Tender beef and hearty vegetables baked together in a rich, savory sauce, a simple oven meal that brings deep comfort on cold winter days.
Prep & Cook Time
Prep: 20 min
Cook: 50 min
Total: 1 h 10 min
Ingredients
- 1 lb beef stew meat, cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 2 cups potatoes, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp dried thyme
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet or casserole dish over medium heat. Add the beef and brown it well on all sides, then transfer to a plate.
In the same dish, add the onion, carrots, celery, and potatoes. Cook briefly until the vegetables begin to soften and pick up flavor from the pan.
Stir in the garlic and tomato paste, cooking until fragrant and evenly coating the vegetables.
Return the beef to the dish, pour in the beef broth, and season with salt, pepper, and thyme.
Cover the casserole tightly and bake until the beef is tender and the vegetables are fully cooked, allowing the flavors to meld into a rich, savory sauce.
Uncover for the last few minutes of baking if needed to slightly thicken the sauce before serving.
Nutrition Facts (approx)
Calories: 540 | Protein: 36g | Carbs: 32g | Fat: 28g
Quick Facts
• one-dish oven meal
• cold weather comfort
• family approved
• budget friendly
• freezer friendly
Tips
Brown the beef thoroughly before baking to build deeper flavor in the finished casserole.
Cut vegetables into similar sizes so everything cooks evenly without becoming mushy.
Keep the casserole tightly covered during baking to prevent the beef from drying out.
Variations
Slow-Baked Rustic Casserole
Bake the casserole at a slightly lower temperature for a longer time. This creates extra-tender beef and a deeper, slow-cooked flavor, similar to a traditional Sunday oven meal. If you’re into that kind of cozy, all-day flavor, Grandma’s Slow Cooked Pot Roast is another hearty favorite worth trying.
Creamy Winter Casserole
Stir a small amount of cream into the sauce during the final minutes of baking to create a richer, smoother texture without overpowering the beef. It transforms the casserole into something even more comforting without much extra effort.
Lighter Vegetable-Forward Version
Reduce the beef slightly and add more root vegetables such as turnips or parsnips. The casserole stays filling while feeling lighter and more balanced. Want to learn more about the nutritional boost of these additions? Check out the Health Benefits of Carrots, great info if you’re leaning toward a veggie-forward approach.