• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
always use butter
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Blogging Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Blogging Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Air Fryer Resources
    • Blogging Resources
    • Subscribe!
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipe Roundups

    20 Dump-and-Go Beef Dinners That Will Save Your Evenings

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated July 1, 2025 · Published July 24, 2025 · Leave a Comment

    Busy evenings can make it tough to prepare a home-cooked meal, but these 20 beef dinners are here to help. With simple ingredients and minimal prep, you can throw everything in the pot and let it cook while you focus on other things. These recipes are perfect for those nights when you want a hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Slow Cooker No-Bean Chili

    Slow Cooker No-Bean Chili.
    Photo Credit: The Short Order Cook.

    This chili is packed with hearty tomatoes and spices. With ground beef and crispy bacon, it's a satisfying dish that everyone will enjoy. Top it off with your favorite toppings for an extra kick. It's perfect for busy evenings when you want something comforting and delicious.

    Save This Recipe Form

    Want to save this recipe?

    Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get more great recipes from us each week!

    Get the Recipe

    Irish Beef Stew

    Irish Beef Stew
    Photo Credit: The Urben Life.

    This dish features tender beef paired with hearty root vegetables. It's simple to prepare and offers a satisfying meal that feels like a warm hug on a plate. Perfect for busy evenings, this is a comforting option that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Baked Spaghetti

    Slow Cooker Baked Spaghetti.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Baked Spaghetti features a rich beef sauce that simmers for hours, combined with pasta, cream cheese, and mozzarella. Known by some as Million Dollar Spaghetti, this dish is a crowd-pleaser that everyone will enjoy. It's a comforting meal that's perfect for busy evenings when you want something hearty and satisfying.

    Get the Recipe

    Ground Beef Chili

    Ground Beef Chili.
    Photo Credit: The Rustic Foodie.

    This chili is made in the slow cooker with beans, corn, peppers, and masa harina, bringing a taste of the Southwest to your table. It's a simple and healthy option that fits perfectly into a busy evening. Just set it up and let it cook while you take care of other things.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Pizza and Pasta Soup

    Slow Cooker Pizza and Pasta Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This hearty soup is sure to please everyone in the family. Packed with pizza flavors and bow-tie pasta, it's a comforting dish that warms you up. Plus, it's easy to prepare and can be stored in the freezer for later, making it perfect for busy evenings.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Hamburger Hash

    Slow Cooker Hamburger Hash.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Hamburger hash in the crockpot combines soft potatoes, beef, and corn in a creamy mushroom sauce. Topped with melted cheese right before serving, this dish is hearty and satisfying. It's a meal that you'll find yourself wanting to prepare again and again.

    Get the Recipe

    Easy Slow Cooker Lasagna

    Easy Slow Cooker Lasagna.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This crock pot lasagna is a great meal to prepare ahead of time. It takes only a few minutes to put together using basic ingredients, including uncooked lasagna noodles. After that, the crock pot handles the cooking, making it a simple option for busy evenings.

    Get the Recipe

    Meaty Cabbage Soup

    Meaty Cabbage Soup.
    Photo Credit: Gypsy Plate.

    This dish is perfect for chilly evenings when you want something warm and comforting. With just a few basic ingredients like meat and cabbage, it comes together easily. It's a straightforward meal that doesn't require much effort, making it ideal for busy nights.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Taco Soup

    Slow Cooker Taco Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This hearty soup is perfect for a busy evening. Made in the slow cooker, it combines fire roasted corn, fresh salsa, and whole black olives for a delicious meal. It's simple to prepare and packed with flavor, making it a great choice when time is tight.

    Get the Recipe

    Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole

    Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo credit: Little Sunny Kitchen.

    This cheesy tater tot casserole combines seasoned ground beef and vegetables in a creamy sauce that everyone enjoys. It's a comforting dish that's perfect for busy evenings when you want something hearty and satisfying. With minimal effort, you can have a delicious meal ready to serve that the whole family will appreciate.

    Get the Recipe

    One Pot Burrito Bowl

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

    These Mexican burrito bowls are simple to prepare and can be made in just one pot in about 30 minutes, which makes cleaning up easy. They're a great option for busy evenings when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Beef Rendang

    Slow Cooker Beef Rendang.
    Photo Credit: Garlic All Day.

