Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Buttered Noodles

Introduction

There’s nothing more comforting on a chilly day than a hearty bowl of beef stew with tender, buttered noodles. This slow cooker version makes the process effortless—letting the rich flavors of beef, vegetables, and aromatic herbs meld together over hours, while the noodles soak up the savory goodness. Perfect for a family dinner or a cozy solo meal, this dish is classic comfort food at its finest.

Ingredients

For the Beef Stew:

• 2 lbs (900g) beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 4 medium carrots, sliced into rounds
• 3 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup red wine (optional, can substitute with more broth)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 2 bay leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (for coating beef)
• 2 tbsp olive oil (for browning beef)

For the Buttered Noodles:

• 8 oz (225g) egg noodles
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• Salt to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the beef: Pat beef cubes dry and season with salt and pepper. Toss in flour until evenly coated.
2. Brown the beef: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown beef cubes on all sides (about 5–7 minutes). Transfer to the slow cooker.
3. Assemble the stew: In the slow cooker, combine browned beef, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, potatoes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, beef broth, and wine. Stir to combine.
4. Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours, until beef is tender and vegetables are cooked through. Remove bay leaves and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
5. Prepare buttered noodles: Cook egg noodles according to package instructions. Drain and toss with butter and a pinch of salt. Sprinkle with parsley if desired.
6. Serve: Spoon the beef stew over a bed of buttered noodles. Enjoy piping hot!

Description

This slow cooker beef stew is rich, hearty, and full of deep, savory flavors. The beef melts in your mouth, while the vegetables provide sweetness and texture. The buttered noodles are the perfect base, soaking up the stew’s luscious gravy. Every bite is comforting, warm, and utterly satisfying—a timeless meal for any season.