Ever stared into your fridge at 6 PM with a package of ground beef and absolutely zero energy to shop for 15 fancy ingredients? You’re not alone.

We’ve all been there—hungry, tired, and desperately wishing for delicious dinner options that don’t require a culinary degree or a fully-stocked pantry.

That’s why I’ve rounded up these ridiculously easy ground beef recipes with few ingredients that you can throw together with whatever’s already in your kitchen. Each one needs just 5-7 staples you probably already have.

The best part? These aren’t those sad, flavorless “simple” recipes that leave you ordering takeout anyway. These actually taste good enough to make your family think you spent hours cooking.

But what’s the secret ingredient that makes these minimal-effort meals taste like you actually tried? Let me show you…

When hunger hits and time’s tight, these 5-ingredient tacos are your new best friend. Brown a pound of ground beef, drain the fat, then toss in a packet of taco seasoning and a splash of water. Let it simmer for 2 minutes and you’re ready to load up those shells.

The beauty here? Simplicity. Hard taco shells + seasoned beef + shredded cheese + diced tomatoes + sour cream. That’s it. No fancy techniques, no hour-long prep.

Want to customize? Use whatever you’ve got in the fridge. Some leftover salsa works great. Out of sour cream? Skip it. The kids hate tomatoes? Leave ’em off.

Dinner’s on the table before anyone can ask “what’s taking so long?”

Classic Hamburger Helper from Scratch

Forget the box. You can make this comfort food classic with stuff already in your pantry. Brown a pound of ground beef in a large skillet, add a cup of uncooked macaroni, a can of diced tomatoes (don’t drain!), a cup of beef broth, and a handful of shredded cheddar.

Cover and simmer about 12 minutes until the pasta’s tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally so nothing sticks. The pasta cooks right in the sauce, soaking up all that beefy goodness.

It’s cheaper than the boxed stuff, tastes way better, and you control what goes in it. No weird preservatives or mystery powders.

Easy Beef & Rice Skillet

This one-pan wonder saves dishes and delivers big flavor. Brown your beef, toss in a cup of rice, two cups of beef broth, and a bag of frozen mixed veggies. Season with salt and pepper, bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for about 15 minutes until the rice is fluffy.

The rice soaks up all the savory beef flavor while it cooks. Everything’s ready at the same time, and cleanup is a breeze with just one pan to wash.

Perfect for busy weeknights when you need something hearty but can’t deal with complicated cooking.

Savory Beef Stuffed Peppers

These look fancy but require minimal effort. Cut four bell peppers in half lengthwise, remove the seeds, and arrange in a baking dish. Mix browned ground beef with cooked rice, diced onions, and a can of tomato sauce. Spoon the mixture into the pepper halves, top with shredded cheese, and bake at 375°F for about 25 minutes.

The peppers soften just enough while roasting, creating perfect edible bowls. The cheese gets all melty and golden on top. Each pepper half is a complete mini-meal with protein, veggies, and grains all in one bite.

Make extras – they reheat beautifully for lunch the next day.

Hearty Beef Soup

When your wallet’s feeling thin but your family needs feeding, this soup is your secret weapon. Just brown a pound of ground beef with onions and garlic, then toss in whatever veggies are hiding in your fridge (carrots, celery, and potatoes work great). Add beef broth, a can of diced tomatoes, and season with salt, pepper, and a bay leaf.

Let it simmer for 30 minutes and boom – dinner’s ready. The beauty? It tastes even better the next day, stretching your dollar further. Make a big batch Sunday night, and you’ve got lunches sorted for days.

Homemade Beef Taquitos

These crispy little rolls of happiness need just ground beef, tortillas, cheese, and a few spices. Brown your beef with taco seasoning (the packet kind is fine, or just use chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder). Spread the mixture onto small flour tortillas, sprinkle with cheese, roll ’em up tight, and secure with toothpicks.

Shallow fry in a bit of oil until golden and crunchy. The whole process takes maybe 20 minutes, costs under $10 for a family of four, and beats any frozen version you’d grab at the store. Serve with whatever dip you’ve got – salsa, sour cream, or even ketchup in a pinch.

Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta

This one-pot wonder saves both money and dishes. Brown a pound of ground beef, add in a diced onion and some minced garlic. Pour in a jar of pasta sauce (or canned tomatoes if you’re really pinching pennies), then add uncooked pasta and just enough water to cover.

Cook until the pasta’s tender, stir in a generous handful of whatever cheese you have, and dinner’s done. The pasta cooks right in the sauce, soaking up all that beefy goodness. You can stretch this even further with frozen peas or corn tossed in at the end.

Kid-Approved Sloppy Joes

Got picky eaters? These Sloppy Joes will change the game. Brown a pound of ground beef with diced onion, drain the fat, then stir in ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. That’s it! Five ingredients and dinner’s done in 15 minutes. Serve on hamburger buns and watch them disappear. The sweet-tangy sauce makes kids forget they’re eating something homemade instead of fast food. Pro tip: Keep rolls in the freezer so you can make this anytime you’re in a pinch.

Quick Beef Quesadillas

Quesadillas aren’t just for chicken. Brown your beef with taco seasoning (the packet kind works perfectly), spread it on flour tortillas with shredded cheese, fold, and cook until crispy. Two minutes per side in a hot skillet and dinner’s served. Set out salsa, sour cream, and avocado for dipping. The beauty here? Everyone can customize their own. My family debates whether cheddar or Mexican blend cheese works better, but either way, these disappear fast.

Simple Beef Meatloaf

Meatloaf doesn’t need twenty ingredients. Mix a pound of ground beef with one egg, half cup of breadcrumbs, diced onion, and a splash of milk. Season with salt and pepper, form into a loaf, and top with ketchup. Bake at 350°F for about 45 minutes. This back-pocket recipe has saved countless weeknight dinners at my house. The leftovers make killer sandwiches the next day—if there are any.

Beefy Tater Tot Casserole

This is comfort food magic. Brown ground beef with onions, mix with cream of mushroom soup, spread in a baking dish, top with frozen tater tots and shredded cheese. Bake until bubbly and golden. Five ingredients, one dish, zero complaints. My kids call this “cowboy casserole” and request it weekly. It’s the perfect make-ahead meal for busy nights—assemble in the morning, refrigerate, and bake when you get home.

One-Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni

Skip the blue box and make this instead. Brown your beef, add macaroni, water, and a little milk. Cook until the pasta’s tender, then stir in cheese until melty. One pot, minimal cleanup, maximum happiness. This recipe uses ingredients you already have and takes about 20 minutes start to finish. It’s the meal I make when the fridge is nearly empty but hungry people are staring at me. Never fails.