I have always been a big fan of onions. I’m pretty sure I get it from my mom! She puts onion in everything. And I’m ok with that! Saute, caramelized, raw – I’ll take them! I love using them in meals too. My French Onion Pork Chops have been a family favorite for awhile and for good reason! I’ve also done a French Onion chicken that is so, so good! This roast is just another way of getting more onions in our lives!

What is French Onion Roast

French Onion Roast is a classic comfort food dish that is perfect for chilly weather. The dish is made with beef roast, onions, and a variety of seasonings. 

The beef roast is cooked slowly in the slow cooker or Instant Pot, allowing the flavors of the onions and seasonings to infuse the meat. The result is a tender, flavorful roast that is sure to please even the pickiest eaters. Serve French Onion Roast with mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

French Onion Beef Roast Ingredients 

• Beef chuck roast– I use a beef chuck roast, but you could use prime rib roast, rump roast, or whole sirloin. 
• Olive oil– You will need oil for browning the roast. You can use any oil you prefer. 
• Beef stock– If you don’t have beef stock, you could use beef broth instead. Although stock gives a better flavor. 
• Onions– You can’t have onion roast beef without onions. I recommend using yellow onions because they become sweet and flavorful during the cooking process. 
• Onion soup mix– Onion soup mix is an easy way to add all the flavor to your meat without using individual spices. It’s a combination of paprika, minced onion, onion powder, celery seed, black pepper, bouillon, and parsley. 
• Red wine vinegar– If you don’t have red wine vinegar, you could also use white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar. 

How to Make French Onion Beef Roast in the Instant Pot

If you want to make your french onion roast beef quickly, you can use your Instant Pot! Follow the simple steps below. 

Step 1: Season the Roast

First, season the roast with salt and black pepper on each side. 

Step 2: Saute the Meat

Next, hit the saute button on your Instant Pot. Add the oil to the pressure cooker, and brown the roast on both sides. 

Step 3: Deglaze the Pot

Deglaze the bottom of the pot by adding the beef stock and scraping with a wooden spoon.

Step 4: Add the Ingredients

Place your roast in the beef stock and top it with onions, onion soup mix, and red wine vinegar. 

Step 5: Pressure Cook

Put the lid on  the electric pressure cooker and set the valve to “sealing.” Then, hit the “pressure cook” or “manual” and set the time for 1 hour. 

Step 6: Quick Release

When the cook cycle is completed, quickly release the pressure by flipping the pressure valve to the venting position. 

Serve the beef roast with the au jus and onions. Enjoy!

How to Make Roast Beef in the Slow Cooker

If you prefer to have your roast ready when you get home from work, you can put it in the slow cooker before you leave. Follow the steps below!

Step 1: Season the Roast 

First, season the roast with salt and black pepper on each side.

Step 2: Sear the Meat

Heat a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil to the skillet and brown the roast on both sides.

Step 3: Deglaze & Transfer

Deglaze the bottom of the skillet by adding the beef stock and scraping with a wooden spoon. Then, transfer the roast and the beef broth to the slow cooker.

Step 4: Add the Ingredients

Top the roast with the onions, onion soup mix, and red wine vinegar.

Step 5: Slow Cook

Cover your slow cooker with the lid, and put it on low. Allow the roast to cook for 8 hours. 

Serve the beef roast with the au jux and onions. 

Enjoy!

Side Dish Recommendations 

I recommend serving French Onion Roast with mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables for a complete meal. Here are some great recipes:

• Best Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
• Bacon Roasted Brussel Sprouts
• Quick Honey Roasted Carrots
• Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

What Cut of Beef Works Best for This Recipe?

French Onion Roast is a family favorite in my house. It’s easy to make and always comes out flavorful and moist. The key to a good French Onion Roast is to use the right cut of beef. I like to use a chuck roast for this recipe. Chuck roast is a flavorful, fatty cut of beef that gets more tender the longer it cooks. This makes it ideal for French Onion Roast, which is cooked slowly.

Additionally, rib roast or sirloin roast are good options as well. Rib roast has more fat, which means it will be more flavorful. However, it can also be tough if not cooked properly. Sirloin roast is slightly leaner, but it is also more tender. 

How Do You Keep Chuck Roast Moist? 

Chuck roast is a tough cut of meat that can be difficult to cook. If not cooked properly, it can be dry and tough. However, there are a few simple tips that can help to ensure a moist and tender chuck roast. 

First, it is important to choose the right cut of meat. Look for a roast that has marbling, which is fat interlaced with the muscle tissue. This will help to keep the roast juicy as it cooks. 

Second, make sure to sear the roast before cooking. This will help to lock in the juices and prevent the roast from drying out. 

Finally, cook the roast slowly, either in the Instant Pot or in a slow cooker. This will give the tough fibers time to break down, resulting in a tender and flavorful dish.

Do You Have to Brown a Roast Before Putting it in a Crock Pot? 

Generally speaking, you don’t need to brown meat before putting it in a crock pot. The slow cooking process will eventually break down the connective tissues and render the meat tender and juicy. That being said, browning does have some benefits. 

First of all, it helps to seal in the juices, which can make the final product more flavorful. Browning also gives the meat a nice color and texture that may be lacking if you skip this step. So, if you’re looking for optimal results, you may want to take the extra time to brown your meat before adding it to the crock pot.

