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I love comfort food. Old-fashioned, hearty, tried and true recipes that have been around as long as we can remember. You know, the ones our grandma’s made? One of these classics is this deliciously humble old-fashioned beef and noodles.
This old-fashioned beef and noodles is home-cooked comfort food at its finest, and if you ask me, the thing that makes it so special really is its simplicity. You wont find anything easier, or better tasting.
Why You’ll Love This Simple Meal
There’s something so very satisfying about a skillet full of noodles, beef, and a gravy-like sauce. It feels like comforting, like something grandma would’ve made—warm, filling, and completely unpretentious. But don’t kid yourself my friend, it is absolutely delicious.
This simple meal is made with everyday ingredients that you’re sure to have on-hand, takes just 30 minutes from start to finish, and it all happens in one pan. It’s a real winner.
Ingredient Notes
- Use lean ground beef (around 85/15 or higher). It gives just enough flavor without leaving the food greasy. You’ll brown it with the onions for a solid flavor base.
- You can use yellow or white onion. Whatever you have on hand will work.
- Worcestershire sauce. This adds a little tangy-salty-umami kick that takes the sauce from basic and bland to really flavorful. So, don’t skip it.
- Beef broth. You can use low-sodium broth if you’re sensitive to salt, and then you can add salt at the end if needed.
- Egg noodles. You can use regular wide egg noodles or the No-Yolks brand. The No-Yolks tend to cook quicker, so watch their doneness carefully. And don’t overcook the noodles, they’ll continue to soften as it rests.
Step-By-Step Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion together until the beef is browned and the onion is tender. Drain any excess grease if needed.
- Stir in the garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1–2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant.
- Sprinkle the flour over the meat and stir to coat the beef evenly. Cook for another minute to get rid of the raw flour taste.
- Slowly add 3 cups of beef broth and uncooked egg noodles and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Lower the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are tender and the sauce has thickened. Add the remaining ½ cup of broth as needed if the noodles absorb too much liquid.
Recipe Tips & Notes
- If you prefer more sauce. You can use the full 4 cups of broth and don’t simmer for too long uncovered. You’ll want too cook it low and slow to let the sauce thicken.
- This dish thickens as it sits. Leftovers will be even thicker the next day. You’ll need to add a little liquid, either water or beef broth back in when reheating.
- Add veggies. To add veggies to the meal, stir frozen peas or chopped mushrooms in the last few minutes of cooking.
Serving Suggestions
Honestly, this is one of those meals that doesn’t need much—but if you want a side, it’s really good with:
- A hunk of crusty bread or a warm biscuit
- Roasted green beans or steamed broccoli
- A simple side salad with a vinaigrette dressing to cut through some of the richness
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Store any leftover beef and noodles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It keeps very well. To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop in a saucepan or frying pan or in the microwave with a splash of beef broth or water to loosen it back up.
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Old-Fashioned Beef and Noodles
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (lean, 85-93%)
- 1 medium yellow onion (chopped)
- 3 tsp minced garlic (or 3 cloves of garlic, chopped)
- 3 TBS Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/4 cup flour
- 3 1/2 cups beef broth (save 1/2 cup for adding back at the end if needed)
- 3 cups egg noodles (uncooked)
Instructions
- In a large frying pan, over medium to medium-high heat, cook ground beef and onion until fully cooked. Leave the fat in the pan.1 lb ground beef, 1 medium yellow onion
- Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.3 tsp minced garlic, 3 TBS Worcestershire sauce, 1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning, 1/2 tsp sea salt, 1/2 tsp pepper
- Sprinkle flour over beef mixture and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring often.1/4 cup flour
- Pour in beef broth and add uncooked egg noodles. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until noodles are cooked and sauce thickens. If it's too thick, add remaining beef broth to thin it out.3 1/2 cups beef broth, 3 cups egg noodles
- Beef and noodles will keep in an airtight container for 3-5 days in the fridge.
Notes
- Don’t over cook the egg noodles. They’ll continue to soften when removed from heat.
- Add veggies. During the last 5 minutes of simmering, stir in frozen peas or chopped mushrooms if desired.
- Leftovers: This meal will thickens as it sits. To reheat, warm on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of broth or water to loosen.
Nutrition
Tagged:
- 30 Minute
- /
- Beef
- /
- Comfort Food
- /
- Fall
- /
- Skillet
- /
- Stovetop
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- Whole Food
- /
- Winter
I agree with you. Nothing beats the classics; especially ones like this hearty, comforting and fantastic beef and noodles and this one is a winner! We enjoyed every bite.
Thank you so much, Kathleen! I’m glad to hear it.
This is a delightful recipe. The tender beef and noodles create a mouthwatering combination that will transport you back to grandma’s kitchen. A true taste of nostalgia! Totally saving this recipe to make again.
That’s exactly how I feel too. During the fall and winter months, we have this almost once a week, haha!
Such an easy and comforting meal that was perfect on a weeknight as we try to get into the swing of back to school around here!
That’s what I love about it too. In fact, it’s my go-to when I have no time to cook!
This is such an easy and hearty meal. It’s become one of my weekly go-to dinners. Thanks for the solid recipe!
You bet, Holley! I’m so glad to hear it. We are on the weekly train with this one too – it’s just too good!
Flavor was PERFECT! Thank you for this simple beef noodle recipe, will be making this again.
Thank you so much, Lana! I appreciate it so much – glad to hear you enjoyed it!
We love noodles for weeknight dinners and this recipe is perfect. So easy to make and it’s very delicious.
Me too, Gianne! Thanks so much, really glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Enjoyed this for dinner last night and it was a savory success! Turned out easy, hearty and delicious; definitely, a new favorite recipe!
Oh, this is great news, Sara! And thank you so much – it’s a favorite over here too!
Yummy! This was a great weeknight meal!
I’m so glad to her it, Kerri! Thanks for the review.
I love the simple flavors of this beef and noodles. It’s a classic, very good. Thank you!
Thank you so much, Biana! I appreciate it, glad you enjoyed the recipe.
This recipe is just the type of hearty comfort food I love to eat heading into fall. This was so simple and so yummy, I’ll be making this again soon.
Yes, Anjali! I’m so glad – it’s a staple in our house all winter long too!
Thank you for the way you write a few recipes with the ingredients and amounts under each step. I’m actually in the process of making it now and it looks delicious. It drives me crazy when I have to keep scrolling back to see how much of everything you need so thank you again for this and I wish everybody wrote a recipe like this.
Hi LauraJean! Thank YOU for this sweet comment. I’m so glad you find it helpful – I know it sure helps me when I’m cooking and baking. 🙂
Old-fashioned beef and noodles would be the way my grandmother and great-grandmother made them: Hand rolled and cut fresh noodles. It does make a difference.
Hi Rick! Oh my gosh, yes—it sure does. Homemade noodles are without a doubt the way to go for any meal, in my opinion, if you have the time. Delicious!
What could I substitute for the Worcestershire sauce?
Hi Jackie! You could try using 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce + 1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 2 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce + 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice, or 2 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar + 1/2 teaspoon sugar instead of the Worcestershire sauce. These combinations should add similar flavor. Hope this helps. 🙂
Very tasty! It has a lot more flavor than I expected. I added a little soy sauce too. Thank you for such a simple dinner ☺️
Thank you so much Denise! I’m glad you enjoyed it, it’s a favorite over here too. So easy! I love the addition of a little soy sauce. MMM! Thanks so much for the review too, I appreciate it!