7 Easy Ground Beef Recipes with Few Ingredients: Simplicity Meets Flavor

Cooking delicious meals doesn’t always require a long list of ingredients and hours in the kitchen. In fact, some of the most satisfying and flavorful dishes can be created using just a handful of ingredients, and ground beef is the perfect canvas for such culinary artistry.

Versatile, affordable, and readily available, ground beef allows for endless possibilities. In this article, we present seven delectable and easy ground beef recipes that will have you savoring every bite with just a few simple ingredients. So, let’s get cooking!

1. Savory Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
• Cooked rice, for serving

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
2. Add the ground beef and minced garlic, cooking until the beef is browned and fully cooked.
3. Stir in the soy sauce and honey, ensuring the beef is coated evenly.
4. Toss in the broccoli florets and cook until they are tender-crisp, about 3-4 minutes.
5. Serve the beef and broccoli stir-fry over steamed rice and garnish with sesame seeds for added texture and flavor.

2. Zesty Mexican Beef Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning mix
• Iceberg lettuce leaves
• Salsa
• Sour cream
• Shredded cheese
• Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. In a skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it into crumbles.
2. Add the taco seasoning mix and water as per the package instructions, simmering until well combined.
3. Spoon the seasoned beef into individual iceberg lettuce leaves, creating flavorful wraps.
4. Top with your favorite salsa, a dollop of sour cream, shredded cheese, and fresh cilantro, if desired.

3. One-Pot Cheesy Beef Pasta:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 cups dry pasta (e.g., penne, elbow macaroni)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, brown the ground beef over medium heat, seasoning with salt, pepper, and dried oregano.
2. Add the diced tomatoes and beef broth to the pot, bringing the mixture to a boil.
3. Stir in the dry pasta, cover the pot, and simmer on low heat until the pasta is cooked to your desired level of tenderness.
4. Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted and creamy.
5. Serve the cheesy beef pasta hot, garnishing with extra cheese if desired.

4. Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• Green onions, sliced (for garnish)
• Cooked white rice, for serving
• Bibb or Romaine lettuce leaves

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix the soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, sesame oil, and rice vinegar to create the marinade.
2. In a skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned and fully cooked.
3. Pour the marinade over the cooked beef and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
4. Spoon the flavorful beef onto individual lettuce leaves, and serve with steamed white rice.
5. Garnish with sliced green onions for an extra burst of freshness.

5. Beef and Veggie Skewers

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks
• 1 red onion, cut into chunks
• Cherry tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Wooden skewers (soaked in water for 30 minutes)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your grill or broiler.
2. In a bowl, mix the ground beef with salt and pepper, and form small meatballs.
3. Thread the ground beef meatballs onto the wooden skewers, alternating with the red bell pepper, red onion, and cherry tomatoes.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together olive oil and balsamic vinegar to make the marinade.
5. Brush the marinade over the beef and veggies skewers.
6. Grill or broil the skewers for about 8-10 minutes or until the beef is fully cooked and the veggies are slightly charred.
7. Serve these delectable beef and veggie skewers as an appetizer or a delightful main dish.

6. Greek-inspired Beef Pita Pockets:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Pita bread
• Cucumber, sliced
• Tomato, sliced
• Red onion, thinly sliced
• Feta cheese
• Tzatziki sauce

Instructions:

1. In a skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat, seasoning with dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
2. Warm the pita bread in the oven or microwave until soft and pliable.
3. Stuff each pita pocket with the seasoned ground beef.
4. Add slices of cucumber, tomato, and red onion to the pita pocket.
5. Crumble feta cheese over the filling and drizzle with tzatziki sauce for a burst of Mediterranean flavor.

7. Classic Beef Sloppy Joes:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Hamburger buns

Instructions:

1. In a skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat until fully cooked.
2. Drain excess fat from the beef.
3. Stir in ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, salt, and pepper, and let the mixture simmer for 5-7 minutes until it thickens slightly.
4. Toast the hamburger buns, if desired.
5. Spoon the flavorful beef mixture onto the bottom half of each hamburger bun.
6. Top with the other half of the bun and enjoy these classic Sloppy Joes.

Cooking delicious and satisfying ground beef recipes with few ingredients doesn’t have to be complicated. From flavorful stir-fries to savory lettuce wraps and comforting pasta dishes, these seven easy recipes showcase the versatility of ground beef and how a handful of ingredients can create extraordinary meals. So, step into your kitchen, put on your apron, and explore the world of culinary simplicity with these mouthwatering ground beef recipes. Enjoy the flavors and the