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These healthy ground beef recipes require only 40 minutes or less of prep time and are destined—from the first bite—to become family favorites. The versatile, affordable meat is so easy to cook with, and if you use these recipes, it'll be good for you, too.

01 of 19

Eggplant-Beef Pasta Bake

For pasta night, done right—and pumped up with 19 grams of protein and plenty of vegetables—this make-ahead, healthy ground beef casserole recipe is full of tomatoes and eggplant, and topped with lots of gooey cheese. Best of all, you can freeze this dish for up to 4 months for a last-minute dinner.

02 of 19

Beef Taco Pie

This easy Mexican casserole is just like eating a taco, only you don't have to worry about the filling falling out. It's made almost entirely with freezer and pantry staples. Inspired by healthy tacos with ground beef, this nine-ingredient dinner is spiced up with an intriguing combination of chili powder and cinnamon. Trust us… that duo works surprisingly well to accentuate the savory beef.

03 of 19

Beef and Vegetable Biscuit Bake

Think of this healthy ground beef recipe as a twist on chicken pot pie. Packed with Brussels sprouts, carrots, and extra-lean ground beef, and topped with warm biscuits, this casserole will make your taste buds happy. We call for refrigerated biscuits as a shortcut but feel free to top with DIY biscuits if you're feeling ambitious and have the time.

04 of 19

Chili Pasta Skillet

Grab your skillet—this uber-easy, healthy dinner idea is going to be requested often. Ground beef, macaroni, tomato sauce, and red kidney beans are the perfect combination, especially when topped with a bit of bubbly cheese.

05 of 19

Best Meat Loaf

A cozy meatloaf is comfort food at its finest. For a healthy meal, incorporate fresh vegetables, a blend of sweet and savory sauces, and high-quality, lean beef. (We opted for a mixture of ground chuck and sirloin to make this high-protein meal.)

06 of 19

Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps

Lettuce wraps are quite easy to make and perfect for busy lifestyles. Ground beef is seasoned with soy sauce, sriracha, and sesame oil for a spicy filling to tuck inside butter lettuce cups. If that's not enough spice for you, drizzle in more sriracha along with red bell peppers and peanuts.

07 of 19

Gnocchi and Meatball Bake

Forget spaghetti and meatballs—dig into gnocchi and meatballs instead. Potato gnocchi provides a hearty base, while homemade meatballs add protein to this healthy casserole.

08 of 19

Beef and Black Bean Chili

This all-star chili contains a smoky secret: Cocoa powder adds richness and complements spicier flavors like cumin and paprika. A wholesome base of black beans and lean ground beef makes any chili recipe a guaranteed win at the dinner table. Instead of cornbread, consider pairing this healthy meal with a side of tortilla chips for dunking and scooping.

09 of 19

Greek Feta Burgers

Lean ground beef and fresh vegetables add the perfect balance of flavor to this juicy burger. Filled with feta cheese and smeared with a fresh cucumber sauce, this healthy recipe will be the star of your next cookout.

10 of 19

Cheesy Taco-Stuffed Peppers

Ground beef, cheese, rice, beans, corn, and more team up for a flavor fiesta. These healthy stuffed bell peppers are a great appetizer for game night. Top them with tomato, avocado, and sour cream.

11 of 19

Beef and Cabbage Wraps

Longing for the smoky flavors of a summer barbecue, but you don't have time, or the warm weather, to fire up your grill? Try this easy, healthy recipe instead. Sweet corn, tangy ground beef, and crunchy coleslaw combine for a fresh take on cookout cuisine.

12 of 19

Kansas City Steak Soup

Devour a steak dinner for a fraction of the price with this healthy recipe. We used ground sirloin, then blended Worcestershire and steak sauces into the broth to give this soup the essence of a steakhouse entrée. Frozen vegetables add lots of nutrients and make it a snap to prepare.

13 of 19

Zucchini Noodle Lasagna

Layers of cheese and zucchini make this your new favorite casserole. In our vegetable-packed version of lasagna, layers of zucchini, ground beef, melted mozzarella, portobello, and fennel unite in a mouthwatering entrée. Pair this healthy recipe with your favorite homemade bread.

14 of 19

Middle Eastern-Style Stuffed Peppers

A protein-packed mix of ground beef and quinoa is the start of this easy stuffed pepper recipe. Round out the filling with flavorful additions like toasted walnuts, feta cheese, dried cranberries, and fresh mint. Spice up the mix with cumin, paprika, cinnamon, and black pepper.

15 of 19

Southwestern Meatball Soup

Stash a batch of our make-ahead meatballs in the freezer and you'll have a head start on this healthy ground beef recipe. Make the soup with low-sodium beef broth, green chiles, carrots, whole-grain brown rice, and corn. Top off each bowl with fresh cilantro, red onion, and sour cream.

16 of 19

One-Pot Bibimbap Rice

This one-pot ground beef recipe is a weeknight dream. With just 20 minutes of prep, you can whip up a comforting Korean-inspired meal that's filled with ground beef, rice, spinach, mushrooms, and eggs.

17 of 19

Cuban-Style Stuffed Poblanos

This healthy ground beef dinner idea relies on just a few pantry ingredients to bring the flavor. Fire-roasted canned diced tomatoes impart a subtle smokiness while pitted green olives add salty, briny notes to the filling. Top each pepper with coarsely chopped toasted almonds for crunch.

18 of 19

Korean Beef Cabbage Wraps

If you're looking for a heartier version of Korean beef lettuce wraps, try this healthy ground beef recipe made with napa cabbage. The firm leaves help scoop up every last bit of the saucy garlic-soy filling.

19 of 19

Beef and Bean Chili

A big bowl of this beef and bean chili is hearty, comforting, and surprisingly easy to make. Start with lean ground beef and spice it up with chili powder, cumin, cilantro, and bittersweet chocolate. Add heat with fresh garlic and jalapenos.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the rules for ground beef?

For healthy recipes and beyond, you should always look for at least 70 percent muscle and 30 percent fat, however, the leaner the ground beef, the better to incorporate it in a high-protein, balanced diet. No matter the method you use to brown ground beef, make sure it’s been cooked to 160 degrees or higher.
Should I rinse ground beef?

Just like it’s not recommended to wash poultry, you shouldn’t rinse raw ground beef before cooking it as it is unsanitary and could spread germs and bacteria in your kitchen. You also shouldn’t wash off fat from cooked ground meat because it not only will reduce the flavor, you may potentially block your plumbing once the hot fat has cooled off and hardened as well.