23 easy weeknight dinners

Life is hectic, dinner shouldn't have to be. That's why we've made a collection of our favorite go-to weeknight dinners that are kid-friendly, straightforward and hands-down delicious. Look over the ingredient lists and tap on the link to get the recipe. 

roast beef sliders

  •    Time: 30 minutes
  •    Serves 12

1. roast beef sliders

  • 1 pound thinly sliced reduced-sodium deli roast beef 
  • 1 package Hawaiian rolls (12 count) 
  • 1/4 cup cream-style prepared horseradish 
  • 6 slices reduced-fat provolone cheese 
  • 1/3 cup butter, melted 
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley leaves 
  • 2 teaspoons packed light brown sugar 
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder

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Beef and Cheese Tortilla Towers

  •    Time: 30 min
  •    Serves 4

2. Tortilla stackers

  • 1 pound Ground Beef (95% lean) 
  • 1 jar (16 ounces) thick-and-chunky salsa 
  • 3/4 cup canned black beans, rinsed, drained 
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 
  • 7 small whole wheat tortillas (6 to 7-inch diameter) 
  • 1 cup shredded reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend Chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

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Cheeseburger Mac

  •    Time: 30 min
  •    Serves 4

3. Cheeseburger Mac

  • 1 pound Ground Beef (93% lean or leaner) 
  • 1-3/4 cups water 
  • 1 cup dry elbow macaroni 
  • 6 ounces processed cheese spread, cut into cubes 8 to 10 
  • dill pickle slices (optional)

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Aloha Sloppy Joe

  •    Time: 30 min
  •    Serves 4

4. Aloha Sliders

  • 1 pound Ground Beef (93% lean or leaner)
  • 1 cup chopped yellow onion 
  • 1 cup chopped red bell pepper 
  • 1/2 cup barbecue sauce 
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 
  • 1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple in juice, undrained 
  • 12 sweet Hawaiian honey wheat dinner rolls, split, warmed

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Sloppy Joe Bake

  •    Time: 70 min
  •    Serves 6

5. Sloppy Joe Bake

  • 1-1/2 pounds Ground Beef (80% to 85% lean) 
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped (1-1/2 to 2 cups) 
  • 2 cans (14-1/2 to 16 ounces each) sloppy Joe sauce 
  • 3 cups uncooked rotini 
  • 1/2 cup water 
  • 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese 

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Beefy nuggets cooked in the oven, perfect for little hands to dip as they wish.

  •    Time: 45 minutes 
  •    Serves 4

6. Popcorn Steak Bites

  • 1 pound beef Cubed Steaks, cut 1/2 inch thick  
  • 6 cups ridged potato chips (any flavor)  
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour  
  • 1 teaspoon pepper  
  • 2 large eggs, slightly beaten

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Lazy Beef Lasagna

  •    Time: 1 hour
  •    Serves 6

7. Lazy Lasagna

  • 1-1/2 pounds Ground Beef (93% lean or leaner) 
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic 
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt 
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper 
  • 1 jar (26 ounces) prepared pasta or marinara sauce 
  • 1-1/2 cups water 
  • 1 package (20 to 25 ounces) refrigerated or frozen cheese ravioli 
  • 1 cup shredded Italian cheese blend

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sheet pan meatloaf

  •    Time: 90 minutes
  •    Serves 68. Easy Sheet Pan Meatloaf

8. sheet pan meatloaf 

  • 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce, divided 
  • 1 cup dry bread crumbs 
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped 
  • 1 egg 
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme 
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt 
  • 3/4 teaspoon pepper, divided 
  • 2 pounds red potatoes, cubed (3/4 inch) 
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt 
  • 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar 
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard

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Beef & Pasta Skillet Primavera

  •    Time: 30 min
  •    Serves 4

9. Beef pasta primavera

  • 1 pound Ground Beef (96% lean) 
  • 1 (14-1/2 ounces) can reduced-sodium beef broth 
  • 1 cup uncooked whole wheat pasta 
  • 2 zucchini or yellow squash, cut in half lengthwise, then crosswise into 1/2-inch slices 
  • 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) no-salt added diced tomatoes 
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

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stuffed meatball sliders

  •    Time: 35 minutes
  •    Serves 4

10. meatball sliders

  • 1 pound lean ground beef 
  • 12 dinner rolls 
  • 1/4 cup Italian-seasoned bread crumbs 
  • 1 egg 
  • 1/2 tsp salt 
  • 1 tbs minced garlic 
  • 1 tsp pepper 
  • 2 tbs milk 
  • 1 jar marinara sauce 
  • 2 cups grated fontina or low-moisture mozzarella cheese 
  • Chopped parsley and basil Garlic spread

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brisket potato bar

  •    Time: 1 hour for potatoes
  •    Serves 4-8

11. brisket baked potato bar

  • 1 pound brisket from local BBQ shop
  • 4-8 potatoes
  • Cheese
  • BBQ sauce
  • Sour Cream
  • Chives
  • Jalapenos
  • Chips

