From classics like meatloaf and burgers to family favorites like lasagna and tacos, these easy ground beef recipes will make dinner any night of the week a breeze.
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Table of Contents
- Ground Beef: It’s What for Dinner
- Type of Ground Beef to Buy
- Expert Tips for Cooking with Ground Beef
- Easy Hamburger Recipes with Ground Beef
- Easy Ground Beef Soup Recipes
- Chili Ground Beef Recipes
- Easy Ground Beef Casserole Recipes
- Ground Beef Meatball Recipes
- Mexican Ground Beef Recipes for Dinner
- Stovetop Meals with Ground Beef
- Ground Beef Printable Recipe
- The Full List of Easy Ground Beef Recipes
Ground Beef: It’s What for Dinner
One of the main ingredients you will always find in my freezer, if not in the refrigerator, is ground beef. It is so versatile and can make a multitude of dishes from around the world.
You can make pasta, soup, casserole, chili, or tacos. It can be shaped into a meatloaf, patty, or ball. I can whip up a full meals with ground beef, a bit of seasoning, and a bit of finesse.
Some of my favorite meals come from the easy ground beef recipes below, many of which are are kid-friendly and come together super quickly. We have even turned taco meat into a weekly taco night, where everyone gets to make their own tacos. Super fun.
I also always keep a batch of homemade meatballs in the freezer for a fast meal in a pinch. The opportunities are endless when it comes to ways to make ground beef recipes your very own.
Type of Ground Beef to Buy
You may have noticed that ground beef is sold in different types, typically classified by the amount of beef to fat ratio. I prefer a leaner grind like 85/15 or 90/10 when making a casserole or meatloaf, while a hamburger benefits from a bit more fat like an 80/20 grind.
Here is a breakdown of the types of ground beef you may see and what each of them means.
- 80/20: (80% lean meat and 20% fat) usually comes from ground chuck
- 85/15: (80% lean meat and 15% fat) usually comes from often ground round
- 90/10: (90% lean meat and 10% fat) usually comes from usually ground sirloin
Expert Tips for Cooking with Ground Beef
- If using a fattier grind but need a leaner beef for a recipe, you can opt to rinse the cooked beef to help remove some of the fat.
- Keep ground beef cold until ready to cook. Freshly-ground beef will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Buy the freshest ground beef by checking the expiration date but also the color. You want the meat to be pretty pink with no signs of greying.
- Ground beef can also be frozen for up to 4 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using in a ground beef recipe. I always keep a couple pounds on hand to make a quick dinner, if needed.
Easy Hamburger Recipes with Ground Beef
I can’t tell you how much I love a good hamburger, and there is nothing like using a homemade patty because you get to choose the seasoning. The toppings are just a bonus and can be anything from bacon to pineapple. Have fun with your food.
- Hamburger Recipe. This classic burger is made with my secret ingredient (BBQ sauce), which makes it so flavorful and just the best.
- EASY Baked Hamburgers. Skip the grill during the colder months and make your burgers in the oven.
- Teriyaki Burger. You may think pineapple on a burger sounds strange, but it all comes down to how good it tastes, trust me.
- Cheeseburger Sliders. These cute little burgers are always a hit at parties or game days.
- Lettuce Wrap Burger. The patty on this ground beef recipe is so flavorful, you will forget there isn’t a bun.
Easy Ground Beef Soup Recipes
Ground beef is made for soups of all kinds, but is so often overlooked. Not anymore. These ground beef recipes are so comforting and are guaranteed to make you forget all about chicken.
- Albondigas Soup. This is a favorite in my house and is made with beef and rice meatballs, potatoes, vegetables, tomatoes, and onions.
- Hamburger Soup. All of the favorite flavors in soup form.
- Stuffed Pepper Soup. Take the legwork out of stuffed peppers by turning it into a hearty soup.
- Cheeseburger Soup. This rich and creamy soup is always a hit with my kids in the colder months.
- Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe. I like to think of this as a hug in a bowl. It is that comforting.
- Italian Wedding Soup. The homemade meatballs take this soup to new heights.
- Best Instant Pot Taco Soup. The Instant Pot makes this dinner come together quickly.
- Pasta e Fagioli. The leftovers from this soup make a great lunch or second dinner.
- Easy Taco Soup. I love tacos in all shapes and forms, and this is no exception.
Chili Ground Beef Recipes
Chili and ground beef are simply meant to be, and there are so many different ways to make this one-pot meal. Here are a few of my favorite easy ground beef recipes for chili. I typically find chili tastes even better the next day, so feel free to make the night before you plan on eating.
