Beef Stew Casserole

A rich, hearty comfort dish that combines classic beef stew flavors with an oven-baked casserole finish.

⏱️ Time:
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 1 hr 40 min
Serves: 6

🛒 Ingredients

Beef Stew Base

• 2 lb (900 g) beef chuck, cut into 1½-inch cubes

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 3 carrots, sliced

• 3 potatoes, cubed

• 2 celery stalks, sliced

• 8 oz mushrooms, halved (optional)

• 2 tbsp tomato paste

• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (optional, for thickening)

• 3 cups beef broth (low sodium)

• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tsp dried thyme

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 bay leaf

• Salt & black pepper, to taste

Casserole Topping (Optional)

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese

• ½ cup breadcrumbs or crushed crackers

• 2 tbsp melted butter

• Fresh parsley, chopped

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Brown the Beef

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).

2. Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or deep skillet.

3. Season beef with salt and pepper; brown in batches until well-seared. Remove and set aside.

2️⃣ Build the Stew

4. In the same pot, sauté onion, carrots, and celery for 5 minutes.

5. Add garlic and tomato paste; cook 1 minute.

6. Sprinkle flour (if using) and stir to coat vegetables.

7. Return beef to pot. Add potatoes, mushrooms, broth, Worcestershire, thyme, paprika, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.

3️⃣ Slow Cook

8. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and transfer to oven.

9. Bake 1½ hours, until beef is fork-tender.

4️⃣ Casserole Finish

10. Transfer stew to a casserole dish.

11. Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter; sprinkle over stew.

12. Add cheese if using.

13. Bake uncovered at 375°F (190°C) for 15–20 minutes until bubbly and golden.

14. Garnish with parsley and serve.

⭐ Why This Recipe Works

• Oven-slow cooking creates tender beef

• Casserole topping adds texture & comfort

• One dish meal, perfect for family dinners

❓ Q & A

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes! Prepare the stew, refrigerate up to 24 hours, add topping just before baking.

Q: Can I freeze Beef Stew Casserole?
A: Absolutely. Freeze without the topping for best texture (up to 3 months).

Q: What’s the best cut of beef?
A: Beef chuck is ideal—it becomes tender and flavorful with slow cooking.

Q: How do I make it gluten-free?
A: Skip flour and breadcrumbs; thicken with cornstarch slurry and use GF topping.

Q: Can I use a slow cooker?
A: Yes. Cook stew on LOW 7–8 hours, then transfer to casserole dish and finish in oven.

🔄 Variations

• Low-carb: Replace potatoes with turnips or cauliflower

• Extra hearty: Add peas or green beans in last 20 minutes

• No cheese: Use herbed mashed potatoes as a topping instead