Why You’ll Love these Hearty Homemade Beef and Noodles
When you’re craving something truly satisfying after a long day, this homemade beef and noodles recipe delivers comfort in every bite. I’m talking tender, slow-simmered beef that practically melts in your mouth, paired with hearty egg noodles soaking up that rich, wine-infused broth.
What makes this dish special? The simplicity. Just a handful of ingredients transformed into something magical.
The marjoram adds a subtle herbal note, while the red wine brings depth without overpowering. And those noodles? They thicken everything into a luxurious consistency that clings to your spoon. Pure comfort food magic.
What Ingredients are in Hearty Homemade Beef and Noodles?
Creating this classic comfort dish doesn’t require a pantry full of exotic ingredients—it’s all about simple, hearty components that transform into something magical when they simmer together. The star of the show is tender beef stew meat, which becomes meltingly soft during the long, slow cooking process. The magic happens when this protein meets a rich broth enhanced with deep, fruity notes from red wine. Can you already imagine the aroma filling your kitchen?
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 1 1/2 pounds beef stew meat, cubed
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup chopped onion
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 1/2 cups beef broth (or vegetable broth)
- 1 cup red wine
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried marjoram
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 16 ounces homestyle egg noodles
When shopping for this recipe, quality matters more than you might think. Look for well-marbled stew meat, which will become tender and flavorful rather than tough and dry. For the wine, don’t worry about using anything fancy—just choose something you’d enjoy drinking (and maybe pour yourself a glass while cooking). The egg noodles should be the hearty, wide variety labeled “homestyle” rather than fine egg noodles, as they’ll stand up better to the robust sauce and extended cooking time. And if beef broth isn’t available, vegetable broth works as a suitable substitute without compromising too much flavor.
How to Make these Hearty Homemade Beef and Noodles
This recipe follows the time-honored tradition of building flavor in layers, starting with perfectly browned meat. Begin by heating 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. While that’s warming up, toss your 1½ pounds of cubed beef stew meat with ¼ cup all-purpose flour until each piece is evenly coated—this creates a gorgeous crust when browned and helps thicken the sauce later.
Brown the meat in batches (overcrowding is the enemy of good browning), transferring the first batch to a plate before tackling the second. The patience required here pays dividends in flavor, trust me.
Next, in that same pot with all those wonderful browned bits, sauté ¾ cup chopped onion and 3 minced garlic cloves until fragrant and golden. This aromatic base is where so much of the depth comes from.
Return all that beautiful browned beef to the pot, then pour in 4½ cups of beef broth and 1 cup of red wine—watch that sizzle as it deglazes all those flavor-packed bits from the bottom! Season with 1½ teaspoons dried marjoram and ¼ teaspoon black pepper, then bring everything to a boil before reducing to a gentle simmer.
Cover and let the magic happen for about 1½ to 2 hours, until the beef transforms from tough cubes to tender, shreddable morsels. For best results, use a quality cookware set that distributes heat evenly throughout the cooking process.
When your beef reaches that perfect fork-tender stage, temporarily remove it from the pot to cool slightly. Meanwhile, add your 16 ounces of homestyle egg noodles directly into the simmering broth—they’ll absorb all those concentrated beef flavors as they cook.
While the noodles are bubbling away, shred that cooled beef with two forks (much easier than trying to cut it up) and return it to the pot. For even more efficiency in the kitchen, a heavy duty stand mixer with the paddle attachment can shred the beef in seconds while you tend to the noodles. Let everything simmer uncovered for about 30 minutes more, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
The noodles will gradually absorb the liquid and thicken the sauce naturally. If things get too thick for your liking, just splash in a bit more broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
What emerges is the ultimate comfort food—tender shredded beef and plump noodles swimming in a rich, savory sauce that clings to both in the most satisfying way.
Hearty Homemade Beef and Noodles Substitutions and Variations
Although the classic beef and noodles recipe is already a comfort food masterpiece, you’ve got plenty of room to play with substitutions and variations that make this dish your own.
Try swapping the beef for chicken thighs or pork shoulder for a different flavor profile. Not a red wine fan? Use beef broth with a splash of balsamic vinegar instead.
Vegetarians can use mushrooms as a meaty substitute—portobello or cremini work wonderfully here.
For the noodles, consider switching to ribbon pasta, rice noodles, or even gnocchi.
Can’t find marjoram? Oregano makes a perfect stand-in.
What to Serve with Hearty Homemade Beef and Noodles
When you’ve spent hours creating this rich, savory pot of beef and noodles, what you serve alongside it can make or break the meal.
I always reach for something crisp and bright to balance the dish’s hearty comfort. A simple green salad with vinaigrette cuts through the richness perfectly.
Roasted vegetables—carrots, Brussels sprouts, or green beans—add color and nutrition to your plate. Crusty bread or buttery dinner rolls? Non-negotiable for sopping up that incredible broth.
For a complete comfort food experience, consider mashed potatoes (yes, carbs on carbs—don’t judge me).
Final Thoughts
No matter what sides you choose, beef and noodles remains one of those timeless recipes that speaks directly to the soul.
There’s something magical about tender beef simmering in rich broth, marrying with hearty noodles to create the ultimate comfort food.
I’ve found that this recipe gets better with time, making it perfect for leftovers.
You can easily adapt it to your taste—add more wine for depth, throw in mushrooms, or swap herbs based on what’s in your pantry.
Just like with fried rice recipes, you can repurpose leftovers into something completely new and delicious.
The same flexibility applies to other comfort foods like tomato-based chili where simmering intensifies the flavor.
The beauty lies in its simplicity and flexibility.
Isn’t that what makes a recipe truly special?