French Onion Roast Beef

Yield: 1 roast

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 minute

Total Time: 1 minute

How to make a tender and juicy roast beef full of French Onion flavors!

Print

Ingredients

• 3 pound beef chuck roast
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 cup beef stock
• 2 onions, sliced
• 1 packet onion soup mix
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

Instructions

1.Heat the “saute” function until “hot.”
2.Season the roast with salt and black pepper on each side.
3.Add the oil to the electric pressure cooker and brown the roast on both sides.
4.Deglaze the bottom of the pot by adding the beef stock and scraping with a wooden spoon.
5.Top the roast with the onions, onion soup mix, and red wine vinegar.
6.Cover the electric pressure cooker and set the valve to “sealing.”
7.Program the electric pressure cooker using the “pressure cook” or “manual” function for 1 hour. When the cook cycle is completed, quick release the pressure.
8.Serve the beef roast with the au jux and onions.

Notes

Slow Cooker directions -

11. Heat a heavy skillet over medium-high heat.
10.Season the roast with salt and black pepper on each side.
11.Add the oil to the skillet and brown the roast on both sides.
12.Deglaze the bottom of the skillet by adding the beef stock and scraping with a wooden spoon.
13.Transfer the roast and the beef broth to the slow cooker.
14.Top the roast with the onions, onion soup mix, and red wine vinegar.
15.Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
16.Serve the beef roast with the au jux and onions.

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If you loved this recipe, we would love for you to leave a review to help others!

Other Beef Recipes to Try

• Stove Top Beef Stew
• Crock Pot Corned Beef
• Beef and Rice Casserole
• Instant Pot Mongolian Beef

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Using my slow cooker to be able to create a whole meal on a busy day is the best thing ever. You can prep everything before leaving and come home to a deliciously tender meal. These slow cooker cube steaks are no exception! With only a few minutes prep, you will be enjoying a hot and tender dinner in the evening.

What are Slow Cooker Cube Steaks

Slow Cooker Cube Steaks are a type of steak that is cut into small, square-shaped pieces. The name “cube steak” comes from the fact that the meat is cut into cubes, which helps it cook more evenly and quickly. Cube steaks are often used for dishes such as stews, stir-fries, or fajitas, as they are relatively lean and tenderize well when cooked slowly. 

One of the benefits of using a slow cooker to prepare cube steak is that it allows you to infuse the meat with flavor by cooking it in a variety of sauces or seasonings. Additionally, slow cookers help to tenderize the meat, making it more juicy and flavorful. 

Slow Cooker Cube Steak Ingredients 

You won’t need many ingredients for this easy recipe. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Cube steak: When shopping for cube steak, be sure to look for cuts that are not too thick or thin; otherwise, they may not cook evenly in the slow cooker.
• Garlic powder: Garlic powder is always a great seasoning for meats. It really brings out the flavors of the cube steak. 
• Salt & pepper: You’ll season the cube steaks on each side with salt and pepper. 
• Onion soup mix: This mix is packed with seasonings including onion flakes, beef bullion granules or paste, onion powder, parsley, celery seed, paprika, & black pepper.
• Brown gravy mix: The gravy makes these steaks nice and tender when mixed with the onion soup mix and cream of mushroom soup. 
• Cream of mushroom soup: Cream of mushroom soup adds a thick and creaminess to your sauce. 
• Water: You will need some water so that the gravy and soup mix are thinned to perfection. If you prefer, you could use beef broth for additional flavor. 

How to Make Cubed Steak in the Crock Pot 

All you have to do with crock pot cube steaks is season, and let the crock pot do the work! Follow the simple steps below. 

Step 1: Season the Steaks

Season the cube steaks with garlic powder, salt, and pepper on both sides. Then, set them to the side. 

Step 2: Make the Gravy

In a large bowl, mix the onion soup mix, cream of mushroom soup, brown gravy mix and water together until well combined. 

Step 3: Layer the Cube Steaks

Place ? of the soup mixture in the bottom of the slow cooker. Then, put 2 steaks on top. Cover the steaks with another ? of the soup mixture, and layer the remaining two steaks. 

Step 4: Cover in Sauce

Spoon the remaining soup mixture over the top 

Step 5: Cook

Cover your slow cooker with a lid and cook your cube steaks on low for 6 hours. 

Serve and Enjoy!

How to Make It in the Instant Pot

If you don’t have 6 hours to prepare your cubed steaks, you can make them just as tender in the Instant Pot. To make it in your Instant Pot, you will need to use 1 ½ cups of water and make a slurry after the meat is cooked. You’ll hit the manual or pressure cook button and set the time for 10-minutes. Or, you can follow this Instant Pot Cube Steak Recipe. 

Side Dish Recommendations 

Looking for a side dish to pair with these easy cube steaks? Some of our favorites are:

• Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
• Loaded Cauliflower Bake
• Quick Honey Roasted Carrots
• Instant Pot White Rice

Can I Use Homemade Mixes? 

Absolutely! If you prefer certain seasonings, you can use those instead. Just make sure that you add enough water to keep your cube steak moist and delicious. 

What Cut is Cube Steak?

