My husband asks for this savory dinner every single week. Only 4 ingredients and the meat is fork-tender.

This slow cooker 4-ingredient beef and noodles is the kind of comforting, stick-to-your-ribs supper that’s been on Midwestern tables for generations. It reminds me of the church basement potlucks of my childhood—tender beef, thick egg noodles, and a rich, creamy brown mushroom gravy that tastes like it simmered on Grandma’s stove all day. These days, my husband asks for it every single week, and I’m happy to oblige because it takes just a few minutes to toss into the slow cooker before I get on with my day. With only four simple ingredients and no fussy steps, it’s a practical, dependable recipe that turns an inexpensive beef roast into a fork-tender, cozy dinner the whole family can gather around.

Serve this beef and noodles right out of the slow cooker, ladled into wide bowls so all that creamy mushroom gravy can pool around the noodles. It’s especially good with buttered corn or green beans on the side, and a simple tossed salad if you want something fresh and crisp to balance the richness. Warm dinner rolls or slices of soft white bread are perfect for soaking up the extra gravy. If you’re feeding farmhands or big appetites, you can spoon it over a scoop of mashed potatoes for an extra-hearty plate, just like we did on busy harvest nights.

Servings: 6

2 to 2 1/2 pounds beef chuck roast

Place the beef chuck roast in the bottom of a 5- to 7-quart slow cooker. If there is a thick cap of fat on one side, place that side facing up so it can baste the meat as it cooks.

Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix evenly over the top of the roast, pressing it lightly so it sticks to the meat.

Spoon the condensed cream of mushroom soup over the roast, spreading it out so it mostly covers the meat. Do not add water; the roast will release plenty of juices and create a rich brown gravy as it cooks.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 8 to 9 hours, or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours, until the beef is very tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.

Once the beef is fork-tender, use two forks to shred the roast directly in the slow cooker, discarding any large pieces of fat. Stir well so the shredded beef is coated in the creamy mushroom gravy.

If using dried egg noodles, add about 1/2 cup of hot water to the slow cooker to give the noodles a little extra moisture to cook in. If using frozen egg noodles, you usually will not need extra liquid, but you can add a splash of water or beef broth if the mixture seems very thick.

Stir the egg noodles into the shredded beef and gravy, making sure the noodles are mostly submerged in the sauce. Cover the slow cooker again.

Cook on HIGH for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the noodles are tender but not mushy. The gravy should be thick, creamy, and clinging to the noodles and shreds of beef.

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed with a pinch of salt and black pepper, then serve the beef and noodles hot straight from the slow cooker.

For a deeper beef flavor, you can choose a can of condensed cream of mushroom with roasted garlic or beef stock added, as long as you keep the total ingredient count at four. If your family likes extra gravy, add a third can of cream of mushroom soup and a splash of water or beef broth; this stretches the dish nicely for a crowd. To make shredding easier and boost flavor, sear the roast in a hot skillet for a few minutes per side before adding it to the slow cooker, though it’s not necessary for a tender result. If you prefer a stronger onion flavor, use a beefy onion soup mix instead of regular onion. For those watching salt, choose low-sodium soup and a reduced-sodium onion soup mix, then season at the end to taste. Leftovers reheat well on the stovetop over low heat; stir in a spoonful of water or milk to loosen the sauce as it warms. You can also serve the beef and noodles over mashed potatoes or rice when you need to stretch a smaller roast into more servings, a trick many farm wives have used for years to make sure everyone leaves the table satisfied.