This easy recipe for Slow Cooker Beef and Noodles is your new go-to for busy weeknight comfort food! Plus, it only calls for just a few ingredients!
Oftentimes, 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 and full of flavor. It’s super savory and hearty too. It’s the definition of comfort food for us. My family just devours it every time I make it. And, the leftovers are just as good!
It really is the perfect meal for busy weeknights. Very similar to my beef stroganoff, you can 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. And by dropping everything, I mean four of the total five ingredients. There are so many shortcuts in this recipe to make it easy on you.
No making your own sauce mixture from scratch with a long list of ingredients. You get all that amazing flavor by using the premade mix packets in the list of ingredients in the recipe card at the bottom of the post. Super simple and amazingly delicious!
How do you thicken beef and noodles?
One issue that many people run into with a gravy-based dish in the slow cooker is they find the gravy to be much too thin or runny for their liking at the end of the cook time. Fixing this issue is super simple though.
Simply mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water 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 in a pot and boil to perfectly tender perfection.
Can I use frozen stew meat?
Yes, you can use frozen stew meat. However, I recommend thawing it first to ensure the meat gets cooked through. This can be done by simply moving the stew meat from the freezer or deep freeze to the refrigerator the day before you make this crock pot beef and noodles meal. If you forget to move the meat over, you could also use the defrost feature on your microwave to speed up the thawing time.
Other Ways to Serve the Beef in this Recipe
With other types of noodles! You don’t have to use the egg noodles I put in this particular recipe. For example, you could opt for spaghetti or penne for your beef and noodles recipe.
Try it on mashed potatoes! Oh my goodness, this beef and sauce over my mom’s mashed potato recipe is to die for. My mouth is already watering!
Over rice! I love to pour this beef and sauce mixture over the top of a bed of rice. Yum yum yum!
On it’s own! The beef and sauce you whip up in this recipe are even good enough to be eaten alone as the main course protein. I highly recommend pairing it with my Loaded Mashed Potatoes, or a regular baked potato, and my Roasted Broccoli or Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Mushrooms.
Recipe Card
Slow Cooker Beef and Noodles
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef stew meat
- 1 (0.87-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 beef and gravy over the noodles.
Notes
Nutrition
* If nutritional values are provided, they are an estimate and will vary depending on the brands used. The values do not include optional ingredients or when ingredients are added to taste. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, I recommend grabbing your favorite brands and plugging those ingredients into an online nutritional calculator.
Walter Briggs
Can I use beef broth instead of water in this recipe? I already added mirepoix to mine. Was great.
Yep. Just be cautious about the salt content when using broth.
Frank Hawley
can you do on high 4-6 hrs instead of low 6-8?
Donna
THIS IS AMAZING ❤️❤️❤️. We added fresh sliced mushrooms and when it was done and, per serving, added a couple tables of sour cream. It made it into beef stroganoff and reminded me of Hamburger Helper in the 80’s when it was actually good!! Ty so much Stacey ❤️
Sounds great! Thanks, Donna!
Renee
this is the first rating I’ve ever done. this recipe is so easy and good. served over noodles and mashed potatoes. Thank you Stacey
Thanks, Renee! I’m SO glad you enjoyed it!
Alison M Harr
My whole family loved it! The second time I made it I used beef broth instead of water increasing it a little and added frozen noodles so I didn’t use a separate pot!
Great idea! So happy to hear you enjoyed it!
Veronique Bovis
Easy and delicious. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
You’re so welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!
Walter Briggs
First time it was too salty. Second time I use less sodium gravy packets. I also added small diced mirepoix. Much better.
Glad you figured out what works best for you, Walter!
Shannon
This is delicious and crazy easy! I can’t tell you how much we enjoyed it. Thank you, Stacey!
Awesome! So glad y’all enjoyed it!
Maia Everhart
I added pearl onions and a few mushrooms and it was delicious!
Glad it turned out great for you!
