We have put together more than 25 tasty ground beef recipes that will help you use up all of your extra ground beef.
Ground beef is a staple in our house. We often have too much and don’t know what to do with all those pounds of meat because it’s so easy to use up.
There are many recipes you can make with ground beef that you have left over. From shepherd’s pie and chili, there is always something new to try!
You probably already have all the ingredients for these 25 tasty recipes in your kitchen. They also only take 40 minutes to make from start to finish.
Meatloaf is a beloved comfort food that has been enjoyed for generations This savory baked dish made from ground meat is versatile, budget-friendly, and delicious But what if you want to make meatloaf and already have cooked ground beef on hand? Is it possible to make meatloaf with pre-cooked ground beef? Let’s find out!
An Overview on Meatloaf
Meatloaf is basically a mixture of ground meat and other ingredients baked into the shape of a loaf. It is usually made with ground beef, but ground pork veal lamb, chicken or turkey can also be used.
The ground meat is combined with a binder like breadcrumbs, oats or mashed potatoes to help hold the loaf together. Eggs and seasonings are also added for moisture and flavor. Popular seasonings include mustard, Worcestershire sauce, onions, garlic, parsley, etc. The meatloaf mixture is then shaped, topped with a glaze or sauce, and baked.
Meatloaf is a budget-friendly dish that makes efficient use of ingredients. It also freezes well for meals later. Meatloaf can be turned into sandwiches, casseroles, and many other dishes because it is so versatile.
Can You Make Meatloaf With Already Cooked Ground Beef?
The simple answer is yes! You can absolutely make delicious meatloaf using pre-cooked ground beef. Here are some tips for making it work:
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Use cooked ground beef as the base just like you would raw meat. Combine it with breadcrumbs, eggs, seasonings, etc. You may need to adjust moisture levels slightly.
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For better texture, lightly break up the cooked beef into crumbles as you add it to the other ingredients. This prevents dense chunks.
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Add extra seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire and mustard to ramp up flavor if needed. Pre-cooked beef may have muted flavors.
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Consider adding cheese or bacon bits for extra richness and taste.
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If the beef is lean when it’s cooked, add milk or olive oil to keep the loaf moist.
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Adjust bake times. Since the beef is already cooked, the loaf may require less baking time. Check for doneness early.
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Let the cooked beef come to room temp before mixing for uniform incorporation of ingredients.
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Use a meat thermometer and bake until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
The Benefits of Using Leftover Cooked Ground Beef
Making meatloaf with leftover cooked ground beef provides the following advantages:
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Saves time and effort – Skip cooking raw beef from scratch and use pre-cooked meat instead. This streamlines the prep process.
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Reduces waste – Repurpose leftovers into a new dish instead of throwing cooked beef away. Be resourceful!
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Leaner option – Pre-cooked beef with drained fat can make a healthier meatloaf.
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Intensifies flavor – Cooked beef absorbs seasonings better. This boosts the taste.
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Ensures food safety – Meat is already fully cooked so no issues with undercooking.
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Easier mixing – Pre-cooked meat blends into other ingredients smoothly. No major restructuring needed.
Step-by-Step Guide for Preparing and Cooking Leftover Ground Beef
Follow these steps for fuss-free meatloaf using cooked ground beef:
1. Cook and Prep the Ground Beef
If cooking beef specifically for meatloaf, brown 1-2 pounds with seasoning until no pink remains. Drain fat and let cool.
For leftovers, break up larger clumps with your fingers into smaller crumbles. Remove any undesired veggies or seasonings.
2. Blend with Binders, Eggs and Seasoning
In a large bowl, combine crumbled cooked beef with 1 cup breadcrumbs, 1 large whisked egg, 2 Tbsp ketchup, 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp each onion/garlic powder, salt, pepper. Mix thoroughly with clean hands.
3. Shape the Meatloaf
Transfer mixture to a greased loaf pan. Shape into a log about 2 inches smaller than the pan length. Smooth the top and sides.
Optional – place strips of bacon across the top for added flavor.
4. Bake and Finish
Bake at 375°F for 40-50 minutes until cooked through. Spread favorite glaze or ketchup on top during last 15 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing to serve.
Helpful Tips and Considerations
Here are some additional pointers for meatloaf success using pre-cooked ground beef:
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Use toasted breadcrumbs for a crunchy texture. Panko also works great.
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Add shredded cheese into the meatloaf or as a melted topping.
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For a juicy loaf, swap breadcrumbs with quick oats or mashed potatoes.
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Mix in sauteed vegetables like spinach, diced onions or mushrooms.
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Shape into mini meatloaves for fun individual portions. Adjust bake times.
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Glaze with your favorite barbecue sauce or homemade ketchup and brown sugar mix.
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Bake in a muffin tin for meatloaf “cupcakes”. Kids love these!
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Stuff meatloaf with a cheese or vegetable filling before baking for surprise layers of flavor.
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Make meatloaf sandwiches on buns or bread the next day for easy lunches.
With a few simple adjustments, you can totally transform leftover cooked ground beef into an easy yet irresistible meatloaf. This classic recipe is a satisfying way to use up what you have on hand while avoiding waste. So go ahead and get creative with pre-cooked beef for a fabulous homemade meal!
