3-Ingredient Oven Beef Bake: An Easy, Tender, and Hearty Dinner

This hearty homemade dinner combines tender beef, a creamy sauce, and a simple seasoning mix to create a warm, satisfying meal with very little preparation. Everything goes into one baking dish, making it a convenient option for busy weeknights.

Equipment

• 9-by-13-inch baking dish or similar oven-safe casserole dish
• Mixing bowl
• Measuring cup
• Spoon or spatula
• Aluminum foil or an oven-safe lid
• Meat thermometer
• Fork

Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 cans (10.5 ounces each) condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1 packet (about 1 ounce) dry onion soup mix
• Water or beef broth (optional, to loosen sauce if too thick)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Lightly grease a baking dish if desired.
2. Place the beef stew meat in the baking dish and spread the pieces into an even layer.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine the condensed cream of mushroom soup and dry onion soup mix. Stir until the seasoning is evenly distributed. If the mixture is extremely thick, add a small splash of water or beef broth to make it easier to spread.
4. Pour the soup mixture over the beef. Stir gently or use a spoon to make sure the pieces are coated in the sauce.
5. Cover the baking dish tightly with foil or an oven-safe lid. Bake at 325°F for approximately 2½ to 3 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender.
6. Carefully remove the cover, watching out for hot steam. Stir the beef and sauce gently. If the beef is not tender enough to break apart easily with a fork, cover the dish again and continue cooking.
7. Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving. Spoon the beef and creamy gravy over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles.

Notes

For food safety, use a meat thermometer to check that the beef reaches at least 145°F (63°C), followed by a three-minute rest. However, for stew meat, reaching that minimum temperature does not guarantee tenderness; the longer cooking time helps the connective tissue soften. Taste the gravy before adding any extra salt, as the onion soup mix can be quite salty.

Nutrition

Calories: 390 · Protein: 35g · Carbohydrates: 12g · Fat: 22g · Saturated fat: 8g · Cholesterol: 105mg · Sodium: 950mg · Fiber: 1g · Sugar: 3g