Cube steak is a cut of beef that has been tenderized by running it through a mechanical tenderizer, also known as a cube steak machine. This process creates small indentations, or “cubes,” on the surface of the meat. As a result, cube steak is usually more tender than other cuts of beef and is well suited for dishes that require extended cooking times, such as stew or braised beef.

Can I Use Other Meat?

While it is sometimes sold as a cut of meat, cube steak can also be made at home by purchasing a less expensive cut of beef such as chuck steak or round steak and tenderizing it yourself. Either way, cube steak is an excellent option for those looking for a delicious and affordable way to enjoy beef.

Slow Cooker Cube Steak

Yield: 4 steaks

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 6 hours

Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes

Make tender and delicious cube steaks in your slow cooker!

Print

Ingredients

• 2 lbs cube steak, about 4 steaks
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 1 envelope dry onion soup mix
• 1 envelope brown gravy mix
• 2 cans cream of mushroom soup
• ½ cup water

Instructions

1. Season the steaks on both sides with garlic powder and salt & pepper, set aside 
2. In a large bowl mix the remaining ingredients until well combined 
3. Place ⅓ of the soup mixture in the bottom of the slow cooker 
4. Place 2 cube steaks on top of the mixture 
5. Cover the steaks with another ⅓ of the soup mixture 
6. Layer on the remaining 2 cube steaks 
7. Spoon the remaining soup mixture over the top 
8. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours 
9. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Instant Pot directions -

Season the steaks.

Place them in the Instant Pot on a trivet.

Cover with the soup ingredients.

Add 1 ½ cups of water.

Cook for 10 minutes.

Allow the pressure to naturally release.

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If you loved this recipe, we would love for you to leave a review to help others!

Other Slow Cooker Dinners to Try

Need other slow cooker dinners? We suggest:

• Crock Pot Roast Dinner
• Creamy Crock Pot Pork Chops
• Slow Cooker Whole Chicken
• Crock Pot Corned Beef

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Tacos are our favorite quick and easy dinner! My kids and husband both love them. Taco night is always the best night at our house. This taco casserole is a fun take on classic taco night. It takes the classic taco ingredients and bakes them underneath a cornbread crust. All you need is a side of homemade guacamole!

What is Taco Casserole?

Taco casserole is a dish made by layering taco ingredients in a casserole dish and baking them until they are hot and bubbly. It is a popular dish because it is easy to make and can be tailored to suit any taste. 

This taco casserole combines taco meat, cheese, beans and corn underneath a cornbread or tamale inspired topping. Some recipes include beans, rice, salsa, or sour cream, while others add ground beef or chicken. Taco casseroles are also a great way to use up leftovers, so feel free to experiment.

Easy Taco Casserole Ingredients

For this recipe, you’ll need ingredients for the filling and topping. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

Casserole Filling

• Beef– You will want to brown your ground beef. If you prefer a healthier dish, you could use ground turkey instead. 
• Garlic– I use fresh chopped garlic for this recipe which will be about 2 cloves minced. 
• Corn– I used frozen corn for this recipe, but you could use canned whole kernel corn. Just be sure to drain it. 
• Diced tomatoes– I used canned diced tomatoes, but you could use fresh if you prefer. 
• Seasonings– To get that taco seasoning, you’ll need chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and paprika. 

Cornbread Topping

• Flour– Do not pack the flour. Instead, use a spoon to scoop the flour into the measuring cup and then level it off with a butter knife. 
• Cornmeal– Cornmeal is what makes this a cornbread topping instead of a simple flour based topping. 
• Sugar– Unlike flour, you will pack the sugar. Use the measuring cup to scoop and pack it.
  Baking powder– You will need baking powder so that the topping rises. 
• Egg– Pull the egg out to sit on the counter for about 30-minutes prior to using in your cornbread. 
• Canola oil– I used canola oil, but you could use vegetable oil, olive oil, or avocado oil if you prefer. 
• Milk– You can use 2%, whole, or any milk that you prefer to use in making the cornbread topping. 

Additional Ingredient

• Taco Cheese– The best cheese to use for a casserole is Monterey Jack or Cheddar shredded cheese. 

How to Make Cheesy Taco Casserole 

This cheesy taco casserole is super easy to whip up. Follow the simple steps below for a quick and easy weeknight meal!

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

First, preheat the oven to 400?. Then, spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. 

Step 2: Simmer Ingredients

Add the beef, corn, garlic, diced tomatoes, water and seasonings to a skillet. Simmer them for 15-minutes, stirring often. 

Step 3: Pour into Dish

Once the mixture has thickened, pour the filling into the prepared casserole dish. Then, sprinkle evenly with taco cheese. 

Step 4: Make Cornbread Batter

In a large bowl, mix together all the cornbread topping ingredients (flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, egg, and milk). 

Step 5: Add Cornbread to Casserole

Spread  the cornbread topping over the top of the casserole.

Step 6: Bake

Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until cornbread is cooked through. Then, cut through to the filling to check for doneness.

Serve and Enjoy!

How to Make in the Crock Pot

If you want to make taco casserole in the crock pot, you will need to layer it the same way you would in the casserole pan. Instead of baking it, cook it in the crock pot on high for 4-6 hours or low for 6-8 hours. Or, follow this Slow-Cooked Taco Casserole Recipe. 

How to Make in the Instant Pot

If you want to make a taco casserole in your Instant Pot, I recommend following my Instant Pot Mexican Casserole recipe. 

