How to Use Up Leftover Ground Beef

Have ground beef sitting in your fridge after a cookout? Transform it into satisfying and hearty meals like cheesy nachos, spaghetti and meatballs or spicy Chinese dan dan noodles.

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Photo By: Tara Donne

Photo By: Tara Donne

Photo By: Brian Kennedy ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Beef Nachos

Use leftovers as an excuse to pile taco-seasoned beef and melted cheese on chips for dinner. Get your vegetables in with fresh and spicy pico de gallo and creamy guacamole.

Get the Recipe: Beef Nachos

Michigan Pasty (Meat Hand Pie)

Skip the frozen aisle and make your own hearty meat pies, chock-full of ground beef, onions, carrots, potatoes and rutabaga.

Get the Recipe: Michigan Pasty (Meat Hand Pie)

Hotdish (Tater Tot Casserole)

Humble, crunchy Tater Tots are what make this casserole craveworthy. The Midwest staple is a cinch to put together and can feed a crowd.

Get the Recipe: Hotdish (Tater Tot Casserole)

Meatloaf Kebabs with Grilled Potato Salad

Transform meatloaf into a fun meal for kids and adults alike by skewering it and grilling it alongside a simple potato salad.

Get the Recipe: Meatloaf Kebabs with Grilled Potato Salad

Spaghetti with Meatballs

If Michael Symon's family sauce recipe infused with baby back ribs intimidates you, grabbing a good jar of sauce or whipping up a simple marinara could work, too. The ricotta-stuffed meatballs are the star here.

Get the Recipe: Spaghetti with Meatballs

Ching's Midnight Dan Dan Noodles

This spicy Chinese dish is part noodle soup, part stir-fry and entirely addictive. Rice wine, vinegar and cornichons add tang and complement the trio of spicy peppers coating tender udon noodles.

Get the Recipe: Ching's Midnight Dan Dan Noodles

Classic Italian Lasagna

Layers of creamy ricotta cheese, spinach and meat, and noodles bake and bubble together with a simple tomato sauce and creamy bechamel for the ultimate comfort food.

Get the Recipe: Classic Italian Lasagna

Indian Shepherd's Pie

Leftover mashed potatoes would be great to have on hand when making this Indian-spiced shepherd's pie. Prep only takes 15 minutes, and there's an extra punch of nutritious goodness from cooked lentils inside.

Get the Recipe: Indian Shepherd's Pie

Sloppy Joe and Macaroni Casserole

Meet your dream childhood meal: a hybrid of sloppy joes and macaroni and cheese that can be on the table in a little more than an hour.

Get the Recipe: Sloppy Joe and Macaroni Casserole

Cincinnati Chili

For those nights when spaghetti and meatballs is just too fancy, pile spicy bean-and-meat chili on top of spaghetti, just as they do in Ohio.

Get the Recipe: Cincinnati Chili