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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    18 Cheap Beef Dinners You Can Just Dump, Bake and Devour

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on May 23, 2025, updated May 15, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Finding quick and affordable dinner ideas can be a challenge, especially when you're busy. These 18 beef dinners are perfect for those nights when you want something hearty without spending hours in the kitchen. Just dump the ingredients, bake, and enjoy a satisfying meal with minimal effort.

    Mexican Ravioli Lasagna

    Easy Mexican Ravioli Lasagna
    Photo Credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    This simple Mexican Lasagna uses ravioli to create tasty layers. It's perfect for busy nights because you can just layer the ingredients without needing to thaw the ravioli first.

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    Beef & Beans Casserole

    Beef & bean casserole.
    Photo credit: Cheerful Cook.

    Beef and beans are combined in a tasty tomato sauce and topped with melted Cheddar cheese. This is a satisfying meal that's easy to prepare and perfect for any night.

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    Spaghetti Pie

    Spaghetti Pie.
    Photo credit: A Cedar Spoon.

    Spaghetti Pie is a simple and satisfying meal that the whole family will enjoy. It's loaded with protein and will keep everyone full.

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    Ground Beef Nachos

    Nachos.
    Photo credit: Food Folks and Fun.

    This dish features a tasty mix of seasoned ground beef, ranch beans, black beans, onions, and garlic, all topped with sour cream, jalapenos, avocados, cilantro, lime slices, and plenty of melted cheese. It's a satisfying meal that's easy to prepare and perfect for any night.

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    Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Casserole

    Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Casserole.
    Photo credit: Savory with Soul.

    This casserole has all the flavors of a classic Philly cheesesteak, packed with ground beef, cheese, bell peppers, and onions. It's a creamy and filling dish that's perfect for a cozy dinner.

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    Ground Beef Jambalaya

    Ground beef jambalaya.
    Photo credit: Palatable Pastime.

    Ground Beef Jambalaya puts a tasty spin on the classic Cajun rice dish by mixing in beef and Andouille sausage. This hearty meal is perfect for a filling dinner that’s easy to prepare.

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    One Pot Burrito Bowl

    One Pot Burrito Bowl Recipe
    Photo Credit: I Heart Nap Time.

    These Mexican burrito bowls are simple to make in one pot and ready in just 30 minutes, which makes cleaning up easy. They’re great for busy nights when you want a tasty meal without much effort.

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    One Pan Baked Ziti

    Baked Ziti.
    Photo credit: Raising Generation Nourished.

    This one-pan baked ziti is perfect for a quick weeknight meal. It requires minimal prep and cleanup, making it a simple option for busy evenings.

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    Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole

    Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo credit: The Feathered Nester.

    This tater tot casserole brings together crispy potatoes and cheeseburger flavors for a fun and satisfying meal. It's a great option for kids and perfect for busy nights.

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    Meatloaf

    Meatloaf.
    Photo credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

    This lighter version of meatloaf skips the breadcrumbs and is easy to put together. With just a handful of ingredients, it bakes up quickly for a classic dinner that everyone will love.

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    Taco Casserole

    Taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Taco Casserole combines seasoned ground beef, tortillas, enchilada sauce, and cheese into a delicious meal that's easy to prepare and can be frozen for later. This dish brings all the flavors of taco night together in one convenient bake.

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    Dorito Casserole

    Dorito casserole.
    Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes.

    This casserole combines layers of nacho Doritos, ground beef, salsa, and cheese, all baked until golden and bubbly. With its lively Mexican flavors, this dish is sure to be a hit at the dinner table.

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    Beef Tamale Casserole

    Beef Tamale Casserole.
    Photo credit: Jam Jar Kitchen.

    Tamale Pie is a simple and tasty dinner that everyone in the family will enjoy. With just a box of cornbread mix, ground beef, and a few items from your pantry, you can whip up a filling meal in no time.

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    Parmesan Meatloaf

    Parmesan Meatloaf.
    Photo credit: Healthy Mom Healthy Family.

    This cheesy meatloaf is a simple and satisfying dish that everyone will love. It's perfect for a cozy meal without a lot of work.

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    Cabbage Roll Casserole

    Cabbage Roll Casserole
    Photo Credit: Wholesome Yum.

    This cabbage roll casserole combines the delicious flavors of cabbage rolls with much less effort. It's a simple and healthy dinner option that everyone will enjoy.

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    Tater Tot Casserole

    Ground Beef Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo credit: Simply Five Ingredients.

    This dish features a tasty ground beef filling covered with cheesy tater tots, creating a simple casserole that’s ready in just 30 minutes. It’s a comforting meal that’s great for busy weeknights.

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    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This casserole combines all the delicious flavors of tacos into a simple one-dish meal. It's packed with ground beef, salsa, and plenty of cheese, making it perfect for a potluck or a quick weeknight dinner.

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    Cowboy Casserole

    Cowboy casserole.
    Photo credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    Cowboy Casserole is a simple and satisfying dinner option that everyone will enjoy. With its creamy and cheesy layers topped with crispy tater tots, it's sure to become a family favorite.

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    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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