    Just toss everything into the Crock-Pot and in about 5 hours, you'll have a hearty and flavorful beef stew waiting for you. This dish is perfect for busy evenings when you want a warm meal without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. It's simple and satisfying, making it a great choice for dinner.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Hot Chili

    Slow Cooker Hot Chili.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This chili packs a punch with serrano peppers and is loaded with flavor from crispy bacon. It's a hearty dish that warms you up and satisfies your hunger. Perfect for busy evenings, this meal comes together easily and is sure to please everyone at the table.

    Get the Recipe

    Crockpot Beef Stroganoff

    Crockpot Beef Stroganoff.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Slow cooker beef stroganoff is a fantastic dish that's both tender and full of flavor. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen. This meal is not only easy to prepare, but it's also impressive enough to serve to guests.

    Get the Recipe

    Crockpot Steak Bites

    Crockpot Steak Bites
    Photo Credit: Easy Family Recipes.

    Crockpot Steak Bites are a fantastic way to enjoy affordable cuts of beef. Each piece is tender and juicy, and the flavorful au jus is perfect for dipping with some crusty bread. This slow cooker dinner is simple to prepare, needing just a few minutes of your time. It's a great option for busy evenings when you want a hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole

    Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit; The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole is a delicious dish that the whole family will love. This one-pot meal combines some favorite ingredients and is hearty enough to serve everyone, with leftovers for later. It's perfect for busy evenings when you want something comforting and satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker American Goulash

    Slow Cooker Goulash.
    Photo Credit: Cincy Shopper.

    Slow Cooker American Goulash is a hearty dish packed with beef and vegetables. It's a simple meal that cooks itself, making it perfect for dinner on busy evenings. Just toss everything in the slow cooker and let it do the work for you.

    Get the Recipe

    Mexican Ravioli Lasagna

    Easy Mexican Ravioli Lasagna
    Photo Credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    This simple Mexican Lasagna uses ravioli to create tasty layers without any fuss. It's perfect for busy evenings because you can just layer the ingredients without needing to thaw the ravioli first. Just put everything together and you're ready to enjoy a hearty meal.

    Get the recipe

    Mexican Steak Bites

    Mexican Steak Bites
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    Steak adds a rich flavor to any meal, and these tasty steak bites take it up a notch. Seasoned with taco spices, they are perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner. Paired with a creamy queso sauce, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • King ranch chicken casserole.
      23 Quick Chicken Dinners Even Picky Eaters Will Request Again and Again
    • Tahini pasta.
      27 Pasta Dinners That Come Together From a Nearly Empty Pantry
    • Red wine pork chops.
      20 Impressive Dinners That Are Easy on the Wallet
    • Dorito casserole.
      25 Quick Dinners That Rescue Any Hectic Evening

    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.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    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!

    More about me →

    Readers Love These Recipes

    • close up of an air fryer drumstick
      Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
    • A spoonful of gouda mac and cheese being lifted out of the pan with a cheese pull.
      Gouda Mac and Cheese
    • A slice of crispy air fryer bacon on a blue plate.
      Air Fryer Bacon
    • a cinnamon muffin cupcake in front of a tin full
      Cinnamon Muffins with Cinnamon Sugar Topping

    Popular Easy Summer Dinners

    • side view of a healthy salmon fish taco with ginger avocado salsa, and a lime wedge
      Easy Salmon Tacos with Ginger Avocado Salsa
    • Beef stew.
      22 Easy Summer Crockpot Dinners That Do All the Work for You
    • Sliced medium-rare air fryer skirt steak with a pink center.
      Air Fryer Skirt Steak
    • Lemon pepper salmon in a non-stick pan with lemon wedges.
      Baked Lemon Pepper Salmon

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    All affiliate links are always marked with "*" or "affiliate".

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    A collage of sites where always use butter content has been featured.

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Disclaimer
    • Disclosures
    • Editorial Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • info@alwaysusebutter.com
    • Pink Giraffe Ventures AB, Runstens Byväg 51, 147 91 Grödinge, Sweden
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Copyright © 2026 Pink Giraffe Ventures AB