- Easy Homemade Chili Recipe. This traditional chili is chocked full of beans and beef.
- Wendy’s Chili Copycat Recipe. You won’t believe how close this tastes to the original but so much better.
- Crockpot Chili. This low and slow ground beef recipe makes it easy to have dinner on the table with very little effort.
- Chili and Cornbread Skillet. Everything is made in one pan, making it super fun to eat and even better to clean.
- Easy 3-Ingredient Chili. Yes! Just 3 ingredients and less than 30 minutes to dinner.
- One Pot Pumpkin Chili Recipe. The addition of pumpkin makes this perfect for fall, but it is delicious year-round.
Easy Ground Beef Casserole Recipes
Not only are casseroles a great way to serve a group, but they are also a favorite for freezing and baking later. Try one (or all) of these easy ground beef recipes for casseroles and you won’t be disappointed.
- Easy Lasagna Recipe. One of the best ways to use ground beef, in my opinion.
- Best Homemade Meatloaf Recipe. This flavorful dish has gotten a bad rap, and this recipe is here to change minds.
- Cheesy Mozzarella Stuffed Meatloaf. What makes meatloaf even better? That’s right. Stuff it with cheese.
- Cheesy Baked Ziti Recipe. I love to make this for my kids, and they love to eat it.
- Instant Pot Meatloaf. This really does work. I promise.
- Shepherd’s Pie. Mashed potatoes spread over the top of a hearty vegetable and ground beef casserole is pretty hard to beat.
- Baked Spaghetti. Why not bake spaghetti? There really is no good reason.
- Easy Mexican Lasagna. Say hello to layers of crispy tortillas, ground beef, beans, corn and melted cheese.
- Taco Casserole. This is what you get when you combine a simple casserole with delicious Mexican flavors.
- Slow Cooker Taco Lasagna. Similar to the recipe above but in a crockpot.
- Meatball Casserole. Just takes 30 minutes to make and bake.
- Hamburger Casserole. An all in one dish with ground beef, noodles, sauce and cheese! A family favorite.
Ground Beef Meatball Recipes
There is so much to love about a meatball, especially one that is homemade and jam-packed with flavor. I make extra batches of these homemade meatballs and freeze them if I am ever craving a meatball sub, meatball sliders, or one of the soups mentioned above.
- Easy Porcupine Meatballs with Tomato Soup. The mixture of ground beef and rice are simmered in a sauce made with tomato soup.
- Easy Homemade Meatball Recipe. This is my go-to recipe and one that I always have on hand in the freezer.
- Asian Meatballs Recipe. These fast meatballs are drenched in a sweet and savory sticky sauce.
- Instant Pot Meatballs. The pressure cooker helps keep these meatballs super moist.
- Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs. There is nothing wrong with adding a little bit of cheese to the middle.
- Pepperoni Meatballs. Your favorite pizza just become a meatball.
- Swedish Meatballs. This is a family favorite and one that gets requested often in our house.
Mexican Ground Beef Recipes for Dinner
It’s no secret how much I love Mexican food, so it makes sense I would have an entire section devoted to all the ways you can use ground beef to make amazing Mexican dishes.
- One Pot Burrito Bowl Recipe. This hearty and flavorful dish comes together in 30 minutes and clean-up is a breeze.
- Mexican Stuffed Shells. Large pasta shells are stuffed with a creamy beef mixture and baked.
- EASY Taco Meat. This is the recipe I use whenever we are having a taco night. I love how easy and delicious it is.
- Easy Taco Salad Recipe. All of your favorite taco flavors in an easy to eat and feel-good salad.
- Taco Lettuce Wraps. No need for tortillas with this quick and easy taco recipe.
- EASY Ground Beef Tacos. These are the easiest, but they don’t lack on flavor.
- ONE POT Cheesy Enchilada Pasta. I adore enchiladas, and this pasta captures all of my favorite things in one pot.
- Walking Taco. This ingenious way to serve and eat a taco is one to keep handy.
- Easy Navajo Tacos Recipe. Not technically Mexican, the crispy fry bread is loaded with your favorite taco toppings.
- Beef Enchiladas. These freeze so well so you can always have dinner already made.
- Taco Braid. This is not only beautiful, but it is so good to eat.
Stovetop Meals with Ground Beef
The ease of making a meal on the stovetop can’t be underestimated. It is typically quick and comes with less clean up than a lot of other cooking. Here are a few of my top ground beef recipes to make on the stove.
- Easy Goulash Recipe. Just one pot and 30 minutes to make a hearty meal for the whole family.
