Description
Hearty slow cooker beef and noodles deliver comfort straight from midwestern kitchens, blending tender shredded beef with silky pasta. Rich gravy and melt-in-your-mouth meat invite you to savor a classic home-style meal that warms both body and soul.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 lbs (907 grams) beef chuck roast
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 packet onion soup mix
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquid Ingredients:
- 4 cups (960 milliliters) beef broth
- 1 (10.5 oz / 298 grams) can cream of mushroom soup
Thickening Agent (Optional):
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Noodles:
- 12 oz (340 grams) egg noodles
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Nestle the chuck roast into the slow cooker, creating a centered foundation for the hearty meal.
- Infuse the meat with a robust flavor profile by layering diced onion, minced garlic, aromatic beef broth, creamy mushroom soup, zesty onion soup mix, tangy Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, cracked black pepper, and earthy thyme.
- Seal the slow cooker and allow the contents to gently simmer and tenderize on low heat for 8 hours or on high heat for 4-5 hours, ensuring the beef becomes delicately fall-apart tender.
- Use two forks to meticulously shred the beef directly within the cooking liquid, distributing the meat evenly throughout the rich sauce.
- Introduce uncooked egg noodles into the slow cooker, submerging them completely in the flavorful braising liquid.
- Cover and continue cooking on high heat, stirring periodically to prevent noodles from sticking, until they reach a perfectly soft and tender consistency, approximately 20-30 minutes.
- For those desiring a more luxurious sauce texture, whisk cornstarch with water to create a smooth slurry, then gently incorporate it into the slow cooker.
- Allow the mixture to simmer for an additional 5 minutes, enabling the sauce to thicken and develop a glossy, luxurious consistency.
- Transfer the beef and noodles to serving dishes, garnishing with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant final touch.
Notes
- Test meat tenderness by gently pulling with two forks; if it falls apart easily, it’s perfectly cooked.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium beef broth and skipping the onion soup mix, replacing with additional herbs and spices.
- Customize the dish for gluten-sensitive diets by substituting regular egg noodles with gluten-free alternatives made from rice or chickpea flour.
- Prevent noodles from becoming mushy by adding them during the last 20-30 minutes of cooking and checking texture frequently.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg