Crockpot Beef and Noodles with Stew Meat
Using a slow cooker makes this dish incredibly easy. You can let the flavors meld together all day while you focus on other tasks, knowing that by dinner time, you’ll have a meal that tastes like it simmered for hours.
Equipment
- Slow cooker or crockpot
- Large skillet
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden Spoon or Silicone Spatula
- Chef’s knife and cutting board
- Colander
Ingredients
For the Beef:
- 2 pounds beef stew meat
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Sauce:
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
For the Noodles:
- 8 ounces egg noodles
- 2 tablespoons butter optional, for extra richness
Instructions
Brown the Beef
- Pat the beef stew meat dry with paper towels—this helps it sear properly.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the beef in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Brown on all sides (about 3–4 minutes per batch).
- Transfer the browned beef to the slow cooker.
- Pro Tip: Browning the beef adds a lot of flavor to your sauce, so don’t skip this step!
Prepare the Sauce
- In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes until translucent.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the tomato paste, paprika, and thyme; cook for 1–2 minutes to enhance the flavors.
- Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and whisk continuously to prevent lumps.
- Gradually pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, stirring until smooth.
- Pro Tip: Whisking continuously when adding the broth keeps the sauce silky and lump-free.
Combine in the Slow Cooker
- Pour the prepared sauce over the browned beef in the slow cooker.
- Stir gently to combine everything evenly.
- Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or on high for 3–4 hours, until the beef is fork-tender.
Cook the Noodles
- About 20 minutes before serving, cook the egg noodles according to package instructions.
- Drain and toss with butter, if desired, for extra richness.
Serve the Beef and Noodles
- Gently stir the cooked noodles into the slow cooker or serve the beef and sauce over the noodles on individual plates.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if you like for a pop of color.
- Pro Tip: If the sauce is too thin, remove the lid and cook on high for 10–15 minutes to thicken it before serving.
Notes
Nutritional Value (per serving, approximate)
- Calories: 450–500 kcal
- Protein: 30–35 g
- Fat: 18–20 g
- Carbohydrates: 40–45 g
- Fiber: 3–4 g
- Sugar: 3–5 g
- Sodium: 700–800 mg