Pour apple cider over raw beef chunks, together with 4 basic additions, into slow cooker for a cozy weekend dinner that I crave week after week

This slow cooker Amish-inspired apple cider beef noodles recipe is my idea of a perfect cozy weekend dinner: minimal effort, big comfort. You literally pour apple cider over raw beef chunks, add four basic pantry staples, and let the slow cooker do all the work while you run errands, hang with the kids, or just catch up on laundry. The apple cider gives the beef a slightly sweet, tangy depth that tastes like something your grandma simmered all day on the stove, but it’s totally weeknight-friendly. It’s based on the simple, no-fuss beef and noodle dishes you see in Amish country, just streamlined down to six ingredients so it fits real-life schedules.

Serve these apple cider beef noodles in deep bowls with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or cracked black pepper on top. I like to add a simple green side, like steamed green beans, roasted Brussels sprouts, or a tossed salad with a sharp vinaigrette to balance the richness. Warm dinner rolls or buttered bread are great for soaking up the extra cider-beef gravy. If you want to stretch the meal a bit further, spoon the noodles over a bed of mashed potatoes or alongside roasted carrots for a true Midwestern-style comfort plate.

Servings: 6

2 1/2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks

Place the slow cooker crock on a sturdy, flat surface like a butcher block or countertop. Add the beef chuck chunks directly into the slow cooker in an even layer.

Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix evenly over the raw beef chunks so it lightly coats the top.

In a large measuring cup or bowl, whisk together the apple cider and soy sauce until combined. Carefully pour the apple cider mixture over the raw beef chunks in the slow cooker, making sure most of the beef is submerged in the liquid.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours, or on HIGH for 3 1/2 to 4 hours, until the beef is very tender and easily shreds with a fork.

About 30 minutes before you want to eat, use a ladle to scoop about 1/2 cup of the hot cooking liquid from the slow cooker into a small bowl. Whisk the cornstarch into the hot liquid until completely smooth with no lumps.

Stir the cornstarch mixture back into the slow cooker, mixing well into the apple cider beef broth. Add the uncooked egg noodles, pressing them gently down into the liquid and beef so they’re mostly covered.

Cover and cook on HIGH for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the noodles are tender and the sauce has thickened into a light gravy that coats the beef and noodles.

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed (you may not need extra salt because of the soup mix and soy sauce). Serve the apple cider beef noodles hot in bowls, making sure to spoon plenty of the cider gravy over each serving.

For a richer flavor, sear the beef chunks in a hot skillet with a little oil until browned on all sides before adding them to the slow cooker, then proceed with pouring the apple cider mixture over the browned meat. If you like more savory and less sweet, use 2 1/2 cups apple cider plus 1/2 cup beef broth instead of all cider. You can also add sliced mushrooms or thick-cut onions on top of the beef before pouring in the cider for extra texture and flavor. To make it creamier, stir in 1/2 cup sour cream or heavy cream right after the noodles finish cooking. If you need this to be dairy-free, choose a dairy-free dry onion soup mix and skip any creamy add-ins. For meal prep, cook the beef and cider mixture the day before, chill it, then reheat in the slow cooker or on the stove and add the noodles just before serving so they stay perfectly tender.