Even if your cupboard's a little bare, you can still make a delicious dinner (and save yourself a trip to the store!) with these easy and quick ground beef recipes.
26 Easy and Simple Ground Beef Recipes with 5-Ingredients or Less
Ravioli Lasagna
When you taste this casserole, you’ll think it came from a complicated, from-scratch recipe. Really, though, it starts with frozen ravioli and has only three other ingredients. —Patricia Smith, Asheboro, North Carolina
1/26
2/26
Black Bean and Beef Tostadas
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You only need a handful of ingredients to make one of our family’s favorites. It's also easy to double for company! —Susan Brown, Kansas City, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
2 tostadas: 392 calories, 14g fat (4g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 1011mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 10g fiber), 23g protein.
3/26
Hamburger Soup
Total Time
45 min
Servings
8 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
At family get-togethers, our children always request this spirit-warming soup along with a fresh loaf of homemade bread and tall glasses of milk. It has robust flavor and plenty of fresh-tasting vegetables, and it's so easy to make. —Barbara Brown, Janesville, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 167 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 972mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 12g protein.
4/26
Stuffed Bell Peppers
Total Time
50 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband, Steve, loves this stuffed pepper recipe. They're so filling and easy to prepare. I serve them with mashed potatoes and coleslaw for a no-fuss supper. —Karen Gentry, Somerset, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
1 stuffed pepper: 430 calories, 15g fat (6g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 1182mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 5g fiber), 30g protein.
5/26
Burger Americana
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Go on a burger road trip in your own backyard. Grill the patties and load them sky-high with your favorite toppings. For instance, peanut butter and bacon make them southern style; coleslaw and tomatoes,
a northern version. —Susan Mahaney, New Hartford, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 burger (calculated without toppings): 429 calories, 20g fat (6g saturated fat), 123mg cholesterol, 796mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 28g protein.
6/26
Pizza Roll-Ups
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Since getting this recipe from our 4-H club, it's been a regular after-school snack. We like to dunk these bite-sized pizza treats, made with refrigerated crescent rolls, in spaghetti sauce. —Donna Klettke, Wheatland, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 roll-up: 94 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 206mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
7/26
Asian Beef Noodles
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This yummy, economical dish takes only five ingredients—all of which you're likely to have on hand. Serve with a dash of soy sauce and a side of pineapple slices. —Laura Stenberg, Wyoming, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 383 calories, 16g fat (7g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 546mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 27g protein.
8/26
Beef Tortellini
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This tortellini dish is a one-skillet-wonder the family craves. From browning beef to cooking the pasta and melting the cheese, everything happens in one pan. You can add basil or chives for a touch of freshness. —Juli Meyers, Hinesville, Georgia
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 566 calories, 28g fat (13g saturated fat), 111mg cholesterol, 899mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 39g protein.
9/26
Smothered Burrito
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My brother-in-law teased that I only knew five ground beef recipes. I proved him wrong with my inventive spicy burritos. —Kim Kenyon, Greenwood, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 burrito: 624 calories, 33g fat (15g saturated fat), 115mg cholesterol, 1470mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 36g protein.
10/26
Creamy Beef & Potatoes
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
One of my husband's favorite childhood memories was eating his Grandma Barney's Tater Tot Casserole. One day I prepared it using potatoes O'Brien instead. Now I always make it this way. — Heather Matthews, Keller, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1-3/4 cups: 664 calories, 38g fat (19g saturated fat), 130mg cholesterol, 1851mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 6g fiber), 37g protein.
11/26
Super Spaghetti Sauce
Total Time
30 min
Servings
10 servings (2-1/2 quarts.)
From the Recipe Creator:
At my house, we never know how many we'll have for dinner. That's why this spaghetti sauce is one of my favorites - flavorful, filling and fast. Smoked kielbasa gives it depth, and salsa adds the kick. —Bella Anderson, Chester, South Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 325 calories, 21g fat (7g saturated fat), 60mg cholesterol, 1378mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 2g fiber), 17g protein.
12/26
French Fry Casserole
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Kids love this casserole because it combines two of their favorite fast foods. And I like the fact that I can whip it up with just a few ingredients and little prep time. It's a win-win for all! —Karen Owen, Rising Sun, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 352 calories, 17g fat (5g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 668mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein.
13/26
Beefy Biscuit Cups
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
On-the-go families will love these pizza-flavored goodies. They're made in a wink with convenient refrigerated biscuits and a jar of prepared spaghetti sauce. —Kimberly Ledon, St. Marys, Georgia
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 291 calories, 17g fat (7g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 641mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 17g protein.
