Ground beef prices have more than doubled since 2020. Here are my favorite ways to stretch ground beef and 7 family meals that only use one pound of ground beef.
Ground beef has gotten so expensive lately!
I looked back at an old grocery order from 2020 and back then I paid about $8 for 3 pounds of ground beef at Walmart. It wasn’t anything fancy, just the cheaper 73/27 ground beef.
Well, today that same 3-pound package costs about $19 at Walmart!
That’s an increase of almost 140%.
I don’t know about you, but I always thought of ground beef as one of the more budget-friendly meats, especially when it came to red meat. These days though it doesn’t feel quite so budget-friendly anymore!
Since so many families are feeling the squeeze at the grocery store, today I wanted to share some of the ways I stretch ground beef and save money, along with seven easy meals that still feed my big family using only one pound of ground beef.
How to Stretch Ground Beef and Save Money
Choose Meals That Naturally Stretch Meat
When ground beef is expensive, the goal is to make it part of the meal instead of the star of the show.
Instead of meals where ground beef is the main focus like hamburgers (although we love those) I often try to make meals where the meat is mixed into the dish. These kinds of ground beef recipes help the meat go much further and keep meals more affordable.
Some great options include:
- Pasta dishes
- Soups / Chili
- Fried rice
- Casseroles
- Taco salad / burrito bowls
These meals still include protein, but they don’t require a large serving of meat for each person.
Add Beans to Your Ground Beef
One of the easiest ways to stretch ground beef is by adding beans.
For taco bowls, burrito bowls, or our family’s favorite taco stack-up, I often mix in black beans, but pinto beans or kidney beans are also good options.
The beans help the meat go much farther while adding fiber and protein.
Bulk Up Meals with Rice
Rice is another affordable ingredient that helps stretch a meal.
Adding extra rice to burrito bowls, taco bowls, or fried rice means you can feed more people without needing additional meat.
Add Oats or Breadcrumbs
This may sound obvious, but if you’re making meatloaf or meatballs, don’t forget that oats and breadcrumbs help stretch the meat.
Most meatloaf recipes already call for them, and adding a little extra can help make the meal go further.
Mix Ground Turkey with Ground Beef
We’ve talked about this before, but combining ground beef and ground turkey is a great way to save money since ground turkey is typically cheaper.
Personally, I’m not a huge fan of ground turkey by itself – I just don’t really love the taste. But when I do half ground beef and half ground turkey I really don’t notice much difference and it definitely helps save a little money. You still get the flavor of the beef while lowering the overall cost of the meal.
Ground chicken works well too!
Check Frozen Burger Prices
This is a tip I learned from my mom! Sometimes frozen hamburger patties are actually cheaper per pound than buying ground beef.
When that’s the case, you can buy the frozen burgers, let them thaw, and then break them apart and cook them to use in recipes like:
- Spaghetti sauce
- Soups
- Casseroles
- Taco meat
It’s a unique but easy way to save a little bit of money when ground beef prices are high.
7 Family Meals That Only Use One Pound of Ground Beef
Not every meal can be stretched with just one pound of ground beef. For example, I can’t make hamburgers or sloppy joes for my entire family with only one pound.
But there are still plenty of meals that feed our family while only using a pound of beef. Here are some of our favorites.
1. Spaghetti and Other Pasta Dishes
Pasta is probably the easiest way to stretch ground beef.
Some of our favorites include:
- Spaghetti with meat sauce
- Million Dollar Spaghetti
- Baked Ziti
A pound of ground beef goes a long way when it’s mixed into a large pan of pasta.
2. Taco Stack-Up
Taco stack-up was one of my favorite meals growing up, and it’s still a favorite with my family.
I use just a pound of taco-seasoned ground beef and then set out all everything else:
- Beans
- Rice
- Cheese
- Tortilla chips
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Any other toppings we have
Since everyone builds their own bowl, the meat stretches really well.
3. Beef Stroganoff Sandwiches
This is one of our favorite easy weeknight meals.
I start with a loaf of French bread, cut it in half, and spread butter on it before lightly broiling it.
Then I make a simple meat mixture using:
- 1 pound ground beef
- Worcestershire sauce
- Salt
- Garlic
- Sour cream
Spread the mixture over the bread, top with cheese, and broil until the cheese melts.
It’s simple, filling, and everyone loves it!
4. Taco Quiche
We’re just about at the point where I may need to double this taco quiche recipe for our growing family, but one recipe still works for us right now, especially when I serve it with a side or two.
The layers are simple:
- One pound of ground beef, seasoned with taco seasoning
- Shredded cheese
- Biscuit mix, eggs, and milk
Bake until golden and set.
It’s delicious for dinner and even makes a great breakfast the next morning if there are leftovers.
5. Taco Soup and Other Ground Beef Soups
Soups are one of the best ways to stretch ground beef. Taco soup is a regular meal in our house, and it only requires one pound of ground beef.
If I need to make it stretch a little further I can just add an extra can of beans and/or diced tomatoes.
Chili or vegetable beef soup are also great options that work well with just a pound of ground beef.
6. Ground Beef Fried Rice
Ground beef fried rice is another easy meal that only calls for one pound of ground beef. You can stretch the recipe to feed more people buy adding in more rice, eggs, and/or veggies.
I usually serve it with a side salad or bread and it easily feeds our family without feeling like we’re skimping on the meat.
7. Ground Beef Quesadillas
When I think of quesadillas, I usually think of chicken, but ground beef quesadillas are delicious and make a nice change from our usual meals.
Simply season your ground beef however you like and add it to tortillas with cheese. It’s an easy dinner that doesn’t require more than a pound of meat.
Final Thoughts
Ground beef prices have definitely changed over the last few years, but there are still ways to make it work on a budget.
For our family, the key is choosing meals where the beef is mixed with other affordable ingredients like beans, rice, pasta, and vegetables. That helps me to keep feeding my family well without spending a ton!
I’d love to hear from you. What’s your favorite meal that only uses one pound of ground beef? Let me know in the comments!
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