Witch’s Cauldron Beef Stew Recipe

Introduction

Witch’s Cauldron Beef Stew is a hearty and festive slow-cooked meal perfect for cozy gatherings. Packed with savory meats, colorful vegetables, and spooky pumpkin-shaped carrots, this stew brings both flavor and fun to your table.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 lb hot breakfast sausage
• 3-4 large carrots (sliced then cut into pumpkin shapes)
• 2 cups gold potatoes (small diced)
• 3 ribs celery (diced)
• 1 cup leeks (diced)
• 10 mushrooms (cut down the middle lengthwise for decoration)
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 Tbsp Italian herb seasoning
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 10.5 oz Campbell’s Condensed French Onion Soup
• 10.5 oz Campbell’s Condensed Tomato Soup
• 1.5 cups water
• 32 oz beef broth

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and hot breakfast sausage together. Crumble the meat as it cooks and drain off any excess fat. Transfer the browned meat to your slow cooker.
2. Step 2: Prepare the carrot pumpkins by making two straight slits at the top to form the stem. Cut out two small triangles from the sides of the stem and remove them. Slice the carrots into rounds and add them to the slow cooker.
3. Step 3: Add the diced gold potatoes, celery, leeks, minced garlic, Italian herb seasoning, salt, pepper, Campbell’s Condensed French Onion Soup, Campbell’s Condensed Tomato Soup, water, and beef broth to the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine.
4. Step 4: Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 8 hours until the vegetables are tender and flavors meld.
5. Step 5: Near the end of the cooking time, prepare the mushrooms by cutting them lengthwise down the middle. Using a straw and a knife, poke out “eyes” and make slits to resemble a “nose” for decoration.
6. Step 6: Add the decorated mushrooms to the slow cooker and cook for an additional 10 minutes to warm through and soften slightly.

Tips & Variations

• For a milder stew, substitute sweet Italian sausage for the hot breakfast sausage.
• Try adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a dash of smoked paprika for extra depth.
• Use small cookie cutters to create fun vegetable shapes for added festive flair.
• If you don’t have leeks, substitute with extra celery or onion.

Storage

Store leftover stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through. This stew also freezes well for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this stew without a slow cooker?

Yes, you can prepare this stew on the stovetop. After browning the meat, combine all ingredients in a large pot, bring to a boil, then simmer covered for about 2 hours or until vegetables are tender.

Can I use fresh herbs instead of Italian seasoning?

Absolutely. Use a combination of fresh thyme, rosemary, and oregano for a vibrant herb flavor. Use about 3 tablespoons fresh herbs in place of 1 tablespoon dried seasoning.

Witch’s Cauldron Beef Stew Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 88 reviews

• Author: Harper
• Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 10 servings 1x

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Description

Witch’s Cauldron Beef Stew is a hearty, comforting slow-cooked meal perfect for a spooky-themed gathering or a cozy family dinner. Featuring ground beef, sausage, seasonal vegetables shaped like festive pumpkins, and rich broths, this stew melds flavors slowly to deliver a warm, savory dish with a touch of Halloween fun.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meats

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 lb hot breakfast sausage

Vegetables

• 3–4 large carrots (sliced then cut into pumpkin shapes)
• 2 cups gold potatoes (small diced)
• 3 ribs celery (diced)
• 1 cup leeks (diced)
• 10 mushrooms (cut down the middle lengthwise for decoration)
• 1 tsp minced garlic

Seasonings

• 1 Tbsp Italian herb seasoning
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper

Liquids and Soups

• 10.5 oz Campbell’s Condensed French Onion Soup
• 10.5 oz Campbell’s Condensed Tomato Soup
• 1.5 cups water
• 32 oz beef broth

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Gather and prepare all ingredients as specified, including slicing carrots into pumpkin shapes by making two straight slits for the stem, cutting triangles, and slicing into rounds.
2. Brown meats: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and hot breakfast sausage together. Crumble the meat as it cooks, then drain off any excess fat to reduce greasiness. Transfer the cooked meat to the slow cooker.
3. Add vegetables and seasoning: Add the carrot pumpkins, diced potatoes, diced celery, diced leeks, minced garlic, Italian herb seasoning, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker, combining them with the browned meat.
4. Add soups and liquids: Pour in the Campbell’s Condensed French Onion Soup, Campbell’s Condensed Tomato Soup, water, and beef broth into the slow cooker, stirring gently to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
5. Cook stew: Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 8 hours, allowing flavors to meld and vegetables to soften.
6. Prepare mushroom decorations: Near the end of cooking, prepare the mushrooms by cutting each lengthwise down the middle. Using a straw and knife, poke out ‘eyes’ and make slits for ‘noses’ to create a spooky effect.
7. Finish cooking with mushrooms: Add the decorated mushrooms to the slow cooker and let them cook for an additional 10 minutes with the rest of the stew to soften and blend flavors without losing their decorative shape.

Notes

• Draining the fat after browning the meats helps reduce fat content in the stew.
• Carrot pumpkins add festive decoration but can be substituted with regular sliced carrots if preferred.
• Cooking times differ based on your slow cooker; adjust accordingly if your appliance runs hot or cold.
• For a creamier texture, consider adding a splash of cream or sour cream at serving.
• This stew freezes well; store in airtight containers for up to 3 months.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours (HIGH) or 8 hours (LOW)
• Category: Stew
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: beef stew, slow cooker stew, Halloween recipe, hearty stew, ground beef stew, sausage stew, carrot pumpkin shapes, slow cooker recipe