Side Dish Recommendations

Some easy sides that you can add to this taco casserole:

• Easy Refried Beans
• Taco Pasta Salad
• Homemade guacamole

Can I Use Taco Seasoning?

Yes, you can. Instead of adding all the various spices above, you can make this recipe faster by using taco seasoning. You can use my homemade taco seasoning mix! Simply replace the 6 spices with 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning which is equal to 1 packet. 

Can I use a Cornbread Mix?

Absolutely! This recipe is made without processed ingredients, but if you want a quicker recipe, you could simply substitute the cornbread topping ingredients for a boxed cornbread mix. Keep in mind that homemade ingredients do have a better flavor overall. 

Other Mexican Inspired Recipes 

More Mexican inspired recipes to try:

• Mexican Breakfast Casserole
• Chicken Enchilada Casserole
• Chicken Carnitas Bowl
• Baked Chicken Tacos

Easy Taco Casserole

Yield: 9x13 casserole

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

How to make an easy and cheesy baked taco casserole.

Print

Ingredients

• Casserole Filling:
• 1 lb ground beef, browned
• 2 tsp chopped garlic
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1 14oz can diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp paprika
• 3/4 cup water
• Middle:
• 1 cup shredded taco cheese (Monterey Jack/Cheddar)
• Cornbread topping:
• 1 1/4 cups flour
• 3/4 cup cornmeal
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/4 canola oil
• 1 cup milk

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Prepare a 9×12 baking dish or similar with nonstick spray.
3. Add the filling ingredients to a skillet and simmer on stovetop for 15 minutes, stirring often. The mixture will thicken as the juice from the tomatoes cooks off.
4. Pour the filling into the prepared casserole dish.
5. Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the top of the filling.
6. In a bowl, prepare the cornbread batter. Spread over the top of the casserole.
7. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until cornbread is cooked through. Cut through to the filling to check for doneness.

Notes

Slow cooker -

Cook the filling ingredients over the stove top for 15 minutes.

Layer it the same way you would in the casserole pan.

Instead of baking it, cook it in the crock pot on high for 4-6 hours or low for 6-8 hours.

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Meatballs are always a good idea at our house. Everyone loves them and eats them up. Whether it’s classic baked meatballs, our favorite freezer friendly Italian chicken meatballs or these easy baked Swedish meatballs, I can almost guarantee a compliant free dinner!

What Are Baked Swedish Meatballs? 

Swedish meatballs are different from traditional or Italian meatballs. The difference is in the ground meat and the sauce. Swedish meatballs use a 50-50 ratio of ground pork and ground beef. Additionally, they are seasoned with spices like allspice and nutmeg for flavoring whereas Italian meatballs rely more on Parmesan and garlic for flavoring. Then, they are smothered in a rich and creamy brown gravy making them the perfect comfort food. 

Swedish Meatball Ingredients

For this recipe, you will need ingredients both for the meatballs themselves and for the delicious creamy sauce. Here’s what you’ll need. 

• Ground meat– You will use a 50-50 ratio of ground beef and ground pork. So, make sure you grab both.  
• Egg– Because eggs are sticky, the egg helps to hold the meat together into a ball.
• Spices and seasonings– You will mix salt, pepper, nutmeg, allspice, and parsley into your ground meat for flavoring. 
• Breadcrumbs– Breadcrumbs help to absorb the moisture as the meatballs cook so there isn’t a ton of liquid on top of your meatballs when they are done. 
• Butter– For the sauce, you will need to melt the butter. I used salted butter for more flavoring, but you could use unsalted butter as well. 
• Flour– The flour is used as a thickener for the sauce. Be sure not to pack the flour. Instead, scoop it into the measuring cup with a spoon and level it off with a butter knife. 
• Beef broth– If you don’t have beef broth, you can make it using 3 bullion cubes and 3 cups of water. Simply boil the cubes with the water to melt them. 
• Worcestershire sauce– This sauce adds a delicious flavor to the gravy. 
• Heavy cream– The cream makes the sauce into a creamy and delicious gravy. 

Gluten free options – Want to make these meatballs gluten free? I suggest a gluten free breadcrumb or pork rinds. Also, swap out the regular flour for a gluten-free flour such as Krusteaz gluten free flour.

How to Make Baked Swedish Meatballs

With just a little preparation, these Swedish meatballs are so easy to make. It will be your new weeknight meal. 

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Then, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. 

Step 2: Mix the Meatball Ingredients

In a large bowl, mix the ground pork, ground beef, breadcrumbs and all the seasonings and spices together. Mix until well combined. 

Step 3: Roll the Balls

Use a ¼ inch ice cream scoop to make 1-2 inch meatballs. You can also roll them into small balls using your hands. Then, place them on the baking sheet. 

Step 4: Bake the Meatballs

Place the baking sheet in the oven, and bake the meatballs for 30-40 minutes. Make sure they are cooked through. 

Step 5: Prepare the Gravy Sauce

Next, melt the butter in a skillet over medium high heat. Then, whisk in the flour and allow it to brown. Add in the broth, Worcestershire sauce, and then the cream. Reduce the heat and allow it to thicken. 

Step 6: Add Gravy to Meatballs

Finally, add the meatballs to the skillet with the sauce. Roll the meatballs to fully coat them with the sauce. 

