This Beef Casserole with potatoes and carrots is comfort food at its best, perfect to make ahead for busy weeknights or to indulge in during a cosy weekend. This recipe makes use of chuck steak, a cheaper cut of beef that is cooked slowly in a rich gravy until it becomes fall-apart tender. The stove does all the hard work here, so that you can enjoy a flavourful dinner with minimal effort and hands-on time. Although I’ve used potatoes and carrots here, you could substitute or add other root vegetables such as parsnips or turnips if you prefer. Serve this casserole steaming hot with crusty bread and butter.
PrintBeef Casserole
- Total Time: 3 hours 40 mins
- Yield: 6 1x
Ingredients
- 800 g chuck beef steak, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 brown onion, finely diced
- 1 tbsp garlic, roughly chopped
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/4 cup plain/all-purpose flour
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 4 cups water
- 2 tsp beef stock
- 4 sprigs of thyme (or 1 tsp dried thyme)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp sugar
- 4 large carrots, peeled and sliced on a diagonal
- 500 g baby potatoes, cut in half
- Crusty bread to serve
Instructions
- Sprinkle the beef with the salt and pepper.
- Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-based skillet on medium-high heat. Cook the beef in two batches for 3-5 minutes, turning with tongs (taking care not to overcrowd the pan) until it is browned all over. Set aside on a large plate.
- Use 1/4 cup of water to deglaze the pan if necessary, using your wooden spoon to scrape up any sticky bits. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring for 3-5 minutes until softened.
- Stir through the tomato paste and return the beef and all the pooled juices on the plate back into the pan.
- Stir in the flour until it’s dissolved before adding the red wine. Stir for 1-2 minutes until it has evaporated by half.
- Add the water, beef stock, thyme, bay leaf and sugar to the pan. Cover, reduce to the lowest heat setting and cook for 2 hours.
- Add the carrots and potatoes to the pan, stir so they are just submerged, then cover and cook for 1 hour more.
- When finished, the beef should easily pull apart with a fork. If it still feels firm, continue cooking in 20-minute intervals. Add 1/4 cup of water if the sauce is thickening too much and catching the base of the pan.
- Serve with crusty bread.
Notes
MAKE AHEAD
Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw completely in the fridge overnight before reheating.
LEFTOVERS
Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw completely in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 3 hours 30 mins
- Category: beef casserole
- Method: pan fry
- Cuisine: French
lisslj says:
Hi!
Will the alcohol cook out in the wine?
aliesha_sarno says:
Thank you for another delicious and easy recipe! I have tried so many of your recipes in the last couple of weeks & they have all been so good!! The whole family (especially my husband!) loved this one! 🙂
immyakers says:
My partner absolutely loved this! I did mashed potato instead of adding them to the stew (kept the carrots in, they were amazing) and served with some steamed greens. Great winter feed.
Erin says:
Absolute winner! I don’t often stray from recipes that work well in my house, but, I was so tempted to try this and I was not disappointed. The family hailed it as “the best stew ever made”
ashleighfirgaira says:
This was delicious! I also made it in my slow cooker. I prepped everything the night before (inc browning meat) popped it all in the fridge overnight , so when I woke up I could turn it on low & leave for work! Cooked on low for 8 hours. Was amazing!
melissanorman says:
Beautiful meal, the sauce was really tasty, and surprisingly our kids enjoyed it too
bridgetbrasser says:
Another ripper recipe that the family loved 🙂
jacquieburton says:
Can you make this slow cooker?