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taquito thumbnail

  •    Time: 30 min
  •    Serves 4

12.  Air Fryer cheese steak taquitos

  • 1 package of shaved beef steak 
  • 1 package of corn tortillas - 12 
  • 1 green bell pepper, cut into strips 
  • 1 yellow pepper, cut into strips 
  • 1 small yellow onion, cut into strips 
  • Steak seasoning to taste 
  • Pepper jack cheese

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air fryer nacho meatball hero horizontal

  •    Time: 30 minutes
  •    Serves 4

13. nacho meatballs

  • 1 pound Ground Beef (96% lean) 
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning 
  • 1 can (4 ounces) chopped mild green chilies, drained 
  • 16 cubes pepper jack or Colby jack cheese (1/2 inch squares) 
  • 1 egg white 
  • 1 tablespoon water 
  • 2 cups crushed nacho cheese-flavored tortilla chips

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ConfettiTacoThumbnail

  •    Time: 20 minutes
  •    Serves 4

14. confetti beef tacos

  • 1 pound Ground Beef (93% lean or leaner) 
  • 2 teaspoons chile powder 
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt 
  • 1 can (11 ounces) corn, drained 
  • 1 cup prepared chunky salsa 
  • 8 taco shells

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south-of-the-border-beef-hash

  •    Time: 30 minutes
  •    Serves 4

15. south of the border beef hash

  • 1 pound Ground Beef (75% to 80% lean) 
  • 3 cups frozen potatoes O'Brien 
  • 1-1/2 cups prepared thick-and-chunky salsa 
  • 1 can (4 to 4-1/2 ounces) chopped green chilies 
  • 1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend

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Confetti Beef Taco Salad

  •    Time: 30 minutes
  •    Serves 4

16. Beef confetti taco salad

  • 1 pound Ground Beef (96% lean) 
  • 2/3 cup salsa 
  • 1/2 cup low-fat shredded Cheddar cheese 
  • 1 medium tomato, chopped (about one cup) 
  • 8 cups mixed salad greens 
  • 1/2 cup diced bell pepper 
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion

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sw beef wraps

  •    Time: 10 hours
  •    Serves 8

17. southwest beef wraps

  • 1 beef Shoulder Roast Boneless or Bottom Round Rump Roast (2-1/2 to 3 pounds) 
  • 1 medium onion, quartered 
  • 3 teaspoons minced garlic 
  • 3/4 cup water 
  • 1 teaspoon salt 
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper 
  • 2 jars (16 ounces) chunky salsa, divided 
  • 8 flour tortillas (10-inch diameter), warmed 
  • Fresh cilantro (optional)

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asparagus toss

  •    Time
  •    Serving Size

18. beef and asparagus pasta

  • 1 pound Ground Beef (93% lean or leaner) 
  • 3 cups uncooked bow tie pasta 
  • 1 pound fresh asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces 
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil 
  • 1/4 cup minced shallots (about 2 large) 
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic 
  • Salt and pepper

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Classic-Meatloaf_VERTICAL

  •    Time: 75 minutes
  •    Serves 6

19. Classic meatloaf

  • 1-1/2 pounds Ground Beef (93% lean or leaner) 
  • 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce, divided 
  • 1 cup soft bread crumbs 
  • 1 egg 
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped 
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed 
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt 
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper 
  • 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar 
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard

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wranglers beef chili

  •    Time: 50 minutes
  •    Serves 4

20. wrangler's beef chili

  • 1 pound Ground Beef (93% lean or leaner) 
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion 
  • 1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, drained and rinsed 
  • 2 cans (8 ounces) no-salt added tomato sauce 
  • 1 cup frozen corn 
  • 1 cup water 
  • 2 teaspoons chile powder 
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin 
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder 
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves 
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper 
  • Hot cooked whole wheat macaroni (optional)

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one-dish-beef-stroganoff

  •    Time: 50 minutes
  •    Serves 4

21. one dish stroganoff

  • 1 pound Ground Beef (93% lean or leaner) 
  • 1/2 pound sliced button or cremini mushrooms 
  • 3 teaspoons minced garlic 
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme or 
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves 
  • 2 cups uncooked whole grain wide noodle-style pasta 
  • 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) reduced-sodium beef broth 
  • 1 cup frozen peas 
  • 1/4 cup regular dairy sour cream plus additional for topping 
  • 1 tablespoon regular or coarse-grain Dijon-style mustard

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mini-meatloaf-five-ways-step-shot-3-saucing

  •    Time: 35 minutes
  •    Serves 6

22. mini meatloaves

  • 1-1/2 pounds Ground Beef (93% lean or leaner) 
  • 1/3 cup saltine, butter cracker crumbs or Panko bread crumbs 
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped onion 
  • 1/3 cup reduced-fat 2% milk 
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten 
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic 
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt 
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

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french dip

  •    Time: 4 hours in the slow cooker
  •    Serves 10

23. beef french dip with au jus

  • 3 pounds beef Brisket Flat Half 
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 
  • 2 large sweet onions, cut into 1/4-inch slices 
  • 2 cups reduced-sodium beef broth 
  • 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce 
  • 1 package (1-1/4 ounces) dry onion soup mix 
  •  1 teaspoon minced garlic 
  • 8 to 10 French rolls, split, toasted 
  • Sliced provolone or Swiss cheese (optional)

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