- EASY Sloppy Joe Recipe. This classic sandwich is a hit among kids, and for good reason.
- Homemade Hamburger Helper. So much better than the original and still comes together quickly.
- Korean Ground Beef Bowl. This sweet and savory dish comes together in 15 minutes.
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Ground Beef
From classics like meatloaf and burgers to family favorites like lasagna and tacos, these easy ground beef recipes will make dinner any night of the week a breeze.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (*see notes for types)
- Kosher salt , to taste
- Ground black pepper , to taste
Instructions
- Choose what type of ground beef to use depending on what recipe you are making (*see notes).
- Season ground beef with salt and pepper.
- Use as instructed in one of the 50+ recipes listed above. Enjoy!
Notes
Type of Ground Beef: You may have noticed that ground beef is sold in different types, typically classified by the amount of beef to fat ratio. I prefer a leaner grind like 85/15 or 90/10 when making a casserole or meatloaf, while a hamburger benefits from a bit more fat like an 80/20 grind.
Here is a breakdown of the types of ground beef you may see and what each of them means.
- 80/20: (80% lean meat and 20% fat) usually comes from ground chuck
- 85/15: (80% lean meat and 15% fat) usually comes from often ground round
- 90/10: (90% lean meat and 10% fat) usually comes from usually ground sirloin
Expert Tips for Cooking with Ground Beef
- If using a fattier grind but need a leaner beef for a recipe, you can opt to rinse the cooked beef to help remove some of the fat.
- Keep ground beef cold until ready to cook.
- Buy the freshest ground beef by checking the expiration date but also the color. You want the meat to be pretty pink with no signs of greying.
Nutrition
Calories: 200kcal | Protein: 23g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 75mg | Potassium: 364mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 3mg
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
The Full List of Easy Ground Beef Recipes
Click on the links below to find the recipes for all of the easy ground beef recipes mentioned above.
Cheeseburger Soup Recipe
This one-pot cheeseburger soup is the perfect weeknight meal that's ready in just 30 minutes! It's hearty, creamy and super filling. Your family will love it!
Total Time: 30 minutes
Read more
Easy Chili
The easiest 3-ingredient chili recipe that's made in 30 minutes or less! Thick, hearty and filled with flavor. This is the perfect easy soup recipe for fall!
Total Time: 35 minutes
Read more
Swedish Meatballs
Moist and tender Swedish meatballs covered in a creamy gravy sauce. These flavorful meatballs make a delicious weeknight dinner that the whole family will love.
Total Time: 50 minutes
Read more
Baked Spaghetti
Cheesy and creamy baked spaghetti coated in a delicious meat sauce. Less than 10 ingredients and only 45 minutes to make!
Total Time: 45 minutes
Read more
Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs
Tender and flavorful homemade meatballs stuffed with gooey mozzarella cheese. These mozzarella stuffed meatballs are what dreams are made of!
Total Time: 35 minutes
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Pepperoni Meatball Recipe
These pepperoni meatballs have all your favorite pizza flavors in meatball form! They're tender, moist and taste amazing.
Total Time: 37 minutes
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Taco Meat Recipe
The best taco meat that is easy to make with only 4 ingredients including a homemade taco seasoning and ready in only 15 minutes! Use the flavorful ground beef for tacos and all types of favorite Mexican dishes.
Total Time: 15 minutes
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Ground Beef Tacos
Crispy and delicious tacos filled with seasoned ground beef and all your favorite toppings. These easy ground beef tacos are simple, flavorful and ready in just 20 minutes!
Total Time: 20 minutes
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Taco Braid
A taco braid is pizza dough stuffed with cheesy saucy taco filling which makes for a quick and easy crowd-pleasing way to satisfy everyone's pizza and taco cravings in one go!
Total Time: 40 minutes
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Taco Salad
A delicious and easy taco salad recipe that's made in just 20 minutes! Filled with chopped greens, taco meat, rice, corn, beans, tomatoes and your favorite salad dressing.
Total Time: 20 minutes
Read more
Baked Hamburger Recipe
These baked hamburgers only take 3 simple ingredients with easy clean up. They're so easy to make, hearty and flavorful. Perfect for those days that you don't feel like firing up the grill.
Total Time: 20 minutes
Read more
Mexican Lasagna
Easy Mexican lasagna with delicious layers of crispy tortillas, seasoned hamburger, beans, corn and melted cheese. The perfect weeknight dinner that's full of flavor!
