Best Beef Casserole

Hi there, thank you for stopping by ; this really is the easiest Best Beef Casserole. Perfect for colder spring evenings, warming you through with minimum effort!

Delicious dinner! Best Beef Casserole, served with Creamy Mash and Broccoli.
Delicious dinner! Best Beef Casserole, served with Creamy Mash and Broccoli.

Even though it’s officially Spring, here in the UK, some evenings can still be pretty chilly and this Best Beef Casserole is the perfect antidote. Also I think I’m going down with a cold, so I wanted any easy meal (I’ve zero energy) that wasn’t too rich.

Gorgeous, melt in the mouth beef.
Gorgeous, melt in the mouth beef.

Recipe: Serves 4 Adults

1 Large Onion – finely diced

2tbsp Olive Oil

450g/1lb Beef Steak (braising/chuck)

3tbsp Plain Flour

3 Large Carrots – peeled and diced

2 Bay leaves

1 Beef Stock Cube

2tbsp Tomato Puree

Salt and Pepper to season

Method :

In a wide pan add the olive oil and warm over a medium heat. Add the diced onions and sauté until translucent.

Sauté the onions until......
Sauté the onions until……

 

This!! Translucent onions - it takes approx 5 mins over a medium heat
It looks like this!! Translucent onions – it takes approx 5 mins over a medium heat.

Whilst the onions are sautéing  chop the beef into bite sized chunks.

Nice bite sized chunks of beef.
Nice bite sized chunks of beef.

Now add the 3 tablespoons of flour and season with salt and pepper.

Toss the beef chunks in the seasoned flour.
Toss the beef chunks in the seasoned flour.

Toss the flour coated beef chunks into the pan. Shake the pan so the beef is in one layer. When browned turn the chunks over, repeat until the beef chunks are browned on all sides.

Don't worry if you get sticky bits on the bottom of the pan. This means flavour!
Don’t worry if you get sticky bits on the bottom of the pan. This means flavour!

When the beef is browned all over add the diced carrots a 2 bay leaves.

Bay leaves and Beef are made for each other!
Bay leaves and Beef are made for each other!

Pour water over the pan contents, until just covered. As this heats up, the flour will thicken the casserole.

Crumble in a beef stock cube.

I used a Knorr beef stock cube.
I used a Knorr beef stock cube.

Next add the tomato purée.

The tomato purée adds flavour, colour and will also help thicken the sauce.
The tomato purée adds flavour, colour and will also help thicken the sauce.

Stir, scraping all the delicious dark, beefy residue from the bottom of the pan, so that it mixed into the sauce.

Mmmm. Simmer on a low heat, or place in a 140C oven for approx 2 - 3 hours, until the sauce is reduced and the beef is soft and tender.
Mmmm. Simmer on a low heat, or place in a 140C oven for approx 2 – 3 hours, until the sauce is reduced and the beef is soft and tender.

The beef should be tender enough, once cooked, so you can cut through it with a spoon! Delicious the Best Beef Casserole.

I served this casserole with mashed potato and broccoli.

A delicious, warming, homemade beef casserole. Just what I needed.
A delicious, warming, homemade beef casserole. Just what I needed.

This meal was absolutely scrumptious. Perfect for a weekday meal. A feast in a bowl!

Sammie x