Tuscan Beef Casserole: 5-Star Recipe You’ll Love

Tuscan Beef Casserole is a deliciously hearty dish filled with tender beef, vegetables, and white beans. It’s an easy-to-make, flavorful meal that’s perfect for feeding a family. Whether cooked on the stovetop or in an Instant Pot, this dish delivers rich, savory flavors that will leave everyone coming back for more. The combination of herbs, balsamic vinegar, and slow-cooked beef makes this casserole a standout meal, offering both comfort and nutrition.

Why You’ll Love Tuscan Beef Casserole

Tuscan Beef Casserole is a wonderful balance of flavors and textures. With melt-in-your-mouth beef, savory vegetables, and hearty white beans, it’s a satisfying meal that the whole family will love. The best part? You can cook it in your Instant Pot, cutting down on cooking time, or opt for a stovetop method for a more traditional approach. The rich gravy made from beef stock, tomatoes, and balsamic vinegar ties everything together beautifully, creating a dish that feels both luxurious and wholesome.

Ingredients

• Stewing beef (or chuck beef): The perfect cut for slow cooking, it becomes wonderfully tender and flavorful.
• Onion: Adds sweetness and depth to the casserole base.
• Garlic: For an aromatic boost that enhances the overall flavor.
• Carrots: A classic casserole vegetable that brings sweetness and texture.
• Celery: Adds a crunchy texture and subtle earthiness.
• Mushrooms: Rich in umami, they complement the beef and vegetables.
• Canned tomatoes: Adds acidity and helps form the base of the gravy.
• Beef stock: A key ingredient for the casserole’s rich flavor.
• Mixed dried herbs: Imparts an herby note that rounds out the flavors.
• Fresh thyme: Brings a fresh and earthy aroma.
• Tomato paste: Deepens the tomato flavor and thickens the sauce.
• Onion powder: Boosts the savory depth of the dish.
• Balsamic vinegar: Adds acidity, balancing the sweetness of the vegetables and enhancing the dish’s overall flavor.
• White beans (cannellini or butter beans): Provide a creamy texture and balance the beef.
• Cornstarch: Used to thicken the sauce and achieve a perfect gravy.
• Olive oil spray: For browning the beef and vegetables.
• Fresh parsley: For garnish and a pop of color.

Alternative Ingredient Suggestions

If you want to make this recipe more versatile or adapt it to different dietary needs, here are a few substitutions:

• For a gluten-free version, ensure that the beef stock and any seasonings you use are free from gluten.
• If you prefer a vegetarian alternative, you can replace the beef with a plant-based protein, like tempeh or mushrooms.
• For a more intense tomato flavor, consider adding sun-dried tomatoes in place of some of the canned tomatoes.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Stovetop Method

1. Brown the Beef: Heat a deep pot over medium-high heat and spray with olive oil. Season the stewing beef with salt and black pepper. Brown the beef in two batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. This ensures the meat sears properly, creating a deeper flavor.
2. Sauté the Vegetables: Once the beef is browned, remove it from the pot. Add the chopped onions, garlic, carrots, and celery to the same pot and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
3. Deglaze with Balsamic Vinegar: Add a splash of balsamic vinegar and a little bit of beef stock to deglaze the pan, scraping up any bits stuck to the bottom for added flavor.
4. Simmer the Casserole: Return the beef to the pot, along with mushrooms, canned tomatoes, tomato paste, herbs, thyme, and onion powder. Add the remaining beef stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for about 1 hour and 45 minutes until the beef is tender.
5. Add the Beans: Stir in the beans about 20 minutes before the casserole is done cooking.
6. Thicken the Sauce: Mix the cornstarch with a bit of water to create a slurry, then add this to the casserole. Stir over medium heat until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
7. Final Touches: Taste and season with salt and pepper if necessary. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Instant Pot Method

1. Sear the Beef: Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Season the beef with salt and pepper and brown it in two batches. Remove and set aside.
2. Cook the Vegetables: In the same pot, add the onion, garlic, celery, and carrots. Sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Deglaze the Pot: Add the balsamic vinegar and a small amount of beef stock to deglaze, scraping up any caramelized bits from the bottom.
4. Pressure Cook: Add the beef, mushrooms, tomatoes, herbs, thyme, tomato paste, and remaining stock to the pot. Close the lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 25 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure.
5. Add the Beans and Thicken: Stir in the beans and create a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce. Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and cook until the sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper as needed.
6. Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Tips & Tricks

• Browning the Beef: Don’t skip this step! Browning the beef before simmering it creates a depth of flavor that will make your casserole taste amazing.
• Slow Cooking: If you want to slow cook the casserole, it works beautifully in a slow cooker. Just brown the meat and vegetables before adding everything to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 8 hours, adding the beans and cornstarch for the last hour.
• Leftovers: This casserole stores well in the fridge for 3-4 days and can also be frozen for up to 3 months. When reheating, add a splash of beef stock to thin the sauce if it thickens too much.

Pairing Ideas and Variations

Tuscan Beef Casserole is delicious on its own, but here are a few ideas for side dishes to complete your meal:

• Best Ever Mashed Potatoes: These creamy mashed potatoes are the perfect side to soak up the flavorful gravy.
• Sour Cream and Spring Onion Cauliflower Mash: A lighter alternative to mashed potatoes, this cauliflower mash adds a fresh twist.
• Sauteed Shredded Garlic Brussel Sprouts: For an extra veggie boost, sautéed Brussels sprouts with garlic add a crunchy, garlicky side.

For a variation, you can make the casserole spicier by adding a pinch of chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the gravy.

A Cozy, Wholesome Meal

This Tuscan Beef Casserole is the ultimate comfort food, bringing together tender beef, hearty vegetables, and savory white beans in a rich and flavorful gravy. Whether cooked on the stovetop or using an Instant Pot, this dish is quick, easy, and sure to become a family favorite.

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Conclusion

Tuscan Beef Casserole is the perfect meal to bring comfort and flavor to your dinner table. Whether you choose to cook it on the stovetop or use an Instant Pot for a quicker cook time, the tender beef, vegetables, and white beans will create a dish that everyone in your family will love. It’s a versatile, healthy option that can be paired with mashed potatoes, sautéed greens, or even crispy roasted potatoes. This casserole is not only a great choice for a hearty family meal but also stores wonderfully for leftovers, making it ideal for meal prep. Serve it up for a cozy dinner and enjoy the rich, savory flavors that will warm you up on any day.

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