Do you have picky eaters but a busy schedule that requires you to make dinner fast? We've got you covered with some quick Ground Beef Recipes for Kids. Even the choosiest kids will love!
From pizza casserole to burgers to sloppy joes, these recipes are the perfect way to get a kid-friendly meal on the dinner table fast.
Like the classic Tuna Casserole Recipe, your kids will love these kid-friendly ground beef recipes any night of the week.
Jump to:
- Easy Ground Recipes for Kids
- 1. Cheesy Taco Casserole
- 2. Ground Beef Taco Dip
- 3. Frozen Burger Patties in the Oven
- 4. Beef Stroganoff
- 5. Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole
- 6. Creamy Taco Spaghetti
- 7. Bacon Cheeseburger Soup
- 8. Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes
- 9. Frito Pie Casserole
- 10. Creamy Beef Noodle Casserole
- 11. Chili Mac and Cheese
- 12. Cowboy Tater Tot Casserole
- 13. Taco Salad Casserole
- 14. Salisbury Steak
- 15. Instant Pot Meatloaf
- 16. Enchilada Casserole
- 17. Cowgirl Casserole
- 18. Tailgate Chili
- 19. Ground Beef Taco Meat
- 20. Southern Baked Beans
- 21. Walking Taco Casserole
- 22. Pizza Casserole
- 23. Ground Beef Tater Tot Casserole
- 24. Ground Beef Egg Rolls
- 25. Ramen Noodle Stir Fry
- 26. Alphabet Soup
- 27. Easy Goulash with Ground Beef
- 28. Mummy Meatloaf
- 27. Hamburger Casserole
- 28. Hamburger Potato Casserole
- 29. Cowboy Cornbread Casserole
- 30. Beef and Rice Casserole
- 31. Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole
- 32. Ground Beef Enchilada Casserole
- 33. 5 Ingredient Mealoaf Recipe
- 34. Taco Lasagna Casserole
- 35. Ravioli Casserole
- 36. Sloppy Joe Garlic Bread Casserole
- 37. Cowboy Meatloaf Casserole
- 38. Kraft Shipwreck Casserole
- 39. Ground Beef and Rice Casserole
- 40. Ground Beef Quesadillas
- 41. Big Mac Salad
- 42. Puff Pastry Tacos
- 43. Homemade Hamburger Helper
- 44. Mexican Tater Tot Casserole
- Did you find a new favorite?
Easy Ground Recipes for Kids
Sure, kids can be picky eaters, but dinnertime will be so much easier with these easy recipes featuring affordable and tasty ground beef. Use lean ground beef when possible to eliminate extra fat and calories and to save yourself from having to drain the meat!
Don't have ground beef? Don't worry. You can substitute ground turkey for almost every recipe in this list!
1. Cheesy Taco Casserole
Taco Tuesday just got yummier with this easy Cheesy Taco Casserole. You can tailor it to your family's favorite taco toppings, but our casserole is filled with meat, Rotel, black beans, corn, rice, and loads of cheese. Dig in with a spoon or scoop it up with tortilla chips. It'll become a weeknight favorite!
2. Ground Beef Taco Dip
Looking for a perfect party appetizer? Try this Ground Beef Taco Dip with all the delicious taco fixings you love like beef, onions, sour cream, cheese, tomatoes, and olives. Of course, you can adjust it to your family's liking. Love jalapenos? Throw some on top of your dip!
3. Frozen Burger Patties in the Oven
Parents, you don't have to make every meal from scratch. We show you how to cook frozen hamburger patties in the oven for a quick and delicious meal to feed the whole family on a busy weeknight or on a weekend when you want something yummy and fun.
4. Beef Stroganoff
What could be more comforting than a big plate of Beef Stroganoff with Mushroom Soup? It's creamy, has delicious flavor, and is ready in a little over 30 minutes. It's made with pantry ingredients, so you probably have everything you need to whip it up anytime.
5. Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole
Kids love just about anything with tater tots, and so do I! This Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole is a tasty new spin on the usual tater tot casserole and will have everyone asking for seconds. Ground beef, bell peppers, and onions are cooked in a sweet and tangy sauce made of catsup, brown sugar and mustard. Top with crispy tots, and you're all set with a dinner the entire family will enjoy.
6. Creamy Taco Spaghetti
Take a break from your usual Italian spaghetti recipe to make this Creamy Taco Spaghetti instead. Even picky eaters love this easy dinner recipe! Make sure you use mild Rotel and mild taco seasoning if your kids don't care for spicy foods.
Use fire roasted tomatoes if you think the Rotel will be too much for their palates. This versatile recipe is sure to become a family favorite and a regular staple in your monthly menu plans.
