Baked Beef Stew: A Perfect “Halloween” One Pot Meal

This one pot beef baked stew was always fondly referred to as “Halloween Stew” by my kids because year after year I made this for my children to enjoy after trick or treating. You can prep this ahead of time, even the day before Halloween. Head out to trick or treat for up to 3 hours while it bakes. And then, return for a yummy and nutritious one pot comfort meal. It was always a pleasure, after a raw and windy October Halloween, to come home to this nutritious and already cooked one pot meal. It is comfort food at its best, and can be enjoyed throughout the crisp fall and winter days ahead. Enjoy this baked beef stew recipe as a “prep ahead” comfort food on Halloween and all year for that matter.

“Halloween” Beef Baked Stew

Comfort food at its best!

COOK TIME 3 hrs

COURSE Main Course

CUISINE American

10 SERVINGS

CALORIES 200 calories per serving

EQUIPMENT

• Oven

INGREDIENTS  

• 2 pounds lean beef (sirloin works well)
• 20 oz. can of tomatoes with liquid
• 2 beef bouillon cubes dissolved in hot water
• 1/2 cup red wine
• 1 large onion
• 8 carrots, cut up
• 3 celery stalks, cut up
• 4 large potatoes, cut into 3 inch pieces
• 1 small package frozen peas
• 1/4 cup tapioca

INSTRUCTIONS 

• Take the lean beef and cut into 1 inch cubes. Spray a large corning ware dish and the inside lid with a spray such as PAM. Place the cut up beef in the bottom of the corning ware.
• Lay all the vegetables (except the peas) on top of the meat.
• Pour the tomatoes, wine, bouillon cubs (dissolved in 1/2 cup water) and tapioca over all.
• Bake for 3 hours, covered, in a 325° oven. Sprinkle the frozen peas on top fifteen minutes before the stew is done cooking.

NOTES

NUTRITION INFORMATION:

1/10 of this recipe is about 200 calories; 12 g protein, 5 g fat, 25 g carbohydrate 

Now served-delicious beef baked stew

This dinner has protein and vegetables in one dish. Serve with a healthy beverage (or wine if you are the parent). Add a serving of fruit or a green salad, and this becomes a very nutritious dinner so you don’t need to feel guilty with the candy treats that will follow.

An elderly aunt passed this family recipe on to family members. Now my adult children also make this stew on Halloween for my grandchildren. My adult kids have those fond memories of this comfort food and are sharing with the next generation. That’s comforting to me, and a new type of “comfort” food!

I hope your family enjoys it as much as my family has.