Cheap Ground Beef Dinners Under $10 : 8 Budget Recipes That Taste Amazing

Ground beef is one of the easiest ways to make a satisfying dinner fast—but it can get pricey if you’re using a full pound every time. The secret to cheap ground beef dinners under $10 is stretching the meat with budget-friendly staples like beans, rice, pasta, potatoes, and frozen veggies. You still get that beefy flavor, but the cost stays low and the portions stay generous.

Below are 8 detailed ground beef recipes designed to be under $10 total when you use store-brand ingredients, pantry basics (salt, pepper, oil), and/or buy beef on sale. Prices vary by location, but these are built to stay budget-friendly even when beef costs more.

How to Keep Ground Beef Dinners Under $10 (Fast Tips)

• Use 1/2 lb beef + a “stretch” ingredient (beans, lentils, rice, potatoes). You won’t miss the extra meat.
• Frozen veg is your best friend: cheaper, zero waste, always ready.
• Buy beef on sale and freeze in 1/2 lb bags.
• Season smart: chili powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, soy sauce, and bouillon add big flavor for pennies.

1) Beef & Bean Taco Skillet (One Pan)

Serves: 4
Time: 20 minutes
Estimated cost: ~$8–$10

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1 can (14–19 oz) black beans or kidney beans, drained
• 1 cup rice (instant or leftover cooked rice works too)
• 1 cup salsa (or 1 can diced tomatoes + 1 tsp chili powder)
• 1 tsp chili powder + 1/2 tsp cumin (or taco seasoning)
• 1 cup shredded cheese (optional)
• Salt/pepper
• Optional toppings: chopped onion, lettuce, sour cream, hot sauce

Instructions

1. Brown the beef: Heat a skillet over medium-high. Add ground beef and cook 5–7 minutes, breaking it up. Drain excess fat if needed.
2. Season: Stir in chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
3. Add beans + salsa: Mix in drained beans and salsa. Let it simmer 3–4 minutes.
4. Add rice: Stir in cooked rice (or add instant rice + a splash of water and cover until tender).
5. Finish: Top with cheese if using, cover 1–2 minutes to melt.
6. Serve: Scoop into bowls or tortillas if you have them.

Budget boost: Add corn or frozen peppers to stretch it further.

2) Classic Sloppy Joes (Sweet & Tangy)

Serves: 4
Time: 25 minutes
Estimated cost: ~$7–$10

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced (optional but tasty)
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1 tbsp mustard
• 1 tbsp brown sugar (or 1 tsp honey)
• 1 tbsp vinegar (or pickle juice)
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• Salt/pepper
• 4 buns or sliced bread

Instructions

1. Cook beef + onion: Brown beef in a skillet. Add onion and cook 3–4 minutes until softened.
2. Make sauce: Stir in ketchup, mustard, sugar, vinegar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Simmer: Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Toast buns: Optional but worth it—toast buns in a dry pan.
5. Serve: Spoon onto buns. Add pickles if you’ve got them.

Under-$10 trick: Serve with baked potatoes or rice instead of buns.

3) Beef Fried Rice (Better Than Takeout)

Serves: 4
Time: 20 minutes (best with leftover rice)
Estimated cost: ~$7–$10

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb ground beef
• 3 cups cooked rice (day-old is best)
• 1–2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
• 2 eggs (optional but great)
• 2–3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp garlic powder (or minced garlic)
• Optional: green onions, sesame oil, hot sauce

Instructions

1. Brown beef: Cook ground beef in a large pan until browned. Drain if needed.
2. Add veggies: Stir in frozen mixed veg and cook 3–4 minutes.
3. Scramble eggs (optional): Push beef/veg to the side, crack eggs into the empty space, scramble, then mix in.
4. Add rice: Add cooked rice and break up clumps with a spatula.
5. Season: Pour in soy sauce and add garlic powder. Stir-fry 3–5 minutes until hot.
6. Taste and adjust: Add more soy sauce or a splash of hot sauce.

Pro tip: If you don’t have eggs, still great—add extra veggies.

4) Hearty Beef & Potato Skillet (Like a Lazy Shepherd’s Pie)

Serves: 4
Time: 30 minutes
Estimated cost: ~$8–$10

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb ground beef
• 3–4 medium potatoes, diced small
• 1 cup frozen peas/carrots (or mixed veg)
• 1 cup beef broth (or water + bouillon cube)
• 1 tbsp tomato paste or ketchup
• 1 tsp paprika + 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• Salt/pepper
• Optional: shredded cheese on top

Instructions

1. Cook potatoes: In a large skillet, add diced potatoes + a splash of oil. Cook 10 minutes, stirring. Add 2–3 tbsp water and cover for 3 minutes to soften faster.
2. Brown beef: Push potatoes aside, add beef to the pan, cook 5–6 minutes.
3. Season + sauce: Stir in paprika, garlic powder, salt/pepper, tomato paste, and broth.
4. Simmer: Add frozen veggies. Cover and simmer 5–8 minutes until potatoes are tender and sauce thickens.
5. Finish: Add cheese on top if you want, cover 1 minute to melt.

