Begin by slicing your celery and carrots. Dice your onion and mince the fresh garlic.
Cut the stew meat into bite size pieces. Season the meat with salt and pepper. Heat your choice of oil or butter in a skillet and brown your stew meat in small batches. Transfer the browned meat to a bowl to catch all the juices.
Make the soup
Place the browned stew meat in the bottom of your Crock Pot.
Add the sliced carrots and celery along with the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot.
Sprinkle the salt, ground pepper, and dried thyme over the soup ingredients. Add the bay leaves.
Pour the beef broth over all of the ingredients and stir.
Place the lid on top. Turn the crock pot to low and let it cook for 4-6 hours (or on high for 2-3 hours).
After the cooking time is up and the meat is tender and the vegetables have softened, stir in the uncooked egg noodles. You can add another cup or two of beef broth if it looks like you need it. The noodles will absorb some of the broth as they cook.
Recover and let it cook for another hour, or until the noodles are tender.
Serve with crusty bread, a fresh salad, or even a grilled cheese sandwich for a heartier meal.
Makes 8 or more servings.
Recipe Expert Tips
Browning the meat is an optional step, but it adds a great depth of flavor.
Feel free to adjust the amount of broth to your liking. Some people prefer a thicker soup, while others like it more brothy.
Don't have egg noodles on hand? You can use any type of pasta you have in your pantry. Just adjust the cooking time according to the package instructions.
Want to add some greens to this soup? Simply stir in a handful of spinach or kale during the last few minutes of cooking for added nutrition and color.
Make sure to taste and adjust the seasonings before serving. You may need to add more salt and pepper depending on your preferences.