Mary Berry’s Heartwarming Beef Casserole Recipe for Cozy Nights

When chilly evenings call for comforting meals, this Mary Berry beef casserole recipe emerges as a hearty solution that warms both body and soul.

Tender chunks of beef melt into a rich, savory sauce that promises deep, satisfying flavors.

Slow-cooked to perfection, the dish showcases classic British culinary expertise with minimal effort.

Each spoonful brings layers of robust ingredients melding together in a delightful symphony of taste.

The recipe transforms simple beef into an extraordinary meal that feels like a warm embrace.

Packed with nutritious vegetables and aromatic herbs, this casserole turns an ordinary dinner into a memorable dining experience.

You’ll want to savor every delicious bite of this classic comfort food.

Why Mary Berry Beef Casserole Is a Comfort Classic

• Mary Berry's beef casserole breaks down complex cooking steps into easy, manageable stages that even novice home cooks can follow confidently.
• The recipe combines multiple ingredients like white wine, Worcestershire sauce, and horseradish cream to create a deeply complex and satisfying taste profile that elevates standard beef dishes.
• This hearty casserole delivers warm, robust flavors ideal for gathering family and friends around the dinner table, providing a comforting meal that feels like a culinary hug.
• Adaptable for various occasions from weeknight dinners to weekend gatherings, this casserole pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.

What You Need for Mary Berry’s Beef Casserole

• Beef: A rich, hearty meat that provides the core flavor and substance of the casserole.

• Onions, Garlic: These ingredients create a deep, flavorful foundation for the casserole and enhance the overall taste profile.

• White Wine, Beef Stock: These liquids add depth and complexity to the sauce.
• Flour: Helps to thicken the sauce and create a smooth, rich consistency.

• Worcestershire Sauce, Sugar: Adds a balance of tangy and sweet notes to the dish.
• Dijon Mustard, Horseradish Sauce: Provide a sharp, zesty kick to the casserole.

• Double Cream: Adds richness and a luxurious texture to the sauce.

• Sunflower Oil: Used for browning the meat and sautéing vegetables.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall flavor.

• Mushrooms: Adds an earthy flavor and additional texture to the casserole.
• Parsley: Provides a fresh, bright garnish to finish the dish.

Tools That Make Beef Casserole Simple

• Deep Pan: Essential for browning beef and sautéing onions, this sturdy pan will be your main cooking vessel.
• Slotted Spoon: Perfect for removing browned beef without excess oil, allowing precise ingredient transfer.
• Whisk: Crucial for creating smooth flour and wine mixture, ensuring no lumps in the sauce.
• Mixing Bowl: Needed for whisking wine-flour combination and preparing the final cream mixture.
• Wooden Spoon: Great for stirring ingredients and scraping caramelized bits from pan bottom.
• Lid: Covers the pan during simmering, trapping heat and moisture for tender beef.
• Sharp Knife: Used for chopping parsley and preparing ingredients before cooking.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Helps measure wine, stock, and seasonings accurately.

Step-by-Step Mary Berry Beef Casserole Method

Step 1: Brown the Beef

Heat sunflower oil in a deep pan over high heat.

Cook beef in batches until golden brown and sealed, ensuring each piece develops a rich caramelized exterior.

Remove browned beef with a slotted spoon and set aside.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Base

Add remaining oil to the same pan.

Introduce onions and garlic, carefully scraping up caramelized bits from the bottom.

Fry over medium-high heat until vegetables become soft and translucent.

Step 3: Create Wine and Flour Liaison

In a separate bowl, whisk white wine and flour until achieving a smooth, lump-free consistency.

Ensure complete integration of liquid and dry ingredients.

Step 4: Build Flavor Foundation

Return browned beef to the pan.

Pour in beef stock and wine-flour mixture.

Bring contents to a boil, stirring until sauce thickens.

• Worcestershire sauce
• Sugar
• Salt
• Pepper

Cover with lid and simmer on low heat for two hours, stirring periodically.

Step 5: Introduce Mushrooms

After initial cooking period, add mushrooms to the casserole.

Return to boil, cover, and continue simmering for an additional 30 minutes until meat becomes incredibly tender.

Step 6: Finish with Creamy Elegance

• Dijon mustard
• Horseradish sauce
• Double cream

Gently stir this mixture into the casserole.

Sprinkle chopped parsley as a fresh garnish before serving.

Tips for Mary Berry-Style Beef Casserole Perfection

• Pat meat dry with paper towels before searing to ensure a deep golden-brown crust and maximum flavor development.
• Choose chuck or braising steak for maximum tenderness, as these cuts become wonderfully soft during slow cooking.
• Use a dry white wine like sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio to enhance the sauce's depth without overpowering the beef's rich taste.
• Slice mushrooms uniformly to ensure even cooking and prevent some pieces from becoming mushy while others remain undercooked.
• Temper the cream mixture by adding a small amount of hot casserole liquid before stirring into the entire dish, preventing potential curdling.

