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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    17 Dump-And-Go Beef Dinners for Busy Evenings

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on July 11, 2025, updated July 1, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Busy evenings can make it tough to prepare a hearty meal, but with these 17 easy beef dinners, you can have a satisfying meal ready with minimal effort. Just toss the ingredients into your slow cooker or Instant Pot, and let the magic happen while you focus on other things. These recipes are perfect for those nights when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.

    3-Ingredient Chili

    Chili.
    Photo credit: Manila Spoon.

    This chili is simple to prepare and can be made on the stovetop or in a slow cooker. It's packed with flavor and is sure to please everyone at the table. Perfect for busy evenings, this dish requires minimal effort while still delivering a satisfying meal.

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    Slow Cooker Chile Colorado

    Slow Cooker Chile Colorado.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Chile Colorado features tender beef cooked in a flavorful red chile sauce, paired with warm tortillas for a simple and satisfying meal. It's perfect for busy evenings when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen. Just set it up and let the slow cooker do the work, resulting in a delicious dinner that everyone will enjoy.

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    Crockpot Steak Bites with Mushrooms

    Crockpot Steak Bites with Mushrooms
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    Steak bites are packed with flavor, featuring beef broth, butter, onion, garlic, beef, and mushrooms. Simply toss everything into the slow cooker for an easy meal that’s perfect for busy evenings. This dish is satisfying and requires minimal effort, making it a great choice when time is tight.

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    Slow Cooker Hamburger Minestrone

    Slow Cooker Hamburger Minestrone.
    Photo Credit: Valerie's Kitchen.

    This soup is packed with fresh veggies, ground beef, and pasta. It's a filling and cozy meal that has everything you need in one bowl.

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    Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup

    Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup.
    Photo Credit: Valerie's Kitchen.

    This Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup is perfect for a cozy weeknight meal. With tender pieces of beef, fresh vegetables, and hearty barley, it’s a filling dish that warms you up. Just set it in the slow cooker and let it do its thing while you go about your day.

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    Beefy Velveeta Cheese Soup

    Beefy Velveeta Cheese Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester.

    This comforting soup brings together the delicious flavors of Rotel dip and a classic cheeseburger. It's a hearty dish that's perfect for busy evenings when you want something warm and satisfying. With minimal effort, you can enjoy a bowl of this tasty blend that feels like a cozy meal at home.

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    Slow Cooker Enchilada Casserole

    Slow Cooker Enchilada Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Retro Recipe Box.

    Enjoying enchiladas can be simple and stress-free with this easy dish. There's no need to roll anything up, making it perfect for busy evenings. You can use either ground beef or ground turkey, depending on what you have on hand.

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    Instant Pot Bolognese

    A bowl of instant pot bolognese served over pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Instant Pot bolognese is a great way to save time while still enjoying a delicious meal. It’s a hearty pasta sauce that captures all the classic flavors, but you can whip it up quickly using just a few basic ingredients from your pantry. Perfect for busy evenings, this recipe lets you enjoy a comforting dish without spending hours in the kitchen.

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    Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches

    Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches.
    Photo Credit: Valerie's Kitchen.

    This dish features tender, shredded Italian beef mixed with pepperoncini, all piled onto warm sandwich rolls topped with melted provolone cheese. It’s a comforting meal that comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy evenings. With just a little bit of prep time, you can enjoy these delicious sandwiches without spending hours in the kitchen.

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    Shepherd’s Pie Tater Tot Casserole

    Shepherd’s Pie Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This dish combines the comfort of tater tot casserole with the classic flavors of shepherd’s pie, creating a simple one-pot meal. With frozen vegetables mixed in, it’s filling and satisfying, while a layer of shredded cheddar cheese on top adds a delicious finish. It’s a complete meal that everyone in the family will love.

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    Slow Cooker Hamburger Potato Casserole

    Slow Cooker Hamburger Potato Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This hamburger potato casserole is simple and satisfying, combining just five ingredients for a filling meal. With its rich beefy flavor and savory onion mix, it’s perfect for a quick dinner. The preparation is straightforward, and it cooks up in no time, making it a great option for busy evenings.

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    Homemade Hot Dog Chili Sauce

    Homemade Hot Dog Chili Sauce.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This chili is great for topping chili dogs or even for an open-faced burger. It's thick and packed with just the right amount of spice and flavor, making it a satisfying choice for a quick meal.

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    Slow Cooker Steak, Potatoes, and Corn

    Slow Cooker Steak, Potatoes, and Corn
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow cooker.

    Steak bites, potatoes, and corn come together in the slow cooker with a tasty garlic butter sauce. This dish is simple and perfect for busy evenings when you want a hearty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen. Just toss everything in, let it cook, and enjoy a comforting dinner.

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    Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs

    Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs.
    Photo Credit: My Chef's Apron.

    Ribs are seasoned with a great mix of spices and slow-cooked until they're super tender. This is a tasty family dinner option that goes well with any vegetable side dish.

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    Slow Cooker Pot Roast

    Slow Cooker Pot Rost.
    Photo credit: One Happy Housewife.

    Slow Cooker Pot Roast is simple to prepare and doesn't need any searing. The beef turns out juicy and tender, while the vegetables are cooked just right. This easy slow cooker dish is sure to become a favorite for busy evenings.

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    Slow Cooker John Wayne Casserole

    Slow Cooker John Wayne Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This casserole features tater tots, a southwestern twist, and plenty of cheese. It's a hearty dish that's perfect for busy evenings when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen. The combination of flavors and textures makes it a fun and filling meal for the whole family.

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    Slow Cooker Lipton Onion Meatloaf

    Slow Cooker Lipton Onion Meatloaf.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Dry onion soup mix is a simple ingredient that can transform a regular meatloaf into a tasty meal. This dish is perfect for busy evenings when you want something easy and satisfying for the whole family. With minimal effort, you can create a dinner that everyone will love.

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    More Recipe Roundups

    • Broccoli grilled cheese.
      20 Easy Vegetarian Summer Dinner Recipes
    • Ribs.
      18 Grandma Approved Crockpot Dinners So Easy Anyone Can Make Them
    • Funfetti cupcakes.
      8 Summer Cupcakes That Will Brighten Your Day
    • Taco casserole.
      23 Hearty Freezer Casseroles That Will Make You Love Cooking Again

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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