Effortless Beef Noodle Soup

Featured in: Warm and Comforting Soup Recipes

You’ll toss in beef, toss in noodles, next veggies, and you’ll be left with a super flavorful, hands-off dinner that gets better as it simmers.
A woman in a kitchen with a stove and oven.
Updated on Mon, 16 Jun 2025 12:26:20 GMT
Chunks of beef, spiraled noodles, carrots, and some herbs all in a cozy wooden bowl. Pin it
Chunks of beef, spiraled noodles, carrots, and some herbs all in a cozy wooden bowl. | cookingkitchn.com

The idea for this beef noodle soup popped into my head on a chilly wet afternoon when I wanted something super cozy. As the beef gently cooks with those fresh herbs, the whole place smells amazing and everyone wanders in, asking if it's time to eat soon. That deep, veggie-packed broth hugging chewy egg noodles totally hits the spot for us when it gets cold out. My kids like to call it a bowl full of hugs because it just warms you up all over.

Cozy Comfort Bowl

Letting beef simmer away with herbs and veggies turns magic loose in your pot. That slow-cooked broth gets full and bold, drinking up all sorts of yummy flavor. Toss those egg noodles straight in and let them soak that up too. Last time, my neighbor smelled it through the window and came by, giant soup bowl in hand, saying it made her think of her grandma’s kitchen.

Need-To-Have Items

  • Awesome noodles: Wide egg noodles are great at staying firm and not getting soggy.
  • Veggies galore: Grab chunky pieces of celery and sweet carrots for some crunch.
  • Mushroom soup boost: Cream of mushroom makes it nice and creamy.
  • Beef for days: Chuck roast in big bite-size pieces turns ultra-tender and tasty.
  • Savory starter: Toss in beef broth, onion soup mix, rosemary, thyme, and a bunch of garlic.

How It Comes Together

Get the noodles going:
Egg noodles get dropped in last. Give them a few minutes to get soft and happy in that rich broth, and then you’re on your way to eating.
Pack in those veggies:
Now dump in the carrots and celery plus the creamy mushroom soup. Let them get cooked through but still keep some bite. My mom always said matching sizes means everything cooks just right.
Start with the beef:
First off, trim up the chuck roast and hack it into chunky bits. Next, sear that beef nice and hot until the edges are browned and your house smells incredible. Don’t miss those little browned bits at the bottom—they make a huge difference for flavor.
Hearty foundation:
When your beef’s got a nice crust, pour in the broth, onion soup mix, and pile in the herbs. Stir in plenty of garlic. Let it gently bubble until the beef falls apart when you poke it.
Chunks of soft beef, carrots, celery, and squiggly egg noodles floating in a steaming beefy broth, all cozied up in a big bowl. Pin it
Chunks of soft beef, carrots, celery, and squiggly egg noodles floating in a steaming beefy broth, all cozied up in a big bowl. | cookingkitchn.com

Tricks From My Kitchen

After making this so many times, I’ve picked up a few tricks. Always sear the beef—that flavor is worth the little bit of extra time. Keep those vegetable pieces big, they’ll hold up much better. I’ll often make extra broth and freeze it. Then I just toss in fresh veggies and noodles for a speedy dinner. The soup mix is simple but honestly, it makes the broth taste awesome.

Dig In

We spoon this one up into big bowls and have fresh, crusty bread nearby to mop every last bit. Sometimes I bake soft rolls just to scoop up the leftovers. A sprinkle of bright parsley on top looks pretty and adds a fresh kick. My husband always comes back for more says he likes it even more than his mom’s, but don’t spill the beans to her.

Keep It Fresh

Honestly, it might taste even richer the day after—the flavors get really friendly hanging out together. Just use a snug lid and stick it in the fridge where it’s good for four days. To reheat, gently warm it in a pot and maybe splash in a bit more broth if it’s too thick. Want to freeze it? Skip adding noodles—they get mushy—just freeze the good stuff and drop in fresh ones when you reheat. Frozen soup base is good for up to three months. My daughter takes some to school and says everyone in her dorm follows their nose to the kitchen when it’s heating up.

Change It Up

Sure, I love the classic version most days, but I mix it up when the mood hits. You can totally use stew meat if you can’t find chuck roast. Add a dollop of tomato paste if you want a deeper color and flavor. Lately, I’ve been blending a few veggies into the broth before tossing in noodles—it comes out thick and creamy. On busy days, I’ll just sear the beef, throw everything in the slow cooker, and let it go. Turns out perfect, hands off.

Feels Like Home

This beef noodle bowl is the food I come back to—if someone’s got the sniffles or it’s just been a rough day, this is what hits the table. The warm, savory smell fills the house and honestly, it makes everything a little better. My teenager’s even picked up making it—he wants to bring that taste along when he heads off for school. Teaching him the tricks, like how to get that beef just right or when the noodles are done, those are the moments I hang on to. The simplest homemade food is the stuff we remember forever.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What cut of beef works best?
Go for chuck roast instead of the usual stew beef. Same price but better taste and always comes out tender.
→ Can I freeze this soup?
Leave noodles out if you plan to freeze for up to 3 months. Just stir in cooked noodles when you warm it up.
→ Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Absolutely, start beef with broth for about 6 hours, toss in the veggies midway, and noodles go in right at the end.
→ How long does it keep?
It’ll stay good in the fridge for around 3 or 4 days. Keep in mind noodles soak up broth over time.
→ Can I use different noodles?
Egg noodles are classic. If you swap, just check your pasta’s timing so it doesn’t go mushy.

Effortless Beef Noodle Soup

This bowl's got soft beef, noodles swimming in a tasty broth, and all sorts of veggies. Cook it how you want: stovetop, slow cooker, or pressure cooker.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
90 Minutes
Total Time
105 Minutes
By: Sophia

Category: Cozy Soups

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 6 Servings (Serves 6)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 About 24 oz of egg noodles.
02 Chopped carrots (2 big ones).
03 Salt and pepper, to your taste.
04 A 10.5 oz can of cream of mushroom soup.
05 Few cloves of garlic, minced (3-4).
06 1/4 teaspoon thyme, dried.
07 Half a teaspoon of dried rosemary.
08 One packet of onion soup mix.
09 8 cups of reduced-sodium beef stock.
10 2 tablespoons of oil for cooking.
11 2-3 lbs of beef roast, cubed.
12 Optional: Cooked mushrooms for garnish.
13 2 celery stalks, diced.

Instructions

Step 01

Cut roast into bite-sized chunks. Sprinkle salt and pepper on them. Remove any extra fat before starting.

Step 02

In a big pot, warm the oil and brown the beef on every edge.

Step 03

Toss in the broth, herb mix, garlic, and onion soup packet. Let it boil, then simmer for an hour with the lid on.

Step 04

Add chopped carrots, celery, and the mushroom soup. Keep it going for another 20 minutes.

Step 05

Drop in the noodles and cook for 5 to 10 minutes. Throw on sautéed mushrooms if you like.

Notes

  1. Works well in an Instant Pot or slow cooker.
  2. Best with chuck roast.
  3. Freeze leftovers, minus the noodles.

Tools You'll Need

  • A big pot or a Dutch oven.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy.
  • Wheat included.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 849
  • Total Fat: 37 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 64 g
  • Protein: 65 g