This slow cooker 5-ingredient Amish ground beef noodles recipe is the kind of humble, hearty supper that fills the house with comfort and brings everybody to the table fast. With simple pantry staples, tender egg noodles, and savory ground beef in a rich buttery gravy, it has that old-fashioned farmhouse feel that makes a weeknight meal taste like something special without a lot of fuss.
Serve this cozy noodle dish with buttered green beans, sweet corn, or a simple side salad to balance the richness. Warm dinner rolls, applesauce, or even a scoop of mashed potatoes alongside can make it feel extra homey, and for a little brightness, a few dill pickles on the side are surprisingly good too.
Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Amish Ground Beef Noodles
Servings: 6
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 packet brown gravy mix
4 cups beef broth
4 tablespoons butter
12 ounces wide egg noodles
Directions
1. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked, breaking it up into small crumbles as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.
2. Transfer the cooked ground beef to the slow cooker. Sprinkle in the brown gravy mix, pour in the beef broth, and add the butter. Stir everything together.
3. Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours so the flavors blend together and the broth becomes rich and savory.
4. Stir in the egg noodles, making sure they are mostly submerged in the liquid. Cover again and cook on low for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the noodles are tender. Stir once halfway through if needed.
5. Give the noodles a final stir and serve hot once the sauce has thickened slightly and the noodles are coated in the buttery beef gravy.
Variations & Tips
For extra flavor: Add a little black pepper, onion powder, or garlic powder when browning the beef if you want a bit more seasoning while still keeping that old-fashioned taste.
Make it creamier: Stir in a spoonful of sour cream or a splash of heavy cream at the end for a softer, richer sauce that picky eaters often really enjoy.
Add vegetables: Frozen peas or mushrooms can be stirred in near the end of cooking for a fuller one-pot meal without much extra work.
Noodle tip: Keep an eye on the noodles during the final cooking time since slow cookers can vary. If they soak up too much liquid, add a small splash of extra broth until the texture is just right.
Make-ahead helper: Brown the beef the night before and refrigerate it, so in the morning you can simply add everything to the slow cooker and get supper started faster.