Description
Heartwarming Beef and Noodles brings comfort straight from Midwestern kitchens, blending tender slow-cooked beef with silky egg noodles. Savory flavors meld together, promising a soul-satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 lb (450 g) beef stew meat or chuck roast, cut into bite-sized pieces
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Liquid and Noodles:
- 4 cups beef broth (low sodium)
- 1 cup water (optional for adjusting consistency)
- 12 ounces (340 g) egg noodles
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (optional, for thickening)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare a robust skillet or Dutch oven, warming olive oil over robust medium-high temperature. Season beef chunks generously with salt and pepper, then meticulously sear each piece until achieving a rich, caramelized exterior, rotating occasionally for uniform browning.
- Reduce cooking temperature to medium. Transfer seared meat to a temporary plate. Within the same vessel, introduce diced onions, allowing them to become translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes. Incorporate minced garlic, stirring briefly to release aromatic qualities.
- Reunite beef with aromatic foundation. Pour beef broth, introducing Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, and paprika. Season with additional salt and pepper. Elevate temperature to initiate boiling, then immediately reduce to gentle simmer. Cover and allow meat to tenderize, roughly 45-60 minutes.
- Gently introduce egg noodles directly into the simmering liquid, ensuring thorough integration. Allow noodles to cook uncovered, stirring periodically to prevent adherence, until achieving perfect al dente texture, approximately 8-10 minutes.
- For enhanced sauce consistency, create a cornstarch slurry by whisking cornstarch with minimal liquid. Slowly incorporate into pot, stirring constantly to prevent lumping and facilitate smooth thickening.
- Eliminate heat source. Optionally garnish with freshly chopped parsley for vibrant presentation. Transfer to serving dishes, accompanying with crusty artisan bread or crisp garden salad.
Notes
- Customize the beef cut by choosing tougher, more economical options like chuck roast or bottom round, which become incredibly tender through slow cooking.
- Enhance flavor depth by using homemade beef broth or adding a splash of red wine during simmering for richer taste complexity.
- Adapt the recipe for gluten-sensitive diets by substituting egg noodles with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta alternatives.
- Create a one-pot meal by adding root vegetables like carrots or potatoes during the simmering stage for additional nutrition and texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg