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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    Dump and Go: 22 Beef Dinners That Almost Cook Themselves

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on May 1, 2025, updated April 23, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Busy weeknights can make cooking feel like a chore, but with these 22 beef dinners, you can enjoy hearty meals with minimal effort. These recipes are designed to be simple and convenient, allowing you to toss everything in and let the slow cooker or oven do the work. Perfect for those who want a satisfying dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Cowboy Stew

    Cowboy Stew
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons.

    Cowboy Stew is a great choice when you need to feed a crowd without much effort. With ground beef, smoked sausage, potatoes, beans, and veggies, this dish is filling and satisfying for everyone.

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    Air Fryer Roast Beef

    Sliced roast beef.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    This Air Fryer Roast Beef is a simple dinner that takes only 50 minutes to prepare, making it perfect for family meals. With a flavorful herby crust and a juicy, tender center, it’s made with just a few easy ingredients.

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    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 is a great option for busy nights when you want a satisfying meal with minimal effort.

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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 all on its own!

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    Loaded Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

    Loaded Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes.
    Photo credit: Neighbor Food Blog.

    This simple dish is a hit with the family and only requires 15 minutes of prep time. It's perfect for those nights when you want a comforting meal ready to go.

    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. It’s packed with delicious Southwest flavors!

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    Sheet Pan Steak & Potatoes

    Sheet pan steak and potatoes.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This sheet pan meal combines tender roasted potatoes with juicy steak, all cooked together for a satisfying dinner. It offers all the comfort of a classic dish while keeping cleanup to a minimum.

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    Beef Stew

    Beef Stew Recipe.
    Photo Credit: Sugar Spun Run.

    This beef stew is packed with great flavors and is super easy to make. You can prepare it in the oven or a slow cooker, so it fits right into your busy schedule.

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    Tender Slow Cooker Pot Roast

    Tender Slow Cooker Pot Roast.
    Photo Credit: Killing Thyme.

    This slow cooker pot roast is incredibly tender and full of flavor. It cooks on low for 8 hours with plenty of vegetables, creating a satisfying meal.

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    Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef

    Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef
    Photo Credit: Dinner at the Zoo.

    Flank steak is combined with garlic, ginger, brown sugar, and soy sauce for a dish that brings the flavors of your favorite Chinese takeout right to your table. This is a simple and satisfying meal that you can enjoy any night of the week.

    Get the recipe

    Crockpot Mexican Casserole

    Crockpot Mexican Casserole with Ground Beef.
    Photo Credit" Haute & Healthy Living.

    This crockpot Mexican casserole is packed with all the flavors you love from Mexican cuisine. It's a simple and healthy option for busy weeknights that won't break the bank.

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    Slow Cooker Beef Gyros

    Slow Cooker Beef Gyros.
    Photo Credit: Like Mother, Like Daughter.

    Slow cooker beef gyros feature tender beef that cooks up nicely in the slow cooker. They’re served in warm pita bread and topped with fresh veggies and tzatziki sauce.

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    Slow Cooker Taco Soup

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

    This soup is simple to make in the slow cooker and packed with flavor. It features fire roasted corn, fresh salsa, and whole black olives.

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    Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup

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

    This cheesy soup is a family favorite, packed with ground beef, potatoes, melted Velveeta cheese, chicken broth, vegetables, and seasonings. The flavors blend together perfectly, making it a dish everyone will love.

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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. Packed with ground beef, salsa, and plenty of cheese, it's perfect for a potluck or a quick weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe

    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, featuring beef broth, butter, onion, garlic, beef, and mushrooms. Simply toss everything into the slow cooker for a tasty meal.

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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 quick and easy way to enjoy a classic pasta sauce. With just a few simple pantry ingredients, you can whip up a rich and hearty meal in no time.

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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 a filling and comforting meal that you can set and forget. Packed with tender beef, fresh vegetables, and hearty barley, it's perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner.

    Get the Recipe

    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 a flavorful dish that everyone in the family will enjoy.

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    Crock Pot Carne Guisada

    Crock Pot Carne Guisada (Mexican Beef Stew).
    Photo Credit: Supergolden Bakes.

    This beef stew is packed with flavor and features tender beef that falls apart easily. It's a simple dish that you can throw together and enjoy without much effort.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Gravy

    Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Gravy.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Comfort food is all about warmth and satisfaction. This dish is hearty and packed with delicious flavors in every bite.

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    Slow Cooker Baked Spaghetti

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

    Slow Cooker Baked Spaghetti features a hearty beef sauce mixed with pasta, cream cheese, and mozzarella. Known as Million Dollar Spaghetti, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table.

    Get the Recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Skillet Stuffed Peppers.
      32 Cheap Ground Beef Dinners You’ll Want to Make All the Time
    • Steak fajita pasta.
      23 Springtime Pasta Recipes That Are a Breeze to Make
    • Greek salmon with rice and peppers.
      20 Quick and Easy One-Dish Meals for Busy Weeknights
    • A cheesy pizza pasta bake.
      22 Deliciously Easy Casseroles for a Cozy Family Dinner

    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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