Serve and Enjoy!

How to Make Them In The Crock Pot 

To make these Swedish meatballs in the crockpot, you would simply prepare the meatballs as you would in the directions above. Then, place the meatballs in the crockpot. Make the sauce on the skillet as you did above and pour it over the meatballs. Set your crockpot on high for 4-6 hours or low for 6-8 hours. Or, you can follow this Crock Pot Swedish Meatballs Recipe. 

How to Make Them In The Instant Pot 

To make these Swedish meatballs using the Instant Pot, you would follow the steps above to make the meatballs. Then, place your meatballs on the trivet and put them in the Instant Pot. Make sure to put 1 cup of water in the inner pot at the bottom. You will then hit the manual or pressure cook button and cook your meatballs for 7 minutes. Use your skillet to make the sauce. If you are looking for more Instant Pot meatballs, don’t forget to check out my Instant Pot Hawaiian Meatballs, too!

Side Dish Recommendations 

These Swedish meatballs are an easy dinner that goes well over egg noddles, rice or mashed potatoes. Some sides to add to your meal are:

• Honey Roasted Carrots
• Roasted Broccoli
• Sesame Cauliflower
• Oven Roasted Green Beans

How Do I Store Leftovers?

Swedish meatballs are just as delicious the next day. Store your meatballs with the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can keep them for 3-5 days in the fridge. 

Can You Freeze Swedish Meatballs?

Absolutely! In fact, you can freeze them cooked or uncooked. Simply place them in a freezer Ziploc bag in the freezer for 3-4 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and cook them as the directions state above. 

Baked Swedish Meatballs

Yield: 24 meatballs

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

A delicious meatball in a decadent and creamy sauce.

Print

Ingredients

• Meatballs:
• ½ lb ground beef
• ½ lb ground pork
• 1 tablespoon dry onion, minced
• 1 egg
• Salt & pepper to taste
• ¼ cup breadcrumbs
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon allspice
• 2 tablespoons parsley
• Sauce:
• 3 tablespoons butter
• ¼ cup flour
• 3 cups beef broth
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• ¼ cup heavy cream

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with foil.
2. Mix all meatball ingredients in a large bowl until well combined.
3. Roll mixture into balls and place on baking sheet.
4. Bake 30-40 minutes until cooked through.
5. Prepare the sauce by melting butter in a skillet over medium high heat.
6. Whisk in flour and allow to brown for 1 minute.
7. Add in broth and Worcestershire sauce then cream.
8. Reduce heat slightly and allow sauce to thicken
9. Season to taste.
10. Add meatballs to skillet and coat with sauce.
11. Garnish with parsley, serve, and enjoy!

Notes

Crock Pot - prepare the meatballs as you would in the directions above. Then, place
the uncooked meatballs in the crockpot. Make the sauce on the skillet as you did
above and pour it over the meatballs. Set your crockpot on high for 4-6
hours or low for 6-8 hours.

Instant Pot - make the meatballs. Then, place your meatballs on the trivet and put
them in the Instant Pot. Make sure to put 1 cup of water in the inner
pot at the bottom. You will then hit the manual or pressure cook button
and cook your meatballs for 7 minutes. Use your skillet to make the
sauce.

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If you loved this recipe, we would love for you to leave a review to help others!

More Pork Recipes You’ll Love

Looking for more pork recipes? We love using pork a few times a week! Some of our favorite recipes to make are:

• Creamy Ranch Pork Chops
• Instant Pot Pork Roast
• Instant Pot Stuffed Pork Chops
• Crockpot Pulled Pork Sliders

Did you make this recipe? I’d love for you to leave a review in the recipe card above or the comments below. Want to make it later? Pin the image below to your favorite dinner board! THANK YOU for the support!

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I’m going to let y’all in on a little secret – I love my crock pot! I feel like with all the love going to the instant pot lately that the crock pot is losing points. I will say that my crock pot has been a main stay in our house for years.

I actually need to buy a new one because the ceramic pot cracked on the bottom. This crock pot Mississippi roast was the last recipe I made in it before it broke.

RIP original crock pot of mine. I know you’re making quick and easy dinner recipes in slow cooker heaven.

Dramatic much?

Sheesh.

What is the original Mississippi pot roast?

The original Mississippi pot roast recipe combines a chuck roast with ranch, au jus, pepperoncinis and a good ole stick of butter. It all goes together in the crock pot and is roasted on high for the day.

The combination of the of the seasoning packets and the pepperoncinis make for the most tender roast you will ever eat. Plus, the flavor is amazing! It all comes together to make the perfect quick and easy dinner.

This recipe is also gluten free if you use the right seasoning packets. I’ll talk about how to make it gluten free in the ingredients below.

Gluten free Mississippi pot roast

The reason I love this recipe so much is that it is so simple to make, especially on busy weeks. You only need a few ingredients and a crock pot. Plus, it makes great leftovers for lunches or another dinner. To make this easy crock pot recipe you will need:

• chuck roast
• ranch seasoning packet
• au jus or brown gravy seasoning packet
• pepperoncinis plus juice
• butter

You are going to need the biggest chuck roast that your crock pot can hold, most likely a 3-4 pound roast. It’s best if it is thawed before you place it in your crock pot. I have used a semi frozen roast before and it turned out fine, but I like to use a thawed one if possible. I like the breakdown of beef cuts in this chart from BroBBQ.