14/26
Cheeseburger Pockets
Total Time
40 min
Servings
5 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Ground beef is my favorite meat to cook with because it’s so versatile, flavorful and economical. Refrigerated biscuits save you the trouble of making dough from scratch. —Pat Chambless, Crowder, Oklahoma
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 299 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 1101mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 17g protein.
15/26
Tasty Tacos
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A taco seasoning made from scratch with pantry staples deliciously jazzes up ground beef, turning Tuesday night into an all-out fiesta. Add your favorite toppings, and dinner is served! —Rebecca Levesque, St. George, New Brunswick
Nutrition Facts:
2 tacos (calculated without optional toppings): 306 calories, 15g fat (5g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 468mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 fat.
16/26
French Bread Pizza
Total Time
25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Slices of this hearty french bread pizza are guaranteed to please. I sometimes substitute spaghetti sauce for the pizza sauce, or add our favorite veggies to the toppings. —Sue McLaughlin, Onawa, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
2 pieces: 296 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 30mg cholesterol, 764mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 18g protein.
17/26
Beefy French Onion Potpie
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I came up with this dish knowing that my husband loves French onion soup—which I turned into a perfect base for the hearty, beefy potpie. —Sara Hutchens, Du Quoin, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 553 calories, 23g fat (10g saturated fat), 98mg cholesterol, 1550mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 38g protein.
18/26
Mexican Bubble Pizza
Total Time
3 hours 20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This tasty pizza offers a new way to experience Mexican cuisine. Serve it at your next party and watch it disappear before your eyes. —Jackie Hannahs, Cedar Springs, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving (calculated without toppings): 643 calories, 35g fat (15g saturated fat), 109mg cholesterol, 1870mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 2g fiber), 35g protein.
19/26
Tex-Mex Pasta
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
After a recent surgery, I wasn’t able to stock up on groceries. One night, I looked in my pantry and created this. The results were fabulous! —Michele Orthner, Lethbridge, Alberta
Nutrition Facts:
1 1-1/2 cups: 585 calories, 28g fat (11g saturated fat), 101mg cholesterol, 1241mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 33g protein.
20/26
Lasagna Roll-Ups
Total Time
35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My Italian lasagna roll-ups are not complicated; they require only basic ingredients to assemble. Prepared spaghetti sauce helps me save time and get dinner on the table sooner. —Mary Lee Thomas, Logansport, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 375 calories, 17g fat (8g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 538mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 27g protein.
21/26
Mini Barbecue Meat Loaves
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Kids can have fun helping to prepare these mini meat loaves in muffin cups. For extra spice, we sometimes add 2 teaspoons chili powder and 1 cup of salsa. —Linda Call, Falun, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
2 mini meat loaves: 330 calories, 17g fat (7g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 668mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 21g protein.
22/26
Grilled Italian Burgers
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When all I had available was ground beef and I was tired of plain-old hamburgers, I invented these. A good dose of Italian seasonings and mozzarella makes them unique. They’re perfect with homemade French fries for a quick meal. —Rebekah Beyer, Sabetha, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 burger (calculated without marinara sauce): 279 calories, 18g fat (8g saturated fat), 86mg cholesterol, 282mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 27g protein.
23/26
Mini Party Burgers
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We love finger foods in the South. For parties, I make mini burgers in advance and then wrap them in pastry, bake them and serve them with assorted sauces. —Monica Flatford, Knoxville, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts:
1 appetizer: 271 calories, 16 g fat (6 g saturated fat), 54 mg cholesterol, 488 mg sodium, 20 g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 2 g fiber), 11 g protein.
24/26
Mini Crescent Burgers
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
A friend first brought these snacks to a Sunday school party. The original recipe called for pork sausage, but I substituted ground beef with taste-tempting results. —Pam Buhr, Mexico, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 appetizer: 79 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 178mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
25/26
Hamburger Macaroni Soup
Total Time
25 min
Servings
5 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You'll love my quick version of classic beef macaroni soup. Loaded with veggies and pasta, it’s just as good as if you made it all from scratch. —Debra Baker, Greenville, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 260 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 58mg cholesterol, 357mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 5g fiber), 21g protein.
26/26
Bubble Pizza
Total Time
40 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe has a no-fuss crust made from refrigerated biscuits. For a jazzed-up version, add your favorite pizza toppings. —Jo Groth, Plainfield, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 356 calories, 16g fat (8g saturated fat), 73mg cholesterol, 730mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 28g protein.
