When you're staring at a pack of ground beef and wondering what to make, this list has you covered. From comforting casseroles to healthier meal prep ideas, here are some of our favorite ground hamburger dinner ideas — perfect for busy nights, cozy weekends, and everything in between.
1. Ground Beef Poached Eggs (Čimbur)
This unique dish features eggs poached directly in a simmering pan of spiced ground beef and seasonings— a flavorful twist on shakshuka. It’s perfect for a beef lunch meal prep or a low-carb dinner idea with bold flavor and minimal cleanup.
2. Ground Beef and Eggplant Moussaka (Patlidžan Musaka)
Layers of tender eggplant, seasoned ground beef, and creamy topping come together in this uncommon ground beef recipe. It’s a hearty dish full of Balkan flavor, ideal for when you’re craving something satisfying and different. A go-to for family gatherings or slow weekend cooking.
3. Ground Beef and Potato Moussaka (Krompir Musaka)
This baked dish layers potatoes, seasoned beef, and a creamy topping for the ultimate ground meat potatoes recipe. It’s filling, flavorful, and tastes even better the next day. Think of it as Eastern Europe’s answer to shepherd’s pie.
4. Ground Beef Leek Risotto
A stovetop favorite that blends rich, savory beef with gently sautéed leeks and creamy rice. This healthy dinner recipe with ground beef simple enough for a weeknight but elegant enough for company. A one-pan wonder with tons of flavor.
5. Ground Beef Stuffed Cabbage (Sarma)
These cabbage rolls stuffed with healthy dinner hamburger meat filling are simmered in a tangy tomato sauce until perfectly tender. Traditional and comforting, sarma is a timeless dish that turns simple ingredients into something special. Great for freezing and reheating, too!
6. Ground Beef Stuffed Peppers (Punjene Paprike)
Classic bell peppers are filled with a comforting mixture of ground beef meals, rice, and herbs, then baked until soft. This colorful dish is a great example of healthy dinners using ground beef that still feel cozy and satisfying.
7. Ground Beef Stuffed Eggplant (Punjeni Patlidžan)
Roasted eggplants make the perfect vessel for a zesty, spiced ground beef dinner filling. This recipe is packed with flavor, fiber, and nutrients — a great way to enjoy healthy lunch ideas with ground beef in a new form.
8. Ground Beef Stuffed Zucchini (Punjene Tikvice)
This classic features zucchini boats stuffed with a seasoned mix of ground beef, rice, and herbs, then simmered low and slow in a rich tomato sauce until tender. It’s a lighter twist on stuffed peppers, perfect for warm-weather cooking yet hearty enough to satisfy.
9. Ground Beef Stuffed Veggie Medley (Dolmas)
These colorful dolmas—peppers, zucchini, tomatoes, and onions—are stuffed with a flavorful mix of ground beef, rice, and herbs, then simmered until tender in a savory tomato broth. Found on tables all across the Balkans, this dish is as comforting as it is celebratory. It's a beautiful, nourishing way to use seasonal vegetables and bring people together.
10. Ground Beef Lasagna with Béchamel
Rich and layered, this lasagna combines creamy béchamel and a traditional bolognese made with easy ground beef. It’s a showstopper of a dish — perfect for holidays, dinner parties, or making ahead. Your answer to “what to make with 1 lb ground beef.”
11. Ground Beef Meatballs (Ćufte)
Whether simmered in tomato sauce or served on their own, these meatballs are a tried-and-true ground beef quick recipe. They’re great over pasta, in a sandwich, or meal-prepped for the week ahead. Comforting, versatile, and kid-approved.
12. Ground Beef Meatballs in White Sauce (Ćufte Alfredo)
These tender ground beef meatballs are simmered in a silky white roux-based sauce—simple, satisfying, and irresistibly creamy. A Balkan comfort dish through and through, it's the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table (and keeps them there). Serve with mashed potatoes or crusty bread to soak up every last drop.
13. Ground Beef Meat Patties Rissoles (Faširane Šnicle)
Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these Balkan-style rissoles are a delicious answer to the "what to do for dinner?" dilemma. Made with a mix of ground beef, and simple seasonings, they’re pan-fried to golden perfection. Great fresh or as part of your weekly meal prep—serve them with a salad, in a sandwich, or with mashed potatoes on the side
14. Ground Beef Rissoles in Béchamel Casserole (Ćulbastije, Đulbastije)
A uniquely Balkan take on grilled ground beef patties, ćulbastije are seasoned patties gently simmered in a savory cheesy sauce until meltingly tender. Unlike regular meat patties, these are slow-cooked to soak in all the flavor—an old-school dish that tastes like home. Pair with mashed or boiled potatoes for a truly comforting meal.
15. Ground Beef Fast Phyllo Dough Meat Pie (Brzi Burek)
Crispy layers of phyllo dough filled with herby ground beef make this a standout among easy fall dinner ideas ground beef. Inspired by Balkan burek, it’s flaky, savory, and totally crave-worthy. A must-try if you’re looking for uncommon ground beef recipes.
16. Ground Beef Homemade Phyllo Dough Meat Pie (Domaći Burek)
A more elaborate way to do the dish above, this Balkan classic layers spiced ground beef and potato filling inside homemade phyllo for a portable, meal-worthy pie. It’s a staple for meals with ground beef. It can be sliced, packed, and eaten hot or cold. A hearty and flavorful lunchbox favorite.
17. Ground Beef Meat Pie (Ćoravi Burek)
Golden and satisfying, this savory pie features flaky crust and a rich meat filling seasoned to perfection. It’s a classic supper with hamburger meat recipe that works for holidays or weeknight leftovers. Serve warm with a green salad for balance. Think of it as pancake with ground beef.
18. Ground Beef Layered Phyllo Pie (Slagani Burek)
Similar to the meat pie above, but layered instead of rolled, making it crisp on top and juicy inside—a crowd-pleaser at any table. Filled with savory ground beef, onions, and spices in this traditional Balkan meat pie.
19. Ground Beef Pasta Bake
Balkan take on the Johnny Marzetti dish is all about tender noodles and savory beef baked together under a melty cheese layer — this is supper ideas with ground beef at its best. One dish, easy prep, and guaranteed comfort. Save this one for a chilly night when you need something cozy.
20. Ground Beef Minestrone Soup
This hearty soup combines the cozy depth of ground beef with tender vegetables, pasta, and beans in a tomato-rich broth. Inspired by classic Italian minestrone but given a Balkan twist, it’s the ultimate bowl for cold days or make-ahead lunches. Serve with crusty bread and you're set for a wholesome, one-pot meal.
21. Ground Beef Dumplings (Klepe)
Klepe are tender homemade dumplings filled with ground beef and onions, boiled until soft, and drizzled with a garlic-infused yogurt and butter sauce. A traditional dish in Bosnian homes, klepe are the kind of meal you make when you want to show love—one bite and you’ll understand why they’ve lasted generations. Rich, comforting, and worth every step.
