Why You’ll Love these Hearty Homemade Beef & Noodles
When the days grow colder and comfort food calls your name, this hearty beef and noodles recipe will become your new go-to dinner. There’s something magical about fork-tender beef that’s been slowly simmered with aromatic onions and garlic, creating a rich sauce that coats every strand of egg noodle.
I love how this dish transforms humble ingredients into something extraordinary. The red wine adds depth while the marjoram brings subtle warmth that can’t be beat. Plus, it’s a one-pot wonder that fills your home with mouthwatering aromas. Who doesn’t appreciate fewer dishes to wash?
What Ingredients are in Hearty Homemade Beef & Noodles?
This beef and noodles recipe combines simple pantry staples with hearty meat for a meal that’s perfect for those chilly evenings when you need something substantial. The beauty of this dish lies in how basic ingredients transform during the slow cooking process, creating layers of flavor that feel like a warm hug in food form.
The rich broth infuses both the tender beef and the egg noodles, creating something far greater than the sum of its parts.
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 1½ pounds beef stew meat, cubed
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup chopped onion
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 4½ cups beef broth (vegetable broth can be substituted)
- 1 cup red wine
- 1½ teaspoons dried marjoram
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 16 ounces homestyle egg noodles
When shopping for ingredients, the quality of your beef makes a significant difference in the final dish. Look for well-marbled stew meat, which adds richness as it cooks down.
And while you might be tempted to skip the red wine, it really does add a depth that’s worth including—the alcohol cooks off, leaving just the flavor behind.
Can’t find marjoram? Oregano makes a decent substitute in a pinch, though it’s a bit stronger, so you might want to use slightly less.
As for the noodles, homestyle egg noodles hold up beautifully to the long cooking time, but you could certainly use another hearty pasta if needed.
How to Make these Hearty Homemade Beef & Noodles
This recipe is all about building layers of flavor, starting with perfectly browned meat. First, coat 1½ pounds of beef stew meat with ¼ cup of all-purpose flour, which creates a delicious crust and helps thicken the sauce later.
Heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat, then brown the meat in batches—never crowd the pan or you’ll end up steaming instead of browning. A premium Dutch oven provides excellent heat retention and distribution, ensuring your meat browns evenly for maximum flavor. Once the meat develops that gorgeous caramelization, set it aside and move on to sautéing ¾ cup of chopped onion and 3 minced garlic cloves in the same pot, scraping up all those flavorful brown bits from the bottom.
Now comes the magic of slow cooking. Return all that browned meat to the pot and pour in 4½ cups of beef broth and 1 cup of red wine. The wine isn’t just fancy—it brings acidity that helps tenderize the meat and adds complexity to the sauce.
Season with 1½ teaspoons dried marjoram and ¼ teaspoon black pepper, then bring everything to a boil before reducing to a simmer. Cover and let it cook for 1½ to 2 hours, during which time the tough cuts of beef transform into fork-tender morsels.
When the meat is ready, temporarily remove it with a slotted spoon and shred it while adding 16 ounces of homestyle egg noodles directly to the simmering broth. Return the shredded beef to join the noodles, and cook uncovered for about 30 minutes until the noodles are tender and the sauce thickens to a rich, silky consistency.
Don’t panic if the noodles absorb too much liquid—simply add a splash more broth or water to maintain that perfect saucy texture.
Hearty Homemade Beef & Noodles Substitutions and Variations
While the classic beef and noodles recipe shines on its own, numerous substitutions and variations can transform this comfort food to suit your pantry or preferences.
Don’t have red wine? Use additional broth with a splash of balsamic vinegar for depth. Chuck roast works beautifully in place of stew meat, or try ground beef for a quicker version.
Vegetarians might swap mushrooms for beef—portobello or cremini provide meaty texture.
For noodles, anything goes. Ribbon-style pasta, rice, or even mashed potatoes make delicious bases.
Craving more vegetables? Carrots, peas, or spinach fold in seamlessly. My favorite tweak? Adding rosemary and thyme.
What to Serve with Hearty Homemade Beef & Noodles
Three perfect sides can transform your beef and noodles from a standalone dish into a complete feast.
I’m all about balance when serving this rich comfort food. A bright, tangy salad with vinaigrette cuts through the savory goodness, while roasted vegetables add color and nutrition to the plate. Think carrots, Brussels sprouts, or green beans.
For something traditional, buttered dinner rolls work wonders for sopping up that delicious gravy—because wasting sauce should be illegal in my kitchen.
Can you imagine leaving that flavor behind? Pure culinary tragedy.
Final Thoughts
After making this beef and noodles recipe countless times, I’ve come to appreciate how something so simple can deliver such incredible comfort.
The transformation of tough beef cubes into tender shreds, swimming in that rich, wine-infused broth alongside hearty egg noodles—it’s pure magic in a pot.
What I love most is how forgiving this dish is.
Need to let it simmer longer while you help with homework? No problem.
Want to add a handful of frozen peas at the end? Go for it.
It’s that perfect marriage of technique and flexibility that makes good home cooking, well, good.
