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30 Healthy Ground Beef Recipes to Help You Eat a Little Lighter
Without sacrificing on flavor!
By 
When you're looking for a weeknight dinner that's quick and easy, ground beef recipes are the name of the game! You can make them all year round—from burgers on the grill in the summer to hearty ground beef casseroles in winter. And they're budget-friendly, too! But did you know that ground beef recipes can also be healthy?
While you might think to search for ground chicken recipes or ground turkey recipes instead, this list of healthy ground beef recipes will prove that dinner can be lean and satisfying all at the same time. Just take a look at the cheesy ground beef and cauliflower rice casserole recipe—it's low in carbs, but still loaded with flavor! Or try the taco salad for a healthy twist on taco night!
We've got beef-centric 30-minute meals, veggie-forward family meals, and even a better-for-you copycat recipe for Hamburger Helper that's so good, your family will ask you to make it for dinner every night of the week. The key to making any healthy dinner with ground beef is to dial down the fat content and dial up the flavor in the surrounding ingredients, whether that means including more seasonal vegetables, a mouthwatering side, or—we'll just come right out and say it—cheese. Cheese helps a lot. Try one of these healthy ground beef recipes and get cooking!
Cheeseburger Salad
Skip the buns and serve you cheeseburgers over a big bed of greens! Each salad bowl can include three mini smash burgers, pickles and special sauce for that classic cheeseburger flavor.
Get the Cheeseburger Salad recipe.
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Yes, those noodles look delicious, but this dish is really all about the meatballs. So go ahead and swap the spaghetti for zucchini noodles instead, or look for other alternative pastas like chickpea pasta that's low in carbs but high in protein.
Get the Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe.
Easy Taco Salad
This recipe takes all the best flavors, textures, and colors of a crunchy beef taco, and gives it a lightened-up twist by turning it into a salad! It's perfect for healthy lunches or warm summer nights.
Get the Easy Taco Salad recipe.
Slow Cooker Chili
A pot of chili will keep you (and your family) full and satisfied any night of the week. This one isn't just packed with ground beef, but it also has kidney beans which are a good source of protein and fiber.
Get the Slow Cooker Chili recipe.
Cheeseburger Pie
This savory pie doesn't have a crust so it's a bit lighter. Instead, the ground beef and cheese filling cook up nice and fluffy for a dish that's almost like a crustless quiche.
Get the Cheeseburger Pie recipe.
Taco Soup
This soup recipe hits all the right notes: It's savory, spicy, filling, and so comforting! For an extra boost of nutrition, serve it with good-for-you avocado!
Get the Taco Soup recipe.
Taco Casserole
We love how green and colorful this taco casserole looks when it's piled high with healthy toppings, like avocado and veggies. Be warned, though: Your family will be asking for it on a weekly basis.
Get the Taco Casserole recipe.
Stuffed Cabbage Casserole
Line a casserole pan with these cabbage rolls, top with a sweet-and-sour tomato sauce, then bake and enjoy. If you'd rather not keep things too light, you can always serve them with a side of mashed potatoes.
Get the Stuffed Cabbage Casserole recipe.
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Think Hamburger Helper can't be beat? Think again. This nostalgia-inducing alternative is just as delicious—and it's a one-pot dish, too.
Get the Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe.
Beef Enchilada Casserole
Tex-Mex for the win! This dreamy casserole is comforting, loaded with protein, and quick to make—the ideal last-minute dinner.
Get Ree's Beef Enchilada Casserole recipe.
Cheesy Beef and Sweet Potato Taco Casserole
Taco night, but make it autumnal. This flavorful recipe features an entire layer of tortilla chips—but it's also loaded with nutritious sweet potatoes.
Low-Carb Burger
Ree likes to make this burger when she "need[s] to step away from the buns." 😂 It's basically a beef burger wrapped in crisp iceberg lettuce.
Get Ree's Low-Carb Burger recipe.
Eggplant Parmesan
Eggplant parm is about to become your family's new favorite weeknight meal. A meaty, hearty sauce adds to the appeal in a big way.
Spicy Southwestern Butternut Squash Casserole
Who says casserole dishes have to be heavy—or reserved for special occasions? This weeknight-friendly variety is loaded with ground beef, kale, and butternut squash.
Get the Spicy Southwestern Butternut Squash Casserole recipe at Jar of Lemons.
Ground Beef and Broccoli
Don't have flank steak in your fridge? Not to worry! Thanks to this recipe, you can recreate this classic dish using ground beef.
Stuffed Pepper Casserole
Deconstruct the classic stuffed peppers to recreate this indulgent-but-healthy dish right at home. It's a one-pot meal that'll yield plenty of leftovers for the rest of the week.
Get the Stuffed Pepper Casserole recipe at Well Plated by Erin.
Cheesy Ground Beef Cauliflower Rice Casserole
Cauliflower rice means way less carbs—but don't worry, this casserole is still incredibly filling. It's made with lean ground beef, fresh spinach, and lots of cheese.
Get the Cheesy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Casserole recipe at Diethood.
Cauliflower Ground Beef Skillet
Prepare to put this one on repeat! It's an easy-to-make, protein-heavy dish that'll change the way you feel about cauliflower.
Get the Cauliflower Ground Beef Skillet recipe at A Taste of Madness.
Italian Ground Beef and Cauliflower Skillet
Busy weeknights are no match for this creamy, tomato-based skillet dish. Ground beef and mozzarella cheese give your favorite pasta dish a run for its money.
Get the Italian Ground Beef and Cauliflower Skillet recipe at Delicious Little Bites.
Mexican Ground Beef Skillet
In just 40 minutes, you can have this Mexican-inspired skillet dish on the table. It's the faster, healthier alternative to your typical taco night fare.
Get the Mexican Ground Beef Skillet recipe at Fit Foodie Finds.
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