Welcome to Betty Cooks, where I’m all about turning simple ingredients into weeknight magic. Today, I’m sharing one of my family’s favorite easy ground beef dinner recipes: French Dip Squares! This simple recipe is a fun, deconstructed twist on a classic sandwich that’s perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying as a simple family meal. If you’re looking for a quick and easy recipe that delivers big on flavor without a fuss, you’ve come to the right place.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- What Are French Dip Squares?
- Your Guide to the Perfect Grounded Beef Dinner
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- Step-by-Step Easy French Dip Square Instructions
- Notes and Tips for Success
- Serving and Storing Your Dinner
- Frequently Asked Questions
Key Takeaways
French Dip Squares are a family dinner recipes easy win that transforms crescent roll dough, savory roast beef, and melty cheese into a handheld, dippable delight. Paired with a rich, homemade au jus, it’s the ultimate easy recipes for dinner that comes together in about 40 minutes. Perfect for game day, casual get-togethers, or a satisfying weeknight meal, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your rotation.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Some recipes just hit all the right notes. This is one of them. It’s incredibly simple to put together with minimal prep, but the result feels special and indulgent. The combination of the flaky, buttery crust with the tender roast beef and gooey cheese is pure comfort food. Plus, the interactive element of dipping each square into the warm, savory au jus makes it a fun meal for both kids and adults. It’s the kind of easy dinner recipes with ground beef that people ask for again and again.
What Are French Dip Squares?
Think of all the best parts of a classic French Dip sandwich—the tender beef, the melty cheese, the rich au jus for dipping—but reimagined as a shareable, finger-friendly appetizer or main course. Instead of a hoagie roll, we use a base of golden, baked crescent roll dough, creating the perfect vessel to hold all the delicious fillings. It’s a clever and delicious way to enjoy those familiar flavors in a new, easy-to-eat format.
Your Guide to the Perfect Grounded Beef Dinner
Creating a memorable meal doesn’t require hours in the kitchen. The secret to this ground beef recipes easy masterpiece lies in its simplicity and smart ingredient choices. Using quality deli roast beef ensures the meat is already perfectly seasoned and tender, saving you cooking time. The key is to chop it finely so it distributes evenly and every bite is packed with flavor. This approach makes it one of the most satisfying easy ground beef dinner recipes you can make on a busy weeknight.
Ingredients You’ll Need
I love recipes that use pantry staples and a few fresh items. For this dish, you’ll need refrigerated crescent roll dough, thin-sliced roast beef, provolone cheese, and a few basic seasonings. For the au jus, beef consommé, broth, and a gravy mix packet create that deeply savory, restaurant-quality dip in minutes. It’s a short list that delivers maximum flavor!
Step-by-Step Easy French Dip Square Instructions
The process is wonderfully straightforward. Simply press the crescent dough into a pan, layer on the beef and cheese, add a flavorful butter topping, and bake. While it’s in the oven, you’ll have just enough time to whisk together the simple au jus on the stovetop. In less time than it takes to decide on takeout, you’ll have a hot, cheesy, and irresistible dish ready to serve.
Notes and Tips for Success
For the crispiest crust, make sure your baking dish is properly greased. Don’t skip the garlic-Parmesan butter brush on top—it adds a fantastic golden color and extra layer of flavor. If you want to get ahead, you can assemble the squares (without baking) and keep them covered in the fridge for a few hours before popping them in the oven. For the au jus, taste and adjust the seasoning after simmering; you can add a splash of Worcestershire sauce for extra depth.
Serving and Storing Your Dinner
Serve these squares hot from the oven with small individual bowls of the warm au jus for dipping. They’re fantastic on their own or paired with a simple green salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal. Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat, I recommend using an air fryer or oven to bring back that wonderful crispy texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of cheese? Absolutely! Swiss or mozzarella cheese are excellent substitutes for provolone and will melt beautifully.
Can I make this ahead of time? You can assemble the unbaked squares, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 8 hours before baking. You may need to add a minute or two to the baking time if starting from cold.
What’s the best way to reheat leftovers? To maintain the crisp crust, reheat squares in a 350°F oven or air fryer for 5-7 minutes until warmed through. The microwave will make the crust soggy.
Easy Ground Beef Dinner Recipe: French Dip Squares
Ingredients
For the Squares
- 1 (8 oz) package refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 1/2 pound deli roast beef, thinly sliced and chopped
- 6 slices provolone cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
For the Au Jus Dip
- 1 (10.5 oz) can beef consommé
- 1 (10.5 oz) can beef broth
- 1 packet au jus gravy mix
Instructions
Make the Squares
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×9-inch baking dish.
- Unroll the crescent roll dough and press it into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, pinching any seams together to form a solid crust.
- Layer the chopped roast beef evenly over the dough. Top with the slices of provolone cheese.
- In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder. Brush this mixture evenly over the top of the cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crescent dough is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly. Let cool for 5 minutes, then cut into squares.
Make the Au Jus
- While the squares are baking, prepare the au jus dip. In a small saucepan, combine the beef consommé, beef broth, and au jus gravy mix.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low and keep warm until ready to serve.
Serve
- Serve the warm French Dip Squares with small bowls of the hot au jus dip for dipping.
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