Cosy up with a hearty beef stew with creamy mashed potatoes and creamy veggie mash. Perfect for busy nights, with easy cleanup and leftovers for tomorrow!
Pair it with some traditional Romanian polenta - mamaliga or pickled cucumbers.
📷 Recipe Snapshot
🍽️ Recipe: Beef Stew with Creamy Mashed Potatoes
⏲️ Ready In: 1 hr 30 mins
👥 Serves: 4-6
🌏 Cuisine: European / Romanian-inspired
💪 Difficulty: Easy
📌 Recipe Type: Main Course / Stew
🌟 Ingredient Highlights: beef, potatoes, carrots, onion, garlic, thyme, vegetable broth, crushed tomatoes
❤️ Why You'll Love It: Tender beef simmered with vegetables and herbs, served over creamy mashed potatoes for a comforting family dinner with leftovers for the next day.
💡 Summarize and save this recipe on
I'm a big fan of recipes that do the heavy lifting for you. Whether it's my beef tacos or this authentic beef goulash, I love meals that are as practical as they are delicious. Make this up once, and you've got dinner sorted for tomorrow too-leftovers taste even better the next day. Don't worry, I'll guide you through every step. No fancy skills required, just a little love and a big spoon.
Another one that holds up well made ahead: my chicken pot pie topped with lattice puff pastry freezes just as easily as this stew does, so it's worth doubling up on kitchen time and stocking the freezer with both.
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Bev says
Delicious recipe! My husband doesn't like thyme, so we took your suggestion and used oregano instead. It was SO good! Thanks for sharing!
💕Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Simple prep = less stress. The stew cooks in one pot while you boil the mash, making the timing very easy.
- Leftover-friendly. Make it once, eat it twice! This stew tastes even better the next day, so it's perfect for meal prep or busy weeknights.
- Kid-approved. The sweet carrots and creamy mash are a hit with even the pickiest eaters. It's a win-win for the whole family! Just like this Greek moussaka mashed potato topping.
🥘Ingredients
*See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
♻️Substitutions
- No beef? Swap it for chicken thighs (adjust cooking time to 45 minutes) or mushrooms for a vegetarian twist.
- Dairy-free mash? Use olive oil or vegan butter instead of regular butter, and unsweetened almond milk or oat milk in place of regular milk.
- No fresh thyme? Dried thyme works just fine-use half the amount (1 teaspoon dried thyme instead of 2 teaspoons fresh).
📖Variations
- Want some heat? I like to toss in a diced chilli (like jalapeño or red chilli) or add 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika for a smoky, spicy vibe.
- Need more veggies? You can throw in peas, zucchini, or green beans during the last 10 minutes of cooking. Easy peasy!
- Out of thyme? No worries! I swap it for rosemary (1 teaspoon) or oregano (2 teaspoons) to mix things up.
👩🍳How To Make Beef Stew with Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- Brown the Beef: Heat oil in a large pan or Dutch oven. Add the beef cubes and cook until slightly browned on all sides. Keep the beef in the pan.
- Add the Veggies: Toss in the onions, carrots, garlic, thyme, and bay leaves (if using). Stir everything together for a couple of minutes until the onions soften.
- Simmer the Stew: Pour in the vegetable broth and a pinch of salt. Stir well. Cover the pan, reduce the heat, and let it simmer gently. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. After an hour, add the crushed tomatoes and let it simmer a bit longer.
- Make the Mash: While the stew simmers, peel and cube the potatoes. Boil them until tender. Drain the potatoes, then mash them with butter and milk until smooth. Add salt to taste.
- Serve & Save: Once the stew is ready, remove the bay leaves. Spoon the stew over the mash and enjoy! For leftovers, let everything cool, then store in airtight containers. Reheat the stew on the stove and the mash in the microwave.
*A full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
💭Expert Tips
- Brown the beef in batches! Crowding the pan makes the meat steam instead of sear. Trust me, crispy edges = extra tasty stew. I use the same method to make my easy Swedish meatballs, caramelising the meat gives the best flavor.
