23 Ground Beef Recipes That Feed a Crowd for Cheap

Feeding several hungry people can get expensive fast, but ground beef makes it easier to stretch dinner without leaving anyone searching for more food. These 23 recipes turn it into burgers, casseroles, pasta, soups, sliders, and Mexican-inspired dinners, with plenty of options that can be doubled for a larger group. There is enough variety here to keep a value pack of ground beef from becoming the same dinner every time.

Close-up of a Beef Enchilada Tortellini dish topped with ground meat, corn, black beans, and chopped green onions. — Beef Enchilada Tortellini. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Copycat Smash Burger

Pressed thin against a very hot skillet, Copycat Smash Burger turns ½ pound of ground beef into four crisp-edged patties in 25 minutes. Cheddar cheese, toasted buns, lettuce, tomato, spicy mayo, and pickles finish each burger. Cook the patties in batches when more people are coming. Serve them warm with fries, onion rings, or corn.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Smash Burger

Stuffed Cabbage

Wrapped in softened cabbage leaves, Stuffed Cabbage combines ground beef or pork with rice, breadcrumbs, onion, parsley, and tomato sauce. The rolls bake in a sauce made with crushed tomatoes, garlic, oregano, balsamic vinegar, and a little brown sugar. Make a full baking dish for Sunday dinner or prepare the rolls ahead. Serve with bread, potatoes, or a simple vegetable.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Cabbage

Egg Roll in a Bowl

A bowl of stir-fried ground meat, shredded cabbage, and carrots, topped with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. — Egg Roll in a Bowl. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Made without wrappers, Egg Roll in a Bowl cooks ground meat with shredded cabbage, carrots, garlic, ginger, and a savory sauce in one skillet. It keeps the filling people expect from an egg roll while skipping the work of rolling and frying individual pieces. Cook a larger skillet for a quick group dinner. Serve as is or spoon it over rice.
Get the Recipe: Egg Roll in a Bowl

Spaghetti Bolognese

A plate of spaghetti topped with meat sauce and a fresh basil leaf, accompanied by a fork on the side. — Spaghetti Bolognese. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Simmered with ground beef, tomatoes, vegetables, herbs, and pasta, Spaghetti Bolognese turns familiar grocery staples into a large, saucy dinner. The meat sauce coats the spaghetti instead of sitting loosely on top. Double the sauce when cooking for a bigger table, then save any extra for another meal. Serve with grated Parmesan, garlic bread, or salad.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Bolognese

Salisbury Steak

Several browned meat patties in a creamy mushroom sauce, topped with chopped chives. — Salisbury Steak. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Shaped into six to eight patties, Salisbury Steak cooks 1 pound of ground beef with grated onion, egg, and breadcrumbs before simmering in mushroom gravy. It takes 45 minutes and serves four, so the recipe can be doubled in a wide skillet for company. The beef broth gravy helps the meat stay moist. Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or buttered noodles.
Get the Recipe: Salisbury Steak

Cheeseburger Pasta

A skillet filled with penne pasta topped with shredded cheese, ground beef, diced tomatoes, lettuce, and pickles—a delicious take on cheeseburger pasta. — Cheeseburger Pasta. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Ready in about 40 minutes, Cheeseburger Pasta mixes ground beef and pasta with tomatoes, beef broth, ketchup, mustard, and plenty of cheddar. Lettuce, pickles, cherry tomatoes, or sesame seeds can be added at serving time for familiar burger toppings. Use a large pot and increase the batch for extra guests. Serve hot with a crisp salad or vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Pasta

Slow Cooker Taco Meatloaf

Close-up of a slice of cheesy taco casserole topped with chopped tomatoes, green onions, and jalapeño slices on a white plate, reminiscent of the comforting flavors found in slow cooker taco meatloaf. — Slow Cooker Taco Meatloaf. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Seasoned with Mexican-inspired ingredients, Slow Cooker Taco Meatloaf turns ground beef into a hands-off main dish that cooks while the rest of the meal comes together. The slow cooker keeps the oven free, which helps when preparing food for several people. Slice the finished meatloaf into even portions so it is easy to serve. Add rice, corn, salad, or roasted vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Taco Meatloaf

