If you’re looking for easy, budget-friendly meals, slow cooker ground beef recipes are a great option. These dishes are perfect for busy weeknights when you want a hearty meal without a lot of fuss. From comforting chili to flavorful tacos, these recipes make the most of simple ingredients and deliver delicious results every time. Get ready to enjoy a variety of tasty and frugal dinners that the whole family will love!
Steps
- Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak: Mix together ground beef, breadcrumbs, and spices to form patties. Brown the patties in a skillet, then transfer them to the slow cooker with a mushroom gravy. Cook on low until the meat is tender and the flavors are well combined.
- Cocktail Meatballs: Combine ground beef with breadcrumbs, egg, and spices, then shape into small meatballs. Place the meatballs in the slow cooker and pour over a tangy sauce. Cook until the meatballs are heated through and serve them directly from the slow cooker to keep warm.
- Cabbage Rolls: Create a filling using ground beef, onion, and rice, and wrap it in cabbage leaves. Arrange the rolls in a slow cooker and cover with a tomato-based sauce. Simmer on low until the rolls are tender and cooked through.
- Slow Cooker Lasagna: Brown ground beef and mix with tomato sauce, then layer with uncooked lasagna noodles and a cheese mixture in the slow cooker. Cook on low until the noodles are soft and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Slow Cooker Chili: Combine ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and spices in the slow cooker with chopped vegetables. Let it cook on low until the flavors meld together. Serve with cornbread for a complete meal.
- Melt-In-Your-Mouth Meat Loaf: Blend ground beef with breadcrumbs and seasonings, then shape into a loaf. Place in the slow cooker and cover with a mixture of ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook on low for a tender, flavorful meatloaf.
- Slow Cooker Enchiladas: Layer seasoned beef with quartered tortillas, salsa, cream soup, and cheese in the slow cooker. Cook on low until everything is heated through and the cheese is melted. Serve warm for a delicious, easy dish.
- Cabbage Beef Soup: Combine ground beef, cabbage, tomatoes, kidney beans, and onions in a slow cooker. Simmer on low until the vegetables are tender and the flavors are well integrated. Enjoy it hot on a cool day.
- Meat-Lover’s Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce: Brown Italian sausage and ground beef, then add tomatoes and spices. Cook on low in the slow cooker for a rich, chunky sauce. Serve over spaghetti for a hearty meal.
- Grandpa’s Classic Coney Sauce: Mix ground beef with a special blend of spices and simmer in the slow cooker. Serve over hot dogs for a nostalgic, crowd-pleasing treat.
- Randy’s Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna: Layer meat sauce, ravioli, and cheese in the slow cooker. Cook on low until everything is heated through and the cheese is melted. This fuss-free dish is perfect for busy days.
- Slow Cooker Pizza: Alternate layers of browned ground beef, rigatoni, tomato soup, pizza sauce, and cheese in the slow cooker. Add pepperoni and cook on low for a convenient, pizza-inspired meal.
- Slow Cooker Bolognese: Combine ground beef with tomatoes and Italian spices in the slow cooker. Cook on low for a rich sauce that pairs perfectly with pasta.
- Hamburger Soup: Combine ground beef, potatoes, celery, onion, peas, and carrots in a slow cooker. Cook on low until the vegetables are tender and the flavors are well combined.
- Spicy Pumpkin Chili: Mix ground beef with beans, pumpkin puree, and spices in the slow cooker. Cook on low for a unique chili with a slightly sweet, earthy flavor.
- Texas Cowboy Baked Beans: Combine ground beef with beans, green chiles, and hot pepper sauce in the slow cooker. Cook on low for a spicy, flavorful dish that’s perfect with cornbread.
- Hobo Beef and Vegetable Soup: Combine ground beef with a variety of vegetables and broth in the slow cooker. Simmer on low for a hearty soup perfect for large gatherings.
- Slow Cooker Ground Beef Stew: Combine ground beef, vegetables, and broth in the slow cooker. Cook on low for a comforting stew that pairs well with warm biscuits.
- Hobo Beans: Mix ground beef, bacon, and beans with a sweet, thickened sauce in the slow cooker. Cook on low for a delicious, chili-like dish.
- Steph’s Zesty Sweet and Sour Meatballs: Cook meatballs in the slow cooker with a sweet and sour sauce. Serve over steamed rice for a flavorful meal.
