Delicious Oven-Baked Beef Stew

Browned beef cubes cooked with lots of veggies in a delicious thick rich tomato-based sauce, and the oven baking really adds to the flavor --- I use bacon grease to brown the meat but oil will do fine, serve this with cooked noodles and/or with a crusty loaf of bread, to serve as a thick hearty soup add in a little more broth --- this is *very* good! :)

• Ready In: 2 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 4  tablespoons bacon grease or 4  tablespoons  oil
• 2  lbs beef stew meat
• 1  teaspoon seasoning salt
• 1  teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 2  teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 (14 1/2ounce) can diced tomatoes (undrained)
• 1  teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional or taste)
• 1  cup low sodium beef broth (can use water but broth is better)
• 3  tablespoons dry tapioca
• 1  tablespoon beef bouillon powder
• 2  tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2  teaspoons sugar
• 3  large  thick carrots, peeled and cut onto 1-inch pieces
• 1  large celery (sliced into 3/4-inch pieces) (optional)
• 3  potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1  large onion, coarsly chopped
• 10 -15  small  fresh button mushrooms
• 1  slice  bread (broken into very small pieces)

Directions

1. Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish or an oval casserole dish.
2. In a small bowl combine seasoned salt, black pepper and garlic powder.
3. Place the meat in a bowl.
4. Sprinkle the spices over meat, then using clean hands toss until well combined.
5. In a skillet heat bacon grease or oil over medium-high heat.
6. Add in the seasoned beef (in batches) and brown well on all sides.
7. Remove the beef to a large bowl.
8. Add in the undrained tomatoes, crushed chili flakes, beef broth, tapioca, beef bouillon, Worcestershire sauce and sugar; mix to combine.
9. Add in carrots, celery (if using) potatoes and small button mushrooms and the bread cubes; toss to combine.
10. Season with more ground black pepper if desired.
11. Transfer to the baking dish.
12. Bake at 375 degrees F for about 2 hours or until the meat and veggies are tender.