5-Ingredient Ground Beef Dinners So Easy They Practically Make Themselves

Here's how to put this fan-favorite protein on the dinner table without any fuss.

Sloppy Joe Casserole with Dinner Rolls
Photo: Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Rishon Hanners, Prop Stylist Heather Chadduck

As much as we love intricately layered gratins and time-intensive roasts, sometimes a quick, five-ingredient dinner sounds just about right. We're not Julia Child , after all. Pairing a quick-fix recipe with budget-friendly ground beef might not seem glamorous, but it's simple and easy enough to win us over. Because when you have a pound of ground chuck in the fridge and a pantry full of staples and spices, the possibilities are wonderfully endless.

Odds are, you'll also have at least a couple of the game-changing ingredients used in each of these easy ground beef dishes before even heading to the grocery. So, if you see an ingredient list that's slightly longer, don't fret. Staples like spaghetti noodles, panko breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, oil, butter, and other simple seasonings are no-brainers.

Check out these deliciously easy dinners that call for ground beef and just a handful of ingredients.

01 of 30

Hamburger Steak With Sweet Onion-Mushroom Gravy

Ground Beef Recipes: Hamburger Steak With Sweet Onion-Mushroom Gravy
Beth Dreiling Hontzas

This hamburger steak is a quick-fix Southern supper recipe we always keep on deck. Make some extra patties, which can be frozen for up to three months, so you'll have a backup plan on busy weeknights.

02 of 30

Taco Dinner Mac and Cheese

Taco Dinner Mac and Cheese
Southern Living

When the family is debating Mexican or macaroni and cheese, consider this dish the perfect compromise. Ground beef and taco seasoning give some major flavor to an already simple and delicious macaroni and cheese recipe.

03 of 30

Cheesy Chili Hash Brown Bake

Cheesy Chili Hash Brown Bake
Jennifer Davick

Serve it up in individual ramekins, or spread it out in your trusty 9-by-13 baking dish. Either way, just make sure to whip up this tasty ground beef recipe that's ready in under an hour.

04 of 30

Extra-Easy Lasagna

Extra-Easy Lasagna
Photo: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro, Laura Martin

Lasagna is a forever family favorite, and this simple recipe might be our most-used. When we say extra easy, we mean it.

05 of 30

Cheesy BBQ Sloppy Joes

Cheesy BBQ Sloppy Joes
Photo: Jennifer Davick

We know you have some Texas toast in the freezer, and luckily it makes the perfect vessel for these cheesy barbecue Sloppy Joes. This comforting dinner will definitely be a forever favorite among the kids.

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Spaghetti Casserole

Spaghetti Casserole
Jennifer Davick

This slow-cooker version of our crowd-favorite spaghetti casserole makes it even more simple to throw together for supper. The hearty sauce with ground beef will ensure no one leaves the table hungry.

07 of 30

Classic Patty Melt

Classic Patty Melt
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Maggie Ruggiero

Sourdough bread, Swiss cheese, and Dijon mustard set you well on your way to make these melty, tangy burger sandwiches. Pantry staples like mayo, ketchup, and butter make these a no-brainer.

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Doritos Casserole

Dorito Casserole
Micah A. Leal

Up your casserole game with a sprinkling of Doritos—after all, it's an acceptable way to eat some chips for dinner. A can of chopped green chilies gives the whole dish a kick, and some cream of chicken adds a little richness.

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Sloppy Joe Casserole with Dinner Rolls

Sloppy Joe Casserole with Dinner Rolls
Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Rishon Hanners, Prop Stylist Heather Chadduck

These over-the-top Sloppy Joes call for a knife and fork—because we don't call them sloppy for nothing. Serve this casserole with a pile of cole slaw for an amazing flavor and texture combo.

10 of 30

Super Quick Chili

Super Quick Chili
Beth Dreiling Hontzas

We've never seen anything quite as cute as these quick chili bites. Served in hollowed-out dinner rolls, this chili makes plenty of appearances at our tailgates, barbecues, and family suppers.

11 of 30

Sheet Pan Nachos

Sheet Pan Nachos

Greg DuPree

All you need to kick off this quick dinner? Tortilla chips, seasoned ground beef, shredded cheese, salsa, and sour cream. To make things more interesting, the recipe recommends adding pinto beans, avocado, jalapeno, or anything else that sounds ideal to you.

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Bev's Famous Meatloaf

Bev's Famous Meatloaf
Photo: Jennifer Davick

Skip the breadcrumbs and put one of those sleeves of saltine crackers (that we know you have in the pantry) to work in this home-style meatloaf recipe. Just a few key ingredients, like onions, green bell pepper, and a sweet tomato topping go to work to make one simply satisfying main dish.

