sautéing tomato, onion, ginger garlic paste, and a few spices, making for a delicious dish.
Serve it traditionally with fresh roti, naan, pav (an Indian dinner roll), or with rice. The options are endless! So try it soon and let us know how you like this Indian Ground Beef dish.
Get the Recipe: Beef Kheema
12. Taco Soup
This Taco Soup is a quick and easy one-pot meal that you can enjoy any day.
This hearty ground beef soup is amazingly seasoned with the perfect Tex-Mex flavors with veggies, corn, and beans. Make it even better by adding your favorite toppings like avocado, jalapenos, tortilla strips, and much more.
You won’t be able to resist this fully loaded soup. It’s a perfect economical recipe for meal prepping, so get planning your week’s menu now!
Get the Recipe: Taco Soup
13. Keftedes (Greek Meatballs)
Give your favorite meatballs a Greek twist with this Keftedes recipe that everyone will go crazy for.
These meatballs are beautifully flavored with Greek spices and fresh herbs and are slightly crispy on the outside.
They are traditionally a part of a mezze platter, but you can savor them with anything you like. Plus, they make a great meal prep option, as they freeze well for 2 to 3 months. Be sure to try these Greek Keftedes!
Get the Recipe: Greek Meatballs
14. Ground Beef Spaghetti
This classic Spaghetti with Meat Sauce is one recipe sure to please everyone, young and old alike.
The recipe includes quality ingredients and specific tips to make this dish perfectly special. Feel free to customize it however you like.
You can freeze this meat sauce for three months in a freezer safe container, so it makes a great meal prep alternative. The next time you crave spaghetti, don’t forget to give this awesome recipe a try.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Spaghetti
15. Ground Beef Stroganoff
Ground Beef Stroganoff is a great twist on a comfort food classic. Hamburger meat cooks in a creamy mushroom sauce, perfect atop noodles, rice or mashed potatoes.
Taking just about 30 minutes, it’s a crowd pleasing dish that’s perfect for meal prep!
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stroganoff
16. Mediterranean Stuffed Peppers
These vibrantly gorgeous bell peppers are all you need to upgrade your basic stuffed peppers to the next level of deliciousness.
They are super easy to make, and you can make the delicious ground beef stuffing well in advance, making it a great meal prep option. Let your oven do the rest of the cooking for you.
You will simply love everything about these Mediterranean Stuffed Peppers.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Stuffed Peppers
17. Keto Taco Skillet
This Keto Taco Skillet is a win-win recipe. It’s ready in just 30 minutes, it’s great for entertainment, and even your pickiest eater will enjoy every bite.
Follow our easy recipe to make this magical dish perfectly. There are many ways to make it even more delicious by personalizing it with your favorite toppings.
Serve as an appetizer with some tortilla chips to scoop up all the goodness, or add it to tacos, burritos, and bowls and make a hearty family meal. There are so many options to enjoy this super flavorful skillet!
Get the Recipe: Keto Taco Skillet
18. Köttbullar (Swedish Meatballs)
This Köttbullar is the ultimate comfort food in Sweden, and it’s famous for everyday meals as well as celebrations. Everyone is sure to love it!
It features juicy, lightly spiced meatballs smothered in a rich, buttery gravy, making for an amazing sauce. When you serve it over a bed of mashed potatoes, it makes it even more outstanding.
This recipe is amazingly easy to follow, and if you make a big batch, you can enjoy it for weeks, as the leftovers taste just as awesome over time.
Get the Recipe: Swedish Meatballs
19. Mexican Beef and Rice Casserole
This One-Skillet Mexican Casserole recipe will rock your world with its cheesy, gooey deliciousness.
It just takes 10 minutes of active cooking time and simple pantry staple ingredients that deliver the best-of-the-best Mexican flavors. All of this in just one skillet!
Whether you’re busy or just want to indulge in a Mexican dish, this recipe is an amazing option.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Beef and Rice Casserole
20. Puerto Rican Picadillo
This Puerto Rican Picadillo is a classic ground beef dish that will become a new favorite Latin delicacy.
This dish is so flavorful and made with fragrant Latin herbs and spices such as adobos and sofrito. Mix it all together with ground beef and flavors to make this dish amazingly delicious.
Serve in tacos, burritos, empanadas, or go traditional with rice and plantains. It will be a great meal however you serve it. The next time you want to meal prep, try this Puerto Rican dish, and enjoy it for a long time.
Get the Recipe: Picadillo
21. Bolognese Sauce
This Bolognese Sauce Recipe has layers of flavors, and is going to elevate your pasta nights to new levels!
Rich and meaty, it simmers for hours. But at the end, it’s so worth the wait when you take your first bite of the perfect final product.
This isn’t your basic weeknight Spaghetti Sauce, it’s a culinary work of art!
