12 Ground Beef Dinners That Are Ready in 30 Minutes or Less

Ground beef is our hero

<p>Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower</p>

Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower

Like many home cooks, I'm guessing you probably have a pound of ground beef in the freezer right now. It's likely there because it was on sale, or you just like to have some on hand for burgers or spaghetti and meatballs.

Do you ever look at that ground beef and wish you had something different to do with it? Your wish has been granted. Here are 12 recipes that use a pound (or two) of ground beef. Best of all, each recipe is ready in just about 30 minutes!

Read More: How to Thaw Ground Beef

Salisbury Ground Beef

<p>Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower</p>

Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower

This riff on a classic is Salisbury steak taken up a notch—and it's easier to make than the original.

Get Recipe: Salisbury Ground Beef

Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

<p>Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower</p>

Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower

Using ground beef is easier on your budget than beef and broccoli made with steak but still provides all the flavor you love.

Get Recipe: Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

One-Pot Taco Pasta

<p>Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek</p>

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

Make this large pot of slightly spicy, cheesy taco pasta and you'll feast on the leftovers at least one more night.

Get Recipe: One-Pot Taco Pasta

Creamed Tacos

<p>Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu</p>

Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

This filling, super easy meal is sort of like serving personal bowls of chili con queso for dinner. You wouldn't do it every night, but once in a while, it's a real treat.

Get Recipe: You Need To Make My Mom’s 15-Minutes Creamed Tacos for Dinner

Hamburger Stroganoff

Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer

Swapping ground beef for steak makes this classic weeknight friendly and affordable!

Get Recipe: Hamburger Stroganoff

Sheet Pan Mini Meatloaves with Crispy Broccoli and Potatoes

Sharon Lehman
Sharon Lehman

Mini meatloaves cook faster than a full-size meatloaf. Cook broccoli and potatoes alongside for a full meal that's ready in a half hour.

Get Recipe: Sheet Pan Mini Meatloaves with Crispy Broccoli and Mustard Glazed Potatoes

Homemade Hamburger Helper

<p>Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower</p>

Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower

Never buy the box mix again! This homemade version of the classic Hamburger Helper can be made with ingredients you likely have in your pantry already.

Get Recipe: Homemade Hamburger Helper Is So Much Better Than the Boxed Stuff

Garlicky Gingery Ground Beef

<p>Simply Recipes / Myo Quinn</p>

Simply Recipes / Myo Quinn

This easy skillet recipe is salty, sweet, and meaty, and with just five ingredients it proves that you don't need to be fussy to have a lot of flavor.

Get Recipe: Garlickly, Gingery Ground Beef

Cheesy Taco Pasta Skillet

Alison Conklin
Alison Conklin

Who says Taco Tuesday has to involve tortillas?

Get Recipe: Cheesy Taco Pasta Skillet

Burger Salad

<p>Simply Recipes / Coco Morante</p>

Simply Recipes / Coco Morante

Burger salads are a no-fail favorite at recipe writer Coco Morante's house. This recipe pleases the grown-ups and the kid contingent alike!

Get Recipe: Burger Salad

Unstuffed Peppers

<p>Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower</p>

Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower

Skip the hassle of stuffing individual peppers and make this crowd-friendly "unstuffed" version.

Get Recipe: Unstuffed Peppers

Hamburger and Macaroni

<p>Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer</p>

Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

You might call this hamburger hotdish, mulligan, or Johnny Marzetti. Whatever it's called, it's comforting and so simple!

Get Recipe: Hamburger and Macaroni

Read the original article on Simply Recipes.