7. Bacon Cheeseburger Soup
Nothing warms the soul quite like a steaming bowl of soup. Kids can sometimes be picky about soup, but they'll devour this Bacon Cheeseburger Soup. It's hot, hearty, and tastes like your favorite burger with plenty of beef, cheese, and bacon.
8. Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes
Classic ground beef recipes like this never get old. Sure, this Old Fashioned Sloppy Joe recipe is messy, but that's the fun of "sloppy" Joes, isn't it? The best part is ditching the canned stuff. You'll make it with simple ingredients like ground beef, brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, onions, and peppers.
9. Frito Pie Casserole
The kids will gobble up this easy Frito Pie Casserole stuffed with ground beef, beans, corn, salsa, and topped with cheddar cheese and crunchy chips. It's absolutely delicious, especially when you add your favorite taco toppings like tomatoes, onions, guacamole, or sour cream. What a fun family dinner!
10. Creamy Beef Noodle Casserole
You'll want to make this Creamy Beef Noodle Casserole recipe over and over again. Tender egg noodles and seasoned ground beef are baked in a delicious homemade tomato sauce with loads of cheese in the casserole and on top.
11. Chili Mac and Cheese
Kids who love mac and cheese may love experimenting with other flavors, like this Velveeta Chili Mac and Cheese. This pasta dish is filled with chili beans, ground beef, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and plenty of Velveeta cheese. You can sub queso for the Velveeta if you prefer or make your own homemade cheddar cheese sauce. Top the chili mac with green onions to add some fresh flavor and crunch right before serving. Yum!
12. Cowboy Tater Tot Casserole
Here's another magical pairing of ground beef and tater tots! Our tasty Cowboy Tater Tot Casserole is made with tater tots, cheese, corn, cream of mushroom soup, steak seasoning, onions, and ground beef with lots of shredded cheese. While I used cream style corn (to eliminate the need for milk), you can sub canned or frozen corn plus ½ cup of heavy cream if needed. This is a fantastic freezer meal.
13. Taco Salad Casserole
Raise your hand if taco salads are one of your favorite meals! Well, this Taco Salad Casserole Recipe is even easier to eat. Plus, you get to use Doritos instead of a taco bowl, which is a total win! Doritos add a lot of flavor. You'll also add peppers, corn, refried beans, and Mexican blend shredded cheese.
14. Salisbury Steak
Can you believe this French Onion Soup Salisbury Steak is ready in just 30 minutes? It's true! Tender ground beef steaks are topped with a rich gravy made with French onion soup (from a can) that makes the flavor incredible. You have to serve these steaks with creamy mashed potatoes just so none of the gravy goes to waste. It's that good!
15. Instant Pot Meatloaf
Meatloaf is comfort food at its finest, but it can take a long time to make. But this Instant Pot Meatloaf Recipe is half the time and is equally delicious. Remember to fry up a small piece of your meatloaf mixture before putting it in the oven to taste if you have enough seasonings. One reader said her "kids inhaled it," so you know it's a winner.
16. Enchilada Casserole
Restless Chipotle has a phenomenal Beef Enchilada Casserole with all the flavors of enchiladas in a handy casserole form that's a total hit with kids. Hearty layers of ground beef, black beans, cheese, and corn tortillas are smothered in enchilada sauce and baked until bubbly.
17. Cowgirl Casserole
Cowgirl Casserole is hearty, comforting, and just the kind of meal that'll wrangle up some serious dinnertime happiness. It's loaded with savory ground beef, tender veggies, a creamy, cheesy filling, and topped with crispy tater tots for that golden crunch.
Whether you're feeding a hungry crew or just want something easy and satisfying, this casserole brings big flavor with down-home charm-no boots required!
18. Tailgate Chili
Whether you're actually tailgating at the game or watching Monday Night Football at home, this Tailgate Chili needs to be on your game day menu. It's a wonderful combination of spicy and sweet and is a favorite meal of ours! You can tone down the spices a little and leave out the jalapenos if your kids don't like spicy foods.
19. Ground Beef Taco Meat
Fill your tacos with this perfectly seasoned Ground Beef Taco Meat. In addition to tacos, you can pile this on nachos, loaded tots, baked potatoes, or even turn them into taco-flavored sloppy joes. There are so many ways to turn this into a kid-friendly dinner.
20. Southern Baked Beans
Who can say no to Crock Pot Baked Beans? Smokey loaded baked beans are so tasty alongside your favorite burger. The kids will love these, they are so good!
21. Walking Taco Casserole
You've probably heard of walking tacos before-they're a combination of taco toppings scooped into a bag of chips and are great at parties! This Walking Taco Casserole is another version of them, this time made with corn chips instead of Doritos. It's crunchy, filling, and totally delicious.
