Frugal One Dish Beef Stew

One of my favorite one dish dinners is beef stew. Especially on a chilly autumn day. This stew is one of the best comfort soups and fills up hungry bellies.Likewise, I am always reminded of the story stone soup when I make this meal. A little of this, and a little of that makes a very good meal. As I plan this meal, it is always after we have pot roast. To me, it is easier to make beef stew this way because the roast is already cooked. all I have to do is cut it into pieces and add other ingredients.

In addition this frugal one dish meal is an easy recipe that can be added to or subtracted from with ingredients. If there is one ingredient someone in your home doesn’t like then add a substitute. Creating a menu that allows for leftovers is important to stretch grocery dollars. Likewise, beef stew is a perfect crockpot meal for busy moms who do not have time to cook on the stove for hours. Throw this soup together and your family will thank you. Since you went to all of this trouble to cook they might as well love it.

Ingredients

2 lb. Chuck Roast

1 Bay Leaf

3 cans of tomato sauce

1 can of diced tomatoes

1 tablespoon of ketchup

1 can of tomato paste

1 can of water (use a tomato sauce can to get the leftover out) 

1 dash of hot sauce (your choice)

1 tsp of  onion powder seasoning

1 can of corn

1 can of green beans

1 can of peas

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

2 tsp of garlic

1 whole green pepper cut up into small pieces

 *****or double the amounts if making more for leftovers. 

Immediately after adding all of the ingredients to the crockpot stir. Make a few good stirs to get everything mixed well to cook well.

Directions

Here are the directions to this delicious homemade one dish meal:

First, use leftover roast and cut it up. Leave or add it to the crockpot. 

Second, add all of the cans of tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and the tomato paste. 

Then add the 1 can of water. 

Third: Let it simmer on low for 2 hours. 

fourth: add in all of the seasonings 

Fifth: let simmer 1 more hour then add all of the vegetables. 

Sixth: cook 2 more hours. 

I let this cook all day. Do not drain the chuck roast juices as I do leave them in and the flavor adds to the beef stew. Next, you can make biscuits to go on top and cook in the over, or use as a side dish. If so, add a tsp of butter. I always try to make good use of my time. For example, while this is cooking it is a good time to cut up the lettuce, and other vegetables to make a salad or prepare a side dish.

Hints and Tips

Use leftover chuck roast. It is easier to cut into small pieces. Bake buttermilk biscuits as a side dish. 

Side salad with buttermilk ranch dressing is another easy and affordable side dish. 

Garlic bread or garlic breadsticks homemade or store bought is a good idea with this stew. Sometimes make a double batch. How I do this is with the InstaPot. This way I am able to have leftovers and freeze some for the nest month. Planning ahead has always made things much easier with my meal planning. A leftover chuck roast is easier to cut into small pieces. Bake buttermilk biscuits as a side dish. 

Planning leftovers

As you cook make a double amount to freeze or have as leftovers. Otherwise freezer cooking is an all day task. That is why I like to cut it into small chunks each time I cook.

Planning leftovers is easy. Thus, I strongly encourage you to embrace leftovers in case you are one of the people do not eat them. Leftovers are lifesavers on the budget and time. 

While homemade cooking one dish meals is not always the easiest task, but it is fulfilling. However, one dish meals do make for easier prep and cooking time when in a pinch and thank heavens for the crockpot. I am much more likely to get my dinner on the table and not eat out when the prep work is short. Whenever time is short it is always helpful to have something quick and easy to cook. Therefore, we do not eat out because I have something already prepared.

Finally, We all have busy lives but taking the scheduled time to prepare food in advance, double cook or even have a leftovers day is one of the best strategies to lower a food budget. Likewise when working on a meal plan it is important to have a calendar of activities close. Moreover, the reason I use this method so I know when I will need a freezer meal or leftover day due to a busy schedule.

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