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Healthy ground beef recipes that are actually really tasty (we promise!)

Try these unique ground beef dishes for yummy, flavorful meals

Kim Renta
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Coming up with new ways to feed your family can be challenging. Whether you’re searching for new recipes, trying out the latest gadgets, or discovering innovative ways to incorporate common ingredients into your weekly meal plan, being open to new things in the kitchen will keep mealtime fun and satisfying. 

One ingredient that doesn’t get the respect it deserves is ground beef. A beloved meat for home chefs who want to make their own patties or create savory meals with some added protein, ground beef has a tendency to be used only in our tried-and-true recipes. Good for more than just hamburgers and meatloaf, ground beef can be used to create so many tasty, flavorful meals. From hearty ground beef recipes with rice to healthy ground beef skillet recipes, there are literally hundreds of ways to get the most out of a pound of ground beef. Let’s explore some! 

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Ground beef in casserole dish

Healthy ground beef recipes that are low carb, too!

Beef gets a bad rap, but there are tons of hearty, healthy, low-carb ways to cook ground beef. Try these simple recipes for affordable — and delicious — meals the whole family will love.

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Low-carb shepherd’s pie

This Keto-friendly shepherd’s pie gives a light makeover to a classic comfort food. The saucy meat and veggie mix is topped with cheesy cauliflower mash rather than high-carb, high-calorie mashed potatoes. It’s so delicious, no one will guess that it’s low carb, gluten-free, and just 286 calories per serving. 

Easy beef egg roll in a bowl

Skip the takeout and opt for this healthy, deconstructed version of the egg roll, minus the grease, calories, and carbs. Simple and quick to make with just a few pantry staples, minimal prep work, and one pan, this guilt-free treat is ready in under 20 minutes, meaning you can cut down any time-consuming meal prep. Plus, with just 8 grams of carbs and 298 calories per serving, it’s a delicious ground beef meal you’ll want to add to your regular rotation.  

Low-carb stuffed pepper soup

Here is everything you love about classic stuffed peppers, without the carb guilt! This cozy low-carb soup warms you from the inside for the perfect cold-weather meal. By swapping standard rice with cauliflower rice, you’ll reduce your carbs and increase your veggies for a seriously healthy, massively tasty comfort food winner. You can adjust the recipe to make it in your Instant Pot, slow cooker, or right on your stovetop (in about 30 minutes). With just 6 grams of carbs and 286 calories per serving, you can even indulge in a second helping.

Korean ground beef and rice bowl

In the search for healthy ground beef recipes with rice, few are as tasty as this Korean favorite. Select the leanest ground beef you can find to keep the calorie and fat count down, and then clean out your veggie drawer. This dish perfectly accommodates just about any veggie combination you want to throw into it — from eggplant to zucchini, bok choy, broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower, the more vegetables you add, the better, and the healthier the end result will be. Serve over a bed of rice — brown rice is the best option — for a quick and easy meal for any day of the week.

Ground beef in bowl

Healthy ground beef skillet recipes

There’s something so wonderfully simple about skillet recipes, especially on busy weeknights. Just brown your ground beef and toss in the rest of your ingredients, and you’ll be ready to serve a tasty, healthy, home-cooked meal in minutes. 

Easy mushroom and ground beef skillet

Healthy ground beef recipes without pasta are always in demand, and this yummy weeknight dinner is ready in under 30 minutes. Delicious as-is or served over brown rice, it’s loaded with rich, flavorful goodness. You can keep the calorie count low by selecting extra lean ground beef — we use 93% lean (just 250 calories per serving). 

Zucchini and ground beef skillet casserole

A combination of protein and carbs, beef and rice will help fuel your body and keep you feeling full for longer. For a healthier option, always choose brown rice rather than white. Plus, we love recipes like this that sneak in extra servings of veggies without the kids even noticing. 

Ground beef skillet and spaghetti squash

If you love bolognese sauce and spaghetti, you’re going to be amazed at this healthier skillet version. Made with extra-lean ground beef and a vibrant mix of vegetables that includes tomatoes, mushrooms, onion, peppers, and fresh basil, spaghetti squash is the healthy stand-in for traditional carb-laden pasta. The end result? A flavorful, hearty Italian meal that’s just 195 calories per serving! Mangia! 

Ground beef is an economical, versatile, and healthy ingredient that deserves a place in your regular weekly meal rotation. Easy to prepare and perfect for last-minute weeknight meals, lean ground beef recipes can be a delicious main component of your healthy eating routine.

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Kim Renta
Kim Renta
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kim has written for Bloomingdales, Movado, and various e-commerce wine sites. When she's not writing about wine and…
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