Everything I grew up loving about Sunday pot roast but in a soup version. Hearty yet light; this soup is a family favorite!
At least once a month growing up Dad made his famous Red Beef Soup. In the wintertime, this was made every week. It made a TON, it was inexpensive and it was just damn good.
It took me years to figure out how to replicate this as like most in my generation our parents and grandparents wrote nothing down recipe-wise. And the stuff that was written down usually called for “a hint of this” or “a smidge of that”. Or my mom would write “carrots, onions, meat, and canned goods” and that was the ENTIRE recipe. Wait, what?
So while I was home sick for those 6 weeks I wanted comfort food. Even though my parents have been gone well over 20+ years I wanted them here. I had sent Mr. Fantabulous off to the store with a list of stuff to make this soup. The thing is I had to go from taste memory as like I said, nothing was written down. Over the years I tried countless times to replicate his soup but was never quite there. It was always missing something.
As I stood there assembling it I tasted the cold broth (pre-cooking it) and it still was missing that one thing. It wasn’t until I added the Worcestershire (you know that word I can’t say and can’t spell without the help of Google or Word!) that it came together.
Now I made this in the crock pot but you could most certainly make it in a large covered soup pot on the stovetop for a good 2-3 hours or until the meat was done. But I wasn’t feeling well and just wanted to rest so the crockpot won out. Hours later the smell of this cooking woke me up. I must have been in a super deep sleep as when I woke up I, for a minute, thought I was in my childhood house and that Dad was out in the kitchen cooking.
As I wandered out to the kitchen I realized I was in my house and that Dad would not be out in the kitchen. It got me pretty down as, like I said, I was missing my parents. It’s funny no matter how old we are, when we’re sick nothing beats being comforted by your parents (or for me, Mr. Fantabulous.. he gives THE BEST hugs!).
Now Mr. Fantabulous about the same day was coming up from downstairs all covered in construction dust sniffing the air. He immediately asked what I was cooking and more importantly, was it ready. As I took the lid off of the crockpot that old familiar smell hit me. I knew, without tasting it, I recreated his recipe. Immediately I started to smile.
As I prepped the rest of the meal I couldn’t help but smile as I knew… I just knew.
I dug my spoon in and took a big spoonful. Honestly folks it brought tears to my eyes (as it’s doing right now as I type this up… you know I’m a huge sap with sentimental stuff). It wasn’t so much that the soup was truly amazing (because it was) but the fact, at that moment in time when I really wanted my Dad I had him there with me.
I know it may sound corny but food is such a huge part of my life. Yes because of TKW but also because of the memories it carries with it. I was transcended back to my childhood where I would sit at the kitchen table coloring while Dad made this soup.
Dad would be there in his pajama bottoms, slippers, and a white t-shirt. His intense blue eyes just lit up his face as he smiled. His belly laugh echoed through the house as he would carry on or sing silly songs to me. Mom would come into the kitchen with her curlers in her hair and her head covered by a babushka as she just ‘set it’.
He’d grab her and just twirl her around the kitchen. Now once you got my Mom laughing she would just lose it. I inherited that trait from her. Once you make me start to laugh hard I’m done.
Once dinner was ready they’d make 2 types of noodles – the wide egg noodles and the smaller ones. I’d go through spouts of liking one better than the other; still do to this day. This soup just holds such a big part in my heart. It’s such a huge part of my childhood and my memories.
What was awesome though as Mr. Fantabulous must have been watching me eat this and get lost in my memories. He reached over and wiped the tears from my cheeks and just squeezed my hand. Apparently, he did this a few times and I never knew it. He knew me and knew I was in a place that just made me so happy.
So as we sat there and ate the soup I talked more about my childhood, my dad, and just some of my memories. I tell Mr. Fantabulous that if my Dad were still alive he would be here, living with his. That they would be best friends. I see so much of my father in my husband that it’s uncanny. They are always putzing around, tinkering, and fixing something (even when it’s not broken). They get those full belly laughs and give the most amazing hugs. When I was little my Dad was my protector; he was the one that I knew would keep me safe from the monsters under my bed.
My husband now does that. He is my protector, my best friend, and the one that I know would scare away all of the monsters from under the bed. That is… long as it’s not a spider-type monster. Then he’ll just set the house on fire!
PrintDad’s Red Beef Soup
Everything I grew up loving about Sunday pot roast but in a soup version. Hearty yet light; this soup is a family favorite
Ingredients
- 1 yellow onion, cut into small pieces
- 2 stalks of celery cut in small chunks, including the leaves
- 4 carrots, cut into 1/2” rounds
- 3lbs boneless beef roast
- 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 4 cups beef stock
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon basil
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon parsley
- 2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 10 Fresh basil leaves
- 1 lb wide egg noodles plus 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Layer onions, celery, garlic, and carrots on the bottom of your 5qrt crock pot bowl. Season roast with salt and pepper and place on top of vegetables in cooker. In a bowl mix together the beef stock, basil, oregano, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and half of the crushed tomatoes.
- Pour the mixture over top of the roast. *Note the liquid should only come up no more than 1/2-2/3rds the way up the roast. You do not want it submerged in the liquid. Take the remaining crushed tomatoes and spread them out on top of the roast. Place the fresh basil leaves in the crushed tomatoes. Cover and cook on LOW for 9-10 hours.
- When the roast has 25 minutes left of cooking time bring 6 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. Add in 1 1/2 teaspoon salt and egg noodles and cook until done per the package instructions. When done, drain and set aside.
- When the roast is done, it will just fall apart so it’s best to use 2 large slotted serving spoons or spatulas to remove. Allow to rest for 5 minutes on a serving platter. Remove the potatoes (if using) to the platter. Skim any fat off of the top and discard. Pour the liquid and veggies into a large pot and place over medium-low heat. Take the beef and lightly shred it on the platter. Add the shredded beef to the soup pot (all as little or as much as you want back into the broth) Taste for salt and pepper.
- Cook for just a few minutes until warmed through. In a soup bowl add your egg noodles and then using a ladle, add your soup mixture over top.
Notes
Optional add-ins:
6-8 medium sized potatoes
Add these to the crock pot when you assemble the recipe on top of the roast.
When serving just rough cut up the potatoes
I personally use this Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker! I love it! 6qrt Slow Cooker
If you want an all-in one crock pot, go with this one from All-Clad! I love mine! All-Clad Cast Aluminum Insert 4qrt Slow Cooker
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