Easy Beef and Noodles Recipe

Introduction

Easy Beef and Noodles is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for any night of the week. Tender beef simmered in a savory sauce served over wide egg noodles makes for a satisfying meal that’s simple to prepare. This recipe strikes a great balance between rich flavors and easy cooking steps.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1 inch pieces
• 3 cups beef broth
• 1/4 cup cold water
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 12 oz wide egg noodles
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 whole bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the butter. Once melted, add the beef pieces and brown them evenly, cooking for 8-10 minutes.
2. Step 2: Pour 2 cups of beef broth into the skillet with the beef. Add the bay leaves, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-30 minutes until the beef is tender. As the broth cooks off, slowly add the remaining 1 cup of beef broth.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with the cold water to create a slurry. Stir this mixture into the skillet and cook for about 10 minutes until the sauce thickens.
4. Step 4: While the sauce is thickening, cook the egg noodles according to the package instructions. Drain once done.
5. Step 5: Serve the beef and sauce over the cooked egg noodles. Enjoy your meal!

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add sautéed mushrooms or onions when browning the beef.
• You can substitute the dried thyme with fresh thyme for a brighter herb note.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, gradually add more cornstarch slurry until desired consistency is reached.
• Using homemade beef broth will deepen the overall flavor of the dish.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of beef broth or water if the sauce has thickened too much.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of beef?

Yes, beef chuck is preferred for its tenderness after slow cooking, but you can use stew meat or brisket cut into similar-sized pieces.

Can I prepare this recipe in a slow cooker?

Absolutely. Brown the beef first, then transfer to a slow cooker with the broth and seasonings. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or until beef is tender, then add cornstarch slurry near the end to thicken the sauce.

Easy Beef and Noodles Recipe

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4.6 from 56 reviews

This Easy Beef and Noodles recipe combines tender beef chuck simmered in a flavorful beef broth with wide egg noodles, creating a comforting and hearty dish perfect for dinner. The beef is browned, then slow-simmered with bay leaves, thyme, and seasoning before thickening the sauce with a cornstarch slurry. Served over perfectly cooked wide egg noodles, this dish offers rich flavor and satisfying texture.

• Author: Elena
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Beef and Sauce

• 1 1/2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1 inch pieces
• 3 cups beef broth
• 1/4 cup cold water
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 whole bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper

Noodles

• 12 oz wide egg noodles

Instructions

1. Brown the Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium heat, add the butter and beef pieces, and brown the beef for 8-10 minutes until nicely seared on all sides.
2. Simmer Beef: Pour 2 cups of beef broth into the skillet with the browned beef. Add the bay leaves, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a boil. Then reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 20-30 minutes, allowing the beef to become tender. Slowly add the remaining 1 cup of beef broth as the liquid reduces during cooking.
3. Thicken Sauce: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 1/4 cup cold water to create a slurry. Stir this mixture into the skillet and cook uncovered for about 10 minutes, or until the sauce thickens to a rich consistency.
4. Cook Noodles: While the sauce thickens, bring a separate pot of water to a boil and cook the wide egg noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the noodles when done.
5. Serve: Remove bay leaves from the beef mixture, then serve the tender beef and thickened sauce over the cooked egg noodles. Enjoy warm as a hearty and comforting meal.

Notes

• You can add sautéed mushrooms or vegetables for extra flavor and nutrition.
• Slow simmering allows the beef to become tender and infuses the sauce with rich flavor.
• Adjust salt and pepper to taste, especially if your beef broth is salted.
• For a thicker sauce, allow the cornstarch slurry to cook slightly longer.
• This dish can be made ahead and reheated gently on the stovetop.

Keywords: beef chuck, egg noodles, beef broth, easy dinner, comfort food, stovetop beef recipe