Crockpot Beef Tips and Noodles

Published August 13, 2025 Updated August 13, 2025

This crockpot beef tips and noodles recipe is pure comfort food magic at its finest! I’m talking about fork-tender beef that practically melts in your mouth, swimming in the most incredible savory gravy, all served over perfectly cooked egg noodles. It’s the kind of meal that makes your whole house smell amazing and brings everyone running to the dinner table.

I discovered this recipe during a particularly busy season when I needed something that would cook itself while I juggled a million other things. The beauty of using your slow cooker for beef tips is that the long, gentle cooking process transforms even the most affordable cuts of beef into something absolutely restaurant-worthy!

What I absolutely love about this crock pot inspired beef recipes approach is how the beef becomes so incredibly tender that you can cut it with a fork. The slow cooking breaks down all those tough fibers, creating beef that’s juicy, flavorful, and absolutely irresistible. Plus, the gravy that develops naturally from the cooking process is just phenomenal!

This has become one of our absolute favorite Sunday dinners because I can start it in the morning and have this amazing, soul-warming meal ready by evening. It’s the perfect recipe for feeding a crowd or creating amazing leftovers that taste even better the next day!

Cuisine: American
Category: Crockpot
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 6-8 hours on low / 3-4 hours on high
Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes
Serves: 6-8 people

This recipe creates incredibly tender beef in a rich, savory gravy that’s absolutely perfect for spooning over noodles. The slow cooking process ensures every bite is packed with flavor!

INGREDIENTS FOR CROCKPOT BEEF TIPS AND NOODLES

For the Beef:

2-3 pounds beef stew meat or chuck roast, cut into 2-inch pieces
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large onion, sliced
8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika

For the Sauce:

2 cups beef broth
1 packet onion soup mix (about 1 ounce)
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon tomato paste
**1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 cup cold water
3 tablespoons cornstarch (for thickening)

For Serving:

12-16 ounces wide egg noodles
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

The key to amazing crockpot pasta dishes like this is using good quality beef and letting that slow cooker work its magic. The long cooking time is what creates that incredible tenderness!

PREPARATION FOR CROCKPOT BEEF TIPS AND NOODLES

Season the beef by cutting your beef stew meat into uniform 2-inch pieces. In a large bowl, toss the beef with flour, salt, pepper, and paprika until evenly coated. This creates a beautiful crust and helps thicken the gravy later!
Sear for flavor by heating vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, sear the seasoned beef pieces for 2-3 minutes per side until nicely browned. Don’t overcrowd the pan – you want that gorgeous caramelization!
Transfer to crockpot by placing all the seared beef into your slow cooker. The browning step adds incredible depth of flavor that you just can’t get from raw beef.
Sauté the vegetables in the same skillet where you browned the beef. Add sliced onions and mushrooms, cooking for 4-5 minutes until the onions start to soften and the mushrooms release their moisture.
Add aromatics by stirring in minced garlic and cooking for another 1 minute until fragrant. This builds such amazing flavor layers in your final dish!
Create the sauce base by adding beef broth, onion soup mix, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, bay leaf, and thyme to the skillet. Stir well and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Combine everything by pouring the entire sauce mixture over the beef in your crockpot. Stir gently to ensure all the beef is coated with the flavorful liquid.
Cook low and slow by covering and cooking on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours. The beef should be fork-tender and the sauce should be rich and flavorful.
Thicken the gravy during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Mix cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl until smooth, then stir into the crockpot. This creates that perfect gravy consistency!
Prepare the noodles by cooking egg noodles according to package directions during the last 15 minutes of beef cooking time. Drain and toss with butter to prevent sticking.
Serve and enjoy by spooning the tender beef and gravy over the buttered noodles. Garnish with fresh parsley and season with additional salt and pepper if needed.

The transformation that happens in the slow cooker is absolutely incredible! The tough beef becomes so tender it falls apart, while developing this rich, complex flavor that’s just amazing. This crock pot inspired recipes approach really showcases what slow cooking can do!

