Hearty & Easy Crockpot Beef and Noodles: A Comfort Food Classic
Prepare to fall in love with this incredibly simple yet profoundly satisfying crockpot beef and noodles recipe. Featuring succulent beef stew meat, savory onion, and aromatic garlic bathed in a rich, creamy brown gravy, this dish is the epitome of comfort food. The magic happens with minimal effort as your slow cooker transforms humble ingredients into a mouth-watering meal, culminating in perfectly tossed egg noodles that soak up every bit of that delicious sauce. Get ready for a weeknight dinner that feels like a weekend feast!
Why This Easy Crockpot Beef and Noodles Recipe Will Become Your Favorite
There’s a reason why this beef and noodles recipe consistently earns rave reviews. It offers the heartwarming essence of a classic beef stew, but with a simplified approach – we skip the medley of vegetables and instead embrace the comforting embrace of tender noodles. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a hug in a bowl, guaranteed to hit the spot, especially on cooler evenings.
The secret to its success lies in the humble crockpot. By utilizing the slow cooking method, we eliminate extensive prep work and achieve unparalleled tenderness in the beef. The meat slowly simmers, absorbing all the rich flavors of the gravy, resulting in incredibly juicy, fall-apart beef. The creamy brown gravy, created from a few simple ingredients, forms a velvety blanket over every bite, making this dish incredibly satisfying and surprisingly easy to prepare. It truly embodies “set it and forget it” convenience without compromising on gourmet taste.
Key Ingredients for Crockpot Beef and Noodles
Crafting this delightful dish requires a handful of accessible ingredients that work in harmony to create its signature flavor. For precise measurements, the full list of ingredients, and detailed instructions, please refer to the printable recipe card conveniently located at the end of this post.
Ingredient Spotlight & Smart Substitutions
Understanding each component is key to mastering this crockpot beef and noodles recipe. Here’s a closer look at the ingredients and how you can adapt them to your pantry or preferences:
BEEF – Our star ingredient is stewing beef, often labeled as “beef stew meat.” This cut typically comprises cubed chunks of chuck roast or round roast. These are tough cuts of meat, but that’s precisely why they excel in the slow cooker! The low and slow cooking process breaks down their connective tissues, rendering them incredibly tender and flavorful. If you prefer, you can purchase a larger cut like a round steak, round roast, or chuck roast and cube it yourself into 1 to 1.5-inch pieces. For an extra layer of flavor and texture, we recommend coating the cubed beef in all-purpose flour and browning it in a skillet before adding it to the crockpot. This crucial step creates a light, flavorful crust on the meat, locking in juices and adding depth to the final gravy.
NOODLES – When it comes to pairing beef with pasta in this dish, classic egg noodles are our top choice. Their wide, flat shape and slightly chewy texture are ideal for soaking up the rich gravy. However, don’t hesitate to experiment! You can easily substitute with your favorite pasta shape, such as wide tagliatelle, fettuccine, or even medium-sized shells if you prefer a different bite. Just remember to cook any substitute pasta according to package directions, al dente, and add it at the very end to prevent it from becoming mushy.
GRAVY – The luscious, creamy gravy is the soul of this dish, built upon a simple yet potent combination of beef broth and cream of mushroom soup. We recommend using low-sodium beef broth to control the overall saltiness, allowing you to season to taste. The cream of mushroom soup acts as a fantastic shortcut, providing a rich, umami base and creamy texture without the need for a complex roux. It contributes a depth of flavor that complements the beef beautifully, creating that signature hearty gravy.
