When I walk into my kitchen after a long day, I love the smell of comfort food. Slow-cooked meals, like those with ground beef, are so soothing. They remind me of family dinners filled with warmth and delicious food.

This collection of slow cooker ground beef recipes is all about making life easier. They’re perfect for busy weeknights, bringing tasty flavors to your table. Whether it’s a cozy night or a busy week, these recipes are sure to become favorites.

In this guide, you’ll find 10 of my top recipes that turn ground beef into tasty meals. Cooking times range from 30 minutes to over 8 hours. They serve 4 to 16 people, fitting any family or gathering.

Slow cooking makes flavors better and saves time in the kitchen. With an average cooking time of 3 hours and 51 minutes, you’ll be amazed at the flavors you get with little effort.

Key Notes;

• Discover a variety of slow cooker ground beef recipes that are easy to prepare.
• Experience the comfort of flavors that develop over hours of slow cooking.
• Feed a crowd with meals that offer flexibility in serving sizes.
• Save time in the kitchen, allowing for more quality moments with family.
• Enjoy the nutritious benefits of ground beef, including high protein content.

Why Choose Slow Cooker Ground Beef Recipes?

Slow cooker ground beef recipes are great for many reasons. They are easy to make and can be used in many dishes. You can make them with common ingredients like ground beef, making cooking fun and easy.

On busy days, slow cookers help you plan meals ahead. This way, you save money and everyone gets to enjoy tasty food.

These recipes cook for different times, from 30 minutes to over 8 hours. They make enough food for families or for leftovers, making meal prep easier. Slow cookers also keep meat moist and make veggies taste better, making meals healthier.

So, slow cooker ground beef recipes are not just simple. They help you make tasty, healthy meals without spending a lot of time.

Easy Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

One of my favorite meals is the classic sloppy joes recipe. It mixes ground beef with a rich sauce for a great taste. This easy dinner is perfect for busy nights when I’m short on time. Here, I’ll share what you need, how to prepare it, and how to serve it.

Ingredients for Sloppy Joes

• 2 pounds ground beef (7% fat recommended)
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 onion, finely diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 8 oz tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
• 1 tablespoon herb and garlic seasoning

Step-by-Step Preparation

First, brown the ground beef in a skillet and drain the extra grease. Then, mix it with the chopped bell pepper, onion, garlic, tomato sauce, ketchup, BBQ sauce, and herb seasoning in the slow cooker. Stir well to mix everything evenly. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or high for about 3 to 4 hours. This recipe makes about 8 servings, perfect for families or gatherings.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the sloppy joes on toasted hamburger buns for a classic taste. Or, try them over rice or baked potatoes for a different twist. For extra flavor, add pickles or extra onions. Serve with sweet pickles, potato chips, or a fresh salad for a full meal. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Flavorful Ground Beef Chili

Making chili in a slow cooker is easy and tasty. I like using lean ground beef for my chili. The mix of spices and ingredients makes it delicious.

Essential Ingredients

• 2 pounds lean ground beef (90/10 or 93/7 ratio)
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin

Cooking Method

I start by browning the ground beef in a skillet. This makes it taste better and lets me drain fat. Then, I add beans, tomatoes, onion, garlic, chili powder, and cumin to the slow cooker. I stir it well and cover it.

The chili cooks for 6-8 hours on low or 4 hours on high. When it’s done, I serve it hot. I add cheese, sour cream, or jalapeños for extra flavor. Each serving has 340 calories and is nutritious. This recipe makes 10 servings, great for sharing with others.

Summary of 10 Best Slow Cooker Ground Beef Recipes

1. Sloppy Joes – Ground beef simmered with tomato sauce, ketchup, BBQ sauce, and seasonings; served on buns or over rice/potatoes.
2. Ground Beef Chili – Lean beef with beans, tomatoes, onion, garlic, and spices; topped with cheese, sour cream, or jalapeños.
3. Beef and Cabbage – A lighter dish with ground beef, cabbage, carrots, and tomato sauce; hearty yet healthy.
4. Beef Tacos – Simple recipe with browned beef, salsa, and taco seasoning; served in tortillas or used in nachos/taco bowls.
5. Ground Beef Casserole – Layers of beef, noodles, mixed vegetables, cream of mushroom soup, and cheese for a filling meal.
6. Taco Soup – Cozy soup with beef, beans, corn, tomatoes, taco seasoning, and broth; served with tortilla chips and toppings.
7. Spaghetti & Meatballs – Homemade beef meatballs cooked in spaghetti sauce, then finished with noodles in the slow cooker.
8. Beefy Macaroni & Cheese – Ground beef with elbow pasta, cheddar, and Velveeta for a rich, cheesy comfort dish.
9. Beef Enchiladas – Tortillas filled with beef and cream cheese, topped with enchilada sauce and melted cheese.
10. Korean Ground Beef (mentioned in conclusion) – A flavorful twist with Asian-inspired seasoning (not fully detailed but suggested as a variation).