22. Pizza Casserole
The kids will be really pumped when you tell them you're having Pizza Casserole for dinner! Tender pasta, ground beef, Italian sausage, pepperoni, and lots of ooey gooey cheese are cooked and melted together in the slow cooker. Get the recipe for this delicious casserole from Suburban Simplicity.
23. Ground Beef Tater Tot Casserole
If you've got picky eaters to feed and a pound of ground beef staring at you from the fridge, you're in the right spot. This kid-friendly casserole is hearty, cheesy, and guaranteed to keep complaints off the dinner table. The crispy, golden Ground Beef Tater Tot Recipe is basically comfort food in a 9x13. Click over to see why this one gets gobbled up every single time!
24. Ground Beef Egg Rolls
These easy, cheap Ground Beef Egg Rolls from The Typical Mom can be cooked in the air fryer or fried in a skillet. Add cheese to turn them into cheeseburger egg rolls. Kids will go crazy for them, and they make a great lunchbox food the next day, too. If your kids don't like pickles, you can skip the relish.
25. Ramen Noodle Stir Fry
Ramen noodles are big with younger kids, but this is a great way to work some protein in their diets instead of just carb-filled noodles. This saucy Ramen Noodle Stir Fry meal from Damn Delicious is ready in just 30 minutes, so it's perfect for busy nights when you're on the run with the kids and just want to make something quick and easy.
26. Alphabet Soup
Dinner at the Zoo has a yummy-looking Alphabet Soup that you can feed to the kids without worrying about the extra preservatives in the canned stuff. Made with alphabet pasta, veggies, and ground beef in a delectable tomato broth, it's the perfect family-friendly dinner.
Isn't it surprising what you can do with a package of ground beef and some creativity in the kitchen?
27. Easy Goulash with Ground Beef
You're going to love everything about this hearty Goulash Recipe with Ground Beef. It's easy to make, super saucy and a hearty meal. It's also a great one pot wonder, so clean up is a breeze. Everyone will be lining up for seconds for this tasty dish!
28. Mummy Meatloaf
If ever there was a ground beef recipe for kids, it's this Mummy Meatloaf Recipe. It's super fun and an AMAZING meatloaf recipe! Be sure to have the kids help you decorate this handsome guy and then just bake him in the oven.
Now granted Halloween only comes around once a year, so skip the silly decorations and just lay bacon over the top and smear with glaze. This is one delicious meatloaf!
27. Hamburger Casserole
This Cheesy Hamburger Casserole is a super ground beef casserole dish kids are sure to love! You'll love it because it's a delicious budget friendly meal as well. A great weeknight or perfect for Sunday supper, everyone will be asking for seconds.
28. Hamburger Potato Casserole
This big beefy meal is sure to be a family favorite! It has everyone's favorite ingredients all wrapped in a cheesy rich sauce. Hamburger Potato Casserole - cheesy rich scalloped potatoes are always a favorite!
29. Cowboy Cornbread Casserole
Your picky eaters (big and small!) are going to dig into this yummy meal! Cowboy Cornbread Casserole has all your favorites. And the best part? You won't even have to make a side dish if you don't want to. It's cheesy, a little sweet and loaded with beef, beans and veggies. Enjoy!
30. Beef and Rice Casserole
Dinnertime just got easier when Beef and Rice Casserole is on the menu! It's just an easy meal, filled with protein and flavor. No worries about pushing it aside. Kids love this simple recipe. And you will too!
31. Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole
Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole - No need to wait in the drive-through just to satisfy a craving! You won't believe how good AND easy this recipe is!
The tasty combination of crispy French fries, melted cheese, and savory ground beef is bound to become one of your favorite new recipes!
32. Ground Beef Enchilada Casserole
Cheesy enchiladas without all the rolling? Yes, please! Just stack the ingredients and bake-no fuss, all flavor! This one's a hit for busy nights and makes a great addition to your list of easy ground beef dinner ideas for kids. Bonus: it's perfect for making ahead!
The Ground Beef Enchilada Casserole is packed with yummy flavor!
33. 5 Ingredient Mealoaf Recipe
5 Ingredient Meatloaf Recipe - need I say anymore? Even the kids can help with this meal. I know when I was a kid, helping Mom or Dad in the kitchen made all the difference in the world.
Just mix, shape and bake. It's that easy AND it's super good!!! You may even want to make two - either to bake and freeze or for sandwiches on day two!
34. Taco Lasagna Casserole
There is a reason all the Mexican flavors are packed into this list. Kids love them! Plus it's minimal ingredients for an easy dinner.
Taco Lasagna Casserole is another excellent example. It's a mixture of your two favorites - tacos and pasta!