VEGETABLES – As the name implies and as mentioned previously, this is distinct from a traditional beef stew, meaning you won’t find a large assortment of root vegetables. Instead, the focus is on robust flavor builders: onion and garlic. These two aromatic powerhouses lay a foundational flavor that permeates the entire dish. Finely chopped yellow or white onions will work perfectly here, softening and caramelizing slightly to add sweetness and depth. Minced garlic further enhances the savory profile, making this seemingly simple gravy incredibly complex and satisfying. Along with the chosen seasonings (sea salt, dried thyme, and ground pepper), these humble vegetables play a crucial role in creating the dish’s irresistible taste.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Crockpot Beef and Noodles
These step-by-step photos and instructions are provided to help you visualize each stage of making this incredibly comforting recipe. For a convenient, printable version of this recipe, complete with precise measurements and comprehensive instructions, simply Jump to Recipe at the bottom of the page.
- Begin by preparing your beef. Place the beef stew meat in a large bowl or a sturdy bag, then add the all-purpose flour. Toss or shake vigorously until each piece of beef is completely and evenly coated. This flour coating will help create a beautiful crust during browning and thicken the gravy.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, brown the flour-coated meat in batches. Overcrowding the pan will steam the meat instead of browning it, so ensure there’s enough space between pieces. Cook until nicely browned on all sides, then transfer the browned beef to your crockpot. Add 2 more tablespoons of olive oil to the skillet and repeat the browning process with the remaining beef until all pieces are seared.
- With the same skillet (no need to clean it – the browned bits add extra flavor!), pour in the final tablespoon of olive oil. Add the finely chopped onions and minced garlic to the pan. Sauté over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent and softened, and the garlic is fragrant, typically for 3-5 minutes.
- Once the onions and garlic are soft, season them directly in the skillet with the sea salt, dried thyme, and ground pepper. Stir well to combine, allowing the aromatics to absorb the spices. Then, transfer this flavorful onion and garlic mixture into the crockpot with the browned beef.
- Into the crockpot, pour in the low-sodium beef broth and the canned cream of mushroom soup. Stir all the ingredients together thoroughly until the soup is fully incorporated into the broth and coats the beef and aromatics. This forms the delicious creamy gravy base for your dish.
- Cover the crockpot and cook on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 6-8 hours, or until the beef is incredibly tender and easily shredded with a fork. Approximately 20-30 minutes before you’re ready to serve, cook the egg noodles according to the package directions until al dente. Once cooked, drain them well and add them directly to the crockpot. Gently mix the noodles into the rich beef and gravy mixture to ensure they are fully coated. Serve immediately, garnished with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of freshness and color.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Perfection
To properly store leftover crockpot beef and noodles, allow the dish to cool completely to room temperature (within two hours of cooking) before transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigerate promptly for optimal freshness, where it will keep well for 3-4 days. When reheating, the noodles tend to absorb much of the gravy, potentially becoming a bit dry. To counteract this, add a splash of beef broth or water before microwaving or reheating on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, to restore moisture and creaminess.
You can certainly freeze the beef and gravy mixture from this recipe, but it’s highly recommended to omit the noodles if you plan to freeze. Cooked noodles, especially egg noodles, tend to become mushy and lose their ideal texture upon thawing and reheating. To freeze the beef and gravy, ensure it’s completely cooled, then transfer it to a freezer-safe, airtight container, leaving a small amount of headspace at the top. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw the mixture in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat gently over medium-low heat on the stovetop, stirring frequently, until warmed through. Then, cook fresh egg noodles and mix them in just before serving for the best results.
While beef stroganoff and beef and noodles might appear similar at first glance, they have distinct differences. Traditional beef stroganoff, like our Classic Beef Stroganoff recipe, typically calls for a higher quality cut of beef, often sirloin or tenderloin, sliced thinly. Its rich, homemade gravy is characterized by the inclusion of fresh mushrooms, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce for tang, and Dijon mustard for a subtle kick. Beef stroganoff is generally considered a more refined dish with a more complex flavor profile. In contrast, our crockpot beef and noodles recipe is a more straightforward, comfort-food oriented dish, utilizing economical beef stew meat and a simpler, creamy gravy base made primarily with cream of mushroom soup and beef broth. It’s often considered a wonderfully simplified, equally delicious cousin to stroganoff, perfect for a fuss-free meal.