Big Mac Sliders

Two sloppy joe sliders with melted cheese and ground beef filling stacked on a plate, with lettuce and a bowl in the background. — Big Mac Sliders. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Baked as one connected tray, Big Mac Sliders layer seasoned ground beef, cheese, pickles, onions, and burger-style sauce inside soft slider rolls. Cutting the rolls after baking is quicker than forming and cooking a separate burger for every guest. Put them out warm for game day, birthday parties, or a casual dinner. Serve with fries, chips, or crunchy vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Sliders

Instant Pot Spaghetti

A close-up of spaghetti topped with ground meat and tomato sauce, garnished with grated cheese and a basil leaf, served on a white plate. — Instant Pot Spaghetti. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Pressure-cooked in 18 minutes, Instant Pot Spaghetti combines ½ pound of ground beef with 8 ounces of spaghetti, pasta sauce, onion, garlic, and Italian seasoning. The dry noodles cook directly in the sauce, keeping extra pots out of the sink. It serves four and can anchor a larger spread with inexpensive sides. Serve with garlic bread, Parmesan, or salad.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Spaghetti

Cabbage Rolls

Packed with cooked ground beef, rice, onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and herbs, Cabbage Rolls bake beneath plenty of tomato sauce until the leaves are tender. The recipe uses about 18 cabbage leaves, giving you a substantial baking dish for family dinners or potlucks. Allow the rolls to rest before serving so they hold together. Add bread or mashed potatoes alongside them.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Rolls

Stuffed Pepper Casserole

Instead of filling peppers one by one, Stuffed Pepper Casserole combines ground beef, bell peppers, rice, tomatoes, seasonings, and cheese in a single baking dish. The casserole format makes cooking and serving a larger batch much easier than preparing individual stuffed peppers. Spoon it straight from the dish at dinner or a potluck. Serve with salad, bread, or steamed vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Pepper Casserole

Taco Soup

A bowl of red soup topped with avocado slices, sour cream, cilantro, sliced onions, corn, and shredded cheese. — Taco Soup. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Built with ground beef, beans, corn, tomatoes, and taco seasonings, Taco Soup stretches one pot into plenty of hearty bowls. Canned ingredients keep the prep manageable and make it easy to increase the amount when additional guests are expected. Set out shredded cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, avocado, or cilantro so everyone can finish their own serving.
Get the Recipe: Taco Soup

Cowboy Sliders

A close-up of sliders filled with cooked ground beef, melted cheese, bacon, and sliced jalapeños on a white surface, with some jalapeño slices scattered nearby. — Cowboy Sliders. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Baked as a 12-count tray, Cowboy Sliders pile 1 pound of ground beef onto brioche buns with pepper jack, bacon, barbecue sauce, fried onions, and jalapeño. They take 35 minutes and are brushed with garlicky cowboy butter before baking. Pull the warm sliders apart for a casual party or shared dinner. Serve with coleslaw, potato salad, beans, or fries.
Get the Recipe: Cowboy Sliders

Cheeseburger Casserole

Baked with ground beef, pasta, tomatoes, seasonings, and cheese, Cheeseburger Casserole turns burger flavors into a scoopable dinner. A large casserole dish makes it easier to divide the meal into equal portions, and the ingredients can be increased for a second pan. Cook it for busy family nights or a casual gathering. Serve with pickles, salad, or steamed vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Casserole

Hamburger Sliders

Three sesame seed buns filled with melted cheese and ground beef are arranged on a wooden board. — Hamburger Sliders. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Layered across a slab of soft rolls, Hamburger Sliders spread seasoned ground beef and melted cheese into small portions that guests can grab without plates and utensils piling up. Baking the sliders together is much faster than assembling a full-size burger for each person. Cook them for game day, potlucks, or a family dinner. Serve warm with pickles, fries, chips, or salad.
Get the Recipe: Hamburger Sliders