Here is where you need to be careful to make sure this recipe stays gluten free – the seasoning packets. You need two, one ranch packet and one au jus or brown gravy packet. Carefully read the ingredients on the packets before you buy them. Some of the more common seasoning packets contain wheat ingredients among other things.

I prefer the Spice Hunter ranch seasoning packet and the Simply Organic brown gravy mix. I found both seasoning packets at my local Sprouts. Or you can make homemade ranch seasoning and still keep this Mississippi roast gluten free.

Aside from the seasoning packets, the pepperoncinis give this roast an amazing flavor. The vinegar also helps tenderize the meat and make it pull apart tender. I like the Jeff’s natural pepperoncinis because they are gluten free and do not contain any food dye.

A good ole stick of butter rounds out the list of ingredients needed. I would not try and use margarine or any other butter substitute in this recipe.

How do you make a Mississippi roast?

Once you have all your ingredients, putting together the roast is the easy part.

Step 1

Place the chuck roast at the bottom of your slow cooker to start. Sprinkle the seasoning packets over the roast. Add in the pepperoncinis and a bit of the juice from the jar. Place the stick of butter on top and cover.

Step 2

Cook on high for 4-6 hours or low for up to 8 hours. It has a longer cook time to make sure that it is falling apart tender when it is is done. Chuck roast tends to be a tougher meat so the longer cook time helps with tenderizing.

Step 3

Shred the roast with two forks. You can then serve it over potatoes, rice or even egg noodles.

There is no fancy way to make this recipe, just toss everything in your crock pot and let it slow cook to perfection. Once it’s done cooking, shred it with two forks and serve it over homemade mashed potatoes.

Can you make Mississippi pot roast in the oven?

Short answer – yes, absolutely. The easiest way to make this pot roast in the oven is to use a Dutch oven. That way you can sear it and then place it in the oven to slow cook. It should slow cook for 3 hours at 325 degrees. If you don’t have a Dutch oven you can sear it in a pan on the stove and then transfer it to a baking dish.

Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast

Want to make this meal even faster? Try it in your Instant Pot! It’s almost the exact same recipe, you just get to make it in your Instant Pot. You can follow this easy recipe for making Mississippi roast in your pressure cooker. A quick run down of how to make it: 

• Sear roast using the saute function
• Add the packets, butter, juice, pepperocinis and broth
• Cook on high pressure
• Come to pressure naturally
• Shred and serve over potatoes

Sides to have with your original Mississippi roast

You are going to want to keep the sides on this one pretty plain since the roast itself is loaded with flavor. I normally do plain mashed potatoes or rice but you can also do:

• Maple mustard Brussels sprouts
• Oven roasted green beans
• Cilantro lime cole slaw
• Roasted broccoli
• Skillet asparagus

Tips and Tricks

This recipe is really straightforward and easy to make. Some of my best tricks for making the best original Mississippi pot roast are:

1. If you have time, sear the roast before adding it to the Crock Pot. This will lock in the juices and give it an amazing texture.
2. If you want to make it gluten-free, double check your seasoning packets. Sometimes they sneak gluten ingredients into them.
3. Use 2 forks to shred it right in the Crock Pot. Just be careful not to scratch the bottom of the pot with the forks.
4. You can store any leftovers in a Ziplock bag or Tupperware.

Can I freeze Mississippi roast?

Yup! You can! This makes a great freezer meal that you can pull out and enjoy any time. Make the recipe as written and shred the beef. Allow it to cool completely before adding it to a Ziplock bag with some juice. Place it flat in the freezer or on a cookie sheet. Once it has frozen, you can transfer it to a deep freeze for storage up to 3 months.

Original Mississippi roast recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Active Time: 8 hours

Total Time: 8 hours 5 minutes

One roast, two packets, pepperoncini and butter make this original Mississippi roast recipe irresistible! This easy dinner recipe is made in the crock pot.

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Ingredients

• 3-4 pounds chuck roast
• 1 packet ranch seasoning*
• 1 packet Au Jus or brown gravy seasoning*
• 5-6 pepperoncinis
• 1/4 cup pepperoncini juice
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter

Instructions

1. Place the roast in the bottom of your crock pot.
2. Sprinkle the ranch and Au Jus seasoning over top.
3. Place the pepperoncinis around the roast and then add in the juice.
4. Place the stick of butter on top of the roast.
5. Cook on low for 9 hours, or cook on high for 4-6.
6. Use two forks to shred the meat.
7. Serve over potatoes or rice.
8. Enjoy!

Notes

*See post for suggestions on how to keep these gluten free.

No additional liquid is needed, the roast will produce enough liquid as it cooks.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 481Total Fat: 25.6ggSaturated Fat: 12.4ggCholesterol: 202mgmgSodium: 614mgmgCarbohydrates: 1.7ggFiber: 0ggSugar: 0ggProtein: 56.9gg

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If you loved this recipe, we would love for you to leave a review to help others!

Like this quick and easy dinner recipe? Be sure to check out:

Easy steak fajitas

Crock pot Swiss steak

Steak taco salad

Did you make this recipe? I’d love for you to leave a review in the recipe card above or in the comments below. Want to make it later? Feel free to pin the image to your favorite crock pot board!

