There’s something incredibly comforting about coming home to the smell of a meal that’s been slowly simmering to perfection in a crock-pot. Today, I am thrilled to share with you one of my favorite crock-pot recipes – Rich Beef And Gravy. This dish holds a special place in my heart, not just because it tastes amazing, but also because it brings back memories of family dinners at my grandmother’s house. She was the one who introduced me to this delight, and the recipe has been in our family for generations. What I love about this dish is its simplicity. The ingredients are basic, yet the result is a meal that’s hearty, rich, and full of flavor. The beef, slow-cooked in a creamy mushroom soup and onion soup mix, becomes incredibly tender and pairs perfectly with the rich, savory gravy. This dish is perfect to serve over mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice and it’s guaranteed to be a hit with kids and adults alike. And the best part? It’s incredibly easy to make, even for beginner cooks. As long as you have a crock-pot, this meal almost cooks itself. All you have to do is mix the ingredients, add the steak, and let the crock-pot do the rest. So, let’s get cooking!
Ingredients
- 2 to 2 1/2 lb. round steak
- 1 (1 1/2 oz.) pkg. onion soup mix
- 1/4 c. water
- 1 (10 1/2 oz.) can cream of mushroom soup
Cooking Method
- Mix dry and liquid ingredients in crock-pot.
- Cut steak into small pieces.
- Add to other ingredients.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
- Serve over mashed potatoes, noodles or rice. Serves 4 to 6.
Calorie: 400
Total cooking time: 6 to 8 hours
Difficulty level: easy
The Great Beef and Gravy Crock-Pot Caper
Let me tell you about the day I decided to get up close and personal with a 2 1/2 lb. round steak and a crock-pot. They say love can bloom in the most unexpected places, and I’m not saying there was any romantic tension between me and this slab of beef, but let’s just say our encounter was, well, intimate.
The Initial Confrontation – Me vs. Ingredients
There I was, face to face with the round steak, a package of onion soup mix, a small can of cream of mushroom soup and water. Sounds like a standard Tuesday, right? But this wasn’t just any Tuesday. This was the day I took on the beef and gravy challenge, an endeavor that could only end in triumph or disaster (or, more realistically, a mediocre meal).
The Battle Plan
First things first, I needed a game plan. According to the recipe (AKA my culinary roadmap), the first step was to mix the dry and liquid ingredients in the crock-pot. Sounds simple, right? But can you really trust a recipe that lists “water” as a key ingredient? I mean, isn’t that a given? Anyway, with a small amount of skepticism, I went along with it.
Master of the Blade
Next, I had to cut the steak into small pieces. There I was, holding this hunk of meat in one hand and a knife in the other, feeling like a medieval knight about to face a dragon. After a few minutes of high-stakes (no pun intended) slicing and dicing, the steak was in manageable, crock-pot-ready pieces.
Crock-Pot Chronicles
With my steak pieces ready, I added them to the mix of onion soup mix, cream of mushroom soup, and water in the crock-pot. The stakes were high (this time, pun intended), but I was ready. I put the lid on the crock-pot, turned it on low, and set the timer for 6 to 8 hours.
The Waiting Game
The most challenging part of this whole process? The waiting. There’s something almost sadistic about smelling the mouth-watering aroma of cooking beef and gravy, knowing that there are hours to go before you can dig in. But hey, good things come to those who wait, right?
The Final Showdown – Serving Time
After what felt like an eternity (but was really just an afternoon), it was time for the moment of truth. I served the beef and gravy over mashed potatoes, although you could go rogue and serve it over noodles or rice if you’re feeling particularly rebellious. The result? A meal that was worth every moment of anticipation.
The Aftermath
So there you have it, my tale of culinary daring-do with a crock-pot, a round steak, some onion soup mix, a can of cream of mushroom soup, and a dash of water for good measure. It was an experience that made me realize that sometimes, the simplest ingredients can yield the most satisfying results.
But most importantly, it taught me that no matter how long the waiting game, the reward of a delicious, home-cooked meal is always worth it. And that, my friends, is the real beef and gravy victory.