Total Time: 50 minutes
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Taco Casserole
This taco casserole has delicious layers of ground beef, beans, corn, tortilla chips and cheese. Baked to perfection and ready in just 15 minutes.
Total Time: 15 minutes
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One Pot Enchilada Pasta Recipe
This ONE POT cheesy enchilada pasta recipe is so simple and completely delicious. It's done in 30 minutes from start to finish and is a family favorite!
Total Time: 30 minutes
Read more
Sloppy Joe Recipe
A nostalgic, economical and easy recipe that feeds the whole family. These easy sloppy joe recipe is hearty, savory and have the best flavor!
Total Time: 30 minutes
Read more
Easy Goulash Recipe
This easy homemade goulash is made in one pot (including the noodles) in just 30 minutes. It's a classic, family-favorite dish packed with tons of flavor!
Total Time: 30 minutes
Read more
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Enjoy the classic flavors you love with this easy homemade Hamburger Helper. It’s full of ground beef and macaroni all simmered in a creamy cheddar sauce. A quick meal for weeknight dinners, this is one both the kids and adults will adore!
Total Time: 30 minutes
Read more
Hamburger Casserole Recipe
Easy, budget-friendly, and ready in under 1 hour! This easy hamburger casserole recipe has layers of saucy beef, tender noodles, and oodles of melted cheese then baked until bubbly. It's so good it's been on the menu at least once a month lately!
Total Time: 42 minutes
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Korean Ground Beef Bowl
This Korean ground beef bowl is going to become your new favorite 15-minute weeknight meal. It's a simple ground beef recipe that makes it accessible and budget-friendly with a sweet and savory sauce that has so much flavor you'd never know it was this easy!
Total Time: 15 minutes
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Burrito Bowl
Easy and delicious Mexican burrito bowls made in just one pot in 30 minutes…making clean up a breeze. Perfect for busy week nights!
Total Time: 35 minutes
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Mexican Stuffed Shells
Easy Mexican stuffed shells filled with a cheesy beef mixture full of spice and flavor. A fun twist on the traditional recipe that's perfect for busy weeknights!
Total Time: 45 minutes
Read more
Best Hamburger Recipe
The BEST hamburger recipe that's super simple and tastes absolutely delicious! Perfect for Summer BBQ's or get-togethers. Makes the most juicy hamburger that's filled with tons of flavor.
Total Time: 20 minutes
Read more
Teriyaki Burger
This teriyaki burger recipe is a must-try! Juicy burger flavored with a sweet teriyaki sauce and served with grilled pineapple and onions on a crispy brioche bun!
Total Time: 20 minutes
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Cheeseburger Sliders
Quick and easy cheeseburger sliders are made with homemade juicy patties sandwiched between buttery rolls baked until cheesy, golden, and crispy! Perfect for game day or a weeknight dinner, everyone will love these pull apart burgers.
Total Time: 25 minutes
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Lettuce Wrap Burger
These lettuce wrap burgers are the healthy, low-carb, and gluten-free answer to all your indulgent burger cravings. Load it up or keep it simple, either way, they're a fun fresh twist on an old-fashioned hamburger!
Total Time: 25 minutes
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Hamburger Soup
Easy hamburger soup made in just one pot in 30 quick minutes! It's loaded with lean ground beef, mixed vegetables, tomatoes and seasonings and is budget-friendly, hearty and satisfying.
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Taco Soup Recipe
This easy taco soup recipe is quick to make in one pot with staple ingredients! This taco soup is by far the most requested meal at my house.
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Stuffed Pepper Soup
This easy stuffed pepper soup is made in just one pot in 30 minutes. Filled with ground beef, bell peppers, rice and a flavorful tomato broth, it's the perfect comfort soup to warm up with.
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Albondigas Soup Recipe
Albondigas soup is made with beef and rice meatballs, potatoes, vegetables, tomatoes and onions. It's super flavorful, hearty and the perfect dish to warm you up on a chilly day.
Total Time: 40 minutes
Read more
Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe
This homemade vegetable beef soup is easy to make with ground beef and nutritious veggies simmered in a flavorful tomato based broth. It's hearty, healthy, and the perfect comfort food to enjoy during winter!
Total Time: 45 minutes
Read more
Italian Wedding Soup
Learn to make this classic Italian-Inspired soup in under 1 hour! A restaurant-style Italian wedding soup is filled with juicy meatballs, orzo pasta, tender veggies, and spinach, cooked in a flavorful broth that is so easy to make from scratch!
Total Time: 45 minutes
Read more
Pumpkin Chili
This easy pumpkin chili is comforting, filling and full of fall flavors. A savory pumpkin dish that you'll want to enjoy all season long!