Taco Salad

Piled over crisp lettuce, Taco Salad combines seasoned ground beef with tomatoes, cheese, beans, corn, and crunchy tortilla chips. Keeping the toppings in separate bowls lets each person build a plate while preventing the lettuce and chips from becoming soggy. Cook a larger batch of taco meat when feeding more guests. Serve with salsa, sour cream, avocado, or lime.
Get the Recipe: Taco Salad

Cowboy Casserole

Topped with tater tots and 2 cups of shredded cheese, Cowboy Casserole layers 1 pound of ground beef with corn, bell pepper, onion, garlic, taco seasoning, and tomatoes. It takes 37 minutes and serves six from a 9-by-13-inch dish. Assemble another pan when the guest list grows. Serve with cilantro, sour cream, broccoli, green beans, or cornbread.
Get the Recipe: Cowboy Casserole

Cheeseburger Soup

A bowl of soup with ground meat, peas, carrots, cauliflower, shredded cheese, chopped herbs, and bacon pieces, served with a napkin on the side. — Cheeseburger Soup. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Spoonable and filling, Cheeseburger Soup combines ground beef with potatoes, vegetables, broth, and cheese in one hearty pot. It carries the familiar flavor of a cheeseburger without requiring separate patties, buns, and toppings for each person. Keep it warm on low heat when people are eating at different times. Serve with bread, crackers, pickles, or a green salad.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Soup

Sheet Pan Beef Enchilada Nachos

A platter of nachos topped with ground meat, melted cheese, sliced jalapeños, cherry tomatoes, black beans, red onions, cilantro, and dollops of sour cream. Lime wedges are on the side. — Sheet Pan Beef Enchilada Nachos. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Spread across a large pan, Sheet Pan Beef Enchilada Nachos cover tortilla chips with seasoned ground beef, enchilada flavor, beans, and melted cheese. One tray can be served in the middle of the table, while two pans handle a larger game-day group without much added work. Add the fresh toppings after baking. Serve immediately with salsa, sour cream, avocado, or jalapeños.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Beef Enchilada Nachos

Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Four zucchini boats topped with ground meat, tomato sauce, melted cheese, and chopped parsley on a white plate. — Stuffed Zucchini Boats. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Scooped into zucchini halves, Stuffed Zucchini Boats pair ground beef with tomatoes, seasonings, and melted cheese for an oven-baked dinner. The filling can be prepared in one skillet before the boats are arranged together on a baking pan. Increase the number of zucchini when more servings are needed. Serve with rice, pasta, bread, or a simple salad.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Grilled Cheese Burritos

Three foil-wrapped burrito halves filled with ground meat, cheese, lettuce, and tomato are stacked on a pink plate. — Grilled Cheese Burritos. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Filled with 1 pound of seasoned ground beef, rice, Monterey Jack, sour cream, lettuce, and cilantro, Grilled Cheese Burritos make six servings in 35 minutes. Each tortilla is grilled for a crisp, golden finish after rolling. Wrap the burritos individually in foil for easy serving at a casual gathering. Add tortilla chips, guacamole, beans, salsa, or corn salad.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Cheese Burritos

Sloppy Joe Casserole

A golden-brown baked dish with melted cheese and chopped herbs, being served with a spoon from an oval white casserole dish. — Sloppy Joe Casserole. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Covered with Bisquick batter and cheddar, Sloppy Joe Casserole bakes a ketchup-and-mustard ground beef filling into a 45-minute dinner for six. The fluffy topping replaces individual buns, so there is less assembly and fewer drips at the table. Bake it in a 9-by-13-inch dish for family dinner, game day, or a potluck. Serve with coleslaw, vegetables, or salad.
Get the Recipe: Sloppy Joe Casserole

Beef Enchilada Tortellini

Combining Mexican-inspired sauce with cheese-filled pasta, Beef Enchilada Tortellini cooks ground beef, tortellini, enchilada sauce, seasonings, and cheese into one rich skillet dinner. The pasta adds bulk without needing a separate side, helping the beef stretch across more plates. Use a large skillet or double the batch for company. Serve hot with cilantro, sour cream, avocado, or chopped tomatoes.
Get the Recipe: Beef Enchilada Tortellini