Mary Berry Beef Casserole

Mary Berry Beef Casserole

This one brings back memories of a snowy Tuesday when the boiler was acting up, and I needed somethingโ€”anythingโ€”to warm the bones. I had a pack of braising beef in the fridge, a few tins of beans, and no real plan. But once that beef hit the pan and the kitchen started smelling of paprika and garlic? I knew I was onto something.

The first time, I forgot to drain the beans before reheatingโ€”ended up with a bit of a soup situation. Not tragic, justโ€ฆ sloppy. But once I nailed the cook time, and got the ratio of beef to stock just right, it turned into a rich, spoon-coating casserole that we now call โ€œthat miracle beef bakeโ€ in my house. Bonus: it makes your kitchen smell like youโ€™ve been cooking for hoursโ€”even if you havenโ€™t.

A FEW REASONS THIS JUST WORKS

Thereโ€™s nothing fancy here. Just solid, warming, weekday-saving comfort food. Hereโ€™s what makes this one a keeper:

  • Braising beef โ€“ Slow-cooked to fall-apart tender without the fuss.
  • Paprika + cumin โ€“ Adds gentle spice and that deep, smoky base.
  • Chopped tomatoes + purรฉe โ€“ Keeps the sauce rich without drowning the beef.
  • Black-eyed beans โ€“ Stirred in at the end, they add creamy texture and a bit of bulk.

Itโ€™s the casserole you make once and crave again by Friday.

INGREDIENTS + WHY THEY MATTER

  • Olive oil (2 tbsp) โ€“ For browning. You need the heat without burning.
  • Braising beef (1 kg) โ€“ It loves a long cookโ€”becomes beautifully soft and rich.
  • Red onions (2) โ€“ Slightly sweeter than white; they melt into the sauce.
  • Green pepper (1) โ€“ Adds bite and freshness.
  • Garlic (3 cloves) โ€“ Bold and warming.
  • Fresh green chillies (1โ€“2) โ€“ Add kick without overpoweringโ€”adjust to taste.
  • Cumin (1 tbsp) โ€“ Earthy and grounding.
  • Sweet smoked paprika (2 tsp) โ€“ For that mellow, smoky depth.
  • Chopped tomatoes (400 g tin) โ€“ Base of the sauce. Use good-quality ones.
  • Beef stock (350 ml) โ€“ The better the stock, the better the sauce.
  • Tomato purรฉe (1 tbsp) โ€“ Intensifies the tomato flavour.
  • Light muscovado sugar (ยฝ tsp) โ€“ Balances acidity with a hint of sweetness.
  • Black-eyed beans (2 x 400 g tins) โ€“ Added at the end so they stay firm.
  • Salt + black pepper โ€“ Always season in layers.

MAKING IT YOURS (WITHOUT RUINING IT)

  • More heat? Add an extra chilli or a pinch of cayenne.
  • No beef stock? Chicken stock works in a pinch.
  • Meat-free version? Swap beef for chestnut mushrooms and chickpeasโ€”still hearty.
  • Gluten-free? This oneโ€™s naturally GFโ€”just check your stock.

MISTAKES Iโ€™VE MADE (AND HOW TO AVOID THEM)

What Went WrongWhy It HappensHow to Fix It
Beef turned chewyDidnโ€™t cook it long enoughStick to the full 1ยฝโ€“2 hoursโ€”low and slow wins
Sauce too thinUsed too much stockKeep an eye mid-bakeโ€”add only if it needs it
Beans went mushyAdded too earlyStir them in 30 mins before the end
Bland flavourDidnโ€™t brown meat or seasonSalt early and brown in batches for flavour

HOW TO MAKE MARY BERRYโ€™S BEEF CASSEROLE

Preheat the Oven
160ยฐC (140ยฐC fan) / Gas 3.

Brown the Beef
In a large ovenproof pan, heat olive oil. Brown beef in batches over high heat until golden. Set aside.

Cook the Vegetables
In the same pan, soften the onions, pepper, garlic, and chillies for 3โ€“4 mins. Add cumin and paprika, and cook for 30 seconds.

Build the Sauce
Stir in chopped tomatoes, stock, tomato purรฉe, and muscovado sugar. Bring to a gentle boil. Season with salt and pepper.

Bake
Return beef to the pan. Cover and bake for 1ยฝโ€“2 hours. Stir in the drained black-eyed beans 30 mins before the end.

Rest and Serve
Let it sit for 10 minutes before serving. Trust meโ€”itโ€™s worth the wait.

TIPS FROM MY KITCHEN

  • I use a cast iron potโ€”it holds the heat better and cooks evenly.
  • If my beans are extra soft, I add them in the last 15 minutes instead of 30.
  • I always serve this with crusty bread or mashed potatoesโ€”got to mop up that sauce.
  • I throw in a handful of chopped fresh parsley before serving for a bit of brightness.

STORAGE + SERVING

  • Fridge: Keeps for 3 days, tightly sealed.
  • Freezer: Freeze in portions for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight.
  • Reheat: Gently on the hob or in the oven at 160ยฐC until piping hot.
  • Serve with: Crusty sourdough, buttery mash, or rice.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Can I make this in advance?
A: Absolutelyโ€”it actually tastes better the next day.

Q: Can I use a slow cooker?
A: Yes! Brown the meat and veg first, then cook on low for 6โ€“7 hours.

Q: What cut of beef is best?
A: Braising steak or chuck are idealโ€”budget-friendly and melt-in-your-mouth after slow cooking.

Q: Can I skip the sugar?
A: You can, but it really helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes.

Try More Recipes:

Mary Berry Beef Casserole

Course: DinnerCuisine: BritishDifficulty: Easy
Servings

6

servings
Prep time

20

minutes
Cooking time

2

hours 
Calories

782

kcal

Rich, warming, and full of tender beef, this casserole is layered with smoky spices, slow-cooked onions, and black-eyed beans for a hearty, filling dish youโ€™ll crave all winter long.

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 kg braising beef, cut into 2 cm cubes

  • 2 red onions, sliced

  • 1 green pepper, diced

  • 3 garlic cloves, crushed

  • 1โ€“2 green chillies, finely chopped

  • 1 tbsp cumin

  • 2 tsp sweet smoked paprika

  • 400 g chopped tomatoes

  • 350 ml beef stock

  • 1 tbsp tomato purรฉe

  • ยฝ tsp light muscovado sugar

  • 2 x 400 g tins black-eyed beans (drained)

  • Salt and black pepper

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 160ยฐC. Brown beef in oil in batches. Set aside.
  • Soften onions, pepper, garlic, and chillies. Add cumin and paprika.
  • Stir in tomatoes, stock, purรฉe, sugar. Season.
  • Return beef to the pan, cover, and bake for 1ยฝโ€“2 hrs.
  • Add beans 30 mins before end. Rest before serving.

Notes

  • Brown meat in batches for best flavour.
  • Add more stock mid-bake if it looks dry.
  • Let it sit before servingโ€”it thickens and deepens in flavour.
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