6 Easy Ground Beef Dinner Recipes to Get in Your Protein

What if we told you that you could take a comfort food classic like a ground beef dinner and use it to reach your weight loss and fitness goals? At Nutrisystem, making healthier versions of your favorite foods is something we’re passionate about. Whether we’re delivering perfectly portioned meals to your door or crafting healthy ground beef recipes that fit into your plan, we’re out here proving that you don’t need to give up delicious food to lose weight!

Lean Protein: It’s What’s For Dinner—And Will Keep You On Track

Protein is an important part of your journey to better health. Our bodies use protein to make bones, muscles, hair and skin. Protein is also vital if you’re trying to lose weight because it helps us to stay full longer. It’s more thermogenic than carbohydrates and fats (meaning it requires more energy for digesting and absorbing). This means that you’ll burn more calories eating a high-protein food compared to something higher in carbs and fat.

The Nutrisystem weight loss plan provides you with the protein you need to reach your goals. You’ll get to enjoy plenty of tasty and convenient high-protein dinners that we send right to your home. Plus, we teach you how to cook up your own healthy, protein-packed meals that support your weight loss.

The key is to stick to lean proteins. For example, making a swap from traditional full-fat ground beef to lean ground beef will allow you to enjoy some of your favorite meals in a healthier way, without compromising flavor or your health.

One of the nice things about ground beef recipes is that they can typically be whipped up quickly and without a lot of effort. Below, we’ve rounded up six of our favorite easy ground beef dinners that will help you pack in the protein while feeling fully satisfied with a delicious meal.

1. No-Bake French Onion Beef Casserole

If you’re looking to lose weight but also craving the homemade goodness of a hearty casserole, then look no further. We’ve got the perfect recipe for you! This beef casserole is actually prepared on the stovetop, meaning you don’t have to heat up your whole kitchen with the oven. It can be whipped up quickly when you have a hankering! It’s got savory beef and onions with creamy pasta, all in a single dish that tastes incredibly decadent for being a mere 326 calories per serving.

Get the No-Bake French Onion Beef Casserole recipe.

2. Spicy Inside-Out Cheeseburger

This delicious recipe makes a cheeseburger healthier by using grass-fed lean ground beef. And it has a fun twist—it’s stuffed with reduced fat cheese instead of having it served on top. It’s also got zesty kick with ingredients like Worcestershire sauce, jalapeno pepper, smoked paprika and crushed red pepper. We also suggest serving it on a whole wheat sandwich thin for a boost of fiber. At just 353 calories, it’s a flavorful and satisfying meal without a lot of sacrifice.

Get the Spicy Inside-Out Cheeseburger recipe.

3. Easy Slow Cooker Taco Soup with Ground Beef

This recipe will grant you the delicious taste of a taco in a healthy, protein-packed soup! It’s simple to make, too. After browning your beef and cooking your onions, you’ll simply add some tomato paste and seasonings and transfer it all to a slow cooker. Dump a few more ingredients, then set it and forget it! The aroma of tacos will soon be filling your kitchen. Serve with some of your favorite taco toppings, such as sliced avocado or a tablespoon of sour cream for added flavor. A bowl of soup (before added toppings) is just 217 calories.

Get the Easy Slow Cooker Taco Soup recipe.

4. Air Fryer Meatloaf with Lean Ground Beef

Meatloaf is another comfort food favorite. However, it’s traditionally not that healthy when it uses a combined mixture of ground pork, beef and veal. This can make it high in fat and calories. Our version swaps in lean ground beef and uses an air fryer to keep it light. You’ll still get the taste and texture of an old-fashioned meatloaf (the way your mom used to make), but you’ll ditch the excess fat and calories. It’s sure to be a recipe you’ll want to make again and again.

Get the Air Fryer Meatloaf recipe.

5. Baked Scotch Eggs

A Scotch egg is a boiled egg wrapped in sausage meat, coated in breadcrumbs and then typically deep-fried. In our version, we’ve taken this British favorite and lightened it up by using lean ground beef instead of sausage. We also skip the breadcrumbs and bake it to crispy goodness. It’s still a protein-packed dish loaded with savory flavor but is much healthier than the traditional version. One serving is just 123 calories.

Get the Baked Scotch Eggs recipe.

6. Slow Cooker Kale and Beef Meatballs

The key to keeping your ground beef dishes healthier is using lean meat. This recipe combines 93% lean ground beef with ingredients like onions, whole wheat breadcrumbs and kale to create nutrition-packed meatballs that taste like a traditional favorite. Kale is loaded with goodness like fiber, antioxidants, iron and calcium—but you’ll barely notice it snuck into these delicious meatballs. Our recipe makes six servings, with three meatballs with sauce counting as a single serving. For a lighter take on traditional spaghetti, serve these meatballs atop of spiralized zucchini noodles.

Get the Slow Cooker Kale and Beef Meatballs recipe.