Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Noodles Recipe (2025)

Slow cooker beef stew with noodles recipe. Beef stew with noodles is a hearty and comforting dish that is perfect for those chilly nights. This recipe is not only delicious but also incredibly easy to make. The beef stew is made with a flavorful beef broth base, tender chunks of boneless beef chuck roast, and a medley of vegetables. The addition of egg noodles adds a satisfying texture to the stew.

How to Make Beef Stew with Noodles

To make this beef stew, start by browning the beef chuck roast in a hot skillet until it is nicely seared on all sides. This step helps to lock in the flavors and adds a rich depth of flavor to the stew. Once the beef is browned, transfer it to a slow cooker and add in the beef broth, beefy onion soup mix, and cream of mushroom soup. These ingredients work together to create a savory and robust broth for the stew.

Next, add in your favorite vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, and onions. These vegetables not only add flavor but also provide a nice contrast in texture to the tender beef. Let the stew cook on low heat for several hours, allowing the flavors to meld together and the beef to become tender and juicy.

Towards the end of the cooking time, add in the egg noodles and let them cook until they are tender. The noodles will absorb the delicious flavors of the stew and add a satisfying element to each bite.

Serve the slow cooker beef stew with noodles hot and garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color. This dish is perfect for a cozy family dinner or entertaining guests. Enjoy the rich and comforting flavors of this delicious beef stew with noodles.

Will Noodles Overcook in a Slow Cooker?

When making slow cooker beef stew with noodles, one common concern is whether the noodles will overcook in the slow cooker. However, with the right technique, you can ensure that your noodles turn out perfectly cooked and not mushy.

To prevent the noodles from overcooking, it’s important to add them towards the end of the cooking time. This allows them to cook just enough to become tender without becoming overly soft. Adding the noodles too early can result in them becoming mushy and losing their texture.

Another tip is to slightly undercook the noodles before adding them to the slow cooker. This way, they will continue to cook and absorb the flavors of the stew without becoming overcooked. You can achieve this by boiling the noodles for a couple of minutes less than the recommended cooking time on the package.

If you prefer your noodles to have a firmer texture, you can also cook them separately and add them to the individual bowls when serving the stew. This way, you have more control over the doneness of the noodles and can ensure they are cooked to your liking.

By following these tips, you can enjoy a delicious slow cooker beef stew recipe with perfectly cooked noodles. The noodles will complement the tender beef and flavorful broth, creating a comforting and satisfying meal.

How to Store Leftovers

Storing leftovers properly is essential to maintain their freshness and flavor. When it comes to slow cooker beef stew with noodles, here are some tips on how to store the leftovers.

First, make sure to let the stew cool down before storing it. Leaving it at room temperature for too long can promote bacterial growth. Once cooled, transfer the stew to airtight containers or resealable bags. Divide it into individual portions if desired, so you can easily grab a serving when needed.

Label the containers with the date and contents to keep track of freshness. Place them in the refrigerator and consume within 3-4 days. If you won’t be able to finish the leftovers within this timeframe, consider freezing them.

To freeze the stew, transfer it to freezer-safe containers or freezer bags. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. The stew can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.

When reheating the stew, add a splash of water or broth to prevent it from drying out. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating. Check the temperature to make sure it reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Noodles Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2-3 pounds (960 g-1.44 kg) boneless beef chuck roast
  • 14 oz (420 ml) can beef broth
  • 1 envelope beefy onion soup mix
  • 10 ¾ oz (325 ml) can cream of mushroom soup
  • 3-4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
  • 6-8 cups (1.5-2 L) beef broth
  • 24 oz (720 g) package frozen home-style noodles
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper ,to taste

Method

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine canned beef broth, beefy onion soup mix, canned mushroom soup, and minced garlic.Mix well and set aside.

Step 2

Place boneless beef roast in a 6-quart (6 L) slow cooker.Pour over the soup mixture.Cover slow cooker and cook on low-heat setting for 8 hours, or until beef is tender and shreds easily.

Step 3

Remove cooked beef from the slow cooker and cube or shred it.Return to slow cooker and add 6-8 cups (1.5-2 l) beef broth.Cover the cooker and cook on a low-heat setting for a further 8 hours.Serve over cooked noodles.

Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Noodles Recipe (2025)

FAQs

Why did my noodles turn to mush in the crockpot? ›

The heat causes the protein to set, constraining the expansion of the starch and resulting in pasta with the proper texture. When pasta is cooked in the slow cooker, however, the liquid heats up slowly, so the starch has more time to swell before being checked by the protein, resulting in soggy, mushy pasta.

