Often times, it’s the simplest of recipes that end up being family favorites. This Slow Cooker Beef and Noodles is just that. It’s amazingly simple, but ridiculously delicious. It’s super savory and hearty. It’s the definition of comfort food for us. My family just devours it every time I make it.
And it’s the perfect meal for busy weeknights. Drop everything in the slow cooker in the morning before work, and dinner is just about ready when you get home – short of cooking the noodles.
One issue that many people run into with gravy-based dishes in the slow cooker is they find the gravy much too thin for their liking at the end of the cook time.
Fixing it is super simple though. Simply mix 1 tablespoon of corn starch with 2 tablespoons of cold water and and stir it into the slow cooker. Turn the heat to high and cook for about 20 minutes or until the gravy has thickened. That will give you plenty of time to get those noodles cooked.
Recipe Card
Slow Cooker Beef and Noodles
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef stew meat
- 1 (.87-ounce) packet brown gravy mix
- 1 (1-ounce) packet au jus mix
- 1 cup water
- 1 (12-ounce) package wide egg noodles
Instructions
- In the crock of a 4 to 6-quart slow cooker, stir together the meat, gravy mix, au jus mix, and water. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
- Cook the noodles according to the package instructions. Serve the noodles topped with the beef.
Notes
This is an excellent recipe that is both easy to prepare and delicious. I have prepared it numerous times and without fail, it always leaves people asking for seconds.
I can’t wait to try this recipe and many others I’ve seen this morning. What I’m enjoying about your site is how you present your recipes and tips with true Southern style. Your emails are so refreshing and uplifting and super engaging. You were spot on about Duke’s mayonnaise. It’s great! Thanks! Can’t wait to browse your site and to receive the next email! God Bless You!
Thanks so much, Debbie! Your comment put a huge smile on my face this morning!
Love your recipes and tips. I’ve learned I can trust your recommendations. Thanks!
That means a lot to me!
Can I use frozen stew meat or do I need to thaw it first?
I would recommend you thaw it first but it will work from frozen!
What’s the cooking time for high
Probably about 4 to 6 hours.
I’m a single guy always looking for easy but delish meals to make and it’s a plus when they can be thrown in the crock pot – set it and forget it style. This turned out great for me! Being at the mercy of my grocery delivery, the stew meat package was closer to 1 lb than 2. I still used 1 packet of au jus and 1 packet of brown gravy and 1 cup of water. Cooked on high 4 hrs instead of low for 8 and the gravy actually came out plenty thick. If anything I might add more water with next time to make more gravy. But it turned out very very tasty! No lack of sodium for those that love a little salt in their lives. Could be taken back to lower sodium packets to take that edge off. May even try with an onion soup packet in the future to give it a little oniony twist. Super simple recipe but something I never would’ve thought of myself. Looking forward to discovering more of your ideas. Thanks Stacey!
Awesome! So glad to hear this one turned out great for you, Tyler!
I usually avoided stew beef, because I never knew how to cook it. Now I do! The meat came out incredibly tender. I used Knorr Au Jus and Beef Gravy mix because that is what I had in the pantry, and it made a succulent gravy. I made some sliced baby portabello mushrooms on the side as the egg noodles cooked. This was fantastic. Thank you. A great template too. I was thinking of adding broccoli next time.
So glad to hear it turned out great for you!
This is one of our favorites, too! Easy and delicious, you can’t beat that. We like it over white rice.
So glad to hear you’ve enjoyed it! We love it over rice, too!
Hi I live in England but I’m America and my mother use to make this alot so I’m looking forward to making this the only problem is I cant get hold of Au jus is there a recipe to make this if not what else can I use .thank you .
You could use two packets of brown gravy mix.
Thank you for all the awesome recipes. Many of them have become new family favorites. Sending prayers and positive thoughts for your grandmother.
Thanks so much, Mollie!
Thanks for sharing this. Your recipes are always a treat and I look forward to opening them in my email. Too often I fail to let you know how much we enjoy your great food, and we’ve never been let down for trying even one of them. That’s a compliment!! Blessings to your grandmother and trust her diagnosis will be positive and she’ll get home soon. Oh, also wanted to let you know how much I love the photos that accompany your recipes. Great Job!
Thank you so much, Paula! This comment was just the Monday pick-me-up I needed!
Do you need to take the meat out of the crockpot first to add the extra water and cornstarch on it high
No, there’s no need to take the meat out.
