The combination of tender beef, savory broth, and soft egg noodles creates the perfect comforting meal. This dish is designed to warm you up on the coldest of days, offering hearty flavors with minimal effort.
Not only is this Slow Cooker Beef and Noodles easy to prepare, but it also provides great versatility. You can adjust the seasonings to suit your taste, add vegetables for extra flavor, or even use different types of noodles. It’s the ultimate family friendly meal that’s sure to become a go to weeknight dinner.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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2 lbs beef stew meat, cubed
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1 onion, chopped
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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4 cups beef broth
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1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
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1 tablespoon soy sauce
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1 teaspoon dried thyme
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1/2 teaspoon black pepper
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4 cups egg noodles
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1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
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1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
Directions:
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Place the cubed beef, onion, and garlic into the slow cooker.
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Pour in the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
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Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4 hours, until the beef is tender.
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About 30 minutes before serving, cook the egg noodles according to the package instructions.
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If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix the cornstarch with a little cold water and stir into the slow cooker. Cook for another 30 minutes on high.
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Once the beef is tender and the noodles are cooked, stir in the noodles and fresh parsley. Serve hot.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 7-8 hours (slow cook) | Total Time: 7-8 hours 10 minutes Kcal: 450 kcal | Servings: 6 servings
Slow Cooker Beef and Noodles is the quintessential comfort food dish, perfect for family dinners, busy weeknights, or any occasion when you need something hearty and filling. This dish combines tender beef, rich beef broth, and egg noodles to create a comforting and flavorful meal with minimal effort. Whether you’re a busy home cook or a seasoned chef looking for an easy, satisfying recipe, this dish has something for everyone. Let’s dive into the details of why this slow cooker recipe is such a favorite and how you can make it your own.
The Magic of Slow Cooking
One of the biggest advantages of slow cooking is its ability to transform tougher cuts of meat, like beef stew meat, into tender, melt-in-your-mouth perfection. The slow cooker works by cooking the meat and vegetables over low heat for a long period, allowing the flavors to meld together and creating a rich, savory sauce that coats the beef and noodles. The slow cooking process also makes this recipe incredibly hands-off, allowing you to focus on other tasks while your meal cooks.
By using a slow cooker, you also preserve all the flavors and nutrients, making for a dish that not only tastes great but is also packed with goodness. The beauty of slow cooking is that the flavors develop gradually, with each ingredient contributing to a rich, layered taste that would be hard to achieve in a traditional stovetop recipe.
Why Beef and Noodles?
Beef and noodles are a classic combination in comfort food recipes, and for good reason. Beef is hearty, flavorful, and rich in protein, making it the perfect base for a filling dish. Noodles, on the other hand, are comforting and absorb the flavors of the broth, becoming soft and flavorful as they cook. Together, they create a balanced dish that’s satisfying, comforting, and full of flavor.
The beef stew meat in this recipe is a great choice because it’s affordable and flavorful, with the slow cooking process transforming it into a tender and juicy bite. As it cooks in the broth, the beef releases its juices, which infuses the broth with an incredible savory flavor that permeates the noodles. You’ll be left with tender pieces of beef that practically melt in your mouth, along with perfectly cooked noodles that have absorbed all the deliciousness from the broth.
Customizing the Recipe
One of the best things about this Slow Cooker Beef and Noodles recipe is its versatility. While the core ingredients of beef, broth, and noodles remain the same, you can customize this dish to suit your tastes or dietary preferences. For instance, you can add vegetables like carrots, peas, or mushrooms to the slow cooker to increase the nutritional value and add even more flavor to the dish.
If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can use cornstarch or flour to thicken the broth towards the end of the cooking time. This can give the dish a creamier, more substantial texture that will coat the noodles beautifully.
Additionally, you can experiment with different seasonings to make the dish your own. Add a dash of garlic powder, onion powder, or dried rosemary to the broth for an extra burst of flavor. You can even stir in a bit of heavy cream towards the end to give the sauce a rich, creamy texture if you’re in the mood for something a little more indulgent.
A Perfect Meal for Busy Weeknights
Slow Cooker Beef and Noodles is the ultimate meal for busy families or individuals who want a homemade dinner without spending hours in the kitchen. The slow cooker does most of the work for you, so you can prep everything in the morning, set it to cook, and come home to a warm, hearty meal in the evening.
It’s also a great dish for meal prepping. You can make a large batch and store the leftovers in the fridge for up to three days, or even freeze portions for a quick meal later on. The flavors of the dish improve the longer it sits, so leftovers are often even better the next day, making it a great choice for lunch or dinner throughout the week.
Making it a Family Favorite
This dish is perfect for families because it’s filling, budget-friendly, and sure to satisfy even the pickiest eaters. The simplicity of the ingredients means that even kids will enjoy it, and you can adjust the seasonings to make it as mild or flavorful as you like. Whether your family enjoys a subtle, savory broth or prefers a more robustly seasoned dish, this Slow Cooker Beef and Noodles recipe is flexible enough to cater to various tastes.
The dish is also easy to serve in large portions, making it ideal for family gatherings or casual dinner parties. It pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad or some crusty bread on the side for dipping. And since it’s made in one pot, cleanup is a breeze – making it even more convenient for busy nights.
Nutritional Benefits
Beef stew meat is a great source of protein, which is essential for building and repairing tissues in the body. It’s also rich in iron, which helps maintain healthy blood and energy levels. The addition of egg noodles provides carbohydrates, which serve as a quick source of energy, and the broth offers a flavorful base full of vitamins and minerals.
While this dish is hearty and filling, it’s also relatively simple to make it healthier. You can opt for whole wheat noodles to increase the fiber content or use low-sodium broth to reduce the sodium levels. Adding extra vegetables like carrots, peas, or green beans will further boost the nutritional value of the dish, providing essential vitamins and minerals.
Conclusion:
Slow Cooker Beef and Noodles is the epitome of comfort food. It’s easy to prepare, customizable, and perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or looking for a simple, delicious meal for yourself, this dish delivers on all fronts. The slow cooker does all the work, so all you have to do is enjoy the tender beef, flavorful broth, and perfectly cooked noodles.
This recipe also leaves room for creativity whether you’re looking to adjust the seasonings, add more vegetables, or make it extra creamy, the possibilities are endless. Make it your own, and it’s sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection.
If you haven’t tried Slow Cooker Beef and Noodles yet, now is the perfect time to give it a go. With minimal prep time and a few hours in the slow cooker, you’ll have a mouthwatering, comforting meal that your whole family will love. So set your slow cooker, sit back, and enjoy this hearty dish that’s sure to become a go-to in your meal rotation.