Slow Cooker Beef and Chorizo Casserole: 5-Star Comfort

Name: Slow Cooker Beef and Chorizo Casserole
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 8 h
Total time: 8 h 20 min
Cuisine: European
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil; 500 g stewing beef, cut into chunks; 25g plain (all-purpose) flour or cornflour; 1 teaspoon sweet (mild) or smoked paprika; Salt and freshly ground black pepper; 2 onions, peeled and sliced; 2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed; 200g chorizo sausage, peeled and cut into chunks; 1 tablespoon tomato purée; 200ml beef stock; 200ml full-bodied red wine or beer (or 200ml more beef stock); 2 teaspoons soft light brown or demerara sugar; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 large or 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped; 2 bay leaves; A few sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried thyme); 150g mushrooms, halved

Jump to Recipe

Let me just say: this Slow Cooker Beef and Chorizo Casserole is a heartfelt hug in a bowl. Imagine walking in after a long day—kids arguing over dinner, emails left unread—and instead of stressing, you’re greeted by rich aromas and tender beef that nearly melts on contact. This easy slow‑cooker recipe brings comfort without demanding time, making it a lifesaver for busy weeknights (or weekends when Netflix and cozy blankets are calling).

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Beef and Chorizo Casserole

Effortless elegance: Set it, forget it, and come back to dinner that’s done.
Deep, bold flavors: Smoky chorizo, paprika, and a hint of red wine or beer—flavors that feel fancy, but require zero culinary pretension.
Kid-pleasing means-added nutrition: Hearty beef, carrots, mushrooms, and tasty broth—practical and delicious.

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 tbsp olive or vegetable oil
500 g stewing beef, cut into chunks
25 g plain (all‑purpose) flour or cornflour
1 tsp sweet (mild) or smoked paprika
Salt & freshly ground black pepper
2 onions, peeled and sliced
2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
200 g chorizo sausage, peeled and cut into chunks
1 tbsp tomato purée
200 ml beef stock
200 ml full-bodied red wine or good-quality beer (or extra beef stock)
2 tsp soft light brown or demerara sugar
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 large or 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
2 bay leaves
A few sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried thyme)
150 g mushrooms, halved

How To Make Slow Cooker Beef and Chorizo Casserole

Prep the slow cooker: Set it to LOW. No guesswork here—let’s keep things simple.
Coat the beef: Toss the beef chunks in a mixture of flour, paprika, salt, and pepper. Shake off any extra dust.
Brown in batches: Drizzle oil into a large pan, then brown beef in small batches until evenly golden. Set aside. You want that caramelized crust, not a soggy stew.
Soften the aromatics: Add extra oil if needed, then cook the onions over low-medium for ~5 minutes, stirring so nothing sticks. Add garlic for another 2 minutes.
Chorizo magic: Drop the chorizo in, cooking just until its spicy goodness starts to sizzle into the oil. Stir in tomato purée and let it cook for 2 more minutes so the flavor wakes up.
Mix your liquids: In a jug, whisk together beef stock, wine (or beer/extra stock), sugar, and Worcestershire sauce.
Slow-cook time: Assemble everything in the crock: beef, chorizo, onions, garlic, carrots, bay leaves, thyme. Pour over your stock mixture. Cover and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours—until the beef feels like it gives you a big, tender hug and the carrots are soft.
Mushroom moment: Pop the lid off, stir in mushrooms so they’re submerged. Switch to HIGH, cover, and cook 30 more minutes.
Taste test: Carefully sample and add salt, pepper—or both if life demands boldness tonight.
Serve: Heap on mashed potatoes and steamed veggies. Bonus points for buttery mash that soaks up every last drop.

Savvy Tips from Your Comfort Cooking BFF

Thick or thin? If it looks too thin, unwrap your inner wizard—remove lid, let it simmer a bit, thickening as it cools into even more luscious goodness.
Wine or beer swap? Wine adds warmth; beer brings a deep malty edge. No judgment either way—just pick what makes your soul happy.
Make it gluten-free: Sub cornflour for flour and check your Worcestershire—it’s often gluten-free or easy to swap.
Veg upgrade: Play around—add diced sweet potato or swap carrots for parsnips. The slow cooker won’t judge.

A Little Story from My Kitchen

Last winter, I came home to discover the car wouldn’t start, the dog had tangled every leash into one giant knot, and my toddler thought coloring the walls was “art.” Exhausted, I dumped everything into the slow cooker, pried open a bottle of wine (for cooking and because, hello!), and snuggled into the couch planning to rehearse my scolding later. By dinner, the house smelled like heaven, and magically, everyone was calmer—probably hypnotized by the smell. That’s slow‑cooker magic right there.

Close-up of Slow Cooker Beef and Chorizo Casserole served with mashed potatoes and garnished with fresh parsley. — Slow Cooker Beef and Chorizo Casserole served with fluffy mashed potatoes—comfort food done right!

FAQs About Slow Cooker Beef and Chorizo Casserole

Can I substitute chorizo with something else?

Sure thing. Use smoked sausage or even bacon bits if chorizo isn’t in your pantry—or your style. The sausage adds smoky spice, but it’ll be tasty regardless.

How should I store leftovers?

Let it cool to room temp, then pop into an airtight container. It keeps beautifully for up to 3–4 days in the fridge—if it survives that long!

Can I freeze this casserole?

Absolutely. Let it chill, freeze in a freezer‑safe container for up to 3 months, then thaw overnight before reheating on the stove or in the slow cooker.

Looking Forward to Your Casserole Nights

Let this Slow Cooker Beef and Chorizo Casserole be your secret weapon for busy evenings, when a hug-on-a-plate is exactly what you need. It’s cozy, comforting, and makes you feel like a culinary hero without breaking a sweat. Try it this week—then kick back, pour a glass (or two), and let this slow‑cooked joy take over.

Your kitchen is about to smell like a warm embrace—and that, my friend, is a small miracle worth celebrating.

Happy slow cooking,

More Slow Cooker Comforts You’ll Love

If this Slow Cooker Beef and Chorizo Casserole has won your heart (and belly), you’ll want to check out a few more comforting dishes straight from the slow cooker:

Craving something with a Southern twist? Try this bold and hearty Crockpot Cajun Chicken Pasta—it’s creamy, spicy, and full of flavor.
For another beefy, fall-apart tender option, don’t miss the Crockpot Beef Short Ribs—a reader favorite when you want something fancy without the fuss.
In the mood for more chorizo magic? This Cowboy Stew is packed with sausage, ground beef, and pantry staples for a rustic, stick-to-your-ribs meal.
And for a stew with a seasonal twist, the Crockpot Summer Beef Stew is a lighter option that still brings all the comfort you love.

Each of these recipes brings something special to the table—just like your trusty slow cooker. Happy browsing and even happier cooking!