Total Time: 1 hour
Read more
Instant Pot Taco Soup
A mouthwatering one-pot dinner idea that is freezer-friendly and makes for easy batch cooking. This Instant Pot taco soup is fully loaded with the flavors, textures, and aromas of everyone's favorite taco, but in the form of a hearty & comforting soup!
Total Time: 35 minutes
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Crockpot Chili
This crockpot chili is a healthy, wholesome, and flavor-loaded recipe that's cooked nice and slow so the flavors meld so that each spoonful is better than the one before!
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
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Chili and Cornbread Skillet
This chili and cornbread skillet is a comforting and flavorful dish made all in one pan. The cornbread is cooked right on top of the chili, adding a hearty layer of deliciousness!
Total Time: 35 minutes
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Pasta e Fagioli
This pasta e fagioli is an easy Olive Garden copycat that's perfect on a cold winter day. It's loaded with fresh veggies, beans, ground beef, seasonings and ditalini pasta. Super hearty and delicious!
Total Time: 40 minutes
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Meatloaf Recipe
This easy meatloaf recipe is tender, juicy and topped with a sweet glaze. Simple to make and ready in less than an hour!
Total Time: 55 minutes
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Easy Lasagna Recipe
This easy lasagna recipe will become an instant hit with your family! Filled with delicious layers of noodles, a creamy ricotta cheese filling and a flavorful beef tomato sauce.
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
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Cheesy Mozzarella Stuffed Meatloaf
We're adding a layer of cheese to a classic recipe making this cheesy mozzarella stuffed meatloaf an instant hit! Juicy seasoned meat, a melty middle, and a delicious sweet and tangy glaze on top makes this the ultimate comfort food!
Total Time: 55 minutes
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Baked Ziti
Easy baked ziti loaded with pasta, marinara, cheese and beef. A staple Italian dish that's always a big crowd pleaser with the family!
Total Time: 40 minutes
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Instant Pot Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes
Instant pot meatloaf is juicy, flavorful, tender and so easy to make in your pressure cooker. Even the mashed potatoes are cooked at the same time.
Total Time: 1 hour 2 minutes
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Beef Enchiladas
A popular Mexican favorite loaded with a delicious filling made with ground beef, cheese and veggies. These beef enchiladas are easy, cheesy and are a dish your whole family will love!
Total Time: 1 hour
Read more
Shepherd’s Pie
This easy shepherd's pie is a quick twist on the classic recipe that's hearty, comforting and delicious! Makes a great weeknight dish that will become an instant favorite!
Total Time: 45 minutes
Read more
Easy Meatball Recipe
These are the best oven baked meatballs! So easy to make, juicy and flavorful. They’re perfect for appetizers, meatballs subs or on top of spaghetti.
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Asian Meatballs Recipe
This Asian meatballs recipe is about to become a new family favorite. They're baked for 20 minutes until tender then drenched in a sweet and savory sticky sauce. Enjoy as an appetizer for all your upcoming parties or dinner any night of the week!
Total Time: 35 minutes
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Porcupine Meatballs
These easy porcupine meatballs are made with a delicious mixture of ground beef and rice cooked in a creamy tomato sauce. Tender, moist and super flavorful!
Total Time: 55 minutes
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Meatball Casserole
Meatball casserole is a 30-minute baked dish made with seasoned juicy meatballs covered in marinara sauce and melted cheese making this the perfect weeknight comfort meal!
Total Time: 30 minutes
Read more
Instant Pot Meatballs
Juicy and tender Instant Pot meatballs are made quickly and easily with no searing and no long simmering time. Toss them uncooked in the pressure cooker, and they're ready in just over 30 minutes!
Total Time: 37 minutes
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Taco Lettuce Wraps
Taco lettuce wraps are a healthy, flavorful and delicious alternative to hard shell tacos. Plus they're paleo, Whole30 and gluten-free!
Total Time: 15 minutes
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Walking Taco Recipe
Walking tacos are a simple and delicious dinner idea with hardly any clean up. Your favorite taco meat and toppings served in a bag of Fritos or Doritos. These tacos are perfect for parties and potlucks!
Total Time: 15 minutes
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Navajo Taco Recipe
Easy and delicious Navajo tacos made with crispy fry bread and loaded with your favorite taco toppings. A tasty dinner that the whole family will love!
Total Time: 30 minutes
Read more
I am using beef in about half of my weekly recipes & I am so excited to try some of these!! They look delicious & your recipes never disappoint!!