Stretch Ground Beef Dishes with Beans for 5-Star Budget-Friendly Meals

Of course, you probably already know some recipes that are down with this idea. Take chili, for example. Chili mixes beef and beans with delicious results. "I cut the beef in half," says BUNNYGIRL67, "and added black beans. My friends, who eat a lot of chili, said, 'This is the best chili we've ever had.'"

Or consider the beef-and-bean burrito -- a tasty combo that's been getting it done since the chuckwagon days: "The sauce was great," says Barbara. "The bean filling had a wonderful flavor. I put it all together and baked it in the oven until hot."

And let's not forget the beef-and-bean burrito's first cousin, the beef-and-bean chimichanga. "I'm a vegetarian," says Stacy. "So I do not make these with beef, I just add extra beans. These have been a huge hit with my family."

You may also have seen beans mingling with beef in taco salads. "Loved this taco salad," says Kari Anne. "I used black beans along with the pinto beans."

When the quesadilla and beefy casserole collide, the result is Mexican-style comfort food at its best. This recipe combines ground beef with pantry favorites like black beans, whole kernel sweet corn, tomato sauce, chopped green chiles, flour tortillas, and RO*TEL. 

Kidney beans and black beans extend a pound of seasoned ground beef in this comforting one-skillet meal. While the chili warms up in the skillet, whisk up the simple cornmeal topping, drop dollops of cornbread batter over the top of the chili, and slide the skillet in the oven for about 20 minutes. Dinner's ready in about 45 minutes. SunnyDaysNora says, "It's the perfect quick and easy comfort food on a cool evening! Start on the stovetop and finish in the oven."

And then there's nachos in outrageous pie form! "My kids love it," says coffeecup321. "I usually add a pie crust. I mix the beans and the sauce and pour over the beef mixture."

And then there's the Italian way of doing beef-and-bean business. "Absolutely delicious," says GINABEAR1. "I used fresh minced garlic and used more ditalini and the beans I used were cannelini. We loved it!"

Beans help stretch taco filling for days! Rock_lobster waxes poetic: "Taco Mix w/ Black Beans Haiku: "Gave us leftovers, by stretching one pound of meat. Thought it was quite good."

With this recipe, two cans of black beans extend a pound of ground beef, along with tomato sauce, salsa, and chili seasoning mix. It's ready in about 30 minutes. "A great quick recipe for a rainy night," says Lynne. 

And don't forget nachos! "Delicious," says Sheila. "I added the beans to the meat mixture before spreading." The recipe submitter Melanie says, "This makes a huge meal-sized tray of nachos with lots of good stuff! You can adjust ingredient quantities to suit your preference."

Three beans get it done here! Kidney beans, baked beans, and butter beans mix it up with ground beef, bacon, and onions. "It's thick, hearty, and tasty too!" says Dee Dee. "This can also be done in a slow cooker."

A half pound of ground beef stretches for miles with the addition of Tex-Mexy pantry staples like taco seasoning, black beans, corn, Spanish rice mix, salsa, and broth. Top with shredded sharp Cheddar cheese and bake for about 20 minutes. And garnish with sour cream and sliced avocado. Dinner's ready in about 45 minutes.

Sweet and smoky baked beans achieve main dish status with crumbled bacon, ground beef, butter beans, pork and beans, and red kidney beans. "Beefed-up baked beans. Sprinkle with shredded cheese and complete the meal with a side salad and cornbread," says Angela.