15+ Ground Beef & Turkey Recipes for Weeknight Dinners

I’m sharing more than 15 easy and delicious ways to use ground beef or turkey—family favorites that are simple to make and sure to become staples in your meal rotation.

After asking what recipes you want right now, the most common reply was: “I have ground meat and don’t know what to make.” Let’s solve that.

Can you swap ground beef for turkey and vice versa?

Yes—most recipes that call for ground beef can be made with ground turkey and vice versa. A few tips will help you get the best results:

1. Handle ground meat gently, especially turkey. Overworking it can make the texture tough.
2. Ground turkey tends to be softer and stickier than beef. If forming meatballs or burgers, mix ingredients in a bowl and chill for 30 minutes if needed to firm up before shaping.
3. Turkey has a milder flavor, so feel free to season it more boldly than you would beef. Don’t skimp on salt, pepper, herbs, and spices.
4. Turkey cooks faster and is leaner, so watch the heat and timing to avoid drying it out.
5. Always cook turkey to a safe internal temperature of 165°F to ensure it’s fully done.

Now, here are recipe ideas to inspire weeknight dinners, meal prep, and family favorites.

The Best No Bean Turkey Chili

A healthy, low-carb turkey chili packed with tomatoes, green chiles, garlic, onion, and bold seasonings. Hearty and ready in about 30 minutes—perfect for quick weeknight comfort.

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The Best No Bean Low Carb Turkey Chili

This low carb chili is loaded with ground turkey, tomatoes, green chiles, garlic, onion, and lots of seasoning. Hearty, easy, and fast.

Meatballs in Gravy

Beef meatballs without breadcrumbs simmered in a simple brown gravy—delicious served over mashed potatoes for a comforting meal.

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Meatballs in Gravy

Tender beef meatballs simmered in a savory brown gravy—comfort food at its best.

Meatballs in Marinara Sauce

The original meatball recipe—rich in garlic and fresh herbs. Great over noodles, zoodles, spaghetti squash, or alongside a simple salad.

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Meatballs in Marinara Sauce

Flavorful meatballs in a garlicky marinara—dairy-free and gluten-free but full of classic taste.

Beef & Veggie Bowls with Comeback Sauce

Crisp roasted vegetables, well-seasoned beef, and a tangy Comeback Sauce (a Mississippi favorite) make this bowl a quick, satisfying dinner.

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Beef & Veggie Bowls with Comeback Sauce

Easy weeknight bowls featuring seasoned beef, roasted vegetables, and a creamy, tangy Comeback Sauce.

Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs in Marinara

Toss turkey meatballs and marinara in the slow cooker for an effortless, flavorful meal. Perfect for busy days and great for skeptics of ground turkey.

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Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs in Marinara

Herb-packed turkey meatballs slow-simmered in marinara—gluten-free and dairy-free, with great flavor.

Cilantro Turkey Burgers

These cilantro turkey burgers are juicy, herb-forward, and a family favorite—perfect for grilling or pan-searing.

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Healthy Grilled Turkey Burgers

Herb-filled turkey patties that are healthy, flavorful, and quick to prep—ready in under 10 minutes.

Healthy 30 Minute Hamburger Soup

A rustic, hearty soup with ground meat, potatoes, and vegetables in a savory broth—comforting and ready in just 30 minutes.

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Healthy 30 Minute Hamburger Soup

An easy, filling soup with ground beef or turkey, potatoes, and veggies—fast and comforting.

Salisbury Steak in Mushroom Gravy

Classic Salisbury steak served with a rich, lick-the-plate mushroom gravy—simple to make and deeply satisfying.

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Salisbury Steak in Mushroom Gravy

Comforting Salisbury steak with a savory mushroom gravy—easy, rich, and satisfying.

Turkey Pizza Egg Muffins

Savory, portable egg muffins inspired by hamburger pizza—great for grab-and-go breakfasts and meal prep.

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Turkey Pizza Egg Muffins

A savory, healthy breakfast option inspired by pizza—perfect for busy mornings.

The Easiest Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Thick, rich spaghetti sauce made with canned crushed tomatoes—surprisingly simple and far better than jarred sauce.

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The Easiest Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

A thick, flavorful homemade sauce that’s ideal for pasta, casseroles, or meal prep.

Orange Balsamic Meatballs

Tangy and slightly sweet, these meatballs simmer in an orange-balsamic sauce for a unique and addictive flavor profile—great as an appetizer or main dish.

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Orange Balsamic Meatballs

Sweet, tangy meatballs in a bright orange-balsamic glaze—delicious as a snack or main course.

Turkey Taco Skillet

A customizable skillet loaded with potatoes, peppers, onion, seasoned turkey, pico de gallo, and creamy avocado dressing—an easy, full meal for busy nights.

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Turkey Taco Skillet

A hearty skillet meal with seasoned turkey, veggies, pico, and avocado dressing—easy and flexible.

No Bean 30 Minute Chili

The most popular recipe on the blog—this thick, no-bean chili is seasoned with plenty of garlic and a touch of heat. It’s a year-round favorite for many households.

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No Bean 30 Minute Chili

A hearty, beanless chili that’s quick to make and packed with classic chili flavor.

Dairy Free Taco Breakfast Casserole

A lighter breakfast casserole that’s easy to prep—top with guacamole and salsa for extra flavor.

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Dairy Free Taco Breakfast Casserole

A lightened-up taco casserole that’s easy to make and packs great flavor.

Turkey Meatball & Butternut Squash Soup

A comforting soup with grain-free turkey meatballs, butternut squash “noodles,” carrots, and spinach—light, veggie-forward, and filling.

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Turkey Meatball & Butternut Squash Soup

A light, veggie-packed soup with tender turkey meatballs and butternut squash noodles—simple and satisfying.

Baked Spaghetti (Squash) Casserole

A lighter take on baked spaghetti using spaghetti squash and homemade sauce—comfort food without the heaviness.

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Baked Spaghetti (Squash) Casserole

Spaghetti squash baked with a homemade sauce for a lighter comfort dish—Whole30 and gluten-free friendly.

Baked Turkey Apple Breakfast Meatballs

These baked breakfast meatballs combine sweet apple with savory turkey—great for meal prep and a tasty morning protein option.

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Baked Turkey Apple Breakfast Meatballs

Sweet-and-savory turkey meatballs that bake up perfectly for breakfast or meal prep.

These recipes cover a wide range of flavors and techniques—soups, skillets, meatballs, burgers, and sauces—so you can turn a package of ground beef or turkey into many different meals. Pick a favorite and get cooking!