Description

This Summer Beef Casserole is a sunshine-inspired twist on traditional beef stew—slow-cooked until melt-in-your-mouth tender, then finished with crisp bell peppers, zucchini, and a savory sprinkle of parmesan. It’s hearty yet vibrant, ideal for warmer days when you still crave comfort food.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
600g (1.3 lbs) braising beef, cut into chunks
2 tablespoons plain (all-purpose) flour
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
330ml (11 oz) Guinness or other ale
360ml (1½ cups) beef stock
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 small courgette/zucchini, chopped into chunks
3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

To serve:
Freshly chopped parsley
¼ red onion, thinly sliced
Cooked couscous (spicy varieties work great)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 160°C (325°F fan). Heat the olive oil in a heavy-based, oven-safe pot.
In a bowl, toss beef chunks with flour, salt, and pepper. Brown the beef in the hot oil for 6–8 minutes until well-seared on all sides.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute. Pour in the Guinness and beef stock, stirring to combine. Bring to a boil.
Cover the pot with a lid and transfer to the oven. Cook for 3 hours, checking once per hour and adding a splash of water if it becomes too dry.
After 3 hours, stir in the chopped red and green bell peppers and zucchini. Cover again and return to the oven for 5 more minutes—just enough to heat the vegetables without softening them completely.
Serve hot, topped with grated parmesan, chopped parsley, and red onion slices. Pair with a side of cooked couscous.

Notes

Use Guinness or your favorite ale to deepen flavor, but beef broth alone also works well.
For a lighter variation, swap parmesan with crumbled feta or skip the cheese entirely.
Best enjoyed freshly made, but leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooking / Oven-Baked
Cuisine: European / British-Inspired