This recipe for beef tips and noodles is the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights!
Tender beef simmered in a rich, savory gravy gets served over a bed of buttery egg noodles.
It’s hearty, flavorful, and oh-so-satisfying.
More importantly, it’s easy to make, and the family will devour it!
Why You’ll Love This Beef Tips and Noodles
Classic Comfort Food: This timeless family favorite combines tender beef and silky noodles in a rich gravy for a cozy, satisfying meal.
Deep, Savory Flavor: The slow-cooked beef, buttery noodles, red wine, Worcestershire sauce, and aromatic herbs create a deeply savory dish. It’s mouthwatering!
Easy to Scale: Family dinners or large gatherings, you can easily scale the number of portions to suit your needs.
Budget-Friendly: Made with affordable beef cuts and pantry staples, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal.
Ingredients
- Beef Stew Meat or Sirloin Tips: Tender, juicy chunks simmered to perfection. Stew meat or sirloin tips work best for this recipe.
- Salt, Black Pepper, and All-Purpose Flour: For seasoning and thickening.
- Onion and Garlic: Aromatic powerhouses! They build a savory foundation for the rich gravy.
- Tomato Paste: It adds depth and a subtle tang to the sauce.
- Red Wine: To deglaze the pan and add a more complex flavor.
- Beef Broth: The base of the savory gravy.
- Worcestershire Sauce and Soy Sauce: Umami flavor boosters! They add a deep, savory flavor.
- Paprika, Dried Thyme, Bay Leaf: For flavor and aromatics.
- Cornstarch + Cold Water: It transforms the sauce into a silky, coat-the-back-of-a-spoon gravy.
- Wide Egg Noodles: The perfect noodles for trapping the luscious gravy.
- Fresh Parsley: It brightens the dish and cuts through the richness.
How to Make Beef Tips and Noodles
The aroma of this dish is so inviting. It will have the entire house asking, “What’s for dinner?”
And yes, the family will have to be patient while it simmers. But it’s well worth the wait!
1. Prep the beef. Pat the beef tips dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper, and coat lightly with flour.
2. Sear the beef. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef tips and sear on all sides, about 4-5 minutes per batch. Remove from the pan and set aside.
3. Sauté the aromatics. In the same pan, sauté the chopped onions over medium heat, about 4-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
4. Build the sauce. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for about 1 minute. Pour in the red wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the beef broth, water, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce (if using), thyme, paprika, and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer.
5. Simmer the beef. Return the browned beef tips to the pan, reduce the heat to low, and cover the pot. Simmer gently for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until the beef is tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Add more broth or water if needed.
6. Thicken the sauce. Remove the bay leaf. If the gravy needs thickening, stir in the cornstarch slurry. Simmer for a few more minutes until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. Add salt and pepper if needed.
7. Cook the noodles. Cook the egg noodles according to package instructions. Drain and toss with a tablespoon of butter.
8. Serve. Top the buttered egg noodles with the beef tips and gravy. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve hot.
Tips for the Best Beef Tips and Noodles
I know I said this dish is easy. But I still have some tips to ensure it turns out mouthwatering.
- Pick your favorite pasta. Egg noodles are traditional, but you can use other pasta shapes or even mashed potatoes.
- Thicken it up. Use a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) to thicken the gravy. Stir it in and let it simmer for a few more minutes until the desired consistency is reached.
- Taste and adjust. Before serving, taste and adjust the seasonings as needed.
- Skip the booze. If you prefer not to use red wine, feel free to add more beef broth or a little balsamic vinegar for a different flavor.
- Try tasty add-ins. Add sautéed mushrooms, carrots, or peas during the last 30 minutes of simmering. You can also add other veggies like broccoli or bell peppers.
How to Store
This dish gets even better the next day! It gives the ingredients more time to meld, deepening the flavors.
To Store: Transfer cooled leftovers to an air-tight container. Store the beef and noodles separately, if possible, to maintain the best texture. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. I don’t recommend freezing, as the consistency will change.
To Reheat: Gently reheat the beef tips in a saucepan over medium heat until warmed through. Add a splash of broth or water if needed. Reheat the noodles by briefly microwaving them or tossing them in a pan with a bit of butter.