Sunshine Slow Cooker Beef Casserole: Effortlessly Delicious Summer Comfort!
A simple Slow Cooker Summer Beef Casserole that brings the ease and soul-soothing goodness of a classic casserole with a bright, summery twist. Your slow cooker does most of the work, making it perfect for effortless weeknight dinners or lazy weekend feasting.
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
- Skillet Optional, for searing beef
Ingredients
Hauptzutaten
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 600 g braising beef (1.3 lbs) chopped into chunks
- 2 tbsp plain (all-purpose) flour
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp pepper
- 2 cloves garlic peeled and minced
- 330 ml Guinness or other ale (11 oz) You can use beef broth if you prefer no alcohol
- 360 ml beef stock (1 1/2 cups)
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 1 small courgette/zucchini chopped into chunks
- 3 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a bowl, toss the beef chunks with the flour, salt, and pepper until they're evenly coated. If you want to get extra flavor, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches so you don't crowd the pan, sear the beef on all sides until browned. This step adds wonderful depth to the final dish. If you're in a super rush, you can skip searing, but it truly makes a difference!
- Place the seared (or un-seared) beef chunks into your slow cooker. Add the minced garlic, chopped red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and zucchini chunks over the beef.
- Carefully pour in the Guinness (or ale/broth) and the beef stock over the ingredients in the slow cooker. Give it a gentle stir to combine everything and make sure the liquid covers most of the ingredients.
- Cover your slow cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 6-8 hours, or on the HIGH setting for 3-4 hours, until the beef is fall-apart tender and the vegetables are soft. Cooking on low for longer generally gives the most tender results.
- Once cooked, give the casserole a good stir. The sauce should have thickened slightly thanks to the flour and the magic of slow cooking. Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed. Ladle the hot casserole into bowls and sprinkle generously with the grated Parmesan cheese just before serving. It's wonderful served over mashed potatoes, rice, or with some crusty bread to soak up that amazing sauce!
Notes
Searing the beef first is recommended for best flavor and texture. To thicken the sauce more, make a quick slurry of 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water; stir into the hot casserole during the last 30 minutes or after cooking.