25 Of Grandpa's Favorite Ground Beef Recipes

By

Mary Alice Russell

Published on August 20, 2024

Southern Living Cheeseburger Pasta in a bowl to serve — Photo:
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Comforting and dependable. These are two words that can be used to describe your grandfather or other treasured family member in your life, but these words can also be used to describe a mealtime staple: ground beef. These recipes, nostalgic as well as filling, are like a walk down memory lane with every bite. We’ve pulled together ground beef recipes that are bound to be family favorites.

01 of 25

Spaghetti Casserole

Spaghetti Casserole — Jennifer Davick

Grandpa is all about the classics, and this comforting Spaghetti Casserole is a dish he can enjoy as leftovers for the rest of the week. Serve with a salad and a slice of crusty garlic bread.

02 of 25

Old-Fashioned Cabbage Rolls

Cabbage Rolls — Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Ali Ramee; Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood

Old-Fashioned Cabbage Rolls are just as nostalgic as your favorite family member's oversized sweaters. Everything in this recipe is made with love, from the tomato sauce to the filling which is tenderly wrapped in the softened cabbage leaves.

03 of 25

Sheet Pan Meatloaf

Sheet Pan Meatloaf — Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Loren Wood; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

We love this Sheet Pan Meatloaf the comes together much quicker than more traditional versions.

04 of 25

Classic Beef Chili

Classic Beef Chili — Greg DuPree

A bottle of beer transforms our Classic Beef Chili into something your Grandfather will gladly enjoy on game day or any other night of the week. Make this chili as spicy as your heart desires.

05 of 25

Cast-Iron Skillet Burgers

Cast-Iron Skillet Burgers — photographer: Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

Everything tastes better when it's cooked in a cast iron skillet. That's just the truth. Our Cast-Iron Skillet Burger is no exception, with the skillet building a wonderful level of seasoning that's hard to replicate.

06 of 25

Sloppy Joe Casserole With Dinner Rolls

Sloppy Joe Casserole with Dinner Rolls — Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Rishon Hanners, Prop Stylist Heather Chadduck

Pleasing kiddos and older relatives everywhere, you cannot go wrong with Sloppy Joe Casserole With Dinner Rolls. A gooey layer of cheddar cheese as well as a little bit of mustard and dill pickle relish make this an unforgettable family meal.

07 of 25

Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole

Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole — Will Dickey

A heartwarming, homemade dinner, everyone at your table will love this Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole. You can even make this up to a month in advance and keep it in the freezer.

08 of 25

Beef Sliders With Bacon Jam

Beef Sliders with Bacon Jam — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

You don't have to fire up the grill for this recipe, you just have to turn on the oven, but these sliders are just the thing to take to a cookout or potluck.

09 of 25

West Texas Chili

West Texas Chili — Southern Living

Frito Pie is a favorite of many, and the key ingredient (other than corn chips) for this unique pie is none other than West Texas Chili. Some might prefer this chili with venison, but ground chuck works just fine.

10 of 25

Doritos Casserole

Doritos Casserole — Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Turn your grandpa's favorite snack into his favorite casserole by using Doritos in this take on a tortilla-style casserole. A can of cream of chicken soup, a staple in many grandparents' pantries, also makes an appearance in this delightful, fun dish.

11 of 25

Instant Pot Spaghetti And Meatballs

Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs — Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Spaghetti and meatballs is always a meal worth sharing. This warm, consoling meal comes together in no time.

12 of 25

Our Best Lasagna

Our Best Lasagna — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Most every family has a recipe they believe stands out above the rest that they bring to family gatherings and other major events. The next time everyone gets together, wow them with Our Best Lasagna which is designed to be the cheesiest and the easiest of them all. Everyone will be blown away by how delicious this recipe truly is.

13 of 25

Cowboy Casserole

Cowboy Casserole — Micah A. Leal

Transform your tater tots into something you would serve to legends by adding a little ground beef and plenty of pantry staples you already know and love. This recipe is familiar yet revolutionary at the same time, just like your grandfather's stories.

14 of 25

Cottage Pie With Potato Crust

Shepherd's Pie with Mashed Potato Crust Image — Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr

Few dishes are as homey as Cottage Pie With Potato Crust. Topped in a soft pillow of mashed potatoes, this humble classic is just what the doctor ordered.

15 of 25

Slow-Cooker Bolognese Sauce Over Pappardelle Pasta

Slow-Cooker Bolognese Sauce over Pappardelle Pasta — Greg Dupree

The stuff of Sunday suppers, Slow-Cooker Bolognese Sauce Over Pappardelle Pasta will take you right back to your Grandparents' dining room table. The slow cooker does most of the work, but patience is needed for this recipe.

16 of 25

Beef Tamale Pie

Beef Tamale Pie — Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Skillet suppers always hit the spot, and our Beef Tamale Pie is something special. We use cornbread mix to create a tender topping that perfectly compliments the hearty beef.

17 of 25

Hamburger Stew

Hamburger Stew — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Kay E. Clarke; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey

On a cold, winter day, nothing compares to an inviting bowl of hot stew. We've taken everything you love about a hamburger, and transformed it into a comforting dish.

18 of 25

Classic Patty Melt

Classic Patty Melt — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Maggie Ruggiero

Your grandfather might tell you about the days he went to his local drug store and ordered a patty melt. Now you can surprise him with our Classic Patty Melt and watch his memories come flooding back.

19 of 25

Easy Taco Casserole

Easy Taco Casserole — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Maggie Ruggiero

Using mainly things you probably already have in your fridge, our Easy Taco Casserole is just as simple as the name claims it to be and it's ready in 30 minutes.

20 of 25

Meatball Sliders With Tomato Sauce

Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce — Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Sometimes the most delicious recipes are cooked low and slow to add depth of flavor to your dish. With about 8 hours in the slow cooker, this recipe is certainly worth the wait. We broil the cheese on top to make this dish crave-worthy.

21 of 25

Sheet Pan Nachos

Sheet Pan Nachos — Greg DuPree

Sheet pans are a wonderful, versatile tool for quick-to-assemble dinners. While we have recommendations for what to put on your nachos, you and Grandpa can customize this dinner in whatever way your hearts desire.

22 of 25

Cheeseburger Casserole

Cheeseburger Casserole — Photography: Alison Miksch, Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland, Food Styling: Melissa Gray

With the combination of ground beef, tater tots and a healthy drizzle of ketchup to serve, you have a casserole that the whole family will approve of.

23 of 25

Hamburger Steak With Sweet Onion-Mushroom Gravy

Southern Living Hamburger Steak plated serving with mashed potatoes and green beans — Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey

Who doesn't love a classic? Just like Chicken Fried Steak or Fried Pork Chops, Hamburger Steak With Sweet Onion-Mushroom Gravy is one of those Southern dishes that everyone knows and loves, maybe Grandpa most of all.

24 of 25

Cheeseburger Pasta

Southern Living Cheeseburger Pasta in a bowl to serve — Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Simple, satisfying, and a stellar weeknight solution. This recipe comes together in minutes and is hearty, cheesy and a bowl of comfort.

25 of 25

Cowboy Pasta Salad

Cowboy Pasta Salad — VICTOR PROTASIO; FOOD STYLIST: EMILY NABORS HALL; PROP STYLIST: CHRISTINA DAILEY

From a Sunday family cookout to a Saturday tailgate, this recipe is the ultimate crowdpleaser. Inspired by the famous Cowboy Casserole, this recipe is flavorful and made for any occasion.

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