While this recipe intentionally keeps it simple with just onions and garlic, you can absolutely add more vegetables if you wish to make it heartier or closer to a traditional beef stew. Carrots and celery, chopped into 1-inch pieces, are excellent additions. You can sauté them with the onions and garlic before adding them to the crockpot. Mushrooms (sliced or quartered) can also be added during the last hour of cooking in the crockpot for an extra earthy flavor. Keep in mind that adding a significant amount of vegetables might slightly alter the consistency of the gravy, but it will still be delicious!
The gravy in this crockpot beef and noodles recipe should naturally thicken from the flour coating on the beef and the cream of mushroom soup. If you find it too thin, you can create a cornstarch slurry by mixing 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with an equal amount of cold water until smooth. Stir this into the hot gravy in the crockpot during the last 30 minutes of cooking (or after the beef is tender), and it will thicken as it heats. If your gravy is too thick, simply whisk in a little extra beef broth or water, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
Delicious Serving Suggestions
This heartwarming crockpot beef and noodles dish is incredibly satisfying on its own, but it truly shines when paired with the right accompaniments. For soaking up every last drop of that creamy, savory gravy, there’s nothing better than a good piece of bread. Think crusty artisanal bread, warm garlic bread, fluffy dinner rolls, or even a simple baguette – any bread will do! The textural contrast and ability to sop up the sauce elevate the entire meal.
To round out your plate and add a touch of freshness, consider serving it alongside roasted vegetables such as green beans, broccoli, or asparagus. A crisp, fresh salad with a light vinaigrette also provides a welcome counterpoint to the richness of the beef and noodles. Enjoy this delightful meal warm, straight from the crockpot, for the ultimate comforting experience.
More Irresistible Beef Crockpot Recipes
If you love the ease and deliciousness of slow cooker meals, especially with beef, then you’re in for a treat! Explore these other fantastic crockpot beef recipes from our collection:
- Crockpot Beef Stew
- Crockpot Beef Burgundy
- Crockpot Beef Stroganoff
- Crockpot Roast Beef
- Crockpot Ground Beef Casserole
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Crockpot Beef and Noodles
IMPORTANT – Don’t miss the detailed Frequently Asked Questions and Expert Tips sections within the blog post above, which offer valuable insights and advice!
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Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef stew meat
- ⅓ cup all purpose flour
- 5 Tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
- 4-5 cloves garlic peeled and minced
- 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 ½ cups low sodium beef broth
- 10.5 ounces cream of mushroom soup 1 can
- 12 ounces egg noodles
Things You’ll Need
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Large skillet
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6 qt Crockpot
Recipe Notes & Tips
- For the best tender beef, opt for stewing beef (cubed chuck or round roast). Browning the floured beef before slow cooking adds a delicious crust and deepens the gravy’s flavor.
- Egg noodles are ideal for soaking up the creamy gravy, but feel free to use your favorite pasta shape. Cook any pasta al dente and add just before serving to maintain its best texture.
- For storing leftovers, refrigerate cooled beef and noodles in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Noodles may absorb gravy, so add a splash of beef broth or water when reheating to restore moisture.
- To freeze this dish, freeze only the beef and gravy mixture in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Cook fresh noodles to add after thawing and reheating the beef and gravy for superior texture.
Instructions
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Coat the beef stew meat thoroughly with all-purpose flour in a bowl or bag.
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In a large skillet, brown the floured beef in batches with olive oil over medium-high heat. Transfer browned beef to the crockpot.
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In the same skillet, sauté chopped onions and minced garlic with remaining olive oil until soft.
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Season the onion and garlic mixture with salt, dried thyme, and ground pepper, then transfer to the crockpot with the beef.
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Add beef broth and canned cream of mushroom soup to the crockpot. Stir everything well to combine.
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Cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 6-8 hours until beef is tender. Just before serving, cook egg noodles according to package directions, drain, and stir into the crockpot. Serve garnished with fresh parsley.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.