Slow Cooked Summer Beef Casserole Recipe
This Slow Cooked Summer Beef Casserole combines tender chunks of chuck roast with fresh summer vegetables like zucchini, cherry tomatoes, corn, and bell pepper, simmered slowly in a flavorful broth infused with garlic, smoked paprika, and fresh herbs. Perfect for a hearty, comforting meal that highlights the bounty of summer produce through slow cooking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 to 8 hours on low or 4 to 5 hours on high
- Total Time: 7 hours 20 minutes to 8 hours 20 minutes (low) or 4 hours 20 minutes to 5 hours 20 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Beef
- 2 lbs chuck roast, cut into chunks
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Vegetables
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Seasonings and Liquids
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 cup beef broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil and thyme for garnish
Instructions
- Sear the Beef: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chuck roast chunks and sear until all sides are browned to develop deep flavor and seal in juices.
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Transfer the seared beef chunks to the slow cooker. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, smoked paprika, and tomato paste, stirring gently to combine.
- Add Vegetables and Broth: Layer the zucchini slices, cherry tomatoes, corn kernels, and chopped red bell pepper over the beef. Pour the beef broth evenly on top of all the ingredients.
- Season: Sprinkle salt and pepper according to taste. Add fresh basil and thyme for aromatic flavor.
- Cook Slowly: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 7 to 8 hours, or on high for 4 to 5 hours until the beef is tender and flavors are well melded.
- Final Touch: Before serving, gently stir the casserole to mix all ingredients together. Garnish with additional fresh herbs for an extra burst of freshness.
Notes
- For deeper flavor, marinate the beef in tomato paste and paprika for a few hours before searing.
- If fresh herbs are unavailable, dried herbs can be used but add them at the beginning of cooking to release flavors.
- You can substitute beef broth with vegetable broth for a lighter flavor.
- This dish freezes well; store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- Adjust salt and seasoning to taste at the end of cooking to avoid over-salting.
Keywords: Beef casserole, slow cooker recipes, summer vegetables, chuck roast, comfort food, slow cooked beef