Kathie Bracy
P.S. In your Notes for this recipe, you used the word “consistently”. Good word, but I think you meant “consistency”. I suspect you’re like me — too much to do, and never enough time to get it done, so we’re always rushing. If you think it’s bad now, wait till you get to my age. : )
Thanks for catching these.
Kathie Bracy
I should have said that zero before the decimal point applies to all numbers less than one, not just when you’re just talking about ounces. Have a great day!
Kathie Bracy
Hi Stacey — I love, love, LOVE your recipes!!! And I loved seeing you on TV. You were great! Quick lesson here from an old, 85-year-old retired, third grade teacher. When indicating less than one ounce, always put a zero before the decimal point. Write it as 0.87-ounce instead of .87-ounce. It helps people see the decimal point, and that’s how we taught it before I retired 25 years ago. Plus, you’ll see it written that way here and there. I can hardly wait to try your Slow Cooker Beef and Noodles recipe. It sounds fab!!! Your recipes are the best!
Veronique Bovis
I’m not trying to be mean or act like a Karen but these comments drive me. You haven’t even made the recipe yet, but decided you need to come here with a grammar and math tutorial. Find something to do. Please just comment on the outcome of the recipe after you’ve made it and leave all the other stuff. It’s not helpful..
slocook
Real comfort food here and very adaptable to personal tastes. I like foods robust in flavor, so I add 1/4 cup of red wine, 4 large cloves of minced garlic and 1/4 cup of minced onion. I have my veggies prepped, the noodles measured and ready to go when I leave in the morning. When I get home, everything is ready to eat in under 30 mins. No sacrificing flavor or quality for lack of time with this recipe.
Thanks so much! Your additions sounds perfect!
Howard
My wife and I love this dish. We use less than two pounds of meat. We Use one packet brown gravy and one packet Au Jus. We want more of the sauce. How do we increase the amount of sauce? Simply adding more water does not seem correct. Ty
For more sauce, you’d need to double the water, and add another packet of brown gravy and au jus mix.
Howard
Great. Perfect for two.
Thanks, Howard!
Kristan
Delish! I used almost a whole 48 oz of beef broth, added 2 beef bullion cubes along with an Italian beef packet and brown gravy packet, cooked 8 hours, added 1lb bag of Amish Noodles and let cook in broth about 45 min. It was Aaahhhhmmmazzzing!
Looks amazing!! So glad you enjoyed it!
Brandon
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.
Awesome! So glad to hear it!
Debbie Jordan
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!
Debbie Jordan
Love your recipes and tips. I’ve learned I can trust your recommendations. Thanks!
That means a lot to me!
Unknown
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!
Katherine
What’s the cooking time for high
Probably about 4 to 6 hours.
Tyler T
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!
Courtney
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!
Becky
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!
Lisa Bavaro-ludlam
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.
Mollie Frook
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!
Paula Johnston
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!
Donna Taylor
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.
Russanna
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!
Christina
Instead of using Au Jus, can I use 2 packets of brown gravy?
I don’t see why not. 🙂
Mary Meier
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!
Jen
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.
Diana Teague
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!
Melissa Scott
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!
Lisa Stokes
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.
Barbara
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!
Stacey Triggiano
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.
Gary S
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!!
Donna
I have a crock pot, but I’ve recently gotten an Instant Pot pressure cooker. Any idea about the cook time for this?
Donna Hershner
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!!
Kelly Buffington
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.
Joe
Do I need to search the beef before putting it in the crock pot?
Joe
Sear not search
You can, but there’s no need for the extra step in this dish.
Precious Pearl
Delicious foods recipes
Bonda
This was so delish! Thanks for this recipe! It will be made iften.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!
tracy
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.
Dennis Duryea
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!
Jo Tell.
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!
Aileen Searles
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!!
PEGGY S. TAYLOR
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!
Rhonda
Can I cook stew beef on high in crockpot
Rhonda
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!
Karen
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!