Tuscan Beef Casserole Delight

This Tuscan Beef Casserole is a hearty, comforting dish perfect for family dinners or meal prep. Tender chunks of stewing beef—or flavorful ground beef—slow-cooked with onions, garlic, carrots, celery, mushrooms, and cannellini beans simmer in a rich tomato-and-stock broth spiked with balsamic vinegar and tomato paste. Fragrant thyme and dried herbs add an aromatic depth, while a cornstarch slurry thickens the sauce into a luscious gravy. Serve it with crusty bread, creamy mash, or polenta. Made on the stovetop, Instant Pot, or slow cooker, it’s flexible, satisfying, and packed with rustic Tuscan flavors. 

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• Protein & Vegetables
  
  

  • 600 g (≈1.3 lb) lean stewing beef (or chuck), cubed

  • 1 large onion, finely chopped

  • 3 garlic cloves, crushed

  • 2 stalks celery, chopped

  • 2 large carrots, chopped

  • 4 large mushrooms, sliced
    
    

• Canned & Broth

  • 400 g (14 oz) diced tomatoes

  • 360 ml (1½ cups) beef stock (or 240 ml for Instant Pot)

  • 440 g (15½ oz) can cannellini or butter beans
    
    

• Flavorings

  • 1 Tbsp tomato paste

  • Pinch dried mixed herbs

  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme

  • ½ tsp onion powder

  • 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

  • Salt & pepper, to taste
    
    

• Thickener

  • 1½ Tbsp cornstarch, mixed with a little water

• Finish & Garnish

  • Fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Stovetop Method:

1. Brown beef in a deep pot over medium-high heat; set aside.

2. In the same pot, sauté onion, garlic, celery, and carrots until softened.

3. Deglaze with balsamic vinegar and a splash of stock, scraping up any browned bits.

4. Return beef, add mushrooms, tomatoes, tomato paste, herbs, thyme, onion powder, and stock.

5. Bring to a boil, then simmer, covered, for ~1h45 until beef is tender.

6. Stir in beans during the last 20 min.

7. Add cornstarch slurry, cook until gravy thickens. Season and garnish with parsley.

Instant Pot:
Use sauté to brown beef and veggies; add all but beans and cornstarch, cook on high pressure for 25 min, natural‐release 10 min. Add beans, thickener, then sauté until thick.

Slow Cooker:
Brown beef/veggies, transfer to slow cooker with other ingredients except beans and cornstarch. Cook low 8 hrs. Add beans & cornstarch in final hour.

Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):

Calories: 374 kcal
Total Fat: 7.1 g
Saturated Fat: 2.9 g
Cholesterol: 95 mg
Sodium: 543 mg
Total Carbohydrates: 34.3 g
Dietary Fiber: 10.8 g
Sugars: 8.4 g
Protein: 43.6 g