Creamy Crock Pot Beef and Noodles

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There’s something so comforting about a big bowl of beef and noodles. It’s hearty, cozy and filling, and this Crock Pot Beef and Noodles recipe makes it easy to get that classic comfort-food flavor with very little hands-on time.

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This Crock Pot Beef and Noodles recipe is the ultimate comfort food! Tender pieces of stew meat are coated in flour, quickly seared until golden brown, then slow cooked with mushrooms, pearl onions and a rich, creamy beef gravy. Serve the tender beef and flavorful gravy over buttery egg noodles for an easy, hearty dinner the whole family will love.

This is the kind of cozy recipe I crave on a cold night. It’s so hearty and satisfying and warms you right up! Add a quick side salad or (for us) some canned green beans with crusty bread and you have a meal the whole family will love!

When I’m craving hearty and cozy some of my go-to’s are this super popular Buttery Beef and Potatoes, Crock Pot Beef Ragu, Beef Ramen, or a French Onion Pot Roast with a huge pile of mashed potatoes.

I swear my teenage son could eat this whole crock pot by himself. He’s a bottomless pit! This hearty meal keeps him satisfied for at least an hour. 😉

Why You’ll Love This Crock Pot Beef and Noodles Recipe

• Tender, flavorful beef: Searing the stew meat gives it a beautiful golden crust and adds extra flavor.
• Rich and creamy gravy: Cream of mushroom soup and brown gravy mix create an easy, flavorful sauce.
• Easy slow cooker dinner: Once everything is in the Crock Pot, dinner practically cooks itself.
• Family-friendly: Serve the beef and gravy over egg noodles for a hearty meal everyone will enjoy.
• Great for busy nights: Prep it in the morning and come home to a cozy dinner.
• No complicated ingredients: This recipe uses simple grocery-store ingredients you can find almost anywhere.

Ingredients for Crock Pot Beef and Noodles

You’ll find the complete recipe with measurements in the printable recipe card below, but here’s what you’ll need:

Crock Pot

A 6 quart size or larger. I’m using this blue programmable crock pot.

Stew Meat

Use approximately 2 pounds of beef stew meat. The pre-cut cubes make this recipe super easy, but you can also cut a chuck roast into bite-size pieces.

Flour

Coating the beef in flour before searing helps create that delicious golden-brown crust. The flour also helps thicken the gravy as the beef cooks.

Olive Oil or Butter

Either works for searing the beef. Butter adds a little extra richness, while olive oil has a higher smoke point.

Brown Gravy Mix

I use a packet of low-sodium brown gravy mix to add lots of savory flavor to the sauce.

Cream of Mushroom Soup

A can of low-sodium cream of mushroom soup makes the gravy creamy and delicious without a lot of extra work.

Mushrooms

Quartered mushrooms add flavor and texture to the gravy. Baby bella, white or button mushrooms all work well. If your family doesn’t like mushrooms, they can be left out.

Frozen Pearl Onions

Frozen pearl onions are an easy shortcut and add a subtle sweetness to the dish. You can substitute diced yellow or white onion if you prefer. I just love the little pearl onions! They get so sweet when cooked low and slow and it’s a little unexpected.

Seasonings

You’ll need garlic, dried parsley, oregano, salt and black pepper.

Beef Broth

Beef broth adds even more savory beef flavor to the gravy.

Worcestershire Sauce

A little Worcestershire sauce adds depth and gives the gravy that extra savory flavor.

Egg Noodles

Cook the egg noodles separately according to the package directions and spoon the beef and gravy over the top. Any pasta can be substituted. Rice or mashed potatoes are also great alternatives.

How to Make Crock Pot Beef and Noodles

1. Season and flour the beef

Add the stew meat to a large bowl. Sprinkle with the salt and black pepper, then add the flour. Toss until the beef is evenly coated.

2. Sear the beef

Heat the olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add the floured beef in a single layer and sear on both sides until golden brown.

You don’t need to cook the beef all the way through. You’re just looking for a nice golden-brown crust.

Don’t skip this step if you have the time! Searing the beef adds another layer of flavor, helps the beef stay tender and gives the gravy a richer flavor and thicker consistency.

Can I skip searing the beef?

Absolutely! If you’re in a hurry, you can skip the searing step and add the seasoned, floured beef directly to the Crock Pot.

