17 Leftover Ground Beef Recipes

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Repurposing leftovers can be fun and is a great way to express some culinary creativity. Leftover ground beef can be used in most recipes that call for ground beef.

Get creative! Season it to fit your new recipe and add some fresh ingredients like onion or tomato sauce. Try a taco salad, hamburger soup, or comfy casserole.

As long as it is browned and lightly seasoned or seasoned to compliment the meal you have chosen, you will be fine! Enjoy these 17 leftover ground beef recipes.

Contents

17 Leftover Ground Beef Recipes

For whatever reason, you have found yourself with a bunch of leftover hamburger. The good news is it doesn’t have to go to waste. Repurpose it into any of these 17 leftover ground beef recipes.

1. Chili

One recipe that is perfect for leftover ground beef is chili. Sautee some onions and garlic until translucent then add the cooked beef to pick up some of the flavors.

Adapt the recipe to fit your tastes. You can make it saucier, heartier, zestier, or smokier. The secret to good chili is simmering it until it’s perfect.

https://kitchendreaming.com/basic-beef-chili/

2. Chili Mac

Chili mac is a crowd-pleasing mash-up of two comforting favorites: chili and mac and cheese. This cheesy recipe is gorgeous and full of flavor.

Once prepared and the cheese is bubbly, you can garnish with sliced jalapenos, chopped cilantro, or sour cream for some extra pizzazz, flavor, and spice.

https://cafedelites.com/chili-mac/

3. Ground beef and Rice Casserole

Casseroles are filling, comforting, delicious, and taste like home. This casserole is incredibly simple, versatile, and deeply satisfying. Feel free to substitute your favorite veggies.

Using instant rice keeps your cook time short while still adding depth. This is a complete meal on its own but can be served with a salad, steamed veggies, or dessert.

https://www.spendwithpennies.com/ground-beef-and-rice-casserole/

4. Crispy Ground Beef Quesadillas

Quesadillas are a crispy tortilla that has been stuffed with an ooey-gooey cheesy meat mixture. Quesadillas are a ton of fun because almost anything goes!

In addition to the meat mixture, you can add your own filling to the quesadilla. Some great options are avocado chunks, corn, black beans, or salsa.

https://keviniscooking.com/crispy-ground-beef-quesadillas/

5. Ground Beef Tacos

One word. Tacos! These ground beef tacos are super easy to make and perfect for your busy weeknights. These tacos are easy, customizable, and fantastic.

Season and moisten your leftover ground beef with some taco seasoning and chicken broth then add your favorite toppings like Pico de Gallo, lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, and shredded cheese.

https://www.jocooks.com/recipes/easy-ground-beef-tacos/

6. Enchiladas

Enchiladas are another favorite that is beefy, cheesy, and loaded with fresh toppings. Season your leftover ground beef with a homemade taco seasoning and fill your favorite tortillas.

Once assembled, top with enchilada sauce and cheese and bake until bubbly. Top with your favorite fresh ingredients like diced tomato, diced avocado, or diced green onion.

https://iwashyoudry.com/easy-ground-beef-enchiladas/

7. Taco Salad

Repurpose leftover ground beef into a taco salad that is loaded with flavor and fresh ingredients. This recipe can be adapted to be gluten-free, dairy-free, low-carb, or vegetarian.

This recipe features a creamy dressing that is made by combining salsa, fresh lime juice, and sour cream. Let the creativity flow when deciding how to top this delightful salad.

https://amindfullmom.com/taco-salad/

8. Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed peppers are delicious, filling, and cheesy. Colorful bell peppers are stuffed with a mixture of ground beef, rice, and tomato sauce, then topped with cheese.

This recipe is baked but stuffed peppers also do well in a crockpot. The stuffing can be customized to add some of your favorites. Consider adding corn, peas, or different cheeses.

https://www.saltandlavender.com/ground-beef-stuffed-peppers/

9. Ground Mongolian Beef

Add some sweet and spicy sauce to your leftover ground beef to make a delicious Mongolian-inspired meal. All you need to add is some fresh or frozen vegetables.