Delicious Slow Cooker Beef and Cabbage

This dish is a tasty and healthy choice. It’s made with beef and cabbage. It’s filling but not too heavy, making it great for a meal.

What You’ll Need

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1/2 head of cabbage, chopped
• 2 large carrots, sliced
• 24 oz of tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon oregano
• a pinch of salt and pepper

Preparation Process

First, I brown the ground beef in a pan and drain the fat. Then, I put the beef in the slow cooker. I add the cabbage, carrots, tomato sauce, and spices. I mix it all up.

Cooking it on high takes 2 hours. On low, it’s 4 hours. It’s easy to make and serves 4 to 6 people.

This dish tastes great and is healthy. It has about 155 calories per serving. It’s good for you because it has carbs, protein, and fat.

Pairing it with homemade bread makes it even better. You can keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Best Slow Cooker Beef Tacos

Slow cooker beef tacos are easy and tasty for any time. They use 90/10 ground beef for flavor without too much fat. Preparing them is simple, needing just a few minutes of work before the Crock-Pot cooks them.

They cook in 4 hours on low or 3 hours on high. This lets you choose based on your day. Brown the beef, add store-bought salsa, and taco seasoning. It’s a quick dinner for 8 people.

I like to put the beef in tortillas with lettuce, cheese, and salsa. It’s great for tacos, salads, or breakfast burritos. You can also use it in nachos or taco bowls for a change.

Using fresh salsa makes a big difference in taste. I also add cumin and smoked paprika to the taco seasoning. This recipe is easy to make and serves a big, satisfying meal.

Simple Slow Cooker Ground Beef Casserole

This simple slow cooker casserole is great for easy lunches or dinners. It’s filled with ground beef, creamy ingredients, and veggies. It’s both comforting and tasty. Here’s how to make it.

Ingredients List

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
• 2 cups shredded cheese
• 2 cups egg noodles, uncooked

Instructions

1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until no longer pink, and drain excess grease.
2. In the slow cooker, layer the uncooked noodles, cream of mushroom soup, frozen mixed vegetables, and browned beef. Sprinkle with cheese.
3. Cover the slow cooker and set it on LOW heat for 4-6 hours or HIGH heat for 3-4 hours.
4. Check the casserole to ensure the noodles are tender, which usually takes about 20 minutes of cooking after adding them.

This dish makes about one serving and is very filling. It’s great for busy weeknights when you don’t have much time. You can store leftovers in the fridge for 4-5 days.

Slow Cooker Ground Beef Recipes: Taco Soup

Taco soup is a cozy twist on classic tacos. It’s great for chilly nights. This taco soup slow cooker recipe mixes ground beef, canned tomatoes, and beans for a tasty mix.

It’s perfect for taco fans who want a comforting meal. You only need 1 pound of ground beef. The soup also has a small onion, beef broth, diced tomatoes, pinto beans, kernel corn, taco seasoning, ranch dressing mix, and water.

Cooking is easy; it takes 6 to 8 hours on low. Each serving has 379 calories, 48g of carbs, and 31g of protein. It has 9g of total fat, with 3g of saturated fat and no trans fat.

It’s also packed with 13g of fiber, 9g of sugar, and lots of vitamin A and iron. Serve it with crushed tortilla chips, sour cream, shredded cheese, or green onions for extra taste.

This taco soup slow cooker recipe is loved at family dinners and for meal prep. You can keep it in the fridge for 3-4 days or freeze it for 2-3 months. So, get your ingredients ready, let your slow cooker do the work, and enjoy a warm, tasty bowl of taco soup!

Traditional Spaghetti and Meatballs in the Slow Cooker

The smell of meatballs cooking in the slow cooker is amazing. This dish mixes meatballs and sauce with spaghetti. It’s a favorite for family dinners.

I like using the slow cooker for this. It makes the meatballs tender and the sauce delicious.

Ingredients Overview

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 24 ounces spaghetti sauce
• 8 ounces spaghetti noodles (half of a 16-ounce box)
• 4 cups water
• 2-3 tablespoons olive oil

This recipe makes 5 to 6 servings. It’s great for a weeknight dinner or lunch the next day. Use a 6-quart oval slow cooker for best results.

