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Pioneer Woman Beef Noodle Stew

Pioneer Woman Beef Noodle Stew - recipe card

This Pioneer Woman-inspired beef noodle stew is the ultimate comfort food — a deeply savory broth loaded with tender chunks of beef, mushrooms, and egg noodles. The beef is seared to develop a rich crust, then simmered with aromatics and red wine until fall-apart tender, while the noodles cook right in the pot to soak up all the flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs (900g) beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, trimmed of excess fat
  • 2 tsp kosher salt, divided
  • 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper, divided
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 4 tbsp (1/4 cup) extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 medium carrots, sliced into 1/4-inch coins
  • 8 oz (250g) cremini mushrooms, quartered
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup dry red wine (such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot)
  • 6 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 8 oz (250g) wide egg noodles
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels. Season with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, then toss with the flour in a large bowl until each piece is lightly coated. The flour helps the beef brown and later thickens the stew.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat until shimmering. Working in two batches to avoid overcrowding, add the beef in a single layer and sear for 4-5 minutes per side until deep brown. Use tongs to flip and turn — the crust adds essential flavor. Set the seared beef aside on a plate (do not wash the pot).
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, then add the onion, carrots, and mushrooms. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and the mushrooms have released their liquid and begun to brown.
  4. Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, scraping the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to lift up any browned bits — this is where the flavor is.
  5. Pour in the red wine, scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze. Let the wine bubble and reduce by half, about 2 minutes, until the alcohol smell has subsided and it smells fruity and rich.
  6. Return the seared beef (and any accumulated juices) to the pot. Add the beef broth, fresh thyme sprigs, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil over high heat, then immediately reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer gently for 45 minutes.
  7. After 45 minutes, test the beef — it should be nearly fork-tender but holding together. Season the broth with the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaf.
  8. Increase heat to medium-high and bring the stew to a rolling simmer. Add the egg noodles, stirring to ensure they are submerged. Cook according to package directions, typically 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  9. Continue to simmer until the noodles are al dente and the stew has thickened slightly, about 10 minutes. The starch from the noodles will thicken the broth — expect a silky, rich texture.
  10. Taste the stew and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed. Serve immediately in deep bowls, garnished with fresh parsley.

Notes

Storage: Let the stew cool completely and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The noodles will absorb liquid over time, so add a splash of beef broth or water when reheating. Freezing: For best results, freeze the stew without the noodles — prepare the noodles fresh when reheating. The finished stew freezes up to 3 months (if noodle-free). Reheating: On the stovetop, reheat gently over medium heat until bubbling, about 5-7 minutes. In the microwave, heat covered on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway. If reheating on the stove, add extra broth as needed to thin the stew. Do not boil aggressively as it can overcook the noodles and make them mushy.

Nutrition

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