Hey friend, real talk: by 5 PM most weekdays I’m basically a zombie who still has to feed actual humans. The struggle is real. That’s why my slow cooker is my ride-or-die. Throw in some ground beef, a few pantry staples, walk away, and boom—dinner smells like you’ve been slaving all day when you absolutely have not. These 20 crockpot ground beef meals are legit weeknight heroes. They’re cozy, kid-approved (mostly), and zero fancy chef skills required. Let’s get you some easy wins.
1. Classic Beefy Taco Soup That Basically Makes Itself
This one is my “I forgot to plan dinner” lifesaver. Ten minutes of morning effort and you come home to taco night in a bowl.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (browned first or dump raw—I do raw, fight me)
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 can black beans, drained
- 1 can pinto beans, drained
- 1 can corn, drained
- 2 cans diced tomatoes with green chiles
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 packet ranch dressing mix (trust me)
- 4 cups beef broth
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Throw everything in the crockpot. Yes, even raw beef—it breaks up fine.
- Stir once so you feel accomplished.
- Cook on low 6–8 hours or high 4 hours.
- Stir and break up the beef before serving. Top with cheese, sour cream, crushed tortilla chips—go wild.
Why You’ll Love It
It tastes like you made homemade chili but with zero babysitting. My kids call it “taco soup” and inhale it. Leftovers are even better the next day.
2. Lazy Lasagna Soup (All the Flavor, None of the Layers)
Who has time to layer noodles on a Tuesday? Not us.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 jar marinara sauce (24 oz)
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 oz mafalda pasta or broken lasagna noodles
- 1 cup ricotta (for dolloping)
- Mozzarella and parmesan for topping
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Brown beef with onion and garlic if you’re fancy; otherwise dump raw.
- Add marinara, broth, Italian seasoning.
- Cook on low 6–7 hours.
- 30 minutes before eating, crank to high and add dry pasta.
- Serve with a scoop of ricotta on top—chef’s kiss.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s literally lasagna in soup form. My husband requests this weekly.
3. Crack Chili (Yes, It’s Addictive—You’ve Been Warned)
One bite and you’ll understand the name.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 lb bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
- 1 can ranch-style beans
- 1 can kidney beans
- 1 can Rotel
- 1 packet ranch mix
- 8 oz cream cheese (add at the end)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook bacon, set aside.
- Brown beef, drain if you want (I don’t).
- Dump beef, beans, Rotel, ranch packet in the crockpot.
- Low 6 hours. Stir in cream cheese and bacon last 30 minutes.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s stupid good. Bring this to a potluck and watch people stalk you for the recipe.
4. Beefy Stuffed Pepper Soup
All the stuffed pepper goodness without the fussy stuffing.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 4 bell peppers, diced (any color)
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup cooked rice (add at end)
- Italian seasoning, salt, pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Brown beef and toss in with everything except rice.
- Low 6–8 hours.
- Stir in cooked rice last 15 minutes.
Why You’ll Love It
Tastes like grandma’s stuffed peppers but zero effort.
5. Korean Beef Bowls (Better Than Takeout, Fight Me)
Sweet, sticky, ridiculous over rice.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ginger
- Green onions & sesame seeds for garnish
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Whisk sauce ingredients.
- Pour over raw beef in crockpot.
- Low 6 hours, break up beef, serve over rice.
Why You’ll Love It
My picky kid eats three bowls. THREE.
6. Sloppy Joe Casserole That Kids Demolish in 4.2 Seconds
This is what happens when sloppy joes and tater tots have a baby. It’s messy, ridiculous, and gone before you sit down.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced (optional, but it sneaks in veggies)
- 2 cans Manwich sloppy joe sauce (or 3 cups homemade if you’re extra)
- 1 bag frozen tater tots
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Brown the beef, onion, and pepper together. Drain if you’re feeling healthy.
- Stir in the sloppy joe sauce and dump it all into the crockpot.
- Top with a single layer of frozen tater tots (yes, frozen—don’t pre-bake).
