Slow Cooker Beef And Noodles Recipe

The Ultimate Slow Cooker Beef and Noodles Recipe for Cozy Nights

Slow cooker beef and noodles craft ordinary ingredients into a hearty, soul-warming meal that beckons comfort from the first bite.

This classic dish represents home-style cooking at its finest, where tender meat melts into rich, velvety sauce.

Families have cherished such recipes for generations, passing down techniques that elevate simple ingredients.

Robust beef becomes incredibly succulent when allowed to simmer slowly, developing deep, complex flavors that dance across your palate.

The magic happens when low, steady heat breaks down tough muscle fibers, creating melt-in-your-mouth protein.

Fragrant herbs and seasonings weave through the dish, adding layers of warmth and depth that make every forkful memorable.

noodles absorb the savory liquid, becoming pillowy vehicles of deliciousness that complement the robust meat perfectly.

Why Slow Cooker Beef and Noodles Feels Like Home

  • Effortless Comfort Cooking: This slow cooker recipe transforms a tough beef roast into melt-in-your-mouth tender meat with minimal hands-on preparation, making it perfect for busy home cooks who crave delicious, hearty meals.
  • Hands-Off Cooking Magic: The extended slow cooking process allows flavors to develop deeply, creating a rich, complex broth that infuses every bite of beef and noodles with incredible taste without constant monitoring.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Simplicity: With just a few ingredients and basic kitchen skills, anyone can create a restaurant-worthy meal that feeds a hungry family or group of friends, delivering maximum satisfaction with minimal effort.

What You Need for Comforting Slow Cooker Beef and Noodles

Protein:
  • Beef Roast: A tender, flavorful cut that becomes melt-in-your-mouth delicious after slow cooking.
  • Beef Broth: Provides rich, deep flavor and helps tenderize the meat during slow cooking.
Soup Base:
  • Beefy Onion Soup Mix: Adds savory depth and enhanced umami flavor to the dish.
  • Cream of Mushroom Soup: Creates a creamy, rich base that helps bind the ingredients together.
  • Minced Garlic: Brings aromatic and robust flavor to the overall dish.
Noodles and Seasonings:
  • Frozen Egg Noodles: Classic pasta that absorbs the rich beef flavor and adds hearty texture.
  • Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings to enhance and balance the overall taste of the dish.

How to Make Beef and Noodles in Your Slow Cooker

Step 1: Prepare the Soup Mixture

In a large bowl, blend:
  • Beef broth
  • Beefy onion soup mix
  • Cream of mushroom (or celery) soup
  • Minced garlic

Stir until well combined and set aside.

Step 2: Slow Cook the Beef

Place beef roast in a 5-quart (or larger) slow cooker. Pour prepared soup mixture over the beef. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or overnight until beef becomes incredibly tender and easily shreds.

Step 3: Shred and Enhance the Beef

Using two forks, break apart the cooked beef. Add 6-of beef broth or water to adjust the liquid consistency. Mix thoroughly and cover. Continue cooking on LOW for another 8 hours.

Step 4: Add Delicious Noodles

One hour before serving, introduce frozen egg noodles to the slow cooker. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste preferences. Switch slow cooker to HIGH and cook for an additional hour until noodles reach perfect tenderness.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Give everything a final stir and serve the mouthwatering beef and noodles piping hot. Perfect for a comforting family meal that will warm hearts and satisfy hunger.

Tips for Rich Flavor and Tender Beef

  • Choose the Right Cut: Select a chuck roast or bottom round for maximum tenderness and rich flavor when slow cooking.
  • Enhance Broth Depth: Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or red wine to intensify the savory notes of the beef broth.
  • Prevent Dry Noodles: Ensure enough liquid covers the noodles completely to keep them moist and prevent sticking during the final cooking hour.
  • Control Thickness: Adjust the broth quantity based on your preference for a thicker or more soupy consistency by adding or reducing liquid.
  • Boost Flavor Profile: Sprinkle dried herbs like thyme or parsley just before serving to elevate the overall taste and add a fresh aromatic touch.

How to Store and Reheat Slow Cooker Beef and Noodles Without Mush

  • Store Leftovers: Refrigerate beef and noodles in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep the meal fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Always use clean utensils when storing to prevent bacterial contamination.
  • Freeze Perfectly: Transfer cooled beef and noodles to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air before sealing to prevent freezer burn. Frozen leftovers maintain quality for up to 3 months. Label containers with the date for easy tracking.
  • Reheat with Care: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Warm in the microwave using 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly. Add a splash of beef broth to restore moisture and prevent dryness.

Sides That Pair Beautifully with Beef and Noodles

  • Pair with Robust Red Wine: Select a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec to complement the rich, hearty beef flavors. These wines cut through the creamy texture and enhance the dish's deep, savory profile.
  • Serve with Crisp Garden Salad: Create a light, fresh side with mixed greens, cucumber, and a tangy vinaigrette. The salad's brightness balances the heavy, comforting beef and noodles, providing a refreshing contrast.
  • Add Crusty Garlic Bread: Warm, buttery garlic bread becomes the perfect accompaniment to soak up the delicious broth. Its crispy exterior and soft interior complement the tender beef and silky noodles wonderfully.
  • Pair with Roasted Vegetables: Prepare simple roasted carrots, Brussels sprouts, or asparagus to add nutrition and color. These caramelized vegetables bring a subtle sweetness and earthy undertone that elevates the entire meal.