WOW! Confession time. At beginning of Covid lockdown I panic bought huge bags of pinto beans and then for some reason I bought a slow cooker. I have given away or sold at least two crock pots so what possessed me, I dunno. Gave away some of the beans and Never even opened the box of the slow cooker until yesterday. But I just had to try this recipe I frequently cut up a small steak and come up with something similar to your recipe but I am just a good eater not a good cook. So glad I made this recipe! Very good, tender beef, wonderful smell toward end of cook time. I had more stew beef than called for so used extra packet of gravy. Next time I will double down on au jus and go for more gravy altogether. Thank you so much Blessings to ALL in 2021.
This is one of my favorites. So glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Instead of using Au Jus, can I use 2 packets of brown gravy?
I don’t see why not. 🙂
My 4 year old grandson who does not usually eat meat said, “I like this meat.” So easy and delicious. Thanks for a new favorite.
Awesome! I’m tickled to hear your little guy enjoyed it!
Couldn’t find the packets of au jus at the supermarket so I bought canned. Do you know how much canned to use? Will it be the same?
I can’t say for sure. I’ve never used the canned kind.
Stacey, this turned out very good. I thickened the gravy as you suggested and it was perfect over the egg noodles. Fried up some okra to go with it so we had a very hardy meal. Thanks so much.
Now that’s a meal! Sounds amazing! So glad you enjoyed it!
I make this often. Thank you!! I add mushrooms and onions and serve over rice because my husband prefers rice. Such an easy meal. Thank you again!
Sounds great! I love mushrooms and onions in this – my family not so much. 🙂 Glad you’ve enjoyed it!
I am making this for supper tonight I bought some of those frozen noodles was planning on adding them towards the end of cooking, do I need to do anything different before adding the noodles?
I would suggest cooking the noodles first and then adding them to the meat mixture. Otherwise, if you want to try to cook the noodles with the meat, you’ll need to add additional water or broth.
I have made this recipe and it was always a hit with stew meat. Yesterday I cooked a chuck roast with this recipe but substituted a can of french onion soup instead of the water. Winner for sure! Now I am searching your site for more easy and delish recipes that I haven’t tried.
So glad you enjoyed this one and hope you find lots more you like just as well!
Do I follow directions of gravy & au jus packet mix? Or do I ONLY add 1 cup of water???
Nope, just follow my recipe. You’ll only use the 1 cup of water total.
Simple and tasty, recipe is a keeper. I added an extra cup of water with some cornstarch for extra gravy to feed 5.
So glad y’all enjoyed it!!
I have a crock pot, but I’ve recently gotten an Instant Pot pressure cooker. Any idea about the cook time for this?
I made this and it was so amazing . My husband already wants it again:) thank you so much!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!
Have you ever made it with beef bullion instead of adding the water? I’m just wondering if this would intensify the flavor.
You really don’t need to add any additional flavor, but you certainly are welcome o try it. Just opt for a low sodium version.
Do I need to search the beef before putting it in the crock pot?
Sear not search
You can, but there’s no need for the extra step in this dish.
Delicious foods recipes
This was so delish! Thanks for this recipe! It will be made iften.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!
I assume I cut the meat first into cubes?
Yes, most stew meat is sold already cut up, but if your’s isn’t, you’ll want it in about 1-inch cubes.
I stumbled over this recipe an am glad I did. I doing the cooking for my wife and I, she works and I am retired. Look for Quick and Easy meals that we can both enjoy. This meal was outstanding……
I’m so glad that you enjoyed it!
I just doubled this recipe to feed 6 big appetites. All I can tell you is that this is an easy meal that went over extremely well. And that’s no easy task with picky teens! I did absolutely nothing differently other than fixing mashed potatoes also so they could choose their favorite. Thanks for making me look like an awesome cook! I did have some left overs……..good enough for my & hubs lunch. Thanks for sharing this recipe with us.
I’m so glad that everyone enjoyed it!! It’s certainly one of my family’s favorites!
Stacy, your beef and chicken crockpot recipes are always winners in my book. I’ll have to try this one. 🙂
Thanks, Aileen! I sure hope you’ll enjoy!!
I will make this. This is a easy recipe and can put it on an forget it.
Absolutely! I hope it turns out great for you!
Can I cook stew beef on high in crockpot
This cane out so delicious. Gravy was perfect at the end of cooking.. Thank you southern bite ❤️
So glad it turned out great for you!! Thanks for letting me know!
I’m going to make this tonight. Can I add baby carrots & mushrooms to this or do I have to wait till almost done.
I think you can absolutely add carrots and mushrooms!