Description

Crusty, golden, and packed with comforting flavor, this Beef Stew in Bread Bowls is the ultimate cozy dinner idea. Slow-simmered beef, tender potatoes, carrots, and aromatic herbs come together in a rich, savory broth — all served inside a warm, edible sourdough bread bowl. It’s the perfect cold-weather meal and a standout among easy dinner recipes, quick comfort food, or even fun food ideas for hosting. This easy recipe also makes a great weekend project, with hearty results you can enjoy all week. Whether you’re looking for a quick breakfast-style twist or a healthy snack to fill you up, this rustic dish has it all.

Ingredients

450g beef chuck roast, cubed

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons tomato paste

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

120ml red wine (optional)

700ml beef broth

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

2 bay leaves

1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh)

2 large carrots, sliced

300g baby potatoes, halved

Salt, to taste

Black pepper, to taste

4 sourdough bread bowls

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Sear the beef chunks in batches until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.

2. In the same pot, sauté the onion until golden. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.

3. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Add flour and stir until combined.

4. Deglaze with red wine (if using), scraping up any browned bits.

5. Pour in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Add bay leaves, thyme, and the seared beef. Bring to a simmer.

6. Cover and cook on low heat for 1.5 to 2 hours, until the beef is tender.

7. Add carrots and potatoes. Simmer uncovered for 30–40 minutes, until vegetables are soft and stew has thickened.

8. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Cut tops off bread bowls and hollow out centers.

9. Toast bread bowls in the oven for 10 minutes.

10. Remove bay leaves from the stew, taste, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

11. Ladle stew into toasted bread bowls and serve hot.

Notes

Use crusty, dense bread bowls like sourdough to avoid sogginess.

To save time, prep your vegetables while the beef is simmering.

Leftover stew can be frozen, but don’t freeze the bread bowls — use fresh when serving.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 filled bread bowl
Calories: 580
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 880mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 52g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 35g
Cholesterol: 95mg

Keywords: beef stew, bread bowl, hearty stew, comfort food, easy dinner