- Cook on low 4–6 hours.
- Last 30 minutes, sprinkle cheese on top, crack the lid so it melts without getting soggy.
Why You’ll Love It
My kid literally cried happy tears the first time I made this. It’s pure nostalgia in a bowl and reheats like a dream for lunches.
7. Creamy Beef and Shells (One-Pot Hamburger Helper Glow-Up)
Hamburger Helper walked so this could run.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 can diced tomatoes (undrained)
- 2 cups heavy cream (or half-and-half if you’re scared)
- 3 cups medium pasta shells (uncooked!)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar
- Salt, pepper, paprika
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Brown beef, onion, and garlic right in the crockpot if yours has a sauté function. If not, do it on the stove first.
- Add broth, tomatoes, seasonings, and dry pasta. Stir.
- Low 3–4 hours (pasta cooks perfectly, I swear).
- Stir in cream and cheese until melty and obscene.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s stupid creamy and tastes like comfort in a bowl. My husband says it’s better than the boxed stuff we grew up on—shots fired.
8. Beef Enchilada Casserole (Layers? We Don’t Know Her)
All the enchilada flavor, zero rolling or frying.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 can red enchilada sauce (19 oz)
- 1 can green chiles
- 12 corn tortillas, torn into pieces
- 3 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
- Optional: black beans, corn
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Brown beef with taco seasoning.
- Layer in crockpot: sauce → tortillas → beef → cheese. Repeat like a delicious lasagna.
- End with sauce and cheese on top.
- Low 4 hours. Scoop and top with sour cream, cilantro, avocado.
Why You’ll Love It
My friend Maria (who is Mexican) asked for the recipe. That’s the highest compliment I’ve ever received.
9. Cheeseburger Soup That Tastes Like a Drive-Thru Hug
Yes, it tastes exactly like a cheeseburger. Don’t ask questions.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 cups potatoes, diced small
- 3 carrots, diced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 8 oz Velveeta (don’t @ me, it melts perfectly)
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar
- Pickles on top (trust me)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Brown beef and onion, dump in crockpot with potatoes, carrots, broth.
- Low 6–7 hours until potatoes are soft.
- Stir in Velveeta, milk, cheddar until melty.
- Serve with diced pickles and extra cheese.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s wrong in all the right ways. My teenager requests it when friends come over—teenager approved is the ultimate seal.
10. Shepherd’s Pie Soup (Because Actual Pie Takes Forever)
All the cozy vibes without boiling and mashing potatoes separately.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 carrots, diced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp Worcestershire
- 4 cups mashed potatoes (instant works in a pinch)
- Cheddar for topping
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Brown beef and onion, add to crockpot with everything except potatoes.
- Low 6 hours.
- Stir in prepared mashed potatoes last 20 minutes. Top bowls with extra potatoes and cheese.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s basically a hug from your grandma, but you didn’t have to call her and pretend you’re fine.
11. Beef Stroganoff That Doesn’t Require Babysitting a Skillet
Rich, creamy, mushroomy perfection.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 onion, sliced
- 16 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire
- 1 cup sour cream
- 12 oz egg noodles (add dry at the end)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Dump raw beef, onion, mushrooms, broth, Worcestershire in the pot.
- Low 6–7 hours.
- Break up beef, add dry noodles and sour cream, switch to high for 20–30 min.
Why You’ll Love It
Tastes like you reduced a sauce for hours. I once made this for a date—he proposed two years later. Correlation? Maybe.
12. Walking Tacos in a Pot (Frito Pie’s Cooler Cousin)
Game day in a bowl.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 2 packets taco seasoning
- 1 can Rotel
- 1 can ranch-style beans
- 1 bag Fritos
- Toppings bar: cheese, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, jalapeños
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Brown beef with seasoning, dump everything except Fritos in crockpot.
- Low 4–6 hours.
- Everyone builds their own bowl: Fritos on bottom, meat mixture, toppings.
Why You’ll Love It
Zero plates. My kids think I’m the coolest mom on earth when I make this.