- Don't waste those tasty bits! After browning the beef, if you see browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan, pour in a splash of broth and scrape gently with a wooden spoon. This trick releases all that delicious richness and makes your stew even tastier.
- Simmering time: Don't rush the simmering process! The stew needs time to cook slowly for the beef to become tender and for the flavours to meld.
- Mashed potatoes: Make sure to mash the potatoes while they're still hot for the best texture. If you prefer your mash even creamier, you can add a little more butter or milk.
- Use a heavy-bottomed pot. I love using a Dutch oven for this stew because it heats evenly and stops the bottom from burning. Plus, it's super sturdy and perfect for simmering!
Popular Add-ons
Want to make this stew even more amazing? Here are some easy and tasty extras you can try:
- Leafy greens: Toss in a couple of handfuls of spinach, kale, or Swiss chard during the last 10 minutes of cooking. They'll wilt down and add a fresh, healthy touch.
- Worcestershire sauce: For a rich, deep taste, add 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce when you stir in the tomato paste. Taste and adjust if you want more-it's a game-changer!
- Peas: About 30 minutes before the stew is done, mix in a cup of frozen peas. They'll cook through and add a sweet, vibrant touch.
- Mushrooms: Cremini or button mushrooms work great here! Slice them up and cook them with the onions until they're soft and golden. They add a meaty texture and soak up all the delicious richness.
❓Hearty Beef Stew with Creamy Mashed Potatoes FAQs
Brown the beef first, then transfer everything to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours
You can swap beef for chicken thighs, lamb, or even mushrooms for a vegetarian version. Adjust cooking times as needed
Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water, then stir it into the simmering stew. Cook for 5 minutes until thickened.
Try pickles, steamed broccoli, green beans, roasted cauliflower with chimichurri or a simple Mediterranean salad. My no-knead 3-ingredient bread is also great for soaking up the gravy!
Keep the stew and mash in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat the stew on the stove until piping hot and the mash in short microwave bursts, stirring in between.
The stew also freezes well for up to 2 months-just cool it, portion it into freezer-safe containers, and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. The mash doesn't freeze well, so it's best made fresh. Pro tip: always label your containers with the date to keep track of storage time.
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📖 Recipe
Beef Stew with Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Video
Equipment
- Large Dutch oven
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
Stew
- 2.2 lbs lean beef cubed
- 2 large onions chopped
- 4 large carrots diced
- 5 garlic cloves minced
- 4 cups vegetable broth 1 stock cube + water
- 1 can 14 oz crushed tomatoes
- 2 teaspoon fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried
- 2 bay leaves optional
- 2 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
Mash
- 2.2 lbs potatoes peeled and cubed
- 7 tablespoon butter (just under 1 stick/3.5 oz )
- 3.5 tablespoon milk
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Let the oil heat up for about 30 seconds.2 tbsp olive oil
- Add all the beef cubes to the pan at once. While it may not brown as deeply as when browned in batches, it will still get a nice sear. Cook the beef for about 3-4 minutes, flipping it to brown slightly on all sides. Keep the beef in the pan.2.2 lbs lean beef
- Once the beef is browned, add the chopped onions, diced carrots, minced garlic, thyme, and bay leaves (if using) directly on top of the beef. Stir everything for 2 minutes until the onions soften and the garlic becomes fragrant.2 large onions, 4 large carrots, 5 garlic cloves, 2 tsp fresh thyme, 2 bay leaves
- Add the vegetable broth and a pinch of salt to the pan. Stir everything together.4 cups vegetable broth
- Cover the pan, reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer gently for 1 hour. Stir every 20-30 minutes to keep everything from sticking. After 1 hour, add the crushed tomatoes and let it simmer for another 30 minutes.1 can
- While the stew simmers, peel and cube the potatoes. Boil them in salted water for 15-20 minutes until tender.2.2 lbs potatoes
- Drain the potatoes, then mash them with butter and milk until smooth. Add salt to taste.7 tbsp butter, 3.5 tbsp milk, Salt to taste
- When the stew is ready, remove the bay leaves. Spoon the stew over the mashed potatoes and enjoy!