Leftover Ground Beef Recipes (Soups, Stews, & Chili)
When I have ground beef left over, this chili is one of my all-time favorite recipes! It has just the right amount of ground beef, bacon, beans, Worcestershire sauce, and spices to make it taste great.
You can make it even more fun by adding sour cream and lots of cheddar or mozzarella cheese, which melts perfectly in your mouth with every bite.
This easy, one-pot meal is made with leftover ground beef and potatoes. The delicious tomato broth gives it a rich flavor that’s perfect for any time of year!.
This is one of my favorite ways to use up leftover hamburgers. You can eat this comforting dish several times in a week without getting tired of it.
This easy cabbage roll soup is perfect for those days when you are looking to avoid cooking. It has all of the same flavors as a classic baked dish, but without any work!.
This unstuffed variation will fill your stomach with warmth on cold nights or chilly mornings.
You will love this easy, delicious beef soup.
You can use leftover ground beef to make it, and the spice level is just right to make you feel like you’re eating something special without being too hot for people who don’t like their food that spicy!
A delicious and comforting soup that tastes just like your favorite cheesesteak sandwich.
This is a great meal for cold winter nights. Serve it with a crusty loaf of bread that you can cut into easy-to-eat pieces while you sip it.
Leftover Ground Beef Recipes (Hearty Dinner Dishes)
You’ll never taste ground beef tacos that are so juicy and delicious! These tasty, easy-to-make tacos will make your family fight over who gets the last bite.
They always get rave reviews from my kids too. Taco Tuesday has never been tastier!
These ground beef stuffed peppers are a delicious, classic dish that your whole family will enjoy.
They have season meat and vegetables inside and cheddar cheese on top, so they really hit all the right notes for me! These stuffed peppers are a great way to use up any ground beef you have left over.
Before being baked in a casserole dish, this dish is topped with homemade cheesy mashed potatoes and ground beef that has been perfectly seasoned. It will warm you up from the inside out.
This traditional shepherd’s pie recipe has been made over and over again at my house. The mashed potatoes are still delicious the next day.
Making sloppy joes ahead of time has never been easier or messier. Once you start eating them, you won’t be able to stop.
Quickly throw it together with cooked ground beef using the Instant Pot. These delicious sandwiches are perfect for any occasion or just because everyone needs a good meal sometimes.
The nachos are so good that even the most epic game-day foodie would approve of them.
Ground beef, refried beans, shredded cheese, and tomatoes mixed with homemade taco seasoning will make your mouth feel like it’s on fire in a good way!
This tasty Taco Salad recipe is great for any event! It has fresh lettuce, tomatoes, corn, black beans, and seasoned ground beef on top.
The creamy avocado gives it a nice texture, and the hints of sweetness that hit your tongue as soon as you bite in make it taste great. You can make this dish from scratch or use leftover taco meat for an even easier meal!.
Ground beef and potatoes are the perfect combinations to make a delicious yet simple meal.
This tasty, home-cooked dinner is ready in less than 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Your family will love the flavors!
The Best Ground Beef Enchiladas are a family favorite! They are made with green onions, leftover ground beef, and flour tortillas stacked on top of each other.
Add your own homemade enchilada sauce and then melty cheese on top. This makes each bite a cheesy masterpiece.
The delicious and satisfying Hamburger Hash is a budget-friendly meal that takes little time to make.
For a quick breakfast or dinner, mix eggs with ground beef that you already have left over, diced onions, and potatoes.
These Mushroom Swiss Burgers are grilled and juicy. They are topped with rich, creamy Swiss cheese that melts in your mouth.
The perfect weeknight dinner or add some excitement to your next cookout.
The most delicious meatloaf recipe that you will ever try. The ground beef is mixed with all of your favorite spices, like garlic powder and black pepper, to make it taste great!
Add some breadcrumbs to this dish before adding the melted cheese and ketchup to make it even more special.
Meatloaf Recipe | How I make a meatloaf | The Simple Way
FAQ
Can you Recook cooked ground beef?
Why does my meatloaf fall apart after baking?
Is it better to cook meatloaf covered or uncovered?
How do you cook a meatloaf in a crock pot?
Add the ground beef, cooked onions, ketchup or chili sauce, Italian seasoning, parsley, and salt & pepper to the bowl. Mix until just combined. Form a 8″x4″ loaf on the prepared baking pan and bake for 40 minutes. While the meatloaf is cooking, combine the chili sauce and ketchup (and brown sugar if using).
What is the best easy meatloaf recipe?
My grandma’s BEST easy meatloaf recipe with oats mixed with ground beef, powdered milk, and a sweet ketchup glaze makes a juicy meatloaf every time. In a large bowl, use your hands to gently mix together the ground beef, onion, tomatoes, oats, powdered milk, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
Should you cook meatloaf in a loaf pan?
Cooking meatloaf in a loaf pan helps it to keep its shape and makes it more moist, since it cooks in its own juices. If you prefer to bake your meatloaf free-form on a baking sheet, you will lost some of the juices and may have to adjust the cook time. Let the meatloaf rest in the pan for at least 10 minutes when it comes out of the oven.
How do you cook a meatloaf in the oven?
Preheat oven to 350. Thoroughly mix all the Meatloaf ingredients together and put it into a loaf pan. For the glaze, whisk the ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce together. Poke holes in the meatloaf with your finger and spread the glaze over the top and into the holes. Bake for 55 minutes.