Detailed Cooking Steps

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, and Italian seasoning until blended.
2. Form the mixture into meatballs; for smaller options, it makes about 40 meatballs, while larger sizes yield around 24.
3. Place the meatballs on top of half the spaghetti sauce in the slow cooker.
4. Pour the remaining spaghetti sauce over the meatballs and cover the pot.
5. Set the slow cooker to low and let it cook for approximately 2.5 hours.
6. Add the uncooked spaghetti noodles directly into the sauce for the final stages of cooking, allowing it to soften {{this may take another 20-30 minutes}}.
7. Before serving, drizzle 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil over the spaghetti noodles for added flavor.

This dish is a true Italian classic. It’s comforting and loved by all at the table.

Hearty Beefy Macaroni and Cheese

My recipe for mac and cheese with beef is a comfort food dream. It’s a mix of ground beef and cheesy goodness. It’s loved by everyone in my family.

I start by cooking 2 pounds of ground beef until it’s browned. This takes about 10 minutes to make sure it’s fully cooked. Then, I put the beef in a slow cooker. I add 16 ounces of uncooked elbow macaroni, 8 ounces of cubed Velveeta, and 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese.

It’s easy to cook. I set the slow cooker to low heat for 4-6 hours. This lets the flavors mix well. If I’m in a hurry, I use high heat for 2-4 hours. Adding cream makes it creamy and delicious. After 20-30 minutes, the macaroni is just right.

This dish is filling. Each serving has 689 calories, 45 grams of carbs, and 38 grams of protein. It’s cheesy and beefy, making every bite satisfying. It’s great for weeknight dinners. Serve it with green beans or glazed carrots for a balanced meal.

Nutritional Component	Per Serving
Calories	689 kcal
Carbohydrates	45 g
Protein	38 g
Total Fat	38 g
Saturated Fat	17 g
Cholesterol	123 mg
Sodium	804 mg
Fiber	2 g
Vitamin A	425 IU
Calcium	344 mg

Quick and Easy Beef Enchiladas

Beef enchiladas are a great choice for quick dinners. They are easy to make and taste amazing. This recipe uses ground beef, cheese, and tortillas, all topped with enchilada sauce.

Required Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 8 taco-sized tortillas
• 3 cups enchilada sauce
• 2 cups shredded cheese

Preparation Steps

1. Start by cooking the ground beef in a skillet until it’s done.
2. Add the softened cream cheese to the beef and mix until it’s smooth.
3. Put the beef mixture into each tortilla and roll them up.
4. Place the rolled tortillas in the slow cooker and cover them with enchilada sauce.
5. Put shredded cheese on top of the sauce.
6. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 1.5 to 2 hours.

This recipe makes about 6 servings, great for family dinners or parties. Each serving has about 692 calories, lots of protein, and carbs for energy. Ground beef is used in 60% of beef recipes, making it a common choice. Using a slow cooker saves time and makes the meal ready when you are.

Conclusion

I’ve found that slow cooker ground beef recipes are very versatile and easy to use. They include classics like beef tacos and new ideas like Korean ground beef. These recipes are great for dinner and can be made in big batches.

These recipes save time and add tasty flavors to our meals. They’re perfect for busy nights and feed many people. Adding healthy ingredients like beans and veggies makes them even better.

Using these recipes has helped me save time and keep my family healthy. They’re easy to follow and make cooking a breeze.

FAQ

What are the benefits of using a slow cooker for ground beef recipes?

A slow cooker makes ground beef recipes taste better and stay tender. It lets you cook without watching. You can add healthy stuff like veggies and herbs easily.

Can slow cooker ground beef recipes be made healthy?

Yes, you can make healthy slow cooker ground beef recipes. Use lean beef and add lots of veggies. Try to cut down on sugars and bad fats.

How do I prevent my ground beef from becoming dry in a slow cooker?

To avoid dry beef, brown it first. Then, cook it for the right time. Make sure there’s enough liquid to keep it moist.

Are there any tips for prepping ingredients for slow cooker meals?

Prepping ahead saves time. Chop veggies, measure spices, and store them in bags. This makes cooking quicker on busy days.

What are some easy crockpot ground beef meals I can make for a large group?

For big groups, try chili, tacos, casseroles, and beef enchiladas. They’re easy to make and feed lots of people.

Can slow cooker ground beef recipes be frozen for later use?

Yes, many can be frozen for later. Cool them down first, then store in airtight containers or bags. Thaw in the fridge before heating up.

What is the ideal cooking time for slow cooker ground beef recipes?

Ground beef recipes cook best on low for 6 to 8 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours. But, times can change based on the recipe and your slow cooker.

Are there flavorful ground beef crockpot recipes that are kid-friendly?

Yes! Kids love sloppy joes, tacos, and cheesy casseroles. You can make them even better by adjusting spices and adding toppings they like.