18 One-Pot Ground Beef Recipes Using Five Ingredients Or Fewer
Some nights you just want dinner to basically cook itself, with minimal chopping and almost no dishes. These one-pot ground beef recipes keep things unfussy, fast, and surprisingly satisfying.
Each idea uses five ingredients or fewer, but still delivers big comfort and flavor. Grab a single pot, turn on the stove, and let dinner come together with zero stress.
1. One-Pot Cheeseburger Mac
Craving cheeseburger flavor without firing up the grill? Brown ground beef, pour in pasta and broth, then simmer until tender and starchy.
Stir in sharp cheddar and simple seasoning for that melty, nostalgic bite.
This pot delivers creamy comfort fast, with just enough richness to feel special. The pasta thickens everything naturally, so the sauce hugs every curl.
Serve straight from the skillet and watch it disappear.
Customize with pickles or a ketchup drizzle if you like classic burger vibes. Otherwise, keep it simple and cozy.
It is weeknight gold.
2. Taco Rice Skillet
Make taco night even easier by cooking everything in one pan. Brown ground beef, sprinkle in taco seasoning, then add rice, salsa, and broth.
Let it bubble until the rice is tender and the skillet smells irresistible.
The salsa does the heavy lifting, adding tang, heat, and tomato richness. Fluffy grains soak up all that savory beefiness.
Spoon it straight into bowls, or roll into burritos.
Top with whatever is around: avocado, shredded lettuce, or a dollop of sour cream. Even plain, it tastes complete.
Minimal work, maximum payoff.
3. Chili Beans Beef Bowl
Cozy and spoonable, this bowl leans on pantry MVPs. Brown ground beef, stir in canned chili beans and diced tomatoes, and season to taste.
Onion powder adds depth fast, or swap in your favorite spice blend.
Let it simmer until thick and bubbly. The beans soften into the sauce, while tomatoes brighten each bite.
It is hearty enough for dinner, especially piled into a warm bowl.
Serve with crackers or toast for scooping. If you like heat, add a pinch of chili flakes.
Simple, satisfying, and weeknight reliable.
4. Beef And Potato Hash Skillet
Think diner comfort with weeknight speed. Sizzle ground beef, then add small diced potatoes and let them crisp in the rendered fat.
Season simply and resist stirring so those edges go golden and crunchy.
Finish with shredded cheese that melts into every corner. It is savory, hearty, and endlessly comforting.
Scoop straight from the skillet and enjoy the contrast of crispy bits and melty pockets.
Add onions if you have them, or keep it minimalist. Perfect with a fried egg on top, but not required.
Your fork will not pause.
5. One-Pot Beef Stroganoff Shortcut
All the stroganoff comfort with none of the fuss. Brown ground beef, add egg noodles with broth, and simmer until tender.
Stir in cream of mushroom soup for instant savory depth, then finish with a swirl of sour cream.
The sauce turns silky and coats every noodle. It is rich without being fussy and hits that nostalgic note.
Serve hot from the pot for maximum coziness.
Add cracked pepper or a squeeze of lemon if you want brightness. Otherwise, keep it classic and creamy.
Seconds are basically guaranteed.
6. Sloppy Joe Pasta Pot
Capture the sweet-savory joy of sloppy joes in pasta form. Brown ground beef, add dry pasta, sloppy joe sauce, and enough broth to simmer.
Stir as it cooks so the starchy liquid turns everything glossy.
When the pasta is tender, fold in cheese until melty. It is playful, comforting, and wildly easy.
Every bite tastes like nostalgia with a twirlable twist.
Great for feeding a crowd or picky eaters. Add chili flakes if you want kick.
Otherwise, dish it up and watch bowls come back empty.
7. Beef Ramen Skillet
Turn instant ramen into a legit dinner. Brown ground beef, toss in frozen mixed veggies, then add crushed ramen and a splash of water.
Season with soy sauce and sesame oil for quick, savory depth.
The noodles absorb the beefy juices as they soften. Veggies brighten the skillet without chopping a thing.
It is fast, flexible, and full of umami.
Add chili oil for heat if you like. Either way, dinner lands in one pan in minutes.
Slurp happily and call it a win.
8. One-Pot Beefy Tomato Orzo
Small pasta, big comfort. Brown ground beef, stir in orzo, and toast briefly.
Add crushed tomatoes and broth, then simmer until the orzo is tender and the sauce turns lush.
Finish with a shower of parmesan that melts into tangy tomato richness. It is a little fancy for how little effort it takes.
Spoon it into bowls and breathe in that cozy aroma.
A pinch of chili or black pepper is optional. Everything else is blissfully simple.
Weeknights just got saucy and satisfying.
9. Ground Beef And Cabbage Bowl
Lean, quick, and unbelievably savory. Brown ground beef, add shredded cabbage, and let it wilt into the pan.
Season with soy sauce and a hit of garlic powder, then cook until everything is tender-crisp.
It is satisfying without feeling heavy, and it comes together in moments. Serve over steamed rice for comfort, or skip the rice for a low-carb bowl.