35. Ravioli Casserole
Even the pickiest eaters won't stand a chance against this one! With a flavorful meat sauce and cheesy ravioli, it's like a shortcut to lasagna-just way easier. It's one of those go-to ground beef meals for kids that's simple to prep and always gets a thumbs-up at the dinner table.
What I love best about the Ravioli Casserole Recipe is that there's no boiling involved when it comes to the ravioli. They go in the casserole frozen. This casserole is AMAZING!!!
36. Sloppy Joe Garlic Bread Casserole
This will be EVERYONE's favorite! I know it's ours! The saucy Sloppy Joe mixture baked over crispy garlic bread. And don't even get me started on the cheesey goodness!
Sloppy Joe Garlic Bread Casserole will be a family favorite and the best thing is... you may have everything you need to make it already! I hope you give it a try. 😋
37. Cowboy Meatloaf Casserole
This is a merger of everyone's two favorite meals! Cowboy Meatloaf Casserole, starts with an easy meatloaf recipe. Then it's topped with creamy mashed potatoes and cheese! One of our favorite kid friendly ground beef recipes! The littles will line up for seconds and the big bonus? It's everything you want in one easy dish!
38. Kraft Shipwreck Casserole
Oh boy, this one's a keeper! Shipwreck Casserole combines creamy mac and cheese, seasoned ground beef, and tomatoes-all baked into one cheesy, hearty dish.
It's one of those kid-friendly ground beef dinners that disappears fast. Kids (and grown-ups) will be racing back for seconds!
39. Ground Beef and Rice Casserole
My sis-in-law used to call this Oh Boy Surprise! 🤣 The name always cracked me up, but the meal? Right on point! What I love about it is the Ground Beef and Rice Casserole is one of those meals you can always make when you're trying to figure out the age-old question... what's for dinner!
It uses everyday ingredients and the prep is quick and easy!
40. Ground Beef Quesadillas
Ground Beef Quesadillas are perfect for dinner, but also make great snacks and are perfect for game night or movie night! All the kids can customize their own.
Cook until crispy and the cheese is perfectly melted. I love this meal because eI can prep all the ingredients beforehand, which makes suppertime a breeze!!
41. Big Mac Salad
Big Mac Salad is one of those magical meals that checks all the boxes-it's fun, flavorful, and totally kid-approved! With seasoned ground beef, shredded cheese, crisp lettuce, pickles, and that tangy, creamy sauce (you know the one!), it's everything they love about a fast-food burger-just deconstructed into a bowl.
Kids love building their own bowls, and you better believe they're piling on the cheese and sauce like pros. Plus, no bun means it's a little lighter, but still totally satisfying. It's a win for parents and a double thumbs-up from the little taste-testers!
42. Puff Pastry Tacos
Puffy Tacos are a game-changer on taco night-crispy, airy, and downright addictive! Instead of using a regular taco shell, these are made with fresh dough that puffs up when fried, creating a light, golden pocket that's crispy on the outside and tender inside. Fill them with seasoned ground beef, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, and a drizzle of salsa, and you've got a taco that's anything but ordinary.
Kids love them because they're fun to eat (and honestly, who doesn't love food that's puffy?). They're crunchy, customizable, and just the right amount of messy-in the best way!
43. Homemade Hamburger Helper
Homemade Hamburger Helper is like the cozy, stovetop hug your dinner table's been waiting for. Made with ground beef, tender pasta, and a creamy, cheesy sauce, it's a one-pan wonder that tastes way better than the boxed version.
Kids love it because it's rich, cheesy, and super comforting-basically mac and cheese with a meaty upgrade. And you'll love it because it comes together fast with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand. It's the kind of meal that brings everyone back for seconds (and maybe even thirds).
44. Mexican Tater Tot Casserole
Oh. My. Goodness! Mexican Tater Tot Casserole is where comfort food meets a fiesta-and kids are so here for it! It starts with seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, and salsa all baked together under a golden layer of crispy tater tots. Add a melty blanket of cheese on top, and you've got a dish that's bursting with flavor and crunch in every bite.
It's playful, hearty, and super fun to eat-plus, it's got just enough Tex-Mex flair to keep things interesting without being too spicy for the little ones. Total crowd-pleaser with zero leftovers in sight!
Did you find a new favorite?
We hope you've enjoyed this list of easy ground beef recipes that are perfect for feeding your kids on busy weeknights. Did you find a great new recipe (or two?) to try! I sure hope so!
If you're wondering what to serve with these tasty recipes, check out kid-friendly side dishes for your best choices!
Comment below and let me know which recipe you're going to try first!
Don't forget to pin it to come back to when you need dinner for your family in a flash!
Lois says
These recipes might be ones kids like but as an older adult I like every one of them too. I have made many of them and haven’t found any yet that I don’t like. So good.