Stretch tip: Add a can of lentils or beans if you want even cheaper.

5) Budget Beef Chili (Stretched with Beans)

Serves: 4–6
Time: 35 minutes
Estimated cost: ~$8–$10

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb ground beef
• 2 cans beans (kidney, pinto, or black), drained
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 small onion (optional)
• 1–2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin (optional)
• Salt/pepper
• Optional toppings: cheese, sour cream, crackers

Instructions

1. Brown beef: Cook beef (and onion if using) until browned.
2. Add spices: Stir in chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper for 30 seconds to wake up the flavor.
3. Add tomatoes + beans: Pour in diced tomatoes and beans.
4. Simmer: Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Serve: Great over rice, with bread, or as-is.

Cheap upgrade: Serve over rice to stretch into 6 servings.

6) Simple Beef Pasta (Fast Meat Sauce)

Serves: 4
Time: 25 minutes
Estimated cost: ~$7–$10

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb ground beef
• 12 oz pasta (whatever’s cheapest)
• 1 jar pasta sauce (or 1 can crushed tomatoes + Italian seasoning)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt/pepper
• Optional: shredded cheese

Instructions

1. Boil pasta: Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions.
2. Brown beef: While pasta cooks, brown beef in a skillet. Drain if needed.
3. Add sauce: Stir in pasta sauce + Italian seasoning. Simmer 8–10 minutes.
4. Combine: Toss sauce with drained pasta.
5. Serve: Top with cheese if you have it.

Stretch tip: Add a cup of frozen spinach or mixed veg to the sauce.

7) Stuffed Taco Baked Potatoes (Big, Filling, Cheap)

Serves: 4
Time: 35–45 minutes (faster in microwave)
Estimated cost: ~$8–$10

Ingredients

• 4 large potatoes
• 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1 can beans (or 1 cup frozen corn)
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 1 tsp taco seasoning (or chili powder + cumin)
• Optional: cheese, sour cream, green onions

Instructions

1. Cook potatoes:
   • Microwave: Poke holes, microwave 6–10 minutes, flipping once.
   • Oven: Bake at 425°F (220°C) for ~45–55 minutes.
2. Cook beef: Brown beef in a skillet with seasoning.
3. Add fillings: Stir in beans and salsa, simmer 3 minutes.
4. Stuff: Split potatoes, fluff inside with a fork, then pile on beef mixture.
5. Top: Add cheese/sour cream if you’ve got it.

Why it’s great: Potatoes make it feel like a big “loaded” meal without needing lots of meat.

8) Cabbage Roll Skillet (No Rolling Required)

Serves: 4–6
Time: 35 minutes
Estimated cost: ~$7–$10

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1/2 head cabbage, chopped
• 1 can diced tomatoes (or tomato sauce)
• 1 cup rice (cooked or uncooked)
• 1 cup water or broth
• 1 tsp paprika + 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• Salt/pepper

Instructions

1. Brown beef: Cook beef in a large pot or deep skillet.
2. Add cabbage: Stir in chopped cabbage and cook 5 minutes until it starts to soften.
3. Add tomato + seasoning: Add diced tomatoes, paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper.
4. Add rice:
   • If using cooked rice, add it now and simmer 5 minutes.
   • If using uncooked rice, add rice + water/broth, cover and simmer 18–20 minutes (stir once or twice).
5. Finish: Taste and adjust seasoning. Let it sit 5 minutes to thicken.

Budget win: Cabbage is cheap, filling, and makes the dish feel hearty.

Bonus: Ultra-Cheap Side Ideas (To Stretch Any Meal)

• Rice + a little butter/salt
• Frozen veggies sautéed with garlic powder
• Homemade coleslaw (cabbage + mayo/vinegar/sugar)
• Toast or garlic bread (butter + garlic powder)

Final Tips for Cheap Ground Beef Dinners Under $10

If you want to keep these meals reliably under $10 even when prices jump:

• Use 1/2 lb beef and stretch with beans/rice/potatoes
• Cook one big batch (chili or cabbage skillet) and freeze leftovers
• Keep a mini “flavor kit” in your pantry: chili powder, Italian seasoning, soy sauce, bouillon