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I love a good crock pot recipe. My all time favorite is my original Mississippi roast. It’s so good and comes out perfect every time. Plus my house smells amazing when I have the beef simmering in the crock pot all day long.

Trying a variation on my favorite crock pot recipe was bound to happen. I’m not saying this Italian beef is better than the Mississippi roast – I’m just saying it’s delicious and you need to try it ASAP!

What is Italian Beef?

Italian beef is a thinly sliced or shredded beef that is used to make sandwiches. It’s seasoned with savory Italian seasonings and can be dipped in au jus sauce if you like. This sandwich meat became popular  in Chicago, but the exact origin is unknown. 

Italian Beef Ingredients

To get a savory sandwich meat, you will need certain ingredients you may not have used before. Here’s what you need:

• Dry Italian dressing mix. You can find dry seasoning mixes in the seasoning section of your local grocery store. Good Seasons and Wishbone are two brands that make dry Italian dressing mix. 
• Chopped pepperoncini. Pepperoncini is an Italian pepper. If you can’t find them or don’t know what it is, a good substitute is the banana pepper. 
• Pepperoncini juice. You can simply use the liquid your pepperoncini is packed in. Or, if you chose banana peppers, you can use the juice they were canned in as well. 
• Seasonings. This recipe is packed with a variety of seasonings to really bring out the flavor of your meat. You will need salt, pepper, italian seasoning, garlic powder, and dried onion to name a few. 
• Chuck roast. You want to make sure to get this type of meat as it is easier to shred for sandwich meat. It may go under other names such as pot roast, shoulder roast, or chuck eye. 

Exact Ingredients Needed

Here are the exact ingredients you will need to make Italian beef:

• 3C beef broth
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground pepper
• 2 tsp italian seasoning
• 1 tsp dried onion
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• A bay leaf
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• A package of dry Italian Dressing Mix
• 3-4 pounds of chuck roast
• ½C chopped pepperoncini
• 1/4C pepperoncini juice

How to Make Italian Beef in the Crock Pot

Like I said above, this recipe is a crock pot recipe! That means that all you need to do is plop it into your crockpot and enjoy it in the evening! Follow the steps below to make it just right:

Step 1: Combine seasonings with Broth

In a bowl, combine your beef broth with salt, pepper, italian seasoning, diced onion, parsley, garlic powder, a bay leaf, and the Italian salad dressing mix. 

Step 2: Put Roast in the Crock Pot

Next, place your chuck roast into your crockpot. Then, pour the seasoning and broth mixture over the top of your roast. 

Step 3: Add the Peppers

After pouring your liquid seasonings in, add the chopped pepperoncini and pepperoncini juice on top of the roast. 

Step 4: Slow Cook 

Place your lid on your slow cooker and cook on low for about 10 hours. When it is finished, take out the bay leaf. 

Step 5: Shred the Meat

Using two forks, shred the meat. Remember, it is being used for sandwiches so shred it as much as you can. 

Step 6: Serve

Finally, serve your meat on homemade hoagie rolls topped with mozzarella cheese and peppers if you choose. 

How to Make it in the Instant Pot

How many times have you taken out a roast and forgotten to throw it into the crockpot before you left for work? It totally messes up your whole dinner plans, but if you have an Instant Pot, you can make Italian beef in less than half the time! In fact, you only need to pressure cook it for 50-minutes!

1. Turn your Instant Pot to saute and sear your roast on all sides. This is optional but helps lock in flavor.
2. Place the remaining ingredients in your Instant Pot and lock the lid.
3. Cook on manual high pressure for 50 minutes.
4. Allow the Instant Pot to come to natural pressure. Related: Natural pressure vs manual pressure release.
5. Remove the bay leaves.
6. Shred the beef with two forks.
7. Serve on a hoagie roll and enjoy.

Italian Beef in the Oven

If you don’t have a crockpot or an Instant Pot, you can easily make this recipe in your oven as well. Check out this Italian Beef Sandwich for directions on how to make it in the oven. 

Side Dish Suggestions

These sandwiches go great with almost any side you choose! I personally like to have a hearty meal, so these are some of my favorite sides: 

• Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
• Roasted Sweet Potato Cubes
• Homemade Bacon Mac and Cheese
• Classic Green Bean Casserole
• Classic Homemade Cold Pasta Salad
• Best Potato Salad
• Easy Instant Pot Macaroni Salad

How to Store Leftovers

Leftover Italian beef can easily be stored in your refrigerator for 2-5 days. You will store the cooked meat separately from the bread. Place the meat in a tupperware bowl with a lid and store it in your fridge. 

Can I Freeze Italian Beef

Absolutely! Cooked Italian beef can be stored in the freezer for up to 3-months. Simply place your leftover beef into ziplock freezer bags. Then, place them in the freezer. 

Other crock pot recipes to try

If you love easy crock pot recipes, I suggest you also try:

• Mexican shredded chicken – perfect for Taco Tuesday!
• Italian Swiss steak – You only need 5 ingredients plus spices!
• Crock pot roast dinner – A complete one pot meal!
• Original Mississippi Roast – My all time favorite meal!
• Crock Pot chicken Alfredo – A family favorite around here.

The best Italian beef recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Tender beef in a savory broth that makes the perfect sandwich!

