20 Tasty Ground Beef Recipes Without Tomato Sauce

As a busy home cook, I’m always looking for quick and easy dinner ideas that please the whole family. One of my go-to proteins is versatile ground beef. While spaghetti and meatballs are classic, sometimes you want to shake up your ground beef routine.

The good news is you don’t need jarred tomato sauce or canned tomatoes to make delicious meals with ground beef. There are so many flavors you can pair with beef beyond just tomato!

In this article, I’ll share 20 of my favorite ground beef recipes without tomato sauce. From tacos to casseroles, these flavorful dishes will add variety to your dinner table.

Quick Overview of the Recipes

Before diving in here’s a quick rundown of the different ground beef recipes I’ll be covering

Cheesy and comforting casseroles
Savory rice, pasta, and noodle bowls
Tex-Mex favorites like tacos and nachos
Satisfying soups and chilis
Easy skillet meals
Fun appetizers and snacks

With a mix of American Mexican and Asian flavors. there’s something for every tastebud here!

Cheesy and Comforting Casseroles

When you need some comfort food, these hearty beef casseroles hit the spot:

Cheeseburger Casserole – Ground beef, macaroni, cheese sauce, potato chips for crunch!
Beef and Rice Casserole – With creamy mushroom soup and melty cheese.
Tater Tot Beef Casserole – A kids’ favorite with tater tots on top.
Cottage Pie – Ground beef with carrots, peas, and mashed potato topping.

Casseroles allow you to sneak in veggies and feed a crowd. Pop one in the oven for an easy dinner win.

Savory Bowls

For a satisfying one-bowl meal, try these recipes:

Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry – Served over rice or rice noodles.
Beef Bulgogi Bowl – Korean-style beef with veggies and rice.
Beef Fried Rice – Ground beef kicks up the protein in this classic.
Pasta Bolognese – Hearty meat sauce served over pasta.

Bowls are a great way to use up veggie scraps and leftover rice or noodles. Customize them to please all tastes!

Tex-Mex Favorites

For big, bold Tex-Mex flavors, whip up these crowd-pleasers:

Tacos – Ground beef tacos with all the toppings!
Burritos or Enchiladas – Make a big batch of taco meat and stuff it in tortillas.
Nachos – Pile beef, beans, cheese, etc on chips for an easy appetizer.
Taco Salad – Transform taco components into a DIY salad.
Quesadillas – Spread some taco meat inside grilled tortillas.

Add your favorite taco fixings like guacamole, salsa, and sour cream. Ole!

Comforting Soups and Chilis

When temps get chilly, these soups and chilis with ground beef will warm you up:

Minestrone Soup – Packed with veggies and pasta.
Beef and Barley Soup – A hearty, cold-weather soup.
Beef Chili – Make it as mild or spicy as you like.
Cincinnati Chili – Served over spaghetti for a regional twist.

Ladle up a soul-soothing bowl – don’t forget a side of corn bread!

Easy Skillet Meals

For weeknight convenience, fire up one of these easy skillet meals:

Salisbury Steak – Saucy, meaty patties.
Beef Stroganoff – Tender beef in creamy mushroom sauce.
Shepherd’s Pie – Beef cooked right in the baking dish.
Cottage Pie – Similar to shepherd’s pie but with beef.

Skillet meals mean minimal cleanup. Brown the beef, throw in veggies, simmer in sauce – dinner done!

Fun Appetizers and Snacks

And don’t forget snacks and appetizers! Whip up:

Mini Meatballs – Make a quick cocktail sauce for dipping.
Meatball Subs – Pile meatballs with sauce and cheese on subs.
Beef Empanadas – Savory Latin American hand pies.
Beef Sliders – Easy to make and perfect for parties.

Beef Jerky – Reduced-sodium varieties are a high-protein snack.

Having appetizer options makes hosting or potlucks a breeze.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, with just ground beef and a few basic ingredients, you can pull together a versatile range of flavorful meals and snacks. By branching out beyond typical tomato-based dishes, you’ll discover new favorite recipes your family will request again and again.

How To Cook Ground Beef

FAQ

Do you add the tomato sauce before or after you cook the ground beef?

Combine ground beef, onion, garlic, and green pepper in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook and stir until meat is browned and crumbly and vegetables are tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain grease. Stir diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste into the pan.

Should I cook ground beef in sauce?

The ground beef should be cooked separately before adding it to the spaghetti sauce. By cooking it separately, you have better control over the browning process and can ensure that it cooks evenly. Once the ground beef is fully cooked, drain any excess grease and then add it to your simmering spaghetti sauce.

What is a healthy alternative to ground beef?

Tofu is a terrific source of protein made from soybeans. It’s a reliable alternative for ground beef, and you can substitute tofu for ground beef in most of the meat-based recipes you already know and love. Cooking firm-textured tofu begins with removing the water by placing a paper towel around it.

Is ground beef healthy?

It’s exceptionally rich in high-quality protein, vitamins, and minerals. Therefore, it may improve muscle growth and maintenance, as well as exercise performance. As a rich source of iron, it may also cut your risk of anemia.