The superb sauce is made of mirin, rice vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame seeds, and red pepper flakes. Serve over some steamed white rice to soak up the delicious juices.

https://dinnerthendessert.com/ground-mongolian-beef/

10. Loaded Beef Skillet Nachos

Nachos are so much more than tortilla chips and melted cheese. Nachos can be an appetizer or these loaded beef skillet nachos can be a full-on meal.

Loading your nachos is the fun part. Choose anything you like. This recipe uses fresh green onions, cilantro, cowboy caviar, and loads of melty cheese.

https://www.averiecooks.com/loaded-beef-skillet-nachos/

11. Shepherd’s Pie

You can use both leftover ground beef and leftover mashed potatoes in this comforting down-home recipe. Using some frozen vegetables, you’ll be at the table enjoying dinner in no time.

Shepherd’s pie is a delicious combination of creamy potatoes, juicy, meaty filling, and full of colorful vegetables. After cooking, it can be frozen for later use.

https://thecozycook.com/easy-shepherds-pie/

12. Baked Ziti With Meat Sauce

Enjoy a taste of Italy when you prepare this hot and cheesy Italian casserole. Warm your leftover ground beef in a pan with some onions and garlic.

Tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes help bring some moisture back into the meat. Combine your al dente pasta, your meat sauce and cover with mozzarella cheese.

https://thisdelicioushouse.com/baked-ziti-with-meat-sauce/

13. Hamburger Stew

Hamburger stew is comfort in a bowl which is perfect when the cold weather rolls in. This hamburger stew recipe is flexible and chock full of chunky vegetables.

Hamburger stew is also great for using any leftover vegetables you might have in your fridge. This hearty stew begs for a big fluffy roll.

https://www.gonnawantseconds.com/hamburger-stew/

14. Hamburger Soup

No, I didn’t accidentally put the same thing twice. Soup and stew are different. Soup features a lot of liquid while stew barely has enough to cover the ingredients.

This hamburger soup is also loaded with vegetables like carrots, potatoes, green beans, and pasta if you like. Soak up some of that extra juice with some saltine crackers.

https://www.theseasonedmom.com/grandmothers-hamburger-soup/

15. Easy Hamburger Casserole

Casseroles are usually called on because they’re filling, comforting, and easy to make. This budget-friendly meal uses just a handful of ingredients to create greatness.

Ground beef, pasta shells, tomato soup, cheddar cheese, and mozzarella cheese are all it takes to make everyone happy. Serve with your favorite steamed vegetables.

https://www.instrupix.com/easy-hamburger-casserole-recipe-4-ingredients/

16. Mexican Casserole

Add a little spice to your life with this fabulous Mexican casserole. Perfect for meal preppers who need a delicious meal that can be served in different ways to get you through the week.

Loaded with great ingredients like sweet corn, rice, onion, green chilies, and beans, this casserole can be served alone, in a burrito, or a taco salad.

https://fitfoodiefinds.com/mexican-casserole-recipe/

17. One Pot Cheesy Taco Skillet

This low-carb and budget-friendly taco skillet is veggie-packed, loaded with cheese, and is perfect for salads, burritos, and burrito bowls. Topped with sour cream, salsa, and/or guacamole.

This recipe has loads of healthy veggies like peppers, onions, green onions, and some hidden spinach for extra nutritional value. It’s topped with three different types of cheese.

https://sweetcsdesigns.com/one-pot-cheesy-taco-skillet/

Wrap-Up

Leftovers don’t have to be boring or bland. A few fresh ingredients, a little creativity, and you can have a brand new, beautiful, and flavorful meal.

Transform that leftover ground beef into a cheesy Mexican skillet, Italian casserole, Mongolian beef bowl, or a good-old-fashioned pot of soup. You won’t regret using any of these 17 leftover ground beef recipes.

Related posts:

  1. 17 Easy Leftover Steak Recipes
  2. 17 Easy Breakfast Recipes
  3. 17 Best Lentil Recipes
  4. 17 Ground Beef Crockpot Recipes

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