- For leftovers, let the stew and mash cool completely. Store them separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat the stew on the stove and the mash in the microwave.
Notes
- Take your time browning the beef for more flavour. If short on time, adding all the beef at once works, though it won't brown as deeply.
- Keep the heat low and stir occasionally to avoid sticking.
- Taste the stew while simmering and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Add more butter or milk to your mash for extra creaminess.
- If you prefer different vegetables, feel free to swap or add peas, parsnips, or even celery-whatever you enjoy!
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- Store stew and mash separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days in the fridge.
- Freeze stew and mash (separately) for up to 3 months.
- Reheat stew on the stove and mash in the microwave with a splash of milk if needed.
Ramona says
Such a great comfort dish to make, I havent made a beef stew in a while and this has me excited to make one this week!
Isbeth says
This one-pan beef stew turned out so hearty and delicious! The beef is so tender, the gravy is rich and flavorful, and the creamy mash makes it the perfect comfort meal. So cozy and satisfying!
Liz says
Such delicious comfort food! My husband said I can make this anytime!!!
Alice says
I made this beef stew with mashed potatoes on a busy weeknight and it delivered exactly what I needed.
Andrea says
This is a great comforting dinner for fall or winter! I loved the little bit of thyme such good flavor.
Bev says
Delicious recipe! My husband.doesnt like thyme so we took your suggestion and used oregano instead. It was SO good! Thanks for sharing!
Claudia-Cristina Ciorteanu says
So glad the oregano worked out, Bev! Thanks for giving the swap a try.
Elizabeth says
This beef stew and mashed potatoes were a hit! So much flavor and easy to make. My family loved this!
Claudia-Cristina Ciorteanu says
Thank you, Elizabeth! I’m always happy when a recipe gets a thumbs-up from the whole family.
Ashley says
Love this comfort food dinner! The perfect meal for Sunday nights!
Claudia-Cristina Ciorteanu says
Thank you, Ashley! Sunday dinner is a pretty good excuse for a plate of this.
amy liu dong says
This beef stew and the mashed potatoes are a perfect combo for me. It is delicious, and I am sure your family will love it!
Claudia-Cristina Ciorteanu says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Amy. The mashed potatoes make a lovely match with the stew.
Paula says
This beef stew and mash was simple comfort food at it's best! Not too difficult to make, but still bringing all those incredible down home flavors!
Claudia-Cristina Ciorteanu says
Thank you, Paula. That’s exactly what I was going for with this recipe — nothing complicated, just a good homemade meal.
Nicole says
This stew was so delicious!! Nothing beats a one pan meal!
Claudia-Cristina Ciorteanu says
Thank you, Nicole. I’m a big fan of recipes where the washing up doesn’t take longer than the cooking.
Swathi says
This is ultimate comfort food, our family enjoyed with homemade sourdough bread too. So yum.
Claudia-Cristina Ciorteanu says
Sourdough with this sounds so good, Swathi. I’d definitely use a piece to scoop up the sauce.
Jean says
Such a hearty comforting stew. The family loved it.
Claudia-Cristina Ciorteanu says
I’m really glad it went down well with everyone, Jean. Those family dinners are the ones I love most.
Sonja says
I love how easy and quick this came together. A great stew for those cold nights when I'm too lazy to potter about with lots of pans.
Claudia-Cristina Ciorteanu says
Thank you, Sonja. I know exactly what you mean about not wanting to spend the evening moving between lots of pans.
Nicole says
This beef stew was amazing!! I absolutely loved this recipe and so did my whole family.
Claudia-Cristina Ciorteanu says
Thank you so much, Nicole! That really means a lot to me.