Beef Stew Casserole

Name: Beef Stew Casserole with Dumpling Topping
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 40 oz canned beef stew (2 large cans); 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 cups milk or water

Beef Stew Casserole is a quick weeknight dish that layers canned beef stew with a fluffy homemade dumpling topping, ready in under an hour with minimal prep.

🌍American 🏷️Beef stew casserole 🏷️Beef stew 🏷️Dumplings 🏷️Casserole Comfort food

🏷️

🏷️Easy recipe

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TikTok

Total

40 min

Servings

6

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$10–$16

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

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Ingredients

40 oz canned beef stew (2 large cans)
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups milk or water

3 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Preheat oven to 400°F.
2
Pour the canned beef stew into a 9x13 inch baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
3
In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour with the milk or water.
4
Stir until a thick, pourable batter forms. Be careful not to overmix.
5
Pour the batter over the beef stew and spread it evenly to cover the surface.
6
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the dumpling topping is golden brown and cooked through.
7
Remove from the oven, let cool slightly, and serve.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Bring the beef stew to a gentle simmer in the casserole dish before adding the dumpling topping to ensure dumplings cook through evenly.
Do not overmix the dumpling dough—stir just until flour is incorporated for light, fluffy dumplings rather than dense ones.
Drop dumpling spoonfuls evenly across the stew surface; they will expand during baking, so space them about 1 inch apart.
If the dumpling tops begin to brown too quickly, tent the casserole loosely with foil for the final 5 minutes of baking.

Substitutions

All-purpose flour → self-rising flour (omit baking powder if included and reduce salt slightly)
Milk or water → beef broth (adds deeper savory flavor to dumpling dough)
Canned beef stew → 4 cups homemade beef stew or leftover pot roast with gravy

Storage & make-ahead

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a 350°F oven for 15–20 minutes, covered, until warmed through.

Common Questions

Can I use fresh beef stew instead of canned?

Yes, use 4 cups of cooked beef stew (homemade or store-bought) in place of the two 40 oz cans. Ensure the stew is hot when topping with dumplings.

How do I know when the dumpling topping is done?

The dumplings are cooked through when they spring back when lightly touched and no wet dough remains on top, typically 15–20 minutes.

Can I make the dumpling dough ahead?

Yes, prepare the dough up to 2 hours ahead and refrigerate. Drop onto hot stew just before baking for best results.

What if my dumplings come out dense or soggy?

Overmixing the dough creates dense dumplings. Mix only until combined. If too wet, the stew may be releasing excess liquid—skim fat from the surface before topping.