20 Easy Ground Beef Freezer Meals You Can Prepare in Minutes!

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I understand how it’s difficult to eat healthily on a budget. Plus, while you’d love to cook your food to save money, lack of time restricts you to do so.

Fortunately, there’s a solution to that: Make easy freezer meals!

The concept is simple.

Make a huge batch of food to portion out and freeze. That way, you can just take one portion out from the freezer to pop in the microwave.

You can find so many crockpot freezer meals that can be done without spending a ton of money!

If you’re looking to create protein-packed meals, ground beef is an excellent major ingredient. It’s not only high in protein but it’s filled with nutrients like iron and vitamin B12 for better health. That’s what makes ground beef freezer meals so awesome!

 

More ideas for the best budget-friendly and healthy freezer meals:

• 20 Dirt-Cheap Crockpot Freezer Dump Meals That Taste Like a Million Bucks!
• Feed Your Family For $5: Unbelievable! 20 Easy & Cheap Freezer Meals That Will Blow Your Mind!
• Never Skip Breakfast Again! 15 Easy Freezer Meals for Hectic Mornings That Will Revolutionize Your Routine!
• 15 Vegetarian Freezer Meals – Quick, Delicious, and Perfect for Busy Weeknights!
• 15 Unbelievably Easy Freezer Meals for When Time Is Not on Your Side!
• 20 Easy Keto Freezer Dump Meals You Won’t Believe Are Low Carb

 

20 Freezer Meals with Ground Beef

I’ll be sharing delicious ground beef freezer meals below so you can have more inspiration over your future meals.

You can even serve some of these as cheap easy appetizers for parties when you don’t have time to cook from scratch – they’ll still taste just as fresh and delicious!

For a healthier version of the recipes I feature, use extra lean ground beef for less fat! After all, who doesn’t want to go for delicious and healthy ground beef freezer meals for a busy weeknight, or even weekend when you’re running out of things to cook?

Don’t forget to save this image to Pinterest so you can come back to these ground beef freezer meals!

Before I share a list of the best freezer meals with ground beef, I thought it would be helpful to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about ground beef and its storage. These practices are ones that I personally use and have never encountered any problems with. Consider following these suggestions for the best results.

 

Can you cook ground beef and then freeze it?

Absolutely, yes. I regularly cook ground beef and freeze it afterward. After all, who has the time to constantly cook?

After cooking the ground beef, allow it to cool completely. Then, store it in an airtight container or freezer bag. This process of freezing cooked ground beef not only extends its shelf life but also helps maintain its quality and flavor.

 

Does ground beef freeze well?

Yes, ground beef freezes really well. If you’ve got a bunch of it, it’s handy to split it up into the portions you’d use for a meal before you freeze it. That way, you only have to thaw what you need.

Wrap the beef up tight in something like heavy-duty plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and then stick it in a freezer bag. Squeeze out as much air as you can before sealing the bag. Don’t forget to scribble the date on the bag so you remember when you froze it.

When you’re ready to use the beef, it’s best to let it thaw out in the fridge. If you’re in a hurry, you can defrost it in the microwave or by placing it (still in its bag) in cold water and changing the water every half hour. But remember, don’t refreeze it once it’s been thawed unless you’ve cooked it. Doing that too often can mess up the quality and might let bacteria grow.

 

Can you freeze ground beef and rice?

I’ve often prepped vegetarian freezer meals with rice ahead of time for my Meatless Mondays, especially during those busy weeks.

You can definitely freeze your ground beef and rice dishes. After cooking your favorite mix, let it cool down.

Once it’s at room temperature, transfer it into an airtight container or a sealed freezer bag, pushing out as much air as possible. This helps keep the meal tasting fresh.

On those days when the idea of starting a meal from scratch feels overwhelming (life gets buys, right?), just grab your prepped dish from the freezer, thaw it, and warm it up.

Phew, it’s such a relief to have a home-cooked meal ready to go when you need it most! 🙂

 

Is it better to freeze ground beef cooked or uncooked?

This is a tough call because I tend to do both, but which is better really depends on your needs and plans for the beef.

• Uncooked Ground Beef: Freezing uncooked ground beef gives you more flexibility when it comes to using it in future recipes. You can defrost it and then use it in any dish that calls for ground beef. But remember, once it’s thawed, it should be used within one or two days.
• Cooked Ground Beef: On the other hand, freezing cooked ground beef can save you time when preparing meals because the cooking part is already done (though it doesn’t taste as good as cooking it fresh). This could be especially useful for quick healthy weeknight meals. You can cook a large batch, freeze it in portions, and then simply reheat it when needed. However, keep in mind that freezing can change the texture of the beef slightly, and it may be a bit drier when reheated.

From my own experience, if you want more flexibility in your cooking, freeze the beef raw. If you’re looking to save time on meal prep, it’s a good idea to cook it first and then freeze it. Regardless of your choice, proper storage is key to maintaining the quality of the beef.

 

1. Healthy Meat Balls

Let’s start with a classic dinner staple in every household: Meatballs!

These aren’t only filling, but so juicy. You’ll also love how versatile these saucy meatballs are.

I suggest pairing it with whole wheat spaghetti noodles for pasta night to make it healthier, as whole wheat noodles are high in fiber and B vitamins!

 

2. Ground Beef Quesadillas

These are for people like me who are obsessed with all things cheese!

