You’re in for a treat! A comforting bowl of tender, slow-cooked beef tips served over warm noodles is the perfect meal. I found several excellent recipes, and the best part is that you have options to suit your taste and how much effort you want to put in. From a super simple “dump and go” version to one with a deeply flavored gravy, there’s a perfect recipe here for you.
Here is a comparison of the most popular approaches to help you choose.
Feature Super Simple “Dump & Go” Flavor-Packed with Aromatics Rich & Savory Gravy
Key Ingredients Beef stew meat, onion soup mix, brown gravy mix, cream of mushroom soup, beef broth . Beef stew meat, onion, garlic, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, tomato paste, thyme . Beef stew meat, onion soup mix, cream of mushroom soup, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder .
Key Technique Combine all ingredients in the crockpot and cook. No pre-cooking required . Sear the beef and sauté onions & garlic before slow cooking for a deeper, more complex flavor . A balance of simplicity and flavor, often with Worcestershire sauce for umami .
Texture & Flavor Very tender beef in a rich, savory, and slightly creamy gravy. Very straightforward comfort food . Intensely savory, restaurant-quality gravy. The beef has a wonderful caramelized exterior from searing . Savory and well-rounded, with the Worcestershire sauce adding depth to the creamy base .
Hands-On Time Minimal (~5-10 minutes) . Moderate (~15-20 minutes) for searing and sautéing . Minimal (~5-10 minutes) .
🥣 Recipe 1: The Super Simple “Dump & Go” Version
This is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it meal. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want a hearty dinner with almost no active prep time. The gravy turns out rich and creamy thanks to the soup and gravy mixes .
· The Ingredients :
· 1.5 to 2 lbs beef stew meat
· 1 packet ranch seasoning mix (or onion soup mix)
· 1 packet brown gravy mix
· 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
· 1 can (10.5 oz) beef broth or 1 cup water
· 8-12 oz egg noodles
· Salt and pepper to taste
· The Method :
- Combine: Place the beef stew meat in your crockpot. Sprinkle the ranch seasoning and brown gravy mix over the beef. Add the cream of mushroom soup and beef broth. Stir everything together to combine.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the beef is incredibly tender .
- Cook Noodles: About 20-30 minutes before serving, cook the egg noodles separately on the stovetop according to package directions. Drain them well .
- Serve: Taste the beef and gravy and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve the beef tips and gravy generously over the hot, buttered noodles.
🍳 Recipe 2: The Flavor-Packed Version (with Searing)
If you have an extra 15 minutes, this recipe is absolutely worth it. Searing the beef and sautéing aromatics builds an incredible depth of flavor that transforms this dish into something truly special .
· The Ingredients :
· 2 lbs beef stew meat or chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
· 1 tbsp olive or vegetable oil
· 1 medium onion, finely chopped
· 3 cloves garlic, minced
· 2-3 cups beef broth (low sodium preferred)
· 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
· 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
· 2 tbsp soy sauce (low sodium)
· 1 tbsp tomato paste
· 1 tsp dried thyme
· 1 tsp onion powder
· 1/2 tsp black pepper
· 12 oz egg noodles
· 2 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water (optional, for thickening)
· Fresh parsley, for garnish
· The Method :
- Sear the Beef: Pat the beef cubes dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the beef on all sides in batches (don’t overcrowd the pan). Transfer the browned beef to the crockpot.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and sauté the chopped onion until soft (about 4-5 minutes). Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Transfer the onion and garlic to the crockpot.
- Add Liquids & Seasonings: Pour the beef broth, cream of mushroom soup, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and tomato paste into the crockpot. Add the dried thyme, onion powder, and black pepper. Stir everything to combine well.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours, until the beef is fork-tender.
- Thicken Gravy (Optional) : About 30 minutes before serving, if you prefer a thicker gravy, stir in the cornstarch slurry. Cover and cook on HIGH for another 20-30 minutes until thickened .
- Cook Noodles & Serve: Cook the egg noodles separately according to package directions. Serve the beef tips and rich gravy over the noodles, garnished with fresh parsley.
💡 Tips for the Best Crockpot Beef Tips & Noodles
· The Best Cut of Beef: Tougher, well-marbled cuts like chuck roast or pre-packaged stew meat are ideal. The long, slow cooking process breaks down the connective tissue, resulting in incredibly tender, flavorful beef .
· Searing is Worth It: While optional, searing the beef before adding it to the crockpot creates a deep, savory flavor through the Maillard reaction that you just can’t get from slow cooking alone .
· Noodle Wisdom: Do not cook the noodles in the crockpot with the beef for the entire time. They will become mushy and overcooked. Always cook them separately and add them to the bowl just before serving . Some recipes suggest adding them for the last 20-30 minutes, but this requires careful monitoring to avoid mushiness .
· Thickening the Gravy: The gravy will naturally thicken a bit from the starches in the soup mixes. For a thicker, more luxurious gravy, a cornstarch slurry (mixing cornstarch with cold water) stirred in during the last 30 minutes of cooking works perfectly .
· Make it a Complete Meal: To add some color and nutrition, stir in a cup of frozen peas or sliced carrots during the last 30 minutes of cooking .
I hope this helps you make a delicious and comforting dinner! Which version appeals to you more—the super simple one or the one with the extra-flavorful gravy? I can help with more details for either.