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Easy ground beef recipes all in single serving portions! From hearty meatloaf to classic lasagna, here are our most popular simple ground beef recipes for one.

Ground beef is such a versatile ingredient and is so easy to cook with. Ground beef is inexpensive, it cooks quickly, and it can be used in endless delicious ways. This protein elevates simple soups and sauces and can transform a casserole into something truly special.

Ground beef freezes well and it’s a great idea to keep a package or two in your freezer for easy meal planning and prep.

If you need inspiration for what to make with ground beef, look no further. We’ve got over 20 creative dinner ideas listed below. Craving Italian? Try our giant meatball recipe, baked ziti or a perfect mini lasagna. If you love Tex-Mex, you’ll definitely love our taco salad and taco casserole. In addition, we’ve got Salisbury steak, a mini meatloaf, goulash, and many other single serving comfort food recipes!

Most ground beef is sold by the pound and a pound of ground beef will make roughly 3-4 servings. If you’ve got a pound of ground beef and are looking for recipe ideas, you’ve come to the right place. Consider dividing up your package of meat and meal plan with a few of these wonderful recipes made with ground beef.

These easy ground beef recipes are all made with pantry staples. Within each of the recipes, you will notice that we list creative ways and additional recipes that call for using up leftover ingredients so there’s no waste.

The Best Ground Beef Recipes

noodles with meat sauce in a yellow bowl on a tray next to a glass of red wine.

Spaghetti Sauce For One

5 from 11 votes
Easy spaghetti sauce recipe that can be used in everyday recipes. This made-from-scratch meat sauce cooks in just 30 minutes! Perfect for lasagna, spaghetti squash, or with your favorite pasta. Cooks in 30 minutes!
Spaghetti Sauce For One Recipe
a bowl of taco soup topped with shredded cheese.

Taco Soup For One

5 from 8 votes
This big and bold taco soup makes the perfect meal. Filled with ground beef, vegetables and topped with cheese, this single serving soup can be ready in less than 30 minutes!
Taco Soup For One Recipe
Salisbury Steak on a plate with green beans.

Salisbury Steak For One

4.77 from 30 votes
This Salisbury Steak Recipe For One is single serving comfort food at it's finest. Low in carbs and topped with a mushroom, onion gravy. Made with with pantry staples, this comforting meal can be ready in minutes.
Salisbury Steak For One
a rectangular baking dish filled with two enchiladas topped with sour cream.

Beef Enchiladas For One

4.85 from 19 votes
Two flour tortillas filled with seasoned ground beef, onions, and cheese smothered in enchilada sauce and baked for just 20 minutes! A quick and easy single serving meal.
Beef Enchiladas For One
baked lasagna in a square baking dish

Mini Lasagna

4.91 from 42 votes
Indulge in a delicious Mini Lasagna, perfect for serving one or two. This small lasagna recipe features classic flavors and bakes in just 30 minutes!
Mini Lasagna Recipe
a single serving of hamburger casserole on a silver tray next to a blue and white napkin.

Hamburger Casserole For One

4.91 from 10 votes
This mini hamburger casserole is baked with seasoned ground beef, pasta, and cheese. It's comfort food at its finest, easy to make and full of flavor.
Hamburger Casserole For One
a bowl of spaghetti topped with three meatballs and fresh basil on a white plate next to a bottle of red wine

Spaghetti and Meatballs For One

5 from 7 votes
Spaghetti and meatballs is a comfort food classic and this wonderful recipe is a reminder that good food doesn't have to be complicated or require a long list of fancy ingredients. In fact, simple is often best, and in just 30 minutes you can have a lovely meal ready to enjoy.
Spaghetti and Meatballs For One
a pita pizza topped with avocado slices on a white plate.

Pita Pizza For One

5 from 3 votes
A Beef and Cheese Pita Pizza that is perfect for one person. Whole wheat pita bread topped with smoked gouda and flavorful ground beef, chopped bell peppers, onions and garlic.
Beef and Cheese Pita Pizza
Goulash served in a light blue bowl.

Goulash For One

5 from 15 votes
This American Goulash is an easy, one-pot meal made with ground beef, onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, and macaroni. It's a simple skillet dish that cooks in 30 minutes.
Goulash For One Recipe
a taco salad in a green bowl next to a bowl of shredded cheddar cheese

Taco Salad For One

5 from 4 votes
Easy Taco Salad Recipe ready in 10 minutes! All the ingredients you love in tacos can be found in this healthy and hearty taco salad. Filled with seasoned ground beef and all your favorite taco toppings.
Taco Salad For One
a hamburger on a blue plate next to a jar of pickles

A Perfect Hamburger For One

5 from 2 votes
This easy recipe shows how to make the best stovetop burger. No need for fancy ingredients, this simple hamburger recipe is all you need!
Hamburger For One Recipe
a small taco casserole topped with sour cream and olives.

