An easy Family Beef Casserole
This Family Beef Casserole is one of those reliable dinners that everyone needs in their repertoire. It's hearty, full of flavour and made from simple ingredients you most likely already have in the pantry.
You can use whatever stewing beef you have available, pop it in the oven and let it slowly cook until the beef is tender and the sauce is rich and thick. I've also included instructions for making it in the pressure cooker when you don't have two hours to wait for dinner.
When I'm cooking this for our family, I tend to leave most of the vegetables out of the casserole and serve them steamed on the side with mashed potato or rice. It avoids unnecessary discussions about what's hiding in the casserole and everyone can simply choose what they want on their plate!
what is the best beef to use?
You don't need an expensive cut of beef to make a good casserole. In fact, the cheaper cuts are often perfect because the long, slow cooking gives them time to become beautifully tender.
I like to use:
- Beef shin
- Chuck steak
- Blade steak
- Stewing steak
Choose whichever is available and reasonably priced.
How to make your beef casserole go further
If you need to stretch the casserole to feed a few extra mouths, add a drained and rinsed tin of chickpeas or black beans.
It's an easy way to bulk out the meal without needing another packet of meat, and you'll probably find nobody even notices.
other beef recipes you could try
Don't have all the ingredients. Don';t worry you could make this simple recipe instead. All you need is a bottle of beer!
My Beer Beef and Dumplings Recipe is a family favourite.
what to serve with my family beef casserole?
We usually keep things simple and serve our beef casserole with mashed potato or rice and steamed vegetables.
You could also serve it with crusty bread to mop up the sauce, or spoon it over a baked potato for an easy winter dinner.
Got leftovers?
Don't waste the leftovers! In fact, they're often just as useful as the original meal.
Turn leftover beef casserole into a pie using flaky or short pastry, or place it in an ovenproof dish and top with mashed potato and cheese. Pop it back into the oven until it's bubbling around the edges and golden and crunchy on top.
And one of my favourites – pile the reheated casserole onto toasted ciabatta and add a good drizzle of sriracha.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make beef casserole ahead of time?
Absolutely. This is a great meal to make ahead of time and reheat when you need it. In fact, like many casseroles, the flavours are often even better the next day.
Can I freeze beef casserole?
Yes. Allow the casserole to cool before placing it into suitable freezer containers. I like to freeze it in meal-sized portions so I can take out exactly what I need.
Why is my casserole beef tough?
If your beef is still tough, chances are it simply needs longer to cook. Cuts such as chuck, blade and shin become beautifully tender with slow cooking, so give it a little more time rather than assuming you've overcooked it.
Can I add vegetables to this beef casserole?
Of course. Carrots, celery, mushrooms or diced pumpkin would all work well. I tend to leave most of the vegetables out and steam them separately, but you can easily add them to the casserole if that's what your family prefers.
What can I serve with beef casserole?
Mashed potato is always a winner, but rice, crusty bread or a baked potato all work well too. Add some steamed seasonal vegetables on the side and dinner is sorted.
Family Beef Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 kg diced beef (stewing, blade, shin, or chuck are good cuts to choose)
- 1 tbsp butter (or oil)
- salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves crushed garlic
- 1 can tinned tomatoes (400 grams)
- 1 can chickpeas or black beans (400 grams)
- 2 cups beef stock
- 1 cup water (or red wine)
- 1 tablespoon marmite (or vegemite)
- 2 tbsp corn flour
Instructions
Stove Top and Oven Method
- Preheat the oven to 160° fanbake.
- Heat an oven safe pot on the stove top. I like to use my cast iron cook ware. Alternatively use a pot and transfer the ingredients into an oven safe dish to cook.
- Place the butter or oil in to the pot and sear the beef (You may need to sear the beef in two batches if your pot is small).
- Season the beef with salt and pepper as you sear it.
- While that is cooking, finely dice the onion and garlic. And add to the pan once the meat is brown all over. Use a flat bottomed wooden spoon to get all the flavour off the bottom of the pot.
- Drain and rinse the chickpeas (or black beans) and add to the beef, along with the canned tomatoes.
- Slowly add the beef stock. Scrape the bottom of the pot to get all the flavours combined.
- Pour the cup of water into the tomato can and swish around to get the remaining tomatoes. Add the marmite to the water and stir. Add the cornflour and create a slurry. Pour into the pot and turn off the heat.
- Cover and place in the oven for 1 ½ hours. Take the lid off and give it a good stir. Place back in the oven and cook for a remaining 30 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Magic Pot Method
- Press the sautè function. Once heated place the butter in and sear the beef in two batches.
- Season the beef with salt and pepper as you sear it.
- While that is cooking, finely dice the onion and garlic. And add to the pan once the meat is brown all over. Use a flat bottomed wooden spoon to get all the flavour off the bottom of the pot.
- Turn off the saute function.
- Drain and rinse the chickpeas (or black beans) and add to the beef, along with the canned tomatoes.
- Slowly add HALF the amount of beef stock. Scrape the bottom of the pot to get all the flavours combined.
- Pour HALF the cup of water into the tomato can and swish around to get the remaining tomatoes. Add the marmite to the water and add it to the pot.
- Place the lid in the locked position and pressure cook on high for 35 minutes or use the 'meat/stew' function on you magic pot.
- Allow the steam to naturally release and take the lid off. Mix the cornflour with the remaining water and add to the casserole. Fold gently through and press the saute function once more. Allow the sauce to thicken.
Serving suggestions
- Serve with mashed potato or rice.
- Serve with freshly steamed vegetables on the side.
