Hearty Beef and Vegetable Casserole
This delightful Hearty Beef and Vegetable Casserole is the perfect comfort food for chilly evenings. After a day spent tending to a family member's home, I stumbled upon an old cookbook filled with treasures, and this recipe stood out as a cozy yet robust meal. Packed with tender chunks of beef, flavorful vegetables, and a rich tomato base, this casserole is not only simple to prepare but also makes for a nourishing one-dish meal. Let the oven work its magic as the ingredients meld together, creating a mouthwatering dish that is sure to warm hearts and satisfy hunger. Serve it with a dollop of creamy yogurt and pickled dill cucumbers for a delightful contrast that enhances the flavors.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
chuck or blade steaks
1.5 kg (cut into large cubes)
plain flour
60 g (for coating beef)
spanish paprika
2 teaspoons (to mix with flour)
peeled tomatoes with juice
400 g (to be blended)
white or red wine
1 glass (for flavor)
onions
2 (diced)
garlic cloves
2 (sliced)
celery
1 stalk (finely sliced)
medium potatoes
3 (cut into large chunks)
salt
to taste
black pepper
to taste
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the plain flour and Spanish paprika. Roll the cubes of beef in this mixture until they are evenly coated.
3
Place the coated beef into a spacious enamelled cast iron casserole, ensuring there is enough room to add the other ingredients without overcrowding.
4
In a food processor, blend the peeled tomatoes along with their juice until smoothly combined, or alternatively, you can crush them with a wooden spoon for a chunkier texture. Pour the tomato mixture over the beef in the casserole.
5
Add the diced onions, sliced garlic, finely sliced celery, and large chunks of potatoes to the casserole. Season everything generously with salt and black pepper and give it a gentle stir to combine the ingredients.
6
To lock in moisture and flavor, press a piece of baking paper directly over the casserole contents and then cover with the lid.
7
Place the casserole in the preheated oven and let it cook undisturbed for 2 hours. This slow cooking will tenderize the meat and infuse the flavors.
8
After 2 hours, check for doneness; the meat and potatoes should be tender. If necessary, return it to the oven for additional cooking time.
9
Once ready, serve the casserole hot, accompanied by a bowl of creamy yogurt and optional sides such as sliced pickled dill cucumbers or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hearty Beef and Vegetable Casserole?
It is a robust one-dish comfort meal featuring tender beef chunks, vegetables, and a rich tomato base, perfect for chilly evenings.
What cut of beef is recommended for this casserole?
The recipe calls for 1.5 kg of chuck or blade steaks cut into large cubes.
What temperature should I set my oven to?
Preheat your oven to 180°C or 350°F.
How long does the casserole need to cook?
It should cook undisturbed in the oven for 2 hours to tenderize the meat and infuse flavors.
What type of pot should I use?
A spacious enamelled cast iron casserole dish is recommended.
Do I need to coat the beef before cooking?
Yes, roll the beef cubes in a mixture of 60g plain flour and 2 teaspoons of Spanish paprika.
How should I prepare the tomatoes?
Blend 400g of peeled tomatoes with their juice for a smooth texture, or crush them with a wooden spoon for a chunkier result.
What vegetables are included in the recipe?
The casserole includes 2 diced onions, 2 sliced garlic cloves, 1 stalk of finely sliced celery, and 3 medium potatoes cut into chunks.
Does this recipe use wine?
Yes, one glass of white or red wine is used to add flavor.
How do I keep the moisture inside the casserole?
Press a piece of baking paper directly over the ingredients before covering the dish with a lid.
What should I serve with the beef casserole?
It is best served with a dollop of creamy yogurt and optional sides like pickled dill cucumbers or steamed vegetables.
How many potatoes do I need?
The recipe requires 3 medium potatoes cut into large chunks.
How many onions are used?
Use 2 onions, diced, for this recipe.
How much paprika is used?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of Spanish paprika mixed with flour.
How much flour is needed for the coating?
You will need 60g of plain flour.
Is there any garlic in this dish?
Yes, the recipe includes 2 sliced garlic cloves.
How is the celery prepared?
One stalk of celery should be finely sliced.
What should I do if the meat isn't tender after 2 hours?
Return the casserole to the oven for additional cooking time until the meat and potatoes are tender.
Do I need to sear the beef first?
According to these instructions, you simply coat the beef in flour/paprika and place it directly into the casserole.
What seasonings are required?
Salt and black pepper are added to taste.
Can I use a food processor?
Yes, a food processor can be used to blend the peeled tomatoes and their juice.
Is this a good recipe for families?
Yes, it is described as a family meal and a nourishing one-dish meal.
What is the texture of the beef in this recipe?
The slow cooking process is designed to make the chunks of beef tender.
Do I need to stir the ingredients?
Give the ingredients a gentle stir to combine them before placing the baking paper and lid on top.
How much tomato is needed?
The recipe calls for one 400g container of peeled tomatoes with juice.
Is the casserole served hot or cold?
The casserole should be served hot.
How should the beef be cut?
The chuck or blade steaks should be cut into large cubes.
What kind of paprika should I use?
Spanish paprika is specified for this recipe.
What provides the base of the sauce?
The sauce is a rich tomato base created by blended peeled tomatoes and wine.
Can I add extra vegetables?
While the recipe specifies onions, garlic, celery, and potatoes, you can serve it with steamed vegetables on the side.