Can you put pasta in a slow cooker? ›

You can use slow cookers to make pasta as long as you don't mix the pasta in with the sauce and leave it sitting in the slow cooker for an extended period of time. Doing so will result in pasta that is mushy, soggy and unappetizing. For best results, keep the pasta separate until serving.

How long do noodles take in the crockpot? ›

Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours or on high for 1 to 2 hours. Check at the 3 (on low) or 1 (on high) hour mark to ensure the pasta does not over cook. To check for doneness, use a fork to pull a “test” noodle from the center of the slow cooker. Once it is tender, the pasta is done.

Should stew be covered with liquid in slow cooker? ›

For most soups and stews, it is necessary to add liquid in a slow cooker. Liquid helps to transfer heat evenly, preventing food from burning, and also ensures that the ingredients are evenly cooked. In addition, the liquid helps to create a sauce or broth that adds flavor and richness to the dish.

What happens if you slow cook noodles? ›

Myth 6: You can't cook pasta in the slow cooker

Nope! You can absolutely cook pasta in a slow cooker. There's no special secret to getting it perfect every time as this will vary by recipe but here are some tips: Don't use no-boil noodles, as they'll just turn gummy.

Will noodles overcook in crockpot? ›

When cooking pasta in the slow cooker, we recommend using thicker pasta noodles to help prevent overcooking. Try out fettuccine or bow tie, especially if it's your first go at it. Once you've started cooking, check the noodles every few minutes to see if they're fully cooked.

What foods should not go in a slow cooker? ›

10 Foods You Should Never Make in a Slow Cooker
  • Raw Meat.
  • Seafood.
  • Pasta.
  • Rice.
  • Delicate Vegetables.
  • Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts.
  • Dairy.
  • Wine and Other Liquor.
Jan 19, 2024

Can you cook pasta in any liquid? ›

Substitute water with chicken, beef or vegetable stock to cook pasta. Alternately, you can top off a pan of boiling water with a cup or two of broth or stock. The pasta will still soak up the extra flavor, and you'll save money and have more broth or stock on hand to use another day.

Do noodles get softer the longer you cook them? ›

As the pasta cooks, the starches gradually absorb more and more water, becoming softer and more edible, while the proteins begin to denature (protein unfolds because of the cooking process), adding structure to the noodle (something that is much more obvious when cooking soft fresh egg-based pastas).

Do noodles get harder or softer the longer you cook them? ›

As you get close to the end of your estimated cooking time, taste the pasta. If it is done, it should have a nice al dente bite and taste like pasta. If it is undercooked, it will be too hard and chewy. Overcook it and your noodles will be limp and soggy.

Can you overcook noodles in soup? ›

If the soup simmers on the stove for an hour but the noodles only need 10 minutes to cook, don't add them until 10 minutes prior to serving. If the noodles are in the broth the entire time it is simmering, they will overcook and be mushy.

What is the best liquid for stew? ›

But no one said that the main liquid should be water. Ideally, you'll use beef stock, but beef broth is fine too. Veal stock would be divine. Instant bouillon paste will add flavor and is perfectly acceptable.

Do you need to brown stew before slow cooker? ›

While this step isn't essential, and you'll still get a perfectly good meal at the end, browning your meat and veg beforehand is a complete slow cooker game changer. Why? This simple step intensifies the flavour of a really amazing stew or casserole.

Do you need to brown beef before slow cooker stew? ›

Browning Is Better

And if you dredge the meat in flour before you brown it, your sauce will thicken up to make a gravy. You should always brown ground beef or any ground meat in a skillet before adding it to your slow cooker to prevent the meat from clumping up or from adding excess grease to your cooked dish.

How do you fix mushy noodles? ›

Heat the olive oil in a skillet and add your overcooked pasta. Gently sauté over medium heat for a few minutes until the pasta's texture has firmed up. The whole process takes less than 10 minutes and you'll know it is done when the edges of the pasta have started to crisp and light browning has begun.

What does it mean when noodles are mushy? ›

You overcooked them. Just because the water isn't at a full boil doesn't mean it hasn't started cooking them. If you set the timer once they came to a boil, you essentially cooked them the full time plus some extra time from cooking at a lower temp.

Why did my rice turn to mush in the crockpot? ›

Mushy or soggy rice is usually caused by two things: the rice is overcooked, and too much liquid is absorbed into the rice. When the rice overcooks and absorbs excess water, the grains can split open, increasing the starchy and sticky texture.

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