NUTRITION INFORMATION

485 calories per serving
32g protein per serving
45g carbs per serving
18g fat per serving
3g fiber per serving
6g natural sugars per serving

This hearty meal provides substantial protein and satisfying carbs that keep you full and satisfied. The beef delivers high-quality protein while the noodles provide comforting energy!

CONSEILS AND SUGGESTIONS

Beef Selection Tips: For the most tender results, choose well-marbled chuck roast and cut it yourself into uniform pieces. Pre-cut stew meat works too, but cutting your own ensures consistent sizing and better quality control.

Timing Flexibility: This crockpot pasta creation is incredibly forgiving! If you need to cook it longer due to schedule changes, it can handle an extra hour or two on low heat without any problems. The beef just gets more tender!

Make-Ahead Magic: You can prep everything the night before! Brown the beef and vegetables, combine with the sauce ingredients in your crockpot insert, and refrigerate overnight. Just pop it in the slow cooker base in the morning!

Gravy Consistency: If your gravy seems too thin, mix additional cornstarch with cold water and stir in during the last 15 minutes. For thinner gravy, add a splash more beef broth until you reach your preferred consistency.

Vegetable Additions: Feel free to add carrots, celery, or potatoes during the last 2-3 hours of cooking. They’ll add wonderful flavor and nutrition while maintaining their texture perfectly.

Storage Solutions: Leftovers keep beautifully for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. The flavors actually intensify overnight, making this one of those magical recipes that tastes even better the next day!

Freezer Friendly: The beef and gravy freeze wonderfully for up to 3 months. I like to freeze it in family-sized portions so I can pull out exactly what I need for future meals.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I skip the browning step for the beef?

While you can skip browning to save time, I really don’t recommend it! The searing creates incredible flavor depth through caramelization that you just can’t achieve any other way. It only takes an extra 10 minutes but makes a huge difference in the final taste.

What’s the best cut of beef to use for this recipe?

Chuck roast is my absolute favorite because it has the perfect balance of meat and marbling. When cut into chunks, it becomes incredibly tender and flavorful. Beef stew meat from the store works too, though the quality can vary between packages.

Why is my gravy not thickening properly?

Make sure you’re mixing the cornstarch with cold water completely before adding it – any lumps won’t dissolve properly. Also, give it the full 30 minutes after adding the slurry for the thickening to take effect. The gravy continues to thicken as it cools slightly.

Can I cook this on high heat to save time?

Absolutely! Cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours instead of low. The beef might be slightly less tender than the low and slow method, but it’s still delicious and perfect when you’re short on time.

What if I don’t have egg noodles?

This works beautifully over mashed potatoes, rice, or even biscuits! Any starchy base that can soak up that incredible gravy will be amazing. Wide pasta shapes like pappardelle or fettuccine work great too.

This recipe has honestly become one of our most requested family dinners! There’s something so satisfying about tender beef in rich gravy that just speaks to the soul. The aroma alone is enough to make everyone gather in the kitchen asking when dinner will be ready.

What I love most is how this crockpot method takes an inexpensive cut of meat and transforms it into something that tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen. The slow cooker does all the work while you go about your day!

The combination of tender beef, savory mushrooms, and that incredible gravy over buttery noodles is pure comfort food perfection. It’s the kind of meal that creates lasting memories and becomes a family tradition.

I’m absolutely dying to see your crockpot beef tips and noodles creations! Please share your photos and any delicious variations on my Facebook page – I love seeing how everyone makes this recipe their own special way.

Tag me @OlyviaBestRecipes on Pinterest when you make this comforting dinner! I’m always excited to see those beautiful, tender results and hear about your family’s reactions.

Follow me on Facebook for more amazing crockpot recipes that make family dinners easier and more delicious! Let’s make weeknight cooking something to look forward to together.