Easy Beefed-Up Weeknight Dinners

You can have a protein-packed weeknight meal from Food Network in no time with strategic prep work and the right ingredients.
Ree Drummond's Thai Beef with Peppers for, LESSONS FROM GRANDMA/MICROWAVE VEGGIES/CHICKEN SOUP, as seen on Food Network's The Pioneer Woman. Episode: 16 Minute Meals Around the World

ReeDrummond_ThaiBeefWithPeppers_H

Ree Drummond's Thai Beef with Peppers for, LESSONS FROM GRANDMA/MICROWAVE VEGGIES/CHICKEN SOUP, as seen on Food Network's The Pioneer Woman. Episode: 16 Minute Meals Around the World

Photo by: Renee Comet

Renee Comet

Ree Drummond's Thai Beef with Peppers for, LESSONS FROM GRANDMA/MICROWAVE VEGGIES/CHICKEN SOUP, as seen on Food Network's The Pioneer Woman. Episode: 16 Minute Meals Around the World

Beef dinners don’t have to be reserved for weekend decadence. You can have a protein-packed weeknight meal in no time with strategic prep work and the right ingredients. Check out these meaty recipes you can make tonight.

Food Styling: Jamie Kimm
Prop Styling: Paige Hicks

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Food Styling: Jamie Kimm Prop Styling: Paige Hicks

Photo by: Christopher Testani

Christopher Testani

Food Styling: Jamie Kimm Prop Styling: Paige Hicks

Thai Beef with Peppers (pictured above)

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Photo by: Antonis Achilleos

Antonis Achilleos

In less than 20 minutes, you can whip up Ree Drummond’s Thai beef dish. Thinly sliced flank steak cooks quickly in a hot skillet before it’s accompanied by peppers, onion and a splash of marinade. Served with noodles, it’s a one-dish meal that will please the whole family.

Food Network 
Rachel Ray Taco Pockets
Winter Weeknight Dinners in 60,Food Network 
Rachel Ray Taco Pockets
Winter Weeknight Dinners in 60

Food Network Rachel Ray Taco Pockets Winter Weeknight Dinners in 60,Food Network Rachel Ray Taco Pockets Winter Weeknight Dinners in 60

Photo by: Armando Rafael Moutela ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved. 2014, Cooking Channel, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Armando Rafael Moutela, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved. 2014, Cooking Channel, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Food Network Rachel Ray Taco Pockets Winter Weeknight Dinners in 60,Food Network Rachel Ray Taco Pockets Winter Weeknight Dinners in 60

Photo by: Brian Kennedy ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Brian Kennedy, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

For something on the lighter side, opt for a steak salad. Despite its name, this recipe isn’t spicy. It calls for green peppercorns, which are less peppery in flavor than their black counterparts and brighten up the creamy dressing.

Busy weekdays are the perfect opportunity to break out your slow cooker. With only 25 minutes of prep time in the morning (or the night before), you’ll have a delicious beef and potato curry with layers of flavor as soon as you walk in the door.

Rachael Ray combines tacos and burgers — two kid-friendly favorites — for a unique weeknight meal your kids can help make. Prep the burger patties before calling over your little helpers, who can pile on the toppings before wrapping it all up into a drip-proof pocket.

Beef stew is a classic comfort food, but it can take hours to make on the stovetop. This recipe calls for your trusty slow cooker instead. Take 20 minutes in the morning to brown the beef and make a gravy before letting your slow cooker take over. You’ll come home to a hearty stew (and plenty of leftovers for the rest of the week.

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