I prefer keeping my quesadilla fillings simple but overloading it with all the toppings I want, namely veggies and salsa!

Play this video to check out a quick and simple yet affordable recipe with ground beef!

 

3. Ground Beef Stroganoff

Here’s another great idea for pasta nights, which you can do either on the stove or oven.

It’s now one of my favorite comfort foods that I turn to after a hard workout or stressful day at work

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4. Baked Penne Beef Pasta

Photo by Peanut Butter and Fitness

This is a hearty penne bake pasta recipe loaded with protein, perfect as a post-workout meal!

It’s made with both lean ground beef and ground chicken, so it will surely fill you up. Moreover, it’s made with a veggie sauce, so you can get your greens in for the day!

Pro-tip: You can substitute regular penne for whole-wheat penne, which is healthier than refined pasta due to its higher fiber.

 

5. Keto Hamburger Freezer Meal

Gone are the days when you need to drive-thru to In-n-Out and spend a lot for a deadly burger!

Make this lettuce-wrapped hamburger recipe instead!

That way, those on a keto diet can have burgers at any time.

After all, who doesn’t like indulging in hamburgers? This makes one of the best and most convenient hamburger freezer meals!

 

6. Lean Beef Casserole

This is one of the most mouthwatering make-ahead freezer meals with ground beef that the entire family will surely love.

Don’t worry about leftovers, because you can freeze this dish for up to three months.

Enjoy this cheesy beef casserole that will leave anyone wanting seconds!

 

7. Stuffed Peppers with Ground Beef

You won’t forget to eat your veggies with these gluten-free stuffed peppers.

All that cheesy, beefy goodness is placed in a crunchy edible bowl, ready to make your stomach happy!

They are almost effortless to make ahead of freezing, taking only an hour for an entire batch.

 

8. Southwest Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet

I would have never thought of combining ground beef and sweet potatoes, but this recipe has me drooling!

The sweetness of the sweet potatoes blends well with the savory ground beef and cheese.

 

9. Sloppy Joe Casserole

Sloppy joe and casseroles? These are two of my favorite meals combined into one!

Get the best of both worlds by having a delectable sloppy joe casserole with toasted bread on the side.

The kids will love you more for dishes like these!

 

10. Healthy Ground Beef Bulgogi

By now, you probably know I love ground beef recipes for dinner to get my iron pumping!

And I have to say I can’t get enough of this ground beef bulgogi with its sweet and savory Korean-style barbecue sauce!

Serve your juicy beef bulgogi over a bed of hot rice to make it a filling dinner.

 

11. Healthy Ground Beef Mac and Cheese

If I had known there was such a thing as a healthy mac and cheese made with ground beef, I would have been making it long ago.

This recipe hits the spot not just in flavor, but the fact you can freeze it for months.

You won’t have to worry about what to have for dinner!

 

12. Healthy Ground Beef Tacos

In just ten minutes, you can have yourself a ton of ground beef tacos you can eat immediately or freeze for taco Tuesdays.

It’s also a healthy taco recipe made with lean ground beef!

You have control over what you’ll put, compared to calorie-dense tacos from restaurants.

 

13. Healthy Ground Beef Chili

Nothing beats coming home to a piping hot bowl of chili.

There’s something about it that has you feel so at home!

This recipe is made with protein-packed ingredients and lots of cheese for a richer broth. It’s great for when the weather begins to cool down.

On the plus side, this makes one of the most popular ground beef freezer dump meals when you’re really running out of time!

 

14. Healthy Ground Beef Enchiladas

For those who love Mexican food, these enchiladas are a must-have!

Customize however way you want your enchiladas, then you’ve got yourself an entire meal to fill you up.

For me, I would overload mine with cheese, topping it with avocados for a creamier texture.

 

15. Ground Beef Breakfast Burritos

These are amazing breakfast burritos you can have any time of the day.

No need to take out from your local Mexican fast food joint anymore when you’ve got a healthier, protein-packed meal right here.

I recommend adding scrambled eggs, sausages, and cheese for the burrito version of the classic McMuffin.

 

16. Korean Ground Beef Bowl

If you’ve got mad cravings for Korean food, this is one of the cheapest freezer meals you can make.

Served on a bowl of hot rice, this is a simple beef recipe loaded with savory flavors that will leave you wanting more.

 

17. Stuffed Cabbage Soup

Breakfast, lunch, dinner, whatever!

You can have this cabbage soup all day and it will never get old. These taste just like stuffed cabbage rolls, this time in a thick, creamy soup.

 

18. Meatloaf

Here’s another classic family dinner you can make ahead and freeze for when weeknights get too busy to cook dinner.

It’s easy to make meatloaf, with eggs and breadcrumbs helping make this dish stay so moist.

 

19. Lazy Shepherd’s Pie

Whether you’ve got no time or don’t feel like spending over an hour in the kitchen, this lazy shepherd’s pie is worth trying.

The Instant Pot will do all the cooking for you, so you’ll get an indulgent meal filled with rich mashed potatoes and a hearty meat filling underneath.

 

20. Savory Italian Biscuit Cups

The meaty bolognese sauce and cheese in this recipe have me sold.

It’s an incredible “pastry” that works as a meal or snack.

Since you can freeze this for a few months, your weeknight dinners are solved!