Hearty Beef Casserole Dish (Printable)
Tender beef and vegetables baked in a savory sauce, ideal for satisfying dinners or meal prep.
# What You Need:
→ Beef
01 - 1.5 pounds beef chuck or stewing beef, cut into 1-inch cubes
→ Vegetables
02 - 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced
03 - 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
04 - 1 large onion, chopped
05 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 cup frozen peas
→ Sauce & Liquids
08 - 2 cups beef broth
09 - 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained
10 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
11 - 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
12 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
→ Seasonings
13 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
14 - 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
15 - 1 bay leaf
16 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
17 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
18 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
→ For Searing & Baking
19 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
# How To Cook:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
02 - Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or oven-safe casserole dish over medium-high heat. Add beef cubes and brown on all sides for about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
03 - In the same pot, add chopped onions, sliced carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until softened.
04 - Sprinkle all-purpose flour over the vegetables and stir constantly for 1 minute to evenly coat.
05 - Return the browned beef to the pot. Add diced potatoes, drained tomatoes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, dried rosemary, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
06 - Pour in beef broth and stir thoroughly. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
07 - Cover the pot and transfer to the preheated oven. Bake for 1 hour.
08 - Remove from oven, stir in frozen peas, then bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes until beef is tender and sauce thickens.
09 - Discard the bay leaf, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and serve hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The beef becomes so tender it practically dissolves on your tongue, and you barely have to lift a finger once it's in the oven.
- Everything happens in one pot, which means fewer dishes to resent washing later.
- It tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or unexpected dinner guests.
02 -
- Don't skip the browning step on the beef no matter how hungry you are, because that golden crust is where most of the flavor happens.
- If your sauce looks too thin when you pull it out of the oven, you can cook it uncovered on the stovetop for a few minutes to reduce it down while the casserole stays warm.
03 -
- Sear your beef in batches if your pot is smaller, because a crowded pot creates steam and defeats the entire purpose of browning.
- Taste the sauce at the end and adjust salt and pepper to your preference, because every broth tastes slightly different and you deserve to make it yours.