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Ingredients

• 3 c Beef broth
• 1 Tsp Salt
• 1 Tsp Ground pepper
• 2 Tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 Tsp Dried onion
• 1 Tsp Dried parsley
• 1 Tsp Garlic powder
• 1 Bay leaf
• 1 pkg dry Italian dressing mix (package of dried salad dressing mix. Such as good seasons)
• 3-4 lbs chuck roast
• ½ cup chopped pepperoncini
• ¼ cup pepperoncini juice

Instructions

1. Combine beef broth, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, diced onion, parsley, garlic powder, Bay leaf, and Italian salad dressing mix.
2. Put the roast in the slow cooker.
3. Pour mixture over top of the roast.
4. Add chopped pepperoncini and liquid over roast
5. Cover and cook on low for approximately 10 hours or until pull=apart tender. You can also cook it on high for 6 hours.
6. When done take out the Bay leaf.
7. Shred meat with two forks
8. Serve topped with mozzarella cheese and extra peppers if desired.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1092Total Fat: 70gSaturated Fat: 29gTrans Fat: 4gUnsaturated Fat: 36gCholesterol: 376mgSodium: 886mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 0gSugar: 3gProtein: 113g

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I’m pretty sure my kids could eat spaghetti all day, every day. My daughter loves it for breakfast. Both my boys are huge fans of buttered noodles. And me? Well, I’m always in the mood for pasta!

But I feel like adding homemade baked meatballs to the mix take regular pasta up a notch. And the best news is that it doesn’t take long to make meatballs yourself!

What are baked meatballs?

While there are a few ways to make meatballs, baked meatballs are a bit healthier since they aren’t fried in grease. These meatballs are place on a cookie sheet and baked to golden brown perfection. Baking even releases some of the grease, making these easy baked meatballs the way to go!

Baked meatballs ingredients

One of the great things about this recipe is that the ingredients are pretty basic. Some you probably already have on hand! To make these meatballs you will need:

• ground beef
• onion
• breadcrumbs
• eggs
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• salt
• pepper
• ketchup
• worcestershire sauce

Ground beef – You will need 2 pounds of defrosted ground beef. You can also sub in ground turkey or pork. Or you can even use a combination of ground meats!

Breadcrumbs – The breadcrumbs (along with the eggs) help bind the meatballs together. You can use a classic bread crumb of even something like a panko bread crumb.

What can you use instead of breadcrumbs in meatballs?

If you don’t have any bread crumbs on hand you can used crushed crackers, crushed plain cornflakes, or even rolled oats.

Spices – I kept my spices basic with garlic and onion powder plus salt and pepper. Feel free to add in your favorite spices to these meatballs!

Ketchup – The ketchup helps keep these meatballs juicy. Use any kind that you have on hand.

How do you keep meatballs moist?

The ketchup helps in this recipe. You can also sub milk here as well.

How to make baked meatballs

Once you have all your ingredients you will also need to grab:

• a large mixing bowl
• cutting board and knife
• ice cream scoop
• baking sheet
• parchment paper

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Can you use parchment paper to bake meatballs?

You can, but make sure that the parchment paper doesn’t fall over the edges of the baking sheet. They will easily burn at the higher temperature. You can also use cooking spray or a silicone baking sheet.

Step 2: In your large mixing bowl, place in your ground beef along with your diced onion, eggs, bread crumbs, spices, ketchup and worcestershire sauce.

Step 3: Combine everything together in your bowl, making sure to combine the eggs as evenly as possible throughout.

Step 4: Using an ice cream scoop, press the meatball mixture into the scoop by pressing it against the side of the bowl. Release the formed meatball onto your prepared baking sheet. Repeat until your baking sheet is filled.

You can also use your hands and roll the dough into balls.

Step 5: Bake your meatballs for 15-20 minutes or until the tops are brown and the internal temperature is 160 degrees and no pink remains.

Repeat for the rest of the meatball mixture.

Step 6: Place on top of spaghetti or in your favorite meatball recipe and enjoy!

How to store leftovers

This recipe makes a lot of meatballs since I opted to use 2 pounds of ground beef. You can store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. They will be good for a week this way.

Can I freeze my baked meatballs?

To freeze your meatballs, allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet. Transfer them to the fridge on the baking sheet and flash freeze them for 3 hours. Remove, place them in an airtight container or a ziplock bag and place back in the freezer.

To re-heat, place them in the fridge to thaw and then use them in your favorite meatball dish!

Meatball recipes to try:

• One pot spaghetti and meatballs
• Meatball lasagna
• Meatball subs
• Swedish meatballs
• Meatball sloppy Joes

Easy Baked Meatballs

Yield: 32 meatballs

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

A quick and easy baked meatball will make spaghetti night even better!

Print

Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 cup onion, diced
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce

Instructions

1. Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl combine the ground beef, onion, bread crumbs, eggs, garlic and onion powder, salt, pepper, ketchup and worcestershire sauce.
3. Mix until everything is combined, making sure to evenly distribute the eggs.
4. Using an ice cream scoop, scoop out the meatball mixture, making sure to press against the side of the bowl as you go.
5. Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the tops are browned and the internal temperature is 160 degrees.
7. Remove, allow to cool.
8. Enjoy allow or with your favorite pasta!

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 32 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 94Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 98mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 8g

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