Tasty Variations for Mary Berry Beef Casserole

• Lamb Lover's Casserole: Replace beef with tender lamb shoulder, maintaining the same cooking technique and wine-flour mixture for a rich, gamey flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Comfort Bowl: Swap beef with hearty mushrooms or jackfruit, using vegetable stock instead of beef stock, keeping the original wine and spice balance.
• Low-Carb Keto Edition: Substitute flour with xanthan gum for thickening, use extra heavy cream, and ensure all ingredients align with ketogenic macronutrient requirements.
• Gluten-Free Friendly Version: Use gluten-free flour or cornstarch as a thickener, verify all ingredients are certified gluten-free, and maintain the original casserole's depth of flavor.

Serving Mary Berry Beef Casserole for Family Dinners

• Rustic Comfort Plating: Serve this hearty beef casserole in deep ceramic bowls that showcase its rich, glossy texture. Pair with a generous scoop of creamy mashed potatoes nestled right beside the tender beef.
• Flavor Companions: Complement the robust casserole with crusty French bread or herbed ciabatta to soak up the delectable sauce. Crisp green beans or roasted seasonal vegetables make perfect side partners.
• Wine Pairing Magic: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Pinot Noir or Côtes du Rhône that mirrors the casserole's deep, complex flavors. The wine's subtle tannins will beautifully enhance the beef's richness.

Storing Beef Casserole and Leftovers

• Store leftover beef casserole in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, it will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled casserole to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Place individual portions in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.

FAQs

• What type of beef works best for this casserole?

Chuck or braising steak are ideal as they have more fat and become tender during slow cooking, breaking down beautifully and creating rich, melt-in-your-mouth meat.

• Can I substitute white wine with another liquid?

Yes, you can use chicken or beef stock, or even apple cider as an alternative. Each will slightly modify the flavor profile but will still produce a delicious casserole.

• Why do I need to brown the meat before slow cooking?

Browning creates a caramelized exterior that locks in flavor and develops a deeper, more complex taste through the Maillard reaction, which enhances the overall richness of the dish.

Mary Berry Beef Casserole Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Mary Berry’s classic beef casserole delivers rich, hearty comfort straight from British kitchens. Slow-cooked beef, tender vegetables, and robust herbs create a warming meal perfect for family dinners.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) braising beef, diced
• 3 large onions, roughly chopped
• 500 g (1.1 lbs) chestnut mushrooms, halved
• 6 garlic cloves, crushed

Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 300 ml (10.1 fl oz) white wine
• 300 ml (10.1 fl oz) beef stock
• 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 3 tablespoons creamed horseradish sauce
• 34 tablespoons (2.125 cups) double cream
• 1 tablespoon light muscovado sugar
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Cooking Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons sunflower oil
• 50 g (1.8 oz) plain flour
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, to garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare a deep pan and heat sunflower oil over high temperature. Brown the beef in multiple batches for approximately 5 minutes until achieving a golden exterior, ensuring each piece is sealed and caramelized. Transfer browned meat to a separate plate.
2. Using the identical pan, reduce heat to medium-high and sauté onions and garlic. Scrape residual caramelized fragments from pan bottom, cooking vegetables until they turn translucent and soft, approximately 5 minutes.
3. Create a smooth wine-flour mixture by whisking white wine with flour in a separate bowl. Ensure no lumps remain and thoroughly incorporate remaining wine.
4. Reintroduce browned beef into the pan. Pour beef stock and wine-flour mixture, bringing contents to a boil while continuously stirring until sauce thickens. Incorporate Worcestershire sauce, sugar, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 2 hours, occasionally stirring to prevent sticking.
5. After 2 hours, introduce mushrooms into the casserole. Return mixture to boiling point, then reduce heat, cover, and continue simmering for an additional 30 minutes until meat becomes exceptionally tender.
6. Prepare a complementary cream sauce by blending Dijon mustard, horseradish sauce, and double cream in a separate bowl. Gently fold this mixture into the casserole, creating a rich, creamy texture. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

• Meat Selection Choose well-marbled beef chuck or braising steak for maximum tenderness and rich flavor, which breaks down beautifully during slow cooking.
• Browning Technique Pat beef dry before searing to ensure a perfect golden-brown crust, developing deep caramelized flavors that enhance the overall dish’s complexity.
• Wine Substitution Replace white wine with beef broth or apple cider for a non-alcoholic version that maintains the recipe’s depth and richness.
• Low and Slow Cooking Maintain a gentle, consistent low temperature during simmering to guarantee melt-in-your-mouth beef and prevent tough, chewy meat texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 45 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg