18 Easy Weeknight Beef Dinners Your Family Will Love

Beef for dinner, minus the weeknight stress — these easy weeknight beef dinners come together fast with big flavor. Skillets, sheet pans, and 30-minute wonders the whole family will ask for again.

Below you’ll find 18 reader-favorite recipes, each with a photo, ingredients, and step-by-step instructions. Save your favorites and enjoy!

1. Weeknight Spaghetti Bolognese

A fast, meaty Bolognese that tastes like Sunday sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 12 oz spaghetti
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 cup Parmesan

Instructions

1. Brown beef with onion and garlic in olive oil.
2. Add tomatoes and Italian seasoning; simmer 15 minutes.
3. Cook spaghetti until al dente.
4. Toss pasta with the sauce.
5. Top with Parmesan and serve.

2. Beef & Broccoli Stir-Fry

Takeout-style beef and broccoli in 20 minutes flat.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lb sirloin, sliced thin
• 1 lb broccoli florets
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp ginger, grated
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil

Instructions

1. Whisk soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, garlic, and ginger.
2. Sear beef in hot oil 3 minutes; remove.
3. Stir-fry broccoli 4 minutes.
4. Return beef; pour in sauce and toss until glossy.
5. Serve over steamed rice.

3. Taco Beef Skillet

All the taco flavor in one cheesy skillet.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lb ground beef
• 2 bell peppers, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans
• 1 cup corn
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 cup shredded cheese

Instructions

1. Brown beef with onion and peppers.
2. Add taco seasoning, beans, and corn.
3. Stir in cooked rice.
4. Top with cheese; cover 3 minutes to melt.
5. Serve with sour cream and salsa.

4. Thai Basil Beef Salad

Zesty Thai-style beef salad with lime and herbs.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lb flank steak
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Instructions

1. Marinate steak in soy, lime, sugar, and fish sauce 15 minutes.
2. Sear 4 minutes per side; rest and slice.
3. Toss with onion, cucumber, and cilantro.
4. Drizzle with extra marinade (boiled 2 minutes).
5. Serve over rice or lettuce.

5. Easy Beef Stroganoff

Creamy weeknight stroganoff without the fuss.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 8 oz egg noodles
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire
• 2 tbsp butter

Instructions

1. Brown beef with onion; drain.
2. Add broth, Worcestershire, and noodles; simmer 12 minutes.
3. Stir in mushroom soup and sour cream.
4. Simmer 3 more minutes.
5. Serve with parsley.

6. 30-Minute Beef Stew

All the cozy stew flavor in a fraction of the time.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lb chuck roast, cubed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cups beef broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 lb baby potatoes
• 3 carrots, sliced

Instructions

1. Sear beef cubes in olive oil; remove.
2. Sauté onion; stir in tomato paste.
3. Add broth, thyme, potatoes, and carrots.
4. Pressure cook 15 minutes or simmer 25.
5. Thicken with a cornstarch slurry if needed.

7. Skillet Lasagna

Lasagna flavor, one pan, no layering required.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cups marinara
• 8 lasagna noodles, broken
• 2 cups ricotta
• 2 cups mozzarella
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Brown beef with onion in olive oil.
2. Add marinara, broken noodles, and 2 cups water.
3. Simmer covered 20 minutes.
4. Dollop ricotta; top with mozzarella.
5. Broil 3 minutes until bubbly.

8. Sheet Pan Teriyaki Beef

Caramelized teriyaki beef and veggies, one pan.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lb top sirloin, cubed
• 2 bell peppers, chunked
• 1 red onion, chunked
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 425°F.
2. Toss beef and veggies with soy, honey, sesame oil, and garlic.
3. Spread on a sheet pan.
4. Roast 15-18 minutes, flipping once.
5. Sprinkle with sesame seeds; serve over rice.