13. Sweet & Sour Meatballs (Yes, with Grape Jelly—Don’t Knock It)
The 90s church potluck classic that still slaps.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs frozen meatballs OR 2 lbs ground beef formed into balls
- 1 jar grape jelly (12 oz)
- 1 bottle chili sauce (12 oz)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Whisk jelly and chili sauce until smooth.
- Pour over meatballs/beef in crockpot.
- Low 5–6 hours. Stir occasionally if you’re around.
Why You’ll Love It
I brought this to a party and a grown man almost cried. Serve over rice or with toothpicks.
14. Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes
All the flavor of a cheesesteak, zero chewing forever.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 green pepper, sliced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp A-1 or Worcestershire
- Provolone slices
- Hoagie rolls
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Brown beef, onion, pepper.
- Add broth and sauce, dump in crockpot on low 4 hours.
- Serve on rolls with melted provolone.
Why You’ll Love It
My brother-in-law from Philly gave it a thumbs-up. That’s basically a Michelin star.
15. Beef and Broccoli That Beats Takeout Every Time
Skip the $40 order—make this instead.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 cup beef broth
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 4 cups broccoli florets (add last hour)
- Cornstarch slurry for thickening
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Whisk sauce, pour over raw beef.
- Low 5 hours, break up beef.
- Add broccoli and cornstarch slurry, high for 1 more hour.
Why You’ll Love It
My kid who “hates vegetables” asks for seconds of broccoli. Magic.
16. Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole
The name isn’t lying.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 jar marinara
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- ½ cup butter slices (yes, really)
- 1 lb spaghetti, broken in half, cooked
- 2 cups mozzarella
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Brown beef, stir in marinara.
- Mix cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese.
- Layer: beef sauce → cooked spaghetti → cream cheese mix → butter slices → more beef → mozzarella.
- Low 3–4 hours until bubbly.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s pure indulgence. I make it when I need to feel rich inside.
17. Taco Mac & Cheese (Don’t Judge Till You Try It)
Two favorites had a baby and it’s beautiful.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 3 cups beef broth
- 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
- 3 cups shredded cheddar
- 1 cup salsa
- ½ cup milk
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Brown beef with seasoning.
- Add broth, salsa, dry pasta.
- Low 3 hours, stir in cheese and milk at the end.
Why You’ll Love It
My friend said “this shouldn’t work” and then ate three bowls.
18. Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls (All the Flavor, Zero Rolling)
Lazy girl’s cabbage rolls for the win.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 head cabbage, chopped
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 can tomato sauce
- ½ cup uncooked rice
- 1 onion, diced
- Beef broth to cover
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Brown beef and onion.
- Layer cabbage, rice, beef, tomatoes in crockpot.
- Pour sauce and broth to just cover.
- Low 6–8 hours.
Why You’ll Love It
Tastes exactly like your Polish grandma’s but without the side-eye for not rolling tight enough.
19. Creamy Taco Ranch Beef (Two Packets, One Epic Meal)
The internet’s favorite crack chicken, but beef.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 packet ranch seasoning
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar
- Serve in tortillas or over rice
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Dump raw beef and both packets in crockpot.
- Low 6 hours, break up beef.
- Stir in cream cheese and cheddar last 30 min.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s wrong. It’s right. It’s gone in 10 minutes.
20. Meaty Bolognese That Makes You Look Like a Pro
Slow-simmered flavor without watching a pot all day.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef (half beef, half pork if you’re fancy)
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 2 carrots, finely diced
- 2 celery stalks, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup red wine (or broth)
- 2 cans crushed tomatoes
- Serve over pasta with parmesan
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Brown beef, add veggies, cook until soft.
- Add milk, let it absorb.
- Add wine, let it reduce a bit.
- Dump in tomatoes, low 8 hours.
- Serve over tagliatelle like you’re Italian.
Why You’ll Love It
I once served this to actual Italians. They asked for seconds and didn’t leave. Success.
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