5 Easy Ground Beef Recipes for Busy School Nights

School's back in session, and if you're like most parents, you're scrambling to get dinner on the table after a long day of work, homework help, and extracurricular activities. Ground beef is your secret weapon for quick, satisfying meals that the whole family will love. These five recipes are designed with busy weeknights in mind – they're simple, delicious, and use ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.

1. BBQ Cowboy Meatballs

These hearty meatballs bring a touch of the Wild West to your dinner table. With a kick of jalapeño and the smoky sweetness of BBQ sauce, they're sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup diced bell pepper
• 1 jalapeño, finely diced (remove seeds for less heat)
• 1/4 cup diced onions
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp all-purpose seasoning
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• BBQ sauce for coating

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. In a medium bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, eggs, bell pepper, jalapeño, onions, onion powder, garlic powder, all-purpose seasoning, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
3. Form into 1.5-inch round meatballs and place in a cast iron skillet or baking dish.
4. Bake for 60 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
5. Remove from oven and coat with your favorite BBQ sauce. Serve immediately.

Serving Tip: These go great over mashed potatoes or rice, with a side of green beans.

2. Cajun Beef Pasta

This one-pot wonder combines the bold flavors of Cajun seasoning with creamy pasta. It's comfort food with a kick that comes together in just 20 minutes.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
• 8 oz penne pasta
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Shaved Parmesan for garnish

Instructions:

1. Season ground beef with salt and pepper. Cook in a large skillet until browned. Drain excess fat.
2. Add diced onion and minced garlic. Cook until onion becomes translucent.
3. Add Cajun seasoning, paprika, thyme, onion powder, and garlic powder. Stir until well combined.
4. Pour in diced tomatoes, beef broth, and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer.
5. Add pasta and simmer for 10 minutes or until pasta is cooked and sauce has thickened.
6. Garnish with shaved Parmesan and serve hot.

Time-Saving Tip: Use pre-minced garlic and keep your spice blend mixed ahead of time for even faster cooking.

3. Pesto Bolognese Lasagna

This meal-prep friendly lasagna combines the rich flavors of Bolognese with bright basil pesto. Using no-boil noodles makes assembly a breeze, and you'll have leftovers for days.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Serves: 8-10

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jar (16 oz) marinara sauce
• 1 lb ground beef (93/7)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups shredded provolone cheese
• 2 cups whole milk ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup basil pesto
• 1 box oven-ready lasagna noodles
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Season ground beef with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Brown in a large skillet and drain excess fat.
3. Add chopped onion and cook until translucent.
4. Stir in marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.
5. In a separate bowl, combine ricotta cheese and pesto.
6. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer as follows:
   • 1/4 of the Bolognese sauce
   • Layer of 3-4 lasagna sheets
   • Half of the ricotta-pesto mixture
   • 1/4 of the Bolognese sauce
   • Half of the provolone cheese
   • Repeat layers, ending with noodles, remaining sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan
7. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes until golden and bubbling.
8. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Make-Ahead Tip: Assemble the lasagna in the morning and refrigerate. Add 10-15 minutes to baking time if cooking from cold.

4. Eggroll in a Bowl

All the flavors of your favorite eggroll in a healthy, low-carb bowl that's ready in 15 minutes. This recipe is perfect for those busy nights when you need something nutritious and fast.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 14 oz tri-color coleslaw mix
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 cup chopped yellow onion
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 4 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Extra green onions and red pepper flakes for garnish

Instructions:

1. Heat a large pan over medium heat. Add yellow onion, minced garlic, and a drizzle of olive oil. Sauté until fragrant.
2. Add ground beef and cook until browned, keeping heat at medium.
3. Reduce heat to medium-low and add coleslaw mix. Cook until slightly softened.
4. Add green onions, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Stir to combine.
5. In a small bowl, mix together salt, pepper, ginger, cumin, and red pepper flakes. Add to the pan and adjust seasoning to taste.
6. Garnish with additional green onions and red pepper flakes before serving.

Healthy Swap: Serve over cauliflower rice or regular rice for a more filling meal.

5. Simple Beef Fried Rice

This quick fried rice transforms leftover rice into a satisfying meal that's ready in under 20 minutes. It's a great way to clean out your refrigerator while feeding the family.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 3 cups cooked rice (preferably day-old)
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce (optional)
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 2 green onions, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
2. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Season with salt and pepper. Remove and set aside.
3. Add remaining oil to the pan. Add diced onion and cook for 2 minutes.
4. Add garlic and frozen vegetables. Cook for another 2 minutes.
5. Push vegetables to one side of the pan and scramble the beaten eggs on the other side.
6. Add the cooked rice, breaking up any clumps. Stir everything together.
7. Return the beef to the pan and add soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), and sesame oil.
8. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through and well combined.
9. Garnish with chopped green onions before serving.

Pro Tips: Day-old rice works best because it's less sticky. If using fresh rice, spread it on a baking sheet and let it cool completely first.

Making School Nights Easier

These five ground beef recipes prove that weeknight dinners don't have to be complicated or time-consuming. With a few simple ingredients and minimal prep work, you can have a hot, satisfying meal on the table that will keep your family happy and well-fed.

Meal Prep Ideas:

• Brown ground beef in bulk on Sunday and freeze in portion sizes
• Pre-chop vegetables and store in the refrigerator
• Cook extra rice when making the fried rice recipe to have leftovers ready
• The meatballs and lasagna both freeze beautifully for future quick meals

Remember, the key to successful school night cooking is preparation and having recipes that work with your schedule, not against it. These five recipes will become your go-to arsenal for those hectic evenings when everyone's hungry and time is short.

Which recipe will you try first? Each one offers its own unique flavors while keeping preparation simple enough for any busy parent to master.