Description
A hearty and comforting Beef Stew with a creamy mashed potato topping, slow-simmered to tender perfection and baked until golden. This classic dish combines tender beef chunks, savory vegetables, and flavorful broth, topped with buttery mashed potatoes for a satisfying meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Stew
- 1.5 lbs beef stew meat, cut into chunks
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 cups carrots, sliced
- 2 cups celery, sliced
- 1 cup peas (optional)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Potato Topping
- 4 cups prepared mashed potatoes
- 2 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the stew with the potato topping.
- Brown the Beef: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the beef chunks on all sides to develop flavor, then remove the beef and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot and sauté until softened and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
- Combine Ingredients: Return the browned beef to the pot. Stir in the tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce to coat the meat and aromatics evenly.
- Simmer Stew: Pour in the beef broth, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours until the beef is tender and flavorful.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in the carrots, celery, and peas if using. Continue cooking uncovered for about 15 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- Prepare for Baking: Transfer the stew into a baking dish. Evenly spread the prepared mashed potatoes over the top of the stew and dot with butter for extra richness.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the mashed potato topping is golden brown and heated through.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from oven and let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and the topping to firm up slightly.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use homemade beef broth or low-sodium broth to control salt levels.
- Mashed potatoes can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to use.
- Optional peas add color and sweetness but can be omitted or replaced with other vegetables like green beans or corn.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper at the end of cooking to taste.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