- Easy Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs: Use frozen meatballs and cook them in the slow cooker with a creamy gravy. Serve over egg noodles for an easy, comforting dish.
- Slow Cooker Taco Bean Soup: Combine ground beef with beans, tomatoes, and spices in the slow cooker. Cook on low and serve with toppings like tortilla chips and cheese.
- Slow Cooker Pasta Fagioli Soup: Mix pasta, beans, and vegetables in a slow cooker with broth and spices. Cook on low for a hearty soup perfect for cold weather.
- Mexican Cheese and Hamburger Dip: Combine ground beef with cheese, green chiles, and peppers in the slow cooker. Keep warm and serve as a flavorful dip.
- Sloppy Joes for a Crowd: Cook ground beef with a tangy sauce in the slow cooker. Serve on buns for an easy meal that’s perfect for large gatherings.
- Slow Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs: Cook meatballs and tomato sauce in the slow cooker. Serve over hot spaghetti for a simple, satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
- Ground beef
- Onion
- Rice
- Tomato-based sauce
- Lasagna noodles
- Cheese blend
- Beans
- Vegetables
- Spices
- Ketchup
- Brown sugar
- Mustard
- Worcestershire sauce
- Tortillas
- Salsa
- Cream soup
- Mexican cheese
- Cabbage
- Tomato sauce
- Kidney beans
- Italian sausage
- Tomatoes
- Spaghetti sauce spices
- Rigatoni pasta
- Mozzarella cheese
- Tomato soup
- Pizza sauce
- Pepperoni
- Potatoes
- Celery
- Peas
- Carrots
- Pumpkin puree
- Pumpkin pie spice
- Green chiles
- Hot pepper sauce (e.g., Tabasco™)
- Bacon
- Brown sugar
- Frozen cooked meatballs
- Egg noodles
- Tortilla chips
- Avocado
- Shredded cheese
- Pasta
- Jalapeño peppers
- Parmesan cheese
FAQ
- What is unique about the Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak recipe?
- The Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak is not your standard TV dinner version. It’s recommended to serve it with mashed potatoes and drizzle the extra gravy on top for added flavor.
- Can Cocktail Meatballs be served directly from the slow cooker?
- Yes, Cocktail Meatballs are ideal for special occasions and can be served straight from the slow cooker to keep them warm for the entire event.
- Do you need to pre-cook noodles for Slow Cooker Lasagna?
- No, when making Slow Cooker Lasagna, there’s no need to pre-cook the noodles. The slow cooker handles the cooking, making the process simpler.
- How can the Slow Cooker Chili recipe help include more vegetables in your diet?
- Slow Cooker Chili is packed with beans, vegetables, beef, and spices, making it a hearty meal that cleverly incorporates more veggies into your diet.
- What makes Melt-In-Your-Mouth Meat Loaf so moist?
- The secret to the super-moist texture of Melt-In-Your-Mouth Meat Loaf lies in using a slow cooker, along with a tangy-sweet sauce made from ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Is the Slow Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs easy to prepare?
- Yes, Slow Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs is an easy and delicious dinner option, with homemade Parmesan-flavored meatballs and tomato sauce cooked to perfection in the slow cooker.
Tips
- For Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak, ensure you prepare mashed potatoes to accompany the dish, as the gravy is perfect for spooning over them.
- When making Slow Cooker Lasagna, there’s no need to pre-cook the noodles. Just layer the ingredients and let the slow cooker handle it, saving you time and effort.
- For the Melt-In-Your-Mouth Meat Loaf, using the slow cooker helps achieve a moist texture, and adding a sauce mixture of ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce will enhance its tangy-sweet flavor.
- With Slow Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs, homemade Parmesan-infused meatballs and sauce slow-cooked together make for a simple yet flavorful meal when served over hot spaghetti.
Equipment
- Slow Cooker: Essential for all the recipes mentioned, as they are specifically designed for slow cooking.
- Meat Grinder: Useful if you want to grind your own beef for fresher taste and texture.
- Large Pot or Dutch Oven: Particularly useful for soups and stews that require browning or simmering before transferring to the slow cooker.
- Mandoline Slicer: For efficiently slicing vegetables, especially if you’re preparing a large quantity.
- Food Processor: Helpful for chopping vegetables quickly and uniformly.
