Our Best Healthy Ground Beef Recipes

Eating healthy doesn't have to mean skipping red meat. Here's how to enjoy burgers, meatloaf and more of your favorites without blowing your diet.

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Photo By: Tara Donne © Tara Donne

Photo By: Tara Donne

Juicy Grilled Cheeseburgers

If you think you need to skip beef entirely in order to reduce calories, think again. Food Network Kitchen’s Juicy Grilled Cheeseburgers take the guilt out of this summertime staple and weigh in at just under 400 calories per serving — roughly half of what you could expect from most fast-food options.

Get the Recipe: Juicy Grilled Cheeseburgers

New Classic Meatloaf

Ellie Krieger sneaks tons of veggies into her lighter spin on classic meatloaf. For sweet and tangy flavor notes, douse it with a tomato, molasses and mustard sauce just before baking.

Get the Recipe: New Classic Meatloaf

Healthy Grilled BBQ Meatloaf Foil Pack

What makes this low-fat meatloaf speedier than the typical oven version? The reflective surface of the foil packet, which traps and intensifies the heat like a mini silver oven. Plus, the loaf is slightly thinner, so it cooks more quickly while maintaining a flavorful char on the surface.

Get the Recipe: Healthy Grilled BBQ Meatloaf Foil Pack

Mini Skillet Meatloaves

These mini meatloaves are browned in a skillet instead of being baked. They cook up quickly and get a hot sweet-and-savory glaze.

Get the Recipe: Mini Skillet Meatloaves

Lighter Spaghetti and Meatballs

Food Network Kitchen stretched out the decadence of the beef by adding a portobello mushroom and using an egg white in the meatballs. Use whole-wheat spaghetti for added fiber.

Get the Recipe: Lighter Spaghetti and Meatballs

Mini Meatballs

Trisha Yearwood's easy meatball appetizer is great for entertaining a crowd. Each small bite is packed with beef, garlic, onion and fresh parsley, so a little goes a long way.

Get the Recipe: Mini Meatballs

Greek Meatball Salad

Pita chips take the place of breadcrumbs in these hearty meatballs, adding a satisfying and salty crunch to this mealworthy salad.

Get the Recipe: Greek Meatball Salad

Beef Moussaka

This low-fat casserole relies on spices, tomato paste, wine and vinegar for flavor instead of the ton of cheese (in other words, fat) found in regular moussaka recipes.

Get the Recipe: Beef Moussaka

Skillet Hamburger Stroganoff

Reduced-fat sour cream and low-fat cream cheese are key to this one-pot stroganoff that clocks in at just 322 calories per serving. Garnish with fresh parsley and chives to brighten up this creamy ground beef dish.

Get the Recipe: Skillet Hamburger Stroganoff

Three-Bean and Beef Chili

Ellie uses extra-lean ground beef to slim down this hearty chili, but you'd never notice anything was missing, thanks to a flavorful three-bean combo (black beans, kidney and pinto) and the addition of a smoky chipotle chile.

Get the Recipe: Three Bean and Beef Chili

Lightened-Up Stuffed Peppers

Bell peppers are loaded with vitamin C, and they make the perfect all-in-one meal when stuffed with lean ground beef, lentils and rice.

Get the Recipe: Lightened-Up Stuffed Peppers

Sweet and Sour Couscous-Stuffed Peppers

Stuff beef and couscous into sweet bell peppers for a nutritious, protein-packed meal. The bold colors of the antioxidant-packed bell peppers aren't just for decoration — the more bright colors you can pile onto your plate, the healthier your meal will be.

Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour Couscous-Stuffed Peppers

Greek-Style Stuffed Peppers

A flavorful blend of spinach, bulgur and lean ground beef fills these sweet red peppers, which are sprinkled with feta cheese and baked until tender.

Get the Recipe: Greek-Style Stuffed Peppers

Beefy Stuffed Sweet Potato

Here's a clever trick to pack veggies into these Latin-inspired stuffed potatoes: Chop the carrots, onion and tomato into small pieces that go almost unnoticed when cooked with the ground beef. It's perfect for that picky vegetable eater who's trying to eat healthier.

Get the Recipe: Beefy Stuffed Sweet Potato

Shepherd's Pie

The classic meat-and-potato dish gets a healthy makeover with the use of lean ground beef and the addition of cauliflower in the creamy mash.

Get the Recipe: Shepherd's Pie

Lettuce Cups with Tofu and Beef

Ellie infuses lean ground beef with Asian flavors plus water chestnuts and peanuts, creating a texture-rich accompaniment to crunchy lettuce.

Get the Recipe: Lettuce Cups with Tofu and Beef

Kids Can Make: A Quesadilla Bar

This self-serve meal lets kids load up open-face quesadillas with their choice of toppings. For little kids: Let them assemble the quesadillas before baking. For big kids: Let them add the seasonings to the beef and help cut up the vegetables for the toppings.

Get the Recipe: Kids Can Make: A Quesadilla Bar

Beef Taco Salad with Chunky Tomato Dressing

Anyone who thinks salads are a little too dainty will want in on this taco rendition. With chile-spiced beef and sharp cheddar cheese over a bed of greens, all doused with a chunky tomato-lime dressing and topped by corn chips, it has high-impact flavor to satisfy even big appetites.

Get the Recipe: Beef Taco Salad with Chunky Tomato Dressing

Southern Baked Mac and Cheese

Crunchy Lemonade Drumsticks

The Best Ratatouille

Yakitori Negima

Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars

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