Beef and Potato Bake

This beef and potato bake is always a big hit. It’s a great recipe to try if you’re looking for an easy and delicious chuck roast recipe the whole family is sure to enjoy.

If you love trying new easy recipes, how about making 20-minute chicken flatbread pizza, one-pot pasta, or this Instant Pot mac and cheese?

Why You’ll Love It                     

So easy to make: This beef and potato one pot meal is really easy. It’s based on meat and potatoes meaning it appeals to pretty much everyone.
Great flavors: Everything from the falling-apart-tender meat to the sweet carrots that round out the dish and add nutrients are so good. And then there is the layered potato topping, which is amazing.
A one-pot meal: There are 3 cooking methods used in this easy beef and potato bake. And those are sautéing on the stove, oven baking and finally broiling. But you’re still only using one pan for this chuck roast recipe, so you have less washing up!
An economical choice: Stewing beef is a relatively cheap cut to buy, and the other ingredients are inexpensive as well.

Lancashire Beef Hotpot Ingredients

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Chuck roast: A nice cut of beef for slow cooking. Leave the fat on or remove it if you prefer.
Garlic: Feel free to add extra if you’re a garlic lover!
Vegetables: Onion, carrots and potatoes add flavor and texture to the dish, and make it healthier.
Red wine: For a vibrant depth of flavor.
Beef broth: Makes the sauce so rich and meaty.
Fresh herbs: Rosemary, thyme and bay leaves add delicate herby notes to the flavor.
Flour: To thicken up the sauce.

How to Make Beef and Potato Cowboy Hotpot

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Brown the beef: Brown the meat in an oven-safe pan and remove it.
Sauté the vegetables: Add the vegetables to the same pan and cook in a little butter. Add more oil too if needed. Add the garlic and flour and then the red wine, beef stock or beef broth, meat, and seasonings. Grind in regular or seasoned salt and black pepper.
Add the potatoes on top: Arrange the thinly sliced potatoes on top and add butter on top of those.
Bake in the oven: Cover the pot and put it in the oven for an hour, then remove the lid and cook uncovered for another half an hour.
Broil to brown the topping: Broil for a few minutes until the potatoes are golden brown.

Substitutions and Variations

Gluten-free option: If you want a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour for thickening and check your beef broth is free from gluten.
Chuck roast: For the beef I’d recommend stewing type cuts which do well with long, slow cooking. So consider chuck roast or beef leg roast, flank roast or skirt steak. Another idea is using ground beef.
Red wine: Use white wine or even rose wine if that’s all you have. Or use extra beef broth if you don’t want to add any wine.
Vegetables: Parsnips, turnips or rutabaga are other options. Or you could add mushrooms or even cabbage.
Potatoes: Sweeten the dish a little by using half regular potatoes and half sweet potatoes. Also, if you’re pressed for time you can use mashed potatoes instead of sliced.
Seasonings: Add some paprika or red pepper flakes if you like. A spoonful of tomato paste would add a complementary flavor.
Add cheese on top: You can add cheese on top before broiling, for another flavor.

Serving Suggestions

Side dishes: Although this is a meal-in-one, you still might want side dishes, so consider roasted acorn squash, crack green beans or a lemon and parmesan chopped salad. Homemade soda bread or another kind of crusty bread would be absolutely delicious too.
Desserts: Finish your meal with coconut cream pie or cornflake cookies.

How to Store Beef Stew with Potato Topping

Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 3 days.
Freeze: Freeze beef and potato bake for up to 2 months.
Thaw: Defrost it overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat: Reheat it in the oven or in the microwave.