Top 20 Ground Beef Pasta Dishes for Family Dinners

Ground beef and pasta make the perfect partnership for busy weeknight meals. These hearty combinations satisfy hungry families without breaking the budget.

From quick skillet dinners to make-ahead casseroles, these recipes turn simple ingredients into comfort food favorites that everyone will love.

01. Easy Shipwreck Pasta Bake

This version uses ground beef, pasta, canned tomatoes, and whatever vegetables you have on hand. Everything gets layered in a casserole dish for simple preparation.

The name comes from the “shipwrecked” appearance when ingredients get mixed together. This method works great for using up pantry staples and leftovers.

Perfect for busy nights when you need dinner fast. Kids love the mild flavors and parents appreciate the easy cleanup.

02. Johnny Marzetti Pasta Casserole

This classic Midwest dish combines ground beef, egg noodles, tomato sauce, and plenty of cheese. The flavors develop beautifully when baked together in one dish.

This version adds extra seasonings and vegetables for more complex flavors. The cheese gets bubbly and golden on top while staying creamy underneath.

Takes about an hour from start to finish including baking time. Great for feeding large groups or meal prepping for the week.

03. Chili Dog Mac and Cheese Fusion

This creative recipe uses ground beef, macaroni, cheese sauce, and chili seasonings. The combination creates something entirely new and surprisingly delicious.

The ground beef gets seasoned like chili while the pasta stays creamy like mac and cheese. This method creates the best of both comfort food worlds.

Perfect for adventurous eaters who want familiar flavors in unexpected ways. Takes less than 30 minutes for a complete meal.

04. Million Dollar Spaghetti Bake

This rich version uses spaghetti, ground beef, cottage cheese, cream cheese, and sour cream. The multiple cheese layers create incredible richness and flavor depth.

The pasta gets layered with creamy cheese mixture then topped with meat sauce. This creates distinct layers that look impressive when sliced.

Takes more time but creates restaurant-quality results for special occasions. The extra effort shows in every creamy, satisfying bite.

05. Simple Elbow Beef Skillet

This quick version uses elbow pasta, ground beef, bell peppers, and onions with tomato sauce. Everything cooks together in one large skillet for easy cleanup.

The vegetables add crunch and color while the pasta absorbs all the savory flavors. This method keeps prep time under 15 minutes total.

Perfect for weeknight dinners when time is short. Kids love the familiar shapes and mild, comforting flavors throughout.

06. Mexican-Style Beef Goulash

This version uses ground beef, pasta, Mexican seasonings, and cheese for south-of-the-border flavors. The spices add warmth without being too spicy for kids.

This method keeps ingredients simple while maximizing flavor impact. The cheese melts into the pasta creating a creamy, satisfying texture.

Great for busy families who want something different from regular pasta. Takes about 25 minutes from start to finish.

07. Homemade Hamburger Mac and Cheese

This scratch version uses macaroni, ground beef, real cheese, and milk instead of boxed mixes. The homemade cheese sauce tastes much richer and more satisfying.

Everything cooks in one large skillet with a tight-fitting lid. This method creates creamy results without using processed cheese products.

Takes slightly more time than boxed versions but tastes so much better. Perfect for families wanting to avoid processed foods.

08. Classic Hamburger Noodle Casserole

This traditional recipe uses ground beef, egg noodles, and a creamy cheese sauce. The combination has been satisfying families since the 1940s with timeless appeal.

The casserole gets assembled in layers then baked until bubbly and golden. This method creates comfort food that feels like a warm hug.

Perfect for potluck dinners and family gatherings where you need crowd-pleasing comfort. The flavors improve even more as leftovers.

09. One-Pan Beef Stroganoff Noodles

This shortcut version uses ground beef instead of steak strips with mushrooms and egg noodles. The creamy sauce develops right in the same pan.

This method creates classic stroganoff flavors without the expense of premium beef cuts. The mushrooms add earthy depth and meaty texture.

Great for getting elegant flavors on a budget in under 30 minutes. The one-pan approach makes cleanup incredibly easy.

10. Beef and Mushroom Stuffed Shells

This healthier version uses half ground beef and half mushrooms with jumbo pasta shells. The mushrooms add nutrition while reducing calories and cost.

The shells get stuffed with the meat mixture then baked in marinara sauce. This method creates individual portions that look restaurant-elegant.

