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Whether you need dinner in a flash or are prepping for a special occasion or gathering, beef dinner ideas will get those wheels turning!

More Collections: Easy Dinner Ideas, Chicken Dinner Ideas, Quick Dinner Ideas

Collage of beef dinner recipes.

Beef! It’s what’s for dinner

Beef is a perfect protein addition to any meal. It can be ground, added into soups to feed the masses, shredded into Tacos, used in ground beef casserole recipes, or served as patties on buns.

Why we love beef:

  • Tasty. Beef goes into a variety of cuisines so there is something for everyone.
  • Perfect pairing. It can be used in any cuisine and pairs perfectly with so many flavors.
  • Variety. I created this collection of beef dinner ideas that includes everything from ground beef and Burgers to shredded beef and Pot Roasts!
A ranch burger on a plate with strawberries and grapes.

Best kind of beef to use

The beef recipes will list what cut of meat to use such as “cubed chuck roast” for a beef stew or “ground beef” for a casserole.

The recipe may also include alternate cuts that still work well in the recipe. Ground beef is sold according to the percentage of fat that it contains.

  • 25-30% contains the fattiest and is great for dishes that stand alone like burgers or Meatballs. The higher fat content yields a juicy and flavorful dish. This is also the least expensive.
  • 15-20% is great for soups and casseroles, but can also be used for burgers and meatballs. You may be instructed to drain any excess oil after browning the meat.
  • Less than 10% is the leanest. It isn’t always great for stand-alone recipes because it dries out quickly, but works well to add to larger dishes like casseroles and soups.
Ground beef being browned in a skillet.

How to brown ground beef

  1. Let the ground beef sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes.
  2. Add 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil to a cast-iron skillet, or other heavy-bottomed pan and heat it up over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef.
  3. Use a spatula to break the meat up into pieces and let it cook for about 5 minutes before flipping it. Use the spatula to continue to break the meat into pieces. Cook until no longer pink. Drain excess oil. 

Pro Tips!

  • Don’t overcrowd the pan or the beef will steam instead of getting a crispy brown.
  • Seasonings. Add aromatics, like garlic, along with the oil. Then add the meat.
  • Freeze. Cook up a few batches and freeze the browned beef in an airtight container for later can help get dinner on the table on busy days.
Ground beef seasoned with taco seasoning in a skillet.

Spice it Up

Many different seasonings go well with ground beef. Onion and bell peppers are a class addition. It depends on what flavor profile you want to create.

  • Italian beef may include parsley, garlic, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
  • Beef tacos would include chili powder, garlic, onion, red pepper flakes, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper.
  • Hamburgers may have a simple Lawry’s seasoning salt or a bit of Worcestershire Sauce.

Best Beef Dinner Recipes

Whether you go for steak and mashed potatoes, or beef stroganoff over noodles – enjoy any of these classics, our favorites for any weeknight dinner!

1 Spaghetti Recipe

Main Course Spaghetti Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 357 votes
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2 Best Hamburger Recipe

Main Course Best Hamburger Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 37 votes
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3 Hamburger Helper Recipe

Main Course Hamburger Helper Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

4.97 from 56 votes
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4 Easy Lasagna Recipe

Main Course Easy Lasagna Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes

Recipe Video

4.88 from 88 votes
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5 Easy Meatloaf Recipe

Main Course Easy Meatloaf Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 31 votes
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6 Easy Meatball Recipe

Appetizer, Main Course Easy Meatball Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 203 votes
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7 Goulash Recipe

Main Course Goulash Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour

Recipe Video

4.97 from 589 votes
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8 Best Chili Recipe

Soup Best Chili Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 79 votes
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9 Ground Beef Enchiladas Recipe

Main Course Ground Beef Enchiladas Recipe
Total Time: 55 minutes
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10 Taco Casserole Recipe

Main Course Taco Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 110 votes

Ground Beef Dinner Recipes

Ground beef dishes include simple ingredients and are highlights of anything from taco soup to pasta dishes like lasagna! Enjoy these deliciously easy options.