Each bite balances meaty richness and sweet cabbage.
Add chili flakes if you like heat. Otherwise, keep it clean and simple.
This is the definition of easy weeknight flavor.
10. One-Pot Lasagna Skillet
All the lasagna vibes, none of the layering. Brown ground beef, pour in marinara, and add broken lasagna noodles.
Simmer until the noodles are tender and the sauce thickens beautifully.
Dollop ricotta across the top and scatter mozzarella to melt into gooey pockets. It is cheesy, saucy, and absurdly comforting.
Serve right from the skillet with a big spoon.
Finish with pepper or dried basil if you want a hint of herb. Otherwise, let the cheese do the talking.
Weeknight lasagna dreams, delivered.
11. Beef And Corn Queso Skillet
Game day meets dinner. Brown ground beef, add corn and salsa, then swirl in creamy queso dip.
Sprinkle taco seasoning for instant depth and let it bubble until irresistibly dippable.
Serve with chips, fold into tortillas, or spoon over rice. It is salty, cheesy, and joyful.
Sweet pops of corn balance the rich beef and queso.
Keep it mild or choose a spicy salsa for heat. Either path leads to empty plates.
Fast, fun, and absolutely scooped clean.
12. One-Pot Beef And Rice Stuffed Pepper Style
Capture stuffed pepper comfort without stuffing anything. Brown ground beef, stir in rice, diced tomatoes, broth, and simple seasoning.
Simmer until the rice is fluffy and the tomato juices soak into every grain.
Finish with cheese if it is your fifth ingredient, melting into a cozy top layer. The flavor is familiar, hearty, and weeknight friendly.
It tastes like peppers even without the fuss.
Scoop into bowls and add a shake of pepper flakes if desired. Minimal chopping, big payoff.
Dinner, solved in one pan.
13. Beef And Green Bean Skillet
Old-school delicious, incredibly simple. Brown ground beef, then stir in green beans with onion soup mix and a splash of water or broth.
Add butter for richness and let the flavors meld.
It is salty, savory, and exactly the kind of comfort that shows up fast. The beans drink up that beefy onion sauce.
Spoon it into bowls or serve alongside toast.
Add black pepper if you like a little bite. Otherwise, embrace the retro charm.
This one proves simple can be deeply satisfying.
14. Creamy Beef And Spinach Pasta
Silky and rich without the headache. Brown ground beef, add pasta and broth, and cook until tender.
Stir in cream cheese until it melts into a velvety sauce, then fold in spinach to wilt gently.
The result feels special but happens fast. The greens add freshness that balances the creamy sauce.
Every bite delivers cozy satisfaction with minimal effort.
Add garlic powder or pepper if you want a touch more oomph. Otherwise, enjoy the clean flavors and simple comfort.
Leftovers reheat like a dream.
15. Beef And Black Bean Taco Pot
All the taco goodness in one spoonable pot. Brown ground beef, stir in black beans, salsa, and taco seasoning.
Add rice or quinoa, then simmer until the grains are tender and everything is saucy.
It is bold, protein-packed, and unfussy. The salsa handles flavor, while beans bring body and comfort.
Scoop into bowls, tuck into tortillas, or top a salad.
Hot sauce lovers can splash freely. If not, it still sings with minimal ingredients.
Dinner is done, and dishes are minimal.
16. One-Pot BBQ Beef And Beans
Sweet-smoky comfort that practically stirs itself. Brown ground beef, then fold in baked beans and BBQ sauce.
Let it simmer until thick, shiny, and irresistible, then finish with onions and a blanket of cheddar.
The flavors are backyard barbecue cozy, minus the grill. Scoop onto toast, serve with cornbread, or eat it straight from the bowl.
It sticks to your ribs in the best way.
Add a splash of vinegar if you like tang. Otherwise, lean into the smoky sweetness.
Seconds will happen quickly.
17. Ground Beef Pizza Pasta Pot
Pizza night and pasta night become the same delicious thing. Brown ground beef, add pasta and pizza sauce, then simmer until tender.
Stir in mozzarella to melt into stringy bliss, and toss in pepperoni if using.
It tastes like a guilty-pleasure dinner, but it is made in one pan. The sauce is punchy and familiar, and the cheese seals the deal.
Every forkful delivers satisfaction.
Sprinkle dried oregano or chili flakes if desired. Keep it playful and simple.
Leftovers make an excellent lunch tomorrow.
18. One-Pot Beef And Mushroom Rice
Savory and deeply comforting. Brown ground beef, add mushrooms, and let them release their juices.
Stir in rice with broth and a splash of soy sauce, then simmer until fluffy and fragrant.
The mushrooms bring earthy depth that plays beautifully with the beef. The rice absorbs every drop of flavor, turning the pot into a cohesive, hearty meal.
It is perfect for chilly evenings.
Finish with pepper or a knob of butter if you like. Otherwise, serve hot and enjoy the simplicity.
One pot, big payoff, zero stress.
