Alright, folks, let me tell you about this little cooking adventure I had the other day. I’ve been craving some good old comfort food lately, and nothing screams comfort like beef tips and noodles. So, I decided to dust off my trusty crock pot and whip up a batch of Crockpot Beef Tips and Noodles. It’s one of those meals that just warms you up from the inside out, you know?
First things first, I gathered my ingredients. I picked up some beef stew meat from the local butcher—I always try to get the good stuff when I can. Then, I grabbed a couple of onions, some garlic, you know, the usual suspects. I also made sure I had enough beef broth on hand; that’s the real key to getting that rich, savory flavor.
I started by chopping up the onions and garlic. Nothing fancy, just a rough chop because everything’s going to be cooking low and slow anyway. Then, I took out my crock pot and tossed the beef stew meat right in. I seasoned it up with some salt, pepper, and a little bit of paprika—just to give it a little extra kick. After that, I threw in the chopped onions and garlic, and poured in enough beef broth to cover everything.
Setting up the Crock Pot
- Add Beef: Placed the beef stew meat at the bottom of the crock pot.
- Seasoning: Seasoned generously with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Vegetables: Added chopped onions and garlic on top of the beef.
- Broth: Poured in beef broth until the meat was just covered.
With the prep work done, I set the crock pot to low. I let the whole thing simmer away for about 6 to 8 hours. The waiting is the hardest part, I swear! But it’s all worth it in the end. You need that time for the collagen in the meat to break down. If you don’t cook it long enough, the meat won’t be tender, and that’s just a crime against good food.
About an hour before it was done, I cooked up some egg noodles on the stove. You can serve these beef tips over rice or mashed potatoes, but I’m a noodles kind of guy. Once the noodles were ready, I drained them and set them aside.
When the beef was finally fall-apart tender, I took it out of the crock pot and shredded it with a couple of forks. Then, I mixed it back into the broth with the noodles. I let it all sit for a few more minutes, just to let the flavors meld together.
To serve, I ladled the beef tips and noodles into bowls. I also steamed up some broccoli on the side. Gotta have your greens, right? You could also toss a simple salad together if you’re feeling fancy, but for me, steamed veggies did the trick.
Let me tell you, this dish was a hit. The beef was so tender, it practically melted in my mouth, and the noodles soaked up all that delicious broth. It was the perfect meal for a chilly evening, and it made enough for leftovers, which is always a plus in my book.
So, if you’re looking for an easy, hearty meal that the whole family will love, give this Crockpot Beef Tips and Noodles a try. It’s simple, it’s satisfying, and it’s sure to become a favorite in your house, just like it has in mine.
