20 Simple 5 Ingredient Ground Beef Recipes

Introduction

When you crave delicious, home-cooked meals but don’t have time for complicated recipes and endless grocery lists, 5 ingredient ground beef recipes are the answer. With just a few simple pantry staples and ground beef, you can create hearty dinners, quick lunches, and even satisfying snacks that everyone will love. These 20 recipes prove that flavor doesn’t have to be complicated—and your weeknight cooking can be both easy and impressive.

Why Simple 5 Ingredient Ground Beef Recipes Work So Well

With fewer ingredients, each of these recipes lets ground beef shine while making sure prep time stays ultra-quick and cleanup is minimal. These dishes are perfect for busy families, students, or anyone who wants satisfying meals with minimal fuss. With so much versatility, ground beef pairs perfectly with veggies, sauces, and cheeses to create comfort food classics and new favorites alike.

How to Make the Most of 5 Ingredient Recipes

To maximize flavor in recipes with only five ingredients, use high-quality ground beef and familiarize yourself with basic cooking techniques like browning and simmering. A little bit of seasoning mix or your go-to sauce can go a long way, amplifying the umami in the beef and tying all the flavors together with minimal effort.

20 Simple 5 Ingredient Ground Beef Recipes

• Ground Beef Tacos – Ground beef, taco seasoning, tortillas, shredded lettuce, shredded cheese.
• Cheesy Beef Pasta Skillet – Ground beef, rotini pasta, pasta sauce, mozzarella cheese, Italian seasoning.
• Beef and Rice Casserole – Ground beef, white rice, cream of mushroom soup, onion, cheddar cheese.
• Sloppy Joes – Ground beef, sloppy joe sauce, hamburger buns, onion, sliced pickles.
• Beef Quesadillas – Ground beef, taco seasoning, flour tortillas, shredded cheese, salsa.
• Stuffed Bell Peppers – Ground beef, bell peppers, cooked rice, tomato sauce, shredded cheese.
• Beef and Bean Chili – Ground beef, canned chili beans, diced tomatoes, onion, chili powder.
• Korean Beef Bowls – Ground beef, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, green onions.
• Beef Enchiladas – Ground beef, enchilada sauce, corn tortillas, shredded cheese, diced onion.
• Hamburger Steak – Ground beef, onion soup mix, eggs, breadcrumbs, brown gravy mix.
• Beefy Tomato Soup – Ground beef, condensed tomato soup, pasta, Italian seasoning, shredded parmesan.
• One-Pot Taco Mac – Ground beef, macaroni, taco seasoning, salsa, shredded cheese.
• Beef & Potato Hash – Ground beef, potatoes, onion, bell pepper, shredded cheese.
• Greek Beef Pita Pockets – Ground beef, Greek seasoning, pita bread, cucumber sauce, lettuce.
• Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry – Ground beef, broccoli florets, soy sauce, garlic, jasmine rice.
• Beef Nachos – Ground beef, tortilla chips, nacho cheese, salsa, jalapenos.
• Beef Stroganoff – Ground beef, egg noodles, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, beef broth.
• Taco Soup – Ground beef, canned diced tomatoes, taco seasoning, corn, black beans.
• Beef Puff Pastry Rolls – Ground beef, puff pastry sheets, egg wash, onion, shredded cheese.
• Beef Lettuce Wraps – Ground beef, hoisin sauce, water chestnuts, green onion, lettuce leaves.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save these recipes in CookifyAI to generate a smart, organized shopping list with all your ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for fast, efficient grocery trips and hassle-free meal prep.

Instructions

For each recipe, follow this basic structure (individual recipe details found above):

1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, breaking up with a spatula, until fully cooked and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if necessary.
2. Add remaining ingredients as directed for your chosen recipe (such as seasoning, vegetables, sauces, etc.).
3. Stir and cook until everything is heated through and flavors blend—typically another 5–10 minutes.
4. Assemble your meal (load tacos or wraps, fill peppers, layer casseroles, or top nachos as appropriate).
5. Serve warm and enjoy your simple, delicious meal!

Weekly Meal Planning

With 20 easy 5 ingredient options at your fingertips, planning your weeknight dinners has never been simpler. Schedule these recipes in CookifyAI to mix and match meals, automatically generate a consolidated shopping list, and ensure that all ingredients—like ground beef, onions, cheeses, and sauces—are counted up across your weekly plan.

Planning Benefits:

• Generates a combined shopping list for all planned recipes
• Organizes ingredients by store section for speedy shopping
• Prevents forgetting essentials or overbuying
• Makes batch cooking and meal prep easier and less stressful

Pro tip: When you save and schedule recipes in CookifyAI, it’ll help you sync up recipes that use similar ingredients, reducing waste and saving money week after week.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time (per recipe): 5–10 minutes
Cook Time (per recipe): 15–25 minutes
Total Time: 20–35 minutes

These 5 ingredient ground beef recipes are the ultimate solution for busy nights, picky eaters, or anyone wanting hearty meals with less work and less cleanup!