That said, I highly recommend searing it when you can. Those few extra minutes make a noticeable difference in the flavor of the finished dish.

3. Add everything to the Crock Pot

Transfer the seared beef and any juices from the skillet to a 6- to 8-quart Crock Pot.

Add the brown gravy mix, cream of mushroom soup, mushrooms, frozen pearl onions, minced garlic, dried parsley, oregano, beef broth and Worcestershire sauce.

Stir everything together.

4. Slow cook

Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours, or until the beef is tender.

My beef is usually perfect at about 7 hours on LOW.

You can also cook it on HIGH for about 4 hours.

Cooking times can vary depending on your slow cooker, so check the beef for tenderness toward the end of the cooking time.

5. Cook the egg noodles

When the beef is finished, prepare the egg noodles according to the package directions.

I recommend cooking the noodles separately rather than adding them to the Crock Pot. This keeps the noodles from becoming overly soft or soaking up too much of the delicious gravy.

6. Serve

Spoon the tender beef, mushrooms, pearl onions and creamy gravy over the cooked egg noodles.

Serve hot and enjoy!

Tips for the Best Crock Pot Beef and Noodles

Sear the beef if you can. This is my biggest tip for this recipe. Browning the beef creates a flavorful crust and adds extra depth to the gravy.

Don’t overcrowd the skillet. If your skillet isn’t large enough to comfortably fit all of the beef in a single layer, sear the beef in batches. Crowding the pan can cause the beef to steam instead of brown.

Don’t worry about cooking the beef through when searing. The Crock Pot will take care of that. You only need to brown the outside.

Use frozen pearl onions for an easy shortcut. There’s no chopping or peeling required, and they hold up beautifully during slow cooking.

Cook the noodles separately. Egg noodles can become mushy if they sit in the slow cooker for hours. Cooking them separately gives you perfectly tender noodles every time.

Check your gravy before serving. If you’d like a thinner gravy, stir in a little additional beef broth until it reaches your preferred consistency.

What Kind of Beef Is Best for Beef and Noodles?

I recommend using beef stew meat because it’s convenient, affordable and designed for slow cooking.

You can also buy a chuck roast and cut it into bite-size pieces yourself. Chuck roast has plenty of marbling, which makes it an excellent choice for slow-cooked beef recipes.

Can I Make Crock Pot Beef and Noodles Without Mushrooms?

Yes! If mushrooms aren’t your thing, simply leave them out. The recipe will still have plenty of flavor from the beef, gravy, onions and seasonings.

Can I Use Fresh Onions Instead of Pearl Onions?

Absolutely. If you don’t have frozen pearl onions, substitute a diced yellow or white onion.

Can I Skip Searing the Beef?

Yes. Searing is optional, especially when you need a true dump-and-go dinner.

However, I highly recommend taking the extra few minutes to sear the beef. It gives the beef a more flavorful exterior and contributes to a richer, thicker gravy.

Can I Cook the Noodles in the Crock Pot?

I don’t recommend it for this recipe. Egg noodles cook much faster than the beef, so adding them at the beginning would result in very soft or mushy noodles.

Cook the egg noodles separately just before serving and spoon the beef and gravy over them.

What to Serve with Crock Pot Beef and Noodles

This is a hearty meal all on its own, but you can serve it with a simple vegetable or side dish.

Try it with:

• Green beans
• Roasted broccoli or asparagus
• Peas
• A simple green salad
• Garlic bread
• Crusty French bread
• Roasted carrots

How to Store Leftover Beef and Noodles

Store leftover beef and gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.

For the best texture, store the cooked egg noodles separately from the beef and gravy if possible.

When reheating, warm the beef and gravy gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add a splash of beef broth if the gravy has thickened too much in the refrigerator.

Can I Freeze Beef and Noodles?

Yes! The beef and gravy can be frozen in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

For the best texture, I recommend freezing the beef and gravy separately from the egg noodles. Cook a fresh batch of noodles when you’re ready to serve.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat gently until hot.

More Easy Crock Pot Beef Recipes

If you love easy slow cooker beef dinners, try these next:

• Mississippi Pot Roast
• Buttery Beef and Potatoes
• Beef Ragu
• Beef and Broccoli
• Italian Beef Sandwiches
• French Dip Sandwiches