Slow Cooker Tuscan Beef Stew

Today I wanted to share this Slow Cooker Tuscan Beef Stew because it is a family favorite.  While I love any good slow-cooker meal, this one takes the cake!   

This slow cooker beef stew recipe was given to me by Mickey’s grandmother.   When we were married, she shared this recipe, along with so many other delicious recipes, like her soft chocolate chip cookie recipe.     
The first time that I had this stew was after one of Mickey’s high school football games.   Mickey and I went to rival high schools, in the same town, so every Friday night, I’d head across town, with my parents, to his football game.
After the game, my parents would drop me off at his house to have dinner.   His grandmother would almost always make some sort of soup.   My favorite soups were her Italian Wedding Soup and her Slow Cooker Tuscan Beef Stew.   
Slow-Cooker Tuscan Beef Stew Recipe   
This crockpot beef stew recipe is so filling, comforting, and just plain GOOD. It’s one of those comfort foods that you’ll want to make again & again.   
This slow-cooked stew is so easy to make, too.   Once you put everything into the crockpot, you just cover and cook.     

Slow Cooker Tuscan Beef Stew
Ingredients You’ll Need:
The ingredients for this slow cooker beef stew are all easy to find, and you can change things up by adding more vegetables, noodles, or beans. 

1 Can Hunt’s Petite Diced Tomatoes
3 carrots cut into bite-sized pieces
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic (from a jar).
2 pounds stew meat (I use beef tips, but chuck roast would work, too), browned in the skillet
1 Can Tomato Soup
1 Can Beef Broth
1/2 cup water
2 cans white kidney beans, rinsed & drained (save for the end)
Optional: Ditalini or bow-tie noodles. (makes it a little more filling & kid-friendly)
Optional: shredded parmesan cheese.
Optional: One bay leaf, added to the crockpot when you add your ingredients. 

Directions for this Tuscan- Style Crockpot Beef Stew 
Start out by browning the meat.  I just brown the beef in a skillet over medium-high heat.   The cooking time will vary, but once it has been browned on all sides, it’s ready to go into the crockpot.   We just dump it all into the crockpot, even the brown bits of beef that are left in the pan. 
Optional Tip: My husband likes to brown the meat with a little bit of olive oil, red wine, and Worcestershire sauce.  He said it gives the meat some extra flavor.   You can also salt and pepper the meat before browning it.  
Next, you should peel and cut the carrots. 
Add the carrots, along with the rest of your ingredients, except for the noodles & beans, to the crockpot.    So… add your carrots, tomatoes, Italian seasoning, garlic, tomato soup, beef broth, and water to the crockpot.   
Cook the stew for 5 hours on high, or for 7-8 hours on low.  You’ll notice the thickened beef broth that has been made in the crockpot while it is cooking.   
If you are adding noodles (optional, but we like it this way), you will cook them now.   While the crockpot is cooking the stew, boil your noodles in a separate pot.   Do not overcook them. When they are al dente, drain the noodles and set them aside.  You will add them at the end.   
Once you have cooked the stew in your crockpot for 5 hours on high or 7-8 hours on low, go ahead and add the beans and noodles.   Cook an additional 20 to 30 minutes.   

Optional: Serve with parmesan cheese and parsley on top.
Note: I’ve been asked if this recipe can be made in an instant pot.  I have never tried it,  but I think that it would work well.  This recipe is so versatile and works well with just about anything! 

Between this and my Great Grandma’s Home-made spaghetti sauce, we have some great family recipes to pass down to our kids.

Brown the meat in skilletPeel & cut carrotsPut everything, except the beans & noodles, into the crockpot.Cook for 5 hours on high or 7-8 hours on low.While this is cooking, boil your noodles in a separate pot. When they are al dente, drain & set aside. You can add these at the end.Once everything cooked, turn your crockpot to LOW and pour in beans and noodles (optional).Cook for 20 minutes.