Looking for an easy, delicious, and hearty meal that you can prepare with minimal effort? This Crockpot Beef Tips & Noodles recipe is exactly what you need. With just a few ingredients and a slow cooker, you can create a rich, flavorful dish that is perfect for a family dinner. Tender beef tips, creamy gravy, and savory mushrooms pair perfectly with egg noodles for a satisfying meal everyone will love.
Ingredients for Crockpot Beef Tips & Noodles
To make this comforting dish, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 lb stew meat – Choose a good-quality beef stew meat for tenderness and flavor. It will cook down to melt-in-your-mouth perfection in the slow cooker.
- 1 pack of Lipton onion soup mix – This adds a burst of savory onion flavor that forms the base of the dish’s rich, flavorful gravy.
- 1 pack of brown gravy mix – Enhances the dish’s richness, providing a thick, savory sauce that complements the beef perfectly.
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup – A classic ingredient that adds creaminess and depth to the sauce.
- 1 small can of mushrooms – Adds earthy flavor and texture to the dish. If you love mushrooms, feel free to add more!
- 1 can’s worth of beef broth – Use the broth to thin out the cream of mushroom soup and create a flavorful sauce. Simply fill the empty soup can with beef broth and pour it into the crockpot.
- Egg noodles – The perfect vehicle for soaking up the rich, savory sauce.
How to Make Crockpot Beef Tips & Noodles
Step 1: Prepare the Crockpot
Start by placing the 1 lb of stew meat in the bottom of the crockpot. Beef stew meat is ideal for slow cooking because it becomes tender and juicy after hours of cooking. Next, sprinkle in the Lipton onion soup mix and the brown gravy mix. These two ingredients are the key to building the savory, flavorful sauce that will cook with the beef.
Step 2: Add the Cream of Mushroom Soup
Open the can of cream of mushroom soup and add it directly into the crockpot. This adds creaminess to the gravy and infuses the beef with its rich, comforting flavor. Add the small can of mushrooms as well, which will add an earthy texture and deepen the flavor of the dish. You can use fresh mushrooms if you prefer, but canned mushrooms work perfectly in this recipe.
Step 3: Add the Beef Broth
Fill the empty can of cream of mushroom soup with beef broth and pour it into the crockpot. This will help thin out the soup and gravy mixture, ensuring it creates the perfect sauce for the beef. The broth will also provide additional moisture and flavor as the dish cooks.
Step 4: Mix and Cook
Stir the ingredients together to ensure the beef, soup, gravy mix, and mushrooms are evenly distributed. Once mixed, cover the crockpot and set it to cook on low for 8 hours. The long cooking time allows the beef to become incredibly tender and absorb all the flavors from the onion soup mix, gravy, and mushrooms. You don’t need to do anything else during this time—just let the slow cooker work its magic!
Step 5: Cook the Egg Noodles
About 20 minutes before serving, prepare the egg noodles according to the package instructions. You want the noodles to be fresh and al dente so that they can soak up all the delicious sauce from the crockpot. Drain the noodles once they are cooked.
Step 6: Combine and Serve
Once the beef has cooked and become tender, give it a quick stir and taste for seasoning. If needed, add a pinch of salt or pepper. Then, serve the beef tips and gravy over the freshly cooked egg noodles. The rich, savory sauce will coat the noodles, making every bite a comforting and flavorful experience.
Why This Recipe is Perfect for Busy Days
The beauty of this Crockpot Beef Tips & Noodles recipe is in its simplicity and convenience. Once you’ve added all the ingredients to the slow cooker, you can leave it to cook all day and come back to a warm, hearty meal. It’s perfect for busy weekdays when you need something easy to prepare but still want a satisfying dinner.
A Hearty Family Meal
This recipe is a crowd-pleaser that can feed a family or a group of friends. The beef stew meat becomes so tender that it practically melts in your mouth, and the creamy gravy coats the egg noodles in a way that makes each bite comforting. Whether you’re cooking for a small family or a larger group, this dish can easily be scaled up—next time, consider using 2 lbs of stew meat while keeping the same amounts of the other ingredients for a heartier meal.
Tips and Variations for Crockpot Beef Tips & Noodles
While this recipe is already simple and delicious, here are a few ideas for customization:
- Add More Vegetables: To make this dish even heartier, consider adding other vegetables like carrots, peas, or potatoes to the crockpot. These will absorb the flavorful sauce and add extra texture.
- Use Fresh Mushrooms: If you prefer fresh mushrooms over canned, simply slice them and add them to the crockpot with the other ingredients. They will cook down and blend into the sauce, adding more depth to the flavor.
- Spicy Kick: For a bit of heat, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce to the gravy mixture. This will give your dish a nice kick without overwhelming the flavor.
- Swap the Noodles: While egg noodles are traditional, you can use other pasta types like rotini, penne, or wide noodles for a different texture.
What to Serve with Crockpot Beef Tips & Noodles
Although this dish is filling on its own, you can round out the meal with some simple sides:
- Steamed Vegetables: Serve with a side of steamed broccoli, green beans, or roasted Brussels sprouts to add some color and nutrition to the meal.
- Garlic Bread: A warm slice of garlic bread or crusty rolls is perfect for soaking up the extra sauce from the beef tips.
- Side Salad: A light side salad with mixed greens and a tangy vinaigrette can help balance the richness of the beef and noodles.
Conclusion: A Comforting Meal with Minimal Effort
This Crockpot Beef Tips & Noodles recipe is the perfect solution for a busy day when you want a hearty, flavorful dinner with minimal effort. The combination of tender beef, creamy gravy, and savory mushrooms over egg noodles makes for a truly satisfying meal. With just a few ingredients and a slow cooker, you’ll have a meal that your family will love and remember.
Enjoy the simplicity and comfort of this easy crockpot recipe, and feel free to customize it with your favorite ingredients!