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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    22 Delicious Beef Recipes That Cook Themselves While You Relax

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on July 28, 2025, updated July 11, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Cooking beef can be a hassle, but it doesn't have to be. With these 22 easy recipes, you can set everything up and let the flavors develop while you take a break. From slow-cooked stews to simple roasts, these dishes are perfect for busy days when you want a hearty meal without the fuss.

    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 requires minimal effort. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something hearty and satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen.

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    Instant Pot Chili

    Chili With Ground Meat And Beans.
    Photo credit: Melanie Cooks.

    All you need to do is toss everything into the Instant Pot, and you’ll have a tasty chili ready in under 30 minutes. This is a great option for busy nights when you want something hearty without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. Just set it and let the pot do the work for you.

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    Slow Cooker Lasagna

    Slow cooker lasagna.
    Photo Credit: Foodess.

    Slow Cooker Lasagna is a hearty dish filled with layers of cheese and rich meat sauce. The slow cooker handles everything, simmering the sauce and cooking the lasagna all in one pot. There's no need to boil noodles separately, making this a simple and satisfying meal.

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    Slow Cooker Taco Soup

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

    This soup is simple to prepare and packed with flavor, all thanks to the slow cooker. It features fire roasted corn, fresh salsa, and whole black olives, creating a delicious combination. Perfect for busy nights, this dish allows you to enjoy a hearty meal with minimal effort.

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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 dinner.

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    Crockpot Steak Bites with Mushrooms

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

    Crockpot Steak Bites with mushrooms are packed with flavor and are super easy to prepare. With ingredients like beef broth, butter, onion, garlic, beef, and mushrooms, this dish is sure to satisfy. Simply toss everything into the slow cooker and let it do the work for you. It's a great option for a hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Meaty Cabbage Soup

    Meaty Cabbage Soup.
    Photo Credit: Gypsy Plate.

    This dish is perfect for when you want something warm and comforting. With just a few basic ingredients, like beef and cabbage, it comes together easily. It's a great option for busy nights when you want a hearty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Instant Pot Beef and Shells

    Instant Pot Beef and Shells
    Photo Credit: Earing In An Instant.

    This simple one-pot dish combines ground beef and pasta for a creamy and cheesy meal. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen. Just throw everything together and let it cook, and you'll have a satisfying dinner ready to enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup

    Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup.
    Photo Credit: Valerie's Kitchen.

    This dish brings together all the great flavors of stuffed bell peppers in a comforting soup that simmers in your Crock Pot. It's a filling and tasty option for a weeknight dinner, perfect for beef lovers. With minimal effort, you can enjoy a warm bowl of this hearty soup that’s sure to satisfy.

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    Crock Pot Cube Steak with Mushroom Soup

    Crock Pot Cube Steak with Mushroom Soup
    Photo Credit: Add Salt and Serve.

    Cube steak turns out tender and flavorful with minimal effort. By combining cube steak with cream of mushroom soup, Lipton onion soup mix, salt, pepper, and water, you can easily prepare a satisfying meal. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want a hearty dinner without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    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 nights, this dish allows you to set it up and let it cook while you take care of other things.

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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 satisfying one-pot meal. With the addition of frozen vegetables, it’s hearty and filling, 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 Sloppy Joes

    Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes.
    Photo Credit: I Heart Eating.

    Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes are a simple and convenient dinner option. Ground beef and vegetables cook together in the slow cooker, allowing you to enjoy a flavorful meal with minimal effort. This dish is great for lunch or dinner on busy days.

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    Slow Cooker Classic Pot Roast

    Slow Cooker Classic Pot Roast.
    Photo Credit: Butter Your Biscuit.

    This is a great dinner option for the whole family. It features tender beef cooked to perfection with simple ingredients that pack a lot of flavor. It's a filling meal that everyone will enjoy, making it perfect for busy nights.

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    No Boil Baked Ziti

    No Boil Baked Ziti
    Photo Credit: Cooking With Carlee.

    Baked ziti is a comforting dish that’s easy to prepare. With this method, you can skip boiling the noodles and browning the meat. Just layer everything together and pop it in the oven for a delicious meal with minimal effort.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup

    Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This soup is perfect for anyone who enjoys stuffed peppers. It's a filling dish that pairs wonderfully with cheese and breadsticks, making it a satisfying meal.

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    Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup

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

    This cheesy soup is a hit with the whole family, packed with cooked ground beef, potatoes, melted Velveeta cheese, chicken broth, vegetables, and a mix of seasonings. The ingredients blend together beautifully, creating a comforting dish that everyone will enjoy. It's perfect for a cozy dinner and is sure to please beef lovers.

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    Crockpot Taco Pasta

    Taco pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Salty Pot.

    This dish is perfect for anyone who loves a warm and filling pasta meal. It features tender beef, a rich and creamy cheese sauce, and pasta that brings a sense of comfort. Best of all, it comes together in under 15 minutes, making it a quick option for dinner.

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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 nights 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 while you go about your day.

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    Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers

    Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Stuffed peppers filled with beef and rice in a rich marinara sauce create a satisfying meal. Cooking them in a slow cooker makes it simple to prepare a hearty dinner that everyone will love. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna

    Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna with wooden spoon.
    Photo Credit: The Recipe Well.

    This lasagna is super simple to make. It features layers of meat, noodles, sauce, and two kinds of cheese, all coming together in one pot. Perfect for a hearty meal, it’s a great option when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Pizza and Pasta Soup

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

    This hearty soup is packed with pizza flavors and bow-tie pasta, making it a hit with the whole family. It's also perfect for busy nights since you can prepare it ahead of time and store it in the freezer. Enjoy a comforting meal that’s easy to make and even easier to enjoy later.

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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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