We’ve all stared into our freezers at that lonely package of ground beef, wondering what magic we can conjure with minimal effort. Well, stop wondering.

These 3 ingredient ground beef recipes aren’t just simple—they’re legitimately delicious meals that won’t have you hunting down exotic spices or making extra grocery runs. Just meat plus two more things, and dinner’s done.

The best part? These aren’t those sad, flavorless “emergency meals” that make you apologize to your family. Wait until you see what happens when you combine ground beef with.

A. Taco Rice Bowl with Salsa

Taco bowls might be the easiest dinner you’ll ever make with ground beef. Just brown 1 pound of ground beef with 1 packet of taco seasoning, and that’s two of your three ingredients right there! The third? Cooked rice as your base.

Spoon that seasoned beef over warm rice, then customize with whatever toppings you’ve got in the fridge. Some salsa, a handful of shredded cheese, or even just a dollop of sour cream transforms this simple meal into something truly satisfying.

The beauty of taco bowls is their 10-minute prep time. Perfect for those nights when cooking feels impossible but you still want something homemade.

B. Korean Beef and Rice Bowl

Think Korean food is complicated? Not this recipe. Brown your beef, add two simple flavor boosters—soy sauce and brown sugar—and you’ve got the easiest Korean-inspired dish ever.

The soy sauce brings that umami depth while brown sugar creates that signature sweet-savory balance Korean beef is known for. Pour it over rice and dinner’s ready in under 15 minutes.

No special trips to Asian markets needed. These three ingredients create that Korean BBQ magic with stuff you already have in your pantry.

C. Cheeseburger Bowl with Pickles

Missing fast food but not the drive-thru wait? Cook ground beef with salt and pepper, then top with shredded cheese right in the pan. Boom—your three ingredients are working hard.

Pile this cheesy beef onto rice instead of a bun for a fork-friendly version of America’s favorite meal. The rice soaks up all those amazing burger juices that would normally just make your bun soggy.

Add some chopped pickles on top, and you’ve basically got a deconstructed cheeseburger that’s ready in minutes.

D. Beef and Bean Rice Bowl

The ultimate pantry meal comes down to ground beef, a can of beans (black or pinto work great), and rice. Brown your beef, stir in those beans, and you’ve got a protein-packed meal that’s as filling as it is simple.

The beef provides savory richness, while beans add texture and make your meat stretch further—perfect when you’re cooking on a budget. Serve over rice and you’ve got comfort food at its finest.

What makes this bowl special is how it keeps you full for hours. The combination of protein and fiber is unbeatable when you need sustenance that lasts.

Beef and Onion Stir Fry

Who knew three ingredients could create such magic? Grab a pound of ground beef, two large onions, and soy sauce – that’s it! Brown the beef in a hot skillet, breaking it into crumbles. Once it’s almost cooked through, toss in those sliced onions and let them caramelize alongside the meat. The onions will release their natural sweetness, creating an amazing flavor base. Splash in a few tablespoons of soy sauce, letting it sizzle and coat everything in that umami goodness. Ready in under 15 minutes, this stir fry is perfect over rice or straight from the pan when hunger hits hard.

Cheesy Beef and Potato Hash

This skillet meal is the definition of comfort food with just ground beef, frozen hash browns, and cheese. Brown your beef in a large skillet, seasoning with salt and pepper. Push it to one side and add the hash browns to the other. Once they’re starting to crisp, mix everything together and flatten it slightly. Cover the entire surface with your favorite shredded cheese – cheddar works great, but pepper jack adds a nice kick. Cover the skillet for about two minutes until the cheese melts into gooey perfection. The crispy potatoes, savory beef, and melted cheese create a texture and flavor combo that’s absolutely addictive.

Sweet and Savory Beef with Bell Peppers

The color alone makes this dish a winner. Cook a pound of ground beef until browned, then add two large bell peppers (using different colors makes it prettier) sliced into strips. While that’s cooking, mix two tablespoons of brown sugar with a splash of soy sauce, then pour it over the beef and peppers. The sugar will caramelize slightly, creating a sticky-sweet glaze that perfectly balances the savory beef. The peppers stay slightly crisp, adding fantastic texture. This skillet meal comes together in about 12 minutes total and tastes like something from your favorite takeout spot – but cheaper and probably healthier!

A. Lettuce Beef Wraps

Looking for a low-carb option that’s still incredibly filling? These lettuce beef wraps hit the spot with just ground beef, soy sauce, and garlic. Brown your beef in a pan until it’s no longer pink, drain the excess fat, then mix in minced garlic and a splash of soy sauce. Scoop the mixture into large lettuce leaves (butter or iceberg work great), fold them up, and enjoy! The crisp lettuce perfectly complements the savory beef filling.

B. Beef and Cheese Stuffed Tortillas

These three-ingredient wonders are perfect when you need dinner in a flash. Brown a pound of ground beef, add your favorite taco seasoning, and pile it onto flour tortillas with a generous handful of shredded cheese. Roll them up, heat in a dry skillet until the cheese melts and the outside gets slightly crispy. Cut them in half and watch them disappear from the plate in minutes. Quick, satisfying, and incredibly simple.

C. Simple Beef Cabbage Rolls

Don’t let the fancy appearance fool you—these cabbage rolls only need ground beef, rice, and cabbage. Mix cooked rice with browned beef, then wrap the mixture in blanched cabbage leaves. Place them in a baking dish, add a bit of water to the bottom, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F for about 35 minutes. The cabbage becomes tender while the beef stays juicy. Comfort food at its finest without the fuss.

D. Beef-Filled Pita Pockets

Transform ground beef into a Mediterranean-inspired meal with just beef, Greek seasoning, and pita bread. Cook the beef with a generous sprinkle of Greek seasoning until browned and fragrant. Stuff the mixture into warmed pita pockets and you’ve got a handheld meal that’s ready in minutes. They’re perfect for lunch boxes or quick dinners when you’re too tired to deal with complicated cooking.

E. Crispy Beef Taquitos

These crunchy little rolls are addictively good. Brown ground beef with taco seasoning, then place a spoonful on each corn tortilla along with a sprinkle of cheese. Roll them up tightly and secure with toothpicks if needed. Bake at 425°F for about 15 minutes or until the edges get golden and crispy. The contrast between the crunchy exterior and the savory beef filling makes these impossible to resist. Serve them as appetizers or make them the main event.