Get the Recipe: Bolognese Sauce
22. Ground Beef Stir-Fry
Does dinner in 20 minutes sound good? Then this Ground Beef Stir Fry recipe is a jackpot for you!
Packed with hearty ground beef, an assortment of colorful veggies, and a stir fry sauce that’s an umami lover’s dream, this may be the easiest dinner you’ve ever cooked.
It’s one of my favorite ground beef meal prep ideas!
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stir Fry
23. Salisbury Steak
If you’re craving classic comfort food for your meal prep, this easy Salisbury Steak recipe is the way to go! Perfectly seasoned ground beef patty smothered in mushroom gravy.
This vintage recipe, popular in restaurants and diners for decades, is a soul warming meal that will be loved by all…
Get the Recipe: Salisbury Steak
24. Thai Basil Beef
When I’m in a rush, Thai Basil Beef is my saving grace! It’s a speedy stir-fry that I can get from stove to table in just 20 minutes. But that doesn’t mean it’s short on flavor!
Known locally as Pad Krapow, this classic dish is enhanced with my usual Asian food staples like soy, oyster and fish sauce, along with some heat from bird’s eye chilis and the distinct taste of Thai basil.
Get the Recipe: Thai Basil Beef
25. Taco Salad
Imagine a taco that went on a diet and turned into a salad! This recipe is for those who love tacos but think, “Maybe I should eat a salad today.”
I make this whenever I want something a bit healthier for my meal prep.
Get the Recipe: Taco Salad
26. Ground Beef and Tortellini Bake
Everyone will rave about this super easy Cheesy Tortellini Bake, even the pickiest eaters. It’s saucy, meaty, and super cheesy.
It just takes a few minutes to brown the ground beef and mix everything together. Then, let your oven do all the work for you.
Enjoy this one-skillet meal with fresh salad, crunchy bread, or whatever side you prefer. It’s freezer friendly and makes a great meal prep option.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Tortellini
27. Ground Beef Bulgogi
Looking for a fast, delicious dinner? Look no further! When I need something easy, tasty, and perfect for the whole family, I turn to Ground Beef Bulgogi. It’s a simple twist on classic Korean Bulgogi, but with ground beef, making it a breeze to whip up.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Bulgogi
28. Busy Day Soup
My Busy Day Soup? Does such thing exist? It does now. When the days get busy, this soup happens. Throw in a handful of ingredients… no chopping, no cutting, no prep, nothing fancy. Let it simmer, and boom, soup’s ready!!
It’s an excellent recipe to keep handy for meal prepping, and your entire family will love its goodness.
Get the Recipe: Busy Day Soup
29. Porcupine Meatballs
Now here’s a nostalgic dish for you! Porcupine Meatballs were a staple dish during the Great Depression, and if you haven’t tried them yet, now is the time.
First, let me say that no, they are not made out of porcupines. Instead, the name comes from their pokey appearance, thanks to the rice added into the meatballs. It’s a hearty and filling meal that you should absolutely try.
Get the Recipe: Porcupine Meatballs
30. Carne Molida
Carne Molida is my go-to for an easy, no-fuss Mexican meal. Picture this: ground beef cooked up with fresh homemade salsa, a mix of veggies and seasoned with blend of spices like cumin, oregano and chili powder. And you end up with one amazingly tasty Mexican ground beef!!
Whether used as a filling for tacos and empanadas or served over rice or inside bowl meals, it can be a staple for meal prep.
Get the Recipe: Carne Molida
I hope you enjoy these delicious ground beef meal prep ideas as much as I do.
Check out these other great recipe collections!
Ground Beef Recipes
Chicken Meal Prep Ideas
Healthy Meal Prep Ideas
Keto Meal Prep Ideas
High Protein Meal Prep Ideas
30 BEST Ground Beef Meal Prep Ideas
This collection of easy Ground Beef Meal Prep Ideas includes thirty great make ahead meals you'll enjoy eating again and again.
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 2 Tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 Tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp red chili flakes
- 28oz tomato sauce
- 28oz canned diced tomatoes
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 cups dry elbow macaroni
- 2 cups freshly shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large heavy bottomed pot over medium high heat. Add onion and bell pepper, sauté until they start to get soft. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
- Add in ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook, stirring from time to time, until it is no longer pink. Add Italian seasoning, paprika, red chili flakes, salt and pepper. Cook 1-2 minutes.
- Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce and bay leaves. Bring to a low boil, reduce heat to medium low, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Remove bay leaves. Return the sauce to a boil, then stir in macaroni pasta, and cook till just a bit firmer than your desired tenderness, about 15-20 minutes.
- Stir in cheese. Cook 2-3 minutes, till it has melted and mixed in well.
- Serve immediately.
Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.
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