Classic Beef Casserole Recipe This recipe is for a basic oven-baked beef casserole. Servings: 4-6 Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 2-3 hours Ingredients 1 kg (about 2 lbs) lean braising beef (e.g., chuck steak or stewing beef), cut into 3cm (1 1/2-inch) cubes 2 tbsp olive oil 2 medium onions, chopped 3 medium carrots, peeled and thickly sliced 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 tbsp plain flour, plus extra for dusting 500ml (2 cups) beef stock (broth) 250ml (1 cup) red wine or water (optional, beef stock can be used instead) 1 tbsp tomato paste (puree) 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 2 bay leaves 3 sprigs of fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried thyme) Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste Optional: Potatoes, mushrooms, or other root vegetables Instructions Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 160°C (325°F, Gas Mark 3). Brown the Beef: Heat the oil in a large, ovenproof casserole dish or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the beef with salt and pepper, then dust lightly with flour. Brown the beef in batches on all sides; remove and set aside on a plate to avoid overcrowding the pan and steaming the meat. Sauté Vegetables: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the onions, carrots, and garlic to the same dish. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 8-10 minutes until the onions are soft and lightly browned. Thicken the Sauce: Stir in the remaining flour and tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste. Add Liquid and Seasoning: Gradually whisk in the beef stock and red wine (if using), scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Combine and Cook: Return the browned beef to the pot. Add the Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, and thyme. Stir well to combine all ingredients. Ensure the meat is mostly covered by the liquid. Oven Cook: Cover the casserole dish with a lid or a tight layer of aluminum foil. Transfer it to the preheated oven and bake for at least 2 hours, or until the beef is very tender. Add Optional Vegetables (if using): If adding quick-cooking vegetables like mushrooms, you can stir them in for the last 30 minutes of cooking. If using potatoes, add them in at the start of the oven cook time. Serve: Remove the bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot, ideally with mashed potatoes, crusty bread, or rice.