Takes more time for assembly but creates impressive results for special dinners. The mushrooms make it more nutritious than all-beef versions.

11. Cheesy Baked Spaghetti

This version uses spaghetti, ground beef sauce, and plenty of melted cheese on top. The pasta gets mixed with sauce then baked until bubbly.

The cheese creates a golden, crispy top while staying creamy underneath. This method transforms regular spaghetti into something more special and satisfying.

Perfect for potlucks and family gatherings where you need crowd-pleasing comfort food. Makes great leftovers that reheat beautifully.

12. Quick Baked Penne

This simple version uses penne pasta, ground beef, marinara sauce, and mozzarella cheese. The tube shape holds onto sauce better than other pasta types.

Everything gets mixed together then baked until the cheese melts and bubbles. This method creates satisfying results with minimal prep work required.

Perfect for busy weeknights when you want something more special than stovetop pasta. Takes under 45 minutes total including baking time.

13. Basic Oven Baked Spaghetti

This customizable version uses spaghetti, ground beef, and your choice of cheeses. The basic recipe adapts easily to whatever cheese you have available.

The oven method creates different textures with crispy edges and creamy centers. This approach lets you experiment with different cheese combinations.

Great for using up leftover cheeses and creating your own signature dish. The basic method works with almost any cheese variety.

14. Creamy Beef and Corn Noodles

This version uses ground beef, egg noodles, corn, and a creamy cheese sauce. The corn adds sweetness and color that kids especially love.

The cream sauce brings everything together while the corn provides bursts of sweetness. This method creates comfort food with interesting texture contrasts.

Perfect for families with picky eaters who like mild, creamy flavors. The corn makes it feel more complete and nutritious.

15. Greek-Style Pastitsio

This version uses tubular pasta, spiced ground beef, and rich béchamel sauce. The Greek seasonings create complex flavors that feel sophisticated and special.

The layers include pasta, meat sauce, and creamy white sauce on top. This method creates beautiful presentation when sliced like lasagna.

Takes more time but creates restaurant-quality results for special occasions. The unique flavors make it perfect for adventurous dinner guests.

16. Ultimate Beef Lasagna

This classic version uses ground beef, lasagna noodles, ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses. The multiple layers create the ultimate comfort food experience.

The assembly takes time but creates incredibly satisfying results worth the effort. This method produces the gold standard of baked pasta dishes.

Perfect for special occasions when you want to impress guests with homemade comfort food. The leftovers taste even better the next day.

17. Pizza-Flavored Pasta

This kid-friendly version uses pasta, ground beef, pizza sauce, and mozzarella cheese. The familiar pizza flavors make it instantly appealing to children.

You can add favorite pizza toppings like olives or pepperoni for customization. This method brings pizza night and pasta night together perfectly.

Great for picky eaters who love pizza but need more substantial nutrition. Takes less time than making actual pizza.

18. Rich Bolognese Sauce

This traditional version uses ground beef, pork, vegetables, and wine for complex flavors. The long simmering time develops incredible depth and richness.

The vegetables get finely chopped and cooked until they melt into the sauce. This method creates restaurant-quality sauce that tastes professionally made.

Takes several hours but makes enough for multiple meals or freezing. The time investment pays off with extraordinary flavor development.

19. Classic Ground Beef Spaghetti Sauce

This simple version uses ground beef, canned tomatoes, and basic seasonings for reliable results. The straightforward approach lets the beef flavor shine through clearly.

This method creates robust sauce without complicated ingredients or techniques. The beef stays chunky while the tomatoes break down into rich sauce.

Perfect for families who prefer classic flavors without fancy additions. Uses common pantry ingredients most people already have available.

20. Traditional Baked Ziti

This crowd-pleasing version uses ziti pasta, ground beef, marinara sauce, and three different cheeses. The tube pasta holds sauce perfectly in every bite.

The cheese mixture creates creamy pockets throughout while the top gets golden and bubbly. This method works equally well with or without meat.

Perfect for feeding large groups or making ahead for busy weeks. The flavors improve after sitting overnight in the refrigerator.

Final Thoughts

These ground beef pasta recipes prove that simple ingredients can create extraordinary comfort food. From quick skillet meals to impressive baked casseroles, there’s something for every occasion.

Each recipe offers its own approach to combining beef and pasta, giving you plenty of options for satisfying family dinners throughout the week.