11 Loaded Nachos Recipe

Appetizer, Main Course Loaded Nachos Recipe
Total Time: 27 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 23 votes
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12 Spaghetti Casserole Recipe

Main Course Spaghetti Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 138 votes
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13 Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe

Main Course Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 33 minutes
5 from 9 votes
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14 Albondigas Recipe

Soup Albondigas Recipe
Total Time: 50 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 346 votes
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15 Taco Pie Recipe

Main Course Taco Pie Recipe
Total Time: 45 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 16 votes
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16 Hamburger Macaroni Soup Recipe

Main Course, Soup Hamburger Macaroni Soup Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 116 votes
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17 Chili Spaghetti Recipe

Main Course, Soup Chili Spaghetti Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
4.98 from 45 votes
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18 Hamburger Casserole Recipe

Main Course Hamburger Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 50 minutes

Recipe Video

4.91 from 66 votes
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19 Walking Tacos Recipe

Main Course Walking Tacos Recipe
Total Time: 28 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 8 votes
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20 Ranch Burger Recipe

Main Course Ranch Burger Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
4.96 from 44 votes
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21 Ground Beef Tacos Recipe

Main Course Ground Beef Tacos Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 19 votes
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22 Easy Swedish Meatballs Recipe

Main Course Easy Swedish Meatballs Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour

Recipe Video

5 from 19 votes
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23 Crockpot Lasagna Recipe

Main Course Crockpot Lasagna Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours 55 minutes

Recipe Video

4.92 from 12 votes
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24 Crockpot Spaghetti

Main Course Crockpot Spaghetti
Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
5 from 8 votes
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25 Meatball Soup

Soup Meatball Soup
Total Time: 30 minutes
5 from 7 votes
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26 Taco Soup Recipe

Soup Taco Soup Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 29 votes
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27 Cheeseburger Soup Recipe

Soup Cheeseburger Soup Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes

Recipe Video

4.79 from 14 votes
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28 Lasagna Soup Recipe

Main Course, Soup Lasagna Soup Recipe
Total Time: 50 minutes

Recipe Video

4.96 from 24 votes
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29 Taco Pasta Shells Recipe

Main Course Taco Pasta Shells Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes
5 from 29 votes
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30 Stuffed Shells Recipe

Main Course Stuffed Shells Recipe
Total Time: 45 minutes
4.86 from 7 votes
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31 Sloppy Joe Recipe

Main Course Sloppy Joe Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 16 votes
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32 Taco Pizza Recipe

Main Course Taco Pizza Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
5 from 13 votes
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33 Italian Meatball Recipe

Appetizer, Main Course Italian Meatball Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 48 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 9 votes
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34 Spaghetti Pie

Main Course Spaghetti Pie
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 10 votes
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More Dinner Ideas with Beef

For tonight’s dinner, enjoy a comforting dish. These beef dishes are fabulous favorites!

35 Beef Stroganoff Recipe

Main Course Beef Stroganoff Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 17 votes
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36 Beef Empanadas Recipe

Main Course Beef Empanadas Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 31 votes
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37 Steak Marinade

Main Course Steak Marinade
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes

Recipe Video

4.97 from 78 votes
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38 Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe

Soup Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe
Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 97 votes
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39 Crock Pot Brisket Recipe

Main Course Crock Pot Brisket Recipe
Total Time: 8 hours 5 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 303 votes
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40 Mexican Beef Stew Recipe

Main Course, Soup Mexican Beef Stew Recipe
Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
5 from 18 votes
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41 Beef and Broccoli Recipe

Main Course Beef and Broccoli Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
4.89 from 17 votes
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42 Fajita Recipe

Main Course Fajita Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 17 votes
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43 Flautas

Appetizer, Main Course Flautas
Total Time: 25 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 61 votes
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44 French Dip Sandwich Recipe

French Dip Sandwiches
Main Course French Dip Sandwich Recipe
Total Time: 6 hours 45 minutes
4.94 from 15 votes
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45 Crock Pot Pot Roast

Main Course Crock Pot Pot Roast
Total Time: 7 hours 5 minutes

Recipe Video

4.99 from 118 votes
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46 Crock Pot Mongolian Beef Recipe

Main Course Crock Pot Mongolian Beef Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
5 from 14 votes
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47 Steak Bites Recipe

Main Course Steak Bites Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 11 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 3 votes
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48 Crock Pot Roast with Potatoes and Carrots

Main Course Crock Pot Roast with Potatoes and Carrots
Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 320 votes
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49 Carne Asada Recipe

Main Course Carne Asada Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 10 votes
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50 Steak and Tortellini Salad Recipe

Salad Steak and Tortellini Salad Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 7 votes
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51 Steak and Potatoes Recipe

Main Course Steak and Potatoes Recipe
Total Time: 45 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 8 votes
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52 Beef Lo Mein Recipe

Main Course Beef Lo Mein Recipe
Total Time: 17 minutes
4.58 from 7 votes
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53 Beef Stew Recipe

Main Course Beef Stew Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 1 vote
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54 Chicken Fried Steak Recipe

Main Course Chicken Fried Steak Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 13 votes
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New Favorite Beef Dinners

Whether you are looking for some new trusty ground beef or other beef dinner ideas you’re sure to find many new favorites on this list!

More Collections: Easy Dinner Ideas, Sunday Dinner Ideas, Healthy Dinner Ideas

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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