9. Weeknight Beef Chili

Thick, hearty chili ready in 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans
• 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 cup beef broth
• shredded cheese to top

Instructions

1. Brown beef with onion.
2. Add chili powder and cumin; cook 1 minute.
3. Stir in beans, tomatoes, and broth.
4. Simmer 20 minutes.
5. Top with cheese and serve with cornbread.

10. Beef & Mushroom Skillet

Savory beef and mushrooms in Dijon pan sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lb beef stew meat
• 1/4 cup flour
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 tbsp Dijon
• 1 tsp thyme

Instructions

1. Dredge beef in flour; sear in olive oil.
2. Remove beef; sauté mushrooms and onion.
3. Add broth and Dijon, scraping the pan.
4. Return beef; simmer 15 minutes.
5. Serve over mashed potatoes.

11. Garlic Butter Smash Burgers

Crispy-edged smash burgers with garlic butter buns.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 4 hamburger buns
• 1 onion, sliced
• 4 cheese slices
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• lettuce and tomato
• ketchup and mustard

Instructions

1. Divide beef into 4 balls.
2. Smash flat on a screaming-hot griddle.
3. Season and cook 2 minutes per side.
4. Top with cheese to melt.
5. Serve on garlic-butter toasted buns.

12. Balsamic Grilled Flank Steak

Tangy-sweet balsamic marinade on juicy grilled steak.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lb flank steak
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp rosemary
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp honey

Instructions

1. Whisk oil, vinegar, garlic, rosemary, salt, pepper, and honey.
2. Marinate steak 30 minutes.
3. Grill 5-6 minutes per side.
4. Rest 10 minutes.
5. Slice against the grain.

13. Shepherd's Pie Skillet

Comforting shepherd's pie made weeknight-easy.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cups frozen mixed veggies
• 3 cups mashed potatoes
• 1 cup beef gravy
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire
• 1 tsp thyme
• 2 tbsp butter

Instructions

1. Brown beef with onion; add Worcestershire and thyme.
2. Stir in veggies and gravy.
3. Spread mashed potatoes over the top.
4. Broil 5 minutes until golden.
5. Rest 5 minutes before scooping.

14. Peppery Beef Tips & Gravy

Tender beef tips in rich peppery gravy.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lb beef tips
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 green onions

Instructions

1. Sear beef tips in olive oil; remove.
2. Sauté onion 4 minutes.
3. Add broth and soy sauce; simmer 15 minutes.
4. Thicken with cornstarch slurry.
5. Season with black pepper; garnish with green onions.

15. Beef Taco Wraps

Crunchy-satisfying taco wraps for busy nights.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 8 flour tortillas
• 2 cups shredded lettuce
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1/4 cup water

Instructions

1. Brown beef; add taco seasoning and water.
2. Simmer 5 minutes.
3. Warm tortillas.
4. Fill with beef, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese.
5. Add sour cream and roll up.

16. Garlic Butter Steak Bites

Juicy steak bites with garlicky green beans.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lb sirloin strips
• 1 lb green beans
• 3 tbsp butter
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Sear steak bites in olive oil 3 minutes; remove.
2. Sauté green beans 5 minutes.
3. Add butter and garlic; cook 1 minute.
4. Return steak; toss with soy sauce.
5. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

17. Italian Beef Orzo Soup

Hearty, brothy, and endlessly slurpable.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup orzo
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 cups spinach
• 1/2 cup Parmesan
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Instructions

1. Brown beef with onion.
2. Add broth, tomatoes, and Italian seasoning; boil.
3. Stir in orzo; simmer 10 minutes.
4. Wilt in spinach.
5. Top with Parmesan.

18. Chicken-Fried Steak

Crispy, peppery, and smothered in gravy.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lb cube steak
• 1 cup flour
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 4 tbsp butter
• 2 cups mashed potatoes
• gravy to serve

Instructions

1. Dredge steak in flour, egg, then breadcrumbs.
2. Fry in butter 4 minutes per side until golden.
3. Drain on a rack.
4. Make gravy from the pan drippings and milk.
5. Serve over mashed potatoes with gravy.