Slow Cooker Beef & Noodles: Cozy Comfort Food Made Simple
Picture tender, melt‑in‑your‑mouth beef slow‑cooked with savory seasonings, then tossed with soft noodles in a rich, flavorful broth. This **Slow Cooker Beef & Noodles** recipe is the ultimate in cozy, homestyle meals—perfect for chilly evenings or lazy weekends. Let the slow cooker do the heavy lifting so you can relax and enjoy hearty, satisfying comfort food.
Why This Recipe Hits the Comfort Food Jackpot
The marriage of fall‑apart beef and tender egg noodles in a savory, aromatic broth captures the essence of home cooking. Minimal prep, maximum flavor—this is one of those dishes that feels like a hug in a bowl.
Chef Gordon Ramsay’s Take
Chef Gordon Ramsay emphasizes searing the beef for deeper richness—“Don’t skip that browning—it builds flavor layers you can taste in every bite.” Once in the slow cooker, he adds, “Low and slow is the name of the game.”
Chef Bobby Flay’s Flavor Booster Tip
Chef Bobby Flay suggests finishing with a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar for brightness—“It cuts through the richness and brings everything to life.”
Ree Drummond’s Homestyle Approach
Ree Drummond loves adding chunky root vegetables like carrots and celery along with the onion for volume and rustic flair—“It turns it into a stew‑style noodle bowl that’s even more satisfying.”
Ina Garten’s Health‑Smart Adjustment
Ina Garten recommends trimming excess fat from the beef and choosing whole‑wheat egg noodles or even spiralized veggies to lighten the dish without losing heartiness.
🧾 Ingredients (Serves 6–8)
Beef stew meat or chuck roast – 2 lbs (trimmed)
Onion, finely chopped – 1 medium
Garlic cloves, minced – 3
Beef broth – 4 cups
Salt – 1 tsp
Black pepper – ½ tsp
Dried thyme – 1 tsp
Dried rosemary – 1 tsp
Bay leaf – 1
Egg noodles – 3 cups (or whole‑wheat)
Flour – ¼ cup
Water – ¼ cup (for slurry)
Worcestershire sauce – 1 Tbsp
🍽️ Step‑By‑Step Instructions
1. Brown the Beef (Highly Recommended)
In a skillet over medium heat, sear the beef pieces on all sides until deeply browned. This builds flavor—don’t skip it if time allows. Transfer browned beef to the slow cooker.
2. Combine Ingredients & Cook
Add chopped onion, minced garlic, beef broth, salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary, and a bay leaf. Cover and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours (or HIGH for 3‑4 hrs) until beef is tender and shreddable.
3. Add Noodles & Thicken
About 30 minutes before serving, remove the bay leaf. Stir in egg noodles. In a separate bowl, whisk flour with water to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the cooker.
4. Add Worcestershire & Finish Cooking
Stir in Worcestershire sauce and continue cooking for another ~30 minutes—until noodles are soft and broth has thickened into a gravy‑like consistency.
5. Serve & Enjoy
Discard bay leaf. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley or chives if desired. It pairs well with crusty bread or a simple green salad.