Taco Casserole For One

5 from 18 votes
Layers of seasoned ground beef and cheese between crispy tostadas and baked in the oven. Easy single servings recipe is absolutely delicious!
Taco Casserole For One Recipe
juicy lucy with melting cheese on a white plate.

Juicy Lucy For One

4.88 from 8 votes
This is the best Juicy Lucy Burger recipe! A burger stuffed with cheese and "baked" in the oven. While the burger bakes, the cheese melts making the patty very juicy. This easy to make recipe is inspired by the famous Juicy Lucy burger, originating in Minneapolis.
Juicy Lucy For One Recipe
a small baked ziti in a square baking dish next to parsley and a white napkin

Baked Ziti For One

5 from 22 votes
Indulge in comforting baked ziti scaled down to one perfect serving. Rich, cheesy, and satisfying, this dish is a quick yet decadent dinner solution.
Baked Ziti For One Recipe
a giant italian meatball on a green plate.

Italian Meatball For One

5 from 6 votes
Easy to make giant Italian meatball topped with tomato sauce and Parmesan cheese. This homemade, oven baked meatball is juicy & filled with flavor!
Italian Meatball For One Recipe
a plate of beef nachos with slices of lime on the edge of the plate

Nachos For One

5 from 3 votes
These classic nachos are a great snack, perfect for game-day, or even a casual dinner. They're loaded with sautéed onions, garlic, ground beef, and cheese. Easy to customize and ready in minutes!
Nachos For One Recipe
mini meatloaf with red sauce on top sliced.

Slow Cooker Meatloaf For One

4.94 from 16 votes
This Mini Slow Cooker Meatloaf is tender and juicy and so easy to make! Made with onions, garlic, spices and topped with a sweet and tangy sauce. This simple recipe makes the perfect amount to serve one or two people. Included in the recipe are instructions for converting a Crockpot or Crockpot-style slow cooker into a single serving slow cooker.
Slow Cooker Meatloaf For One
Baked Zucchini Lasagna in a square baking dish.

Mini Zucchini Lasagna

4.85 from 13 votes
Healthy, low carb, cheesy zucchini lasagna made with all of the wonderful ingredients found in a traditional lasagna but without the noodles.
Mini Zucchini Lasagna Recipe
white square baking dish that contains a meatloaf covered in red sauce.

Mini Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf

4.67 from 24 votes
Savor a Mini Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf, blending classic burger flavors in a homestyle meal for 1-2. Juicy beef, smoky bacon, and gooey cheese in every bite.
Mini Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf
two beef tacos on a white plate.

Ground Beef Tacos For One

5 from 3 votes
Easy beef taco recipe made with ground beef and ready in minutes. This quick taco recipe makes a couple of tacos, perfect for those cooking for one.
Ground Beef Tacos For One
a white bowl filled with beef chili and topped with jalapeños and cheese.

Chili For One

5 from 12 votes
Discover our easy single serve Chili recipe, perfect for a hearty meal. Enjoy this flavorful beef chili, ready in 30 minutes, for a satisfying meal.
Chili For One Recipe

How To Store Ground Beef In The Refrigerator

Refrigerate ground beef as soon as possible after purchase. Store ground beef either in its original packaging, in a zip-topped bag or in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use within 1 to 2 days.

How To Freeze Ground Beef

If you have a kitchen scale, weigh out portions of ground beef and move them to freezer zip-top bags or wrap the ground beef in heavy-duty plastic wrap, aluminum foil or freezer paper.

Ground beef is best if used within 4 months. Be sure to mark your package of ground beef with the date it was placed in the freezer.

How To Thaw Frozen Ground Beef

The best way to safely thaw ground beef is in the refrigerator. Place the sealed package of ground beef on a plate and place in the refrigerator. The meat will thaw within 1 day. Cook the ground beef within 2 days.

Can Ground Turkey Be Used Instead Of Ground Beef?

Using ground turkey instead of ground beef is a simple way to lower fat and calories and with each of the recipes listed, ground turkey can be a good substitute.

Ground turkey is drier and less flavorful than ground beef. You might need to boost its flavor by adding a little bit more seasoning than called for in the recipe.

Because of its low fat content, ground turkey can easily get overcooked. When ground turkey is overcooked it gets dry and crumbly and loses its flavor.

What To Serve With Recipes Made With Ground Beef

You might like to consider making any of these single serving or small batch side dishes to go with any of the ground beef recipes:

If you would like additional information on the dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.

For examples of the dishes we use, please visit our Store page.

If you’ve tried any of these ground beef recipes or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.

Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see!

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Welcome!

I’m Joanie and I’m incredibly happy you’re here! Our aim is to inspire individuals with access to single serving recipes, education, and a supportive community that will enable them to enjoy the preparation of a meal that will nourish both body and soul.

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2 Comments

  1. You have elevated my standard of living and impressed my friends. My table settings look so cute with smaller individual servings.. Thank you!