13 of 30

Sloppy Cola Joe Dogs

Sloppy Cola Joe Dogs
Melina Hammer

Go ahead, and plan on a delicious mess with these Sloppy Joe-topped hotdogs. They're livened up with a splash of cola, which gives the ground beef a sweet boost. Top with sliced pepperoncini peppers and coleslaw if you want some heat and crunch.

14 of 30

Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Maggie Ruggiero

This beef and broccoli stir fry is ready in 20 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners. You're able to use pantry staples to create flavor, while also customizing which vegetables are thrown in depending on your preference and what you have in the fridge.

15 of 30

30-Minute Chili

Ground Beef Recipes: 30-Minute Chili
Southern Living

This deliciously easy chili comes with a short ingredient list, can be made in one pot, and is ready in 30 minutes. Simmering the ground beef might be the hardest part, which says it all. Once you've finished that, you just pour everything else in, and stir.

16 of 30

Red Bean Chili

red bean chili
Southern Living

Pull an onion, can of beans, tomato juice, and soup out of your pantry to make this simple—but delicious—chili on a busy evening.

17 of 30

Tomato 'n' Beef Casserole With Polenta Crust

Tomato ‘n’ Beef Casserole with Polenta Crust
Beth Dreiling Hontzas

This is a one-dish deal with a cheesy Polenta Crust. Sharp Cheddar, fresh veggies, and ground beef create a winning combination.

18 of 30

Smothered Enchiladas

Smothered Enchiladas
Southern Living

It doesn't take much to throw together these enchiladas, but the end result tastes like you spent all day making it.

19 of 30

Bacon Cheeseburger

Homemade Onion Dip
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

The key to this burger? Smashing it on the grill for an irresistibly crispy edge. Add a little extra bacon and you won't have to ask us twice to dig in.

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Texas-Style Beef Enchilada Casserole

Texas-Style Beef Enchiladas Casserole
Photo William Dickey / Styling Katherine Eckert / Food Styling Alyssa Porubcan

Enchilada, meet the easy everyday casserole bake. It's a Taco Tuesday replacement that'll garner no complaints—watch everyone come around for seconds.

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Easy Chili

Easy Chili
Lee Harrelson

There are a lot of chili recipes out there, but we think this one reigns supreme. It's not frilly, but that's part of the charm. With a handful of ingredients, you've got dinner or the perfect potluck dish.

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Chunky Vegetable Beef Soup

Chunky Vegetable Beef Soup

Hearty, comforting, warm—what more could you want from a soup? Serve with a side of crunchy saltines for a cozy winter meal.

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Cast-Iron Skillet Burgers

Cast-Iron Skillet Burgers
photographer: Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

Break out your trusty cast-iron skillet and prepare to be amazed by this one-dish wonder. With onions caramelized in bacon fat accompanied by juicy patties, these burgers are one for the books.

24 of 30

Instant Pot Baked Ziti

instant pot baked ziti
Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Christine Kelly Food Stylist: Ali Ramee

Lean on your slow-cooker to make weeknight dinners even easier and still just as delicious. With melty cheese, tender pasta, and lots of ricotta-laced sauce, this is a ground beef dish worth keeping in your recipe box.

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All-In-One Spaghetti

All-In-One Spaghetti
William Dickey

You'll hardly find a more classic recipe that uses ground beef than spaghetti. After making this one-pot recipe for homemade sauce you won't go back to using the jarred stuff.

26 of 30

Beef Sliders with Bacon Jam

Beef Sliders with Bacon Jam
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Sliders are the easiest way to feed a crowd and these don't even require firing up the grill. But the best part is the bacon jam—it's the perfect mix of sweet and smoky to to off the dish.

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Greek Stuffed Peppers

Greek Stuffed Peppers
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

These stuffed peppers are as tasty as they are easy and are bound to become part of your new weekly dinner rotation. Bonus: You can easily substitute ingredients based on what's already in the fridge.

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Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

If you're feeding a table of hungry kids, odds are, you'll want to double up on this recipe that yields 16 meatballs or there's bound to be a riff over the last one.

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Instant Pot Chili Mac

Instant Pot Chili Mac
Photography and Styling: Caitlin Bensel

When you put together two favorite dishes, Macaroni and Cheese and Beef Chili, a second helping is inevitable.

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Creole Burger

Creole Burgers
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

These aren't your average burgers. The secret to their bold flavor is Creole mustard, herbs, and Worcestershire sauce. They're weekend-worthy, but just as easy to make on a weeknight.

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