Hearty Slow-Cooked Beef or Lamb Casserole
This Hearty Slow-Cooked Beef or Lamb Casserole is the ultimate comfort food for families, featuring tender meat and an array of fresh vegetables. Perfect for busy weeknights, this one-pot dish simmers all day in your crock pot, allowing the delicious flavors to meld together while you focus on your day. It's an ideal choice for any season: warm and satisfying during colder months and a no-fuss meal in summer. Customize the vegetable selection based on what you have on hand, and for a richer sauce, simply swap out some of the stock for red wine. Remember the cozy meals of childhood while you enjoy this rustic, flavorful casserole that brings everyone to the table.
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
potatoes
2 large (peeled and diced)
celery ribs
3 large (chopped)
carrots
2 large (sliced or diced)
onions
2 (sliced or diced)
green beans
200 g (ends removed and roughly chopped (approx. 7 oz))
garlic cloves
3 (crushed)
dried basil or mixed dried herbs
2 teaspoons (none)
smoked paprika
1 teaspoon (none)
salt
1 dash (none)
pepper
1 dash (none)
beef stock (or water)
2 cups (can substitute in up to 1 cup of red wine)
crushed tomatoes (or diced tomatoes)
400 g (14 ounces)
diced casserole beef or lamb
1.25 kg (roughly 2.5 pounds)
plain all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour
5 tablespoons (none)
Instructions
1
In a large zip-top bag, combine the diced meat and flour. Shake to coat the meat evenly, adding more flour if necessary. Set aside.
2
Prepare your vegetables: peel and dice the potatoes, chop the celery, slice or dice the carrots and onions, and trim the green beans. Place them at the bottom of the crock pot in an even layer.
3
Sprinkle the dried basil or herbs, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper over the vegetables, distributing evenly.
4
Add the coated meat to the crock pot, layering it on top of the vegetables.
5
Open the can of crushed or diced tomatoes and pour it over the meat and vegetables, making sure to chop any whole tomatoes first if necessary.
6
Pour in the beef stock (or water) and add red wine if desired for a deeper flavor.
7
Cover and cook on high for approximately 4 hours or on low for about 8 hours, until the meat is tender and flavors have melded. Serve hot with toasted bread, pasta, or rice.
8
For a thicker gravy, mix a tablespoon of cornflour (cornstarch) or arrowroot powder with a small amount of water and stir it into the casserole about 30 minutes before serving. Cover and let it cook until the sauce thickens to your liking.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hearty Slow-Cooked Beef or Lamb Casserole?
This recipe is a comforting one-pot dish featuring tender meat and fresh vegetables that simmers all day in a slow cooker.
Can I use different types of meat for this casserole?
Yes, you can use either 1.25 kg of diced casserole beef or lamb for this recipe.
How many people does this recipe serve?
This recipe makes enough for approximately 6 servings.
What is the best way to coat the meat in flour?
Place the diced meat and flour in a large zip-top bag and shake it to coat the pieces evenly.
Which vegetables are included in this casserole?
The recipe calls for potatoes, celery, carrots, onions, and green beans.
Can I customize the vegetables?
Absolutely, you can adjust the vegetable selection based on what you have available.
Is there a gluten-free option for the flour?
Yes, you can substitute plain all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour.
How should I layer the ingredients in the crock pot?
Place the prepared vegetables at the bottom in an even layer, sprinkle with herbs and spices, and then layer the meat on top.
How long does the casserole take to cook on high?
It takes approximately 4 hours when cooked on the high setting.
How long does the casserole take to cook on low?
It takes approximately 8 hours when cooked on the low setting.
How do I make the sauce richer?
To achieve a richer flavor, you can swap up to 1 cup of the beef stock for red wine.
What type of tomatoes should I use?
You can use a 400g can of crushed or diced tomatoes.
How can I thicken the gravy?
Mix a tablespoon of cornflour or arrowroot powder with a little water and stir it into the pot 30 minutes before serving.
What herbs are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of dried basil or mixed dried herbs.
Does this recipe use garlic?
Yes, it includes 3 crushed garlic cloves for extra flavor.
Is smoked paprika included?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika is added to the vegetable layer.
How much beef stock is required?
The recipe requires 2 cups of beef stock or water.
What should I serve with the casserole?
It is delicious when served with toasted bread, pasta, or rice.
Do I need to brown the meat before putting it in the slow cooker?
No, this recipe allows you to place the flour-coated meat directly into the crock pot without browning.
How should the potatoes be prepared?
The 2 large potatoes should be peeled and diced.
How many celery ribs are needed?
The recipe calls for 3 large celery ribs, chopped.
How many carrots are required?
Use 2 large carrots, either sliced or diced.
How many onions should I use?
The recipe requires 2 onions, sliced or diced.
How should the green beans be prepped?
Trim the ends off 200g of green beans and roughly chop them.
Can I use whole tomatoes instead of crushed?
Yes, but make sure to chop them before adding them to the crock pot.
Is this dish suitable for summer?
Yes, it is described as a no-fuss meal perfect for any season, including summer.
What is the total weight of meat used?
The recipe uses 1.25 kg (approximately 2.5 pounds) of meat.
How much flour is used for coating?
The recipe uses 5 tablespoons of flour.
What type of paprika is best?
Smoked paprika is recommended for its deep, smoky flavor.
Is this a one-pot meal?
Yes, this is a convenient one-pot meal that cooks entirely in the slow cooker.