Variations to Switch Up This Hearty Dish

  • Pressure Cooker Power: Transform this slow cooker classic into a quick pressure cooker meal, reducing cooking time to under 90 minutes while maintaining the same rich, tender beef flavor.
  • Instant Pot Innovation: Adapt the recipe for an Instant Pot, using the meat and manual settings to create a faster, equally delicious version with the same comforting ingredients.
  • Gluten-Free Goodness: Swap regular egg noodles for gluten-free alternatives like rice noodles or chickpea pasta, ensuring everyone can enjoy this hearty dish without dietary concerns.
  • Spicy Southwest Spin: Add diced green chiles, cumin, and chili powder to transform the recipe into a zesty southwestern-style beef and noodle dish with a kick of heat.
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Slow Cooker Beef And Noodles Recipe

Slow Cooker Beef And Noodles Recipe


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4.9 from 19 reviews

  • Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Hearty Slow Cooker Beef and Noodles brings comfort straight from Midwest kitchens to your dinner table. Rich beef creates tender shreds nestled in creamy sauce over perfectly cooked egg noodles, offering a satisfying meal that wraps you in pure culinary warmth.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 23 pounds beef roast
  • 1 package frozen home-style egg noodles (24 ounces / 680 grams)
  • 68 cups beef broth or water

Cooking Enhancers:

  • 1 can reduced-sodium beef broth (14 ounces / 400 milliliters)
  • 1 can cream of celery or mushroom soup, undiluted (10.510.75 ounces / 298305 grams)
  • 1 envelope beefy onion soup mix (from a 2.2 ounces / 62 grams box)

Seasoning:

  • 34 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the aromatic liquid base by whisking together beef broth, beefy onion soup mix, cream of mushroom soup, and finely chopped garlic in a spacious mixing bowl until ingredients are thoroughly integrated.
  2. Position the beef roast inside a 5-quart (or larger) slow cooker, then gently cascade the prepared soup mixture directly over the meat, ensuring complete coverage.
  3. Secure the slow cooker lid and allow the roast to simmer on LOW temperature for 8 hours or throughout the night, enabling the meat to become exceptionally tender and easily separable.
  4. After the initial cooking period, utilize two forks to meticulously shred the beef into delicate, succulent strands, creating a rich, robust texture.
  5. Introduce additional beef broth or water (6-) to the slow cooker, adjusting liquid volume according to personal preference for consistency and depth of flavor.
  6. Blend the newly added liquid with the shredded meat, then replace the lid and continue cooking on LOW for another 8 hours to develop complex flavors.
  7. Approximately 1 hour before serving, incorporate frozen egg noodles into the slow cooker, seasoning generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance taste profiles.
  8. Elevate the slow cooker temperature to HIGH and cook for a final hour, allowing noodles to become perfectly tender and absorb the surrounding savory liquid.
  9. Gently stir the ingredients to ensure uniform distribution, then serve the beef and noodles piping hot, presenting a comforting and hearty meal.

Notes

  • Slow cooking transforms tough beef roast into meltingly tender, easily shreddable meat that practically falls apart.
  • Generous amount of broth ensures a rich, flavorful sauce that perfectly coats the tender egg noodles.
  • Extended cooking time allows deep flavor development, making this a hands-off comfort meal ideal for busy days.
  • Flexibility to adjust liquid levels means you can customize the dish’s consistency to your preference.
  • Freezing leftovers works beautifully, providing a convenient make-ahead meal that reheats wonderfully.
  • Low and slow cooking method guarantees incredibly tender beef and deeply infused flavors throughout the dish.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 hours
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 420 cal
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 680 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 35 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 32 g
  • Cholesterol: 110 mg
Mary Ellen

Mary Ellen

Founder, Pastry Chef & Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Artisanal Bread Making
  • Exquisite Pastry Craftsmanship
  • Creative Dessert Presentation
  • Flavor Profile Development
  • Menu Concept Innovation.

Education

Savannah Technical College

  • Program: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Baking & Pastry Arts
  • Focus: A specialized program focusing on baking and pastry fundamentals, including bread making, cake decorating, and advanced pastry techniques. Developed creative presentation skills and an understanding of ingredient functions through lab-based practice.

Mary Ellen is the heart and soul of thatsmyhome.com. As the founder, pastry chef, and recipe developer, she refined her skills at Savannah Technical College with an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Baking & Pastry Arts. 

Mary blends classic techniques with modern twists to make artisanal breads, beautifully crafted pastries, and desserts full of unique flavor. Her passion is evident in every recipe, and she enjoys sharing her expertise through hands-on pastry workshops and insightful articles in local culinary magazines.

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