Description
Slow cooker beef and noodles is the ultimate comfort food—tender chuck roast slow-cooked to perfection in a rich, savory sauce and tossed with egg noodles. This recipe is beginner-friendly, deeply flavorful, and endlessly adaptable with creamy or classic variations.
Ingredients
For the Beef & Base
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2–3 lb chuck roast
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1 large onion, diced
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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2 tbsp tomato paste (optional)
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2 tsp Worcestershire sauce or Dijon mustard (optional)
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2 tsp steak seasoning
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Salt and black pepper, to taste
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1 tbsp olive oil
For Cooking
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½ cup beef broth (optional, only if slow cooker runs hot)
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4 cups beef broth (if cooking noodles in slow cooker)
For Serving
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8 oz egg noodles
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Fresh chopped parsley
Optional Creamy Additions
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4–6 oz cream cheese or
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1 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
Optional Thickener
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1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp cold water
Herb & Spice Variations (Choose One):
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Classic: parsley, bay leaf, thyme
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French: rosemary, herbes de Provence
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Italian: oregano, basil, balsamic vinegar
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Stroganoff: dill, paprika, mushrooms
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Asian: ginger, star anise, sesame oil
Instructions
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Prepare Your Ingredients
Pat the chuck roast dry. Season both sides with steak seasoning, salt, and pepper. Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Set all ingredients within reach. -
Sear the Beef
Heat oil in a skillet on high heat. Brown the roast for 2 minutes per side. This step adds deep, rich flavor. -
Build the Flavor Base
Place the roast in the slow cooker. Add onion and garlic around it. Optionally stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire, or Dijon for extra flavor. -
Slow Cook Until Tender
Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours. The beef should shred easily. Don’t open the lid while cooking—every peek adds time. -
Shred and Return
Once tender, remove the roast, shred with two forks, and return the meat to the cooker. -
Add the Noodles (Two Options)
– Cook noodles separately, then stir into the beef.
– Or add uncooked noodles + 4 cups broth to the slow cooker, cooking on HIGH for 15–20 minutes until al dente. -
Make It Creamy (Optional)
Add cream cheese, sour cream, or Greek yogurt at the end and stir until smooth. For a non-dairy thickener, mix cornstarch and water and cook for 15 more minutes. -
Final Seasoning & Garnish
Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Stir in fresh parsley or your favorite herbs before serving.
Notes
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Avoid overcooking noodles—check every 5 minutes after 15 minutes.
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Add liquid if the sauce thickens too much after sitting.
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Use variations for seasonal twists or to match your favorite cuisine.
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For gluten-free: swap egg noodles for GF pasta or rice noodles.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 large bowl
- Calories: 510 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg