Beef and Kabocha Squash Stew (Slow Cooker or Instant Pot)

6 Freestyle Points 347 Calories
On a cold rainy night, there's nothing like warming up to a bowl of hearty beef stew made with winter squash, Marsala wine and fresh herbs. Make this in the slow cooker or pressure cooker, serve it with crusty bread and you have yourself a meal.
On a cold rainy night, there’s nothing like warming up to a bowl of hearty beef stew made with winter squash, Marsala wine and fresh herbs. Make this in the slow cooker or pressure cooker, serve it with crusty bread and you have yourself a meal.
On a cold rainy night, there's nothing like warming up to a bowl of hearty beef stew made with winter squash, Marsala wine and fresh herbs. Make this in the slow cooker or pressure cooker, serve it with crusty bread and you have yourself a meal.
My kids and I love beef stew, but my husband doesn’t so I don’t make it as often as I would like. But I got my hands on Giada’s new cookbook Happy Cooking and can’t ever resist a slow cooker recipe, especially one with winter squash. Although this does require a little prepping, it’s worth the extra steps. If you work, you could always get the first step ready the night before. I adapted this slightly from her book just cutting down on the olive oil and thought it was wonderful, and so did my kids.
Cutting the squash is probably the most time consuming part of the recipe, here’s an easy tip on how to peel squash. If you prefer you can use pre-cut butternut in it’s place.
And since so many are asking, although I have and love my Instant Pot, I still love my slow cooker! I have the 6 Quart Hamilton Beach Set ‘n Forget Programmable Slow Cooker (affil link). I love it because you can adjust the time you want it to cook, and it automatically turns to warm when it’s done. It also has a probe for meat that automatically shuts off when done. I hated my old crock pot, it burnt everything and my food had a weird taste. This slow cooker is so great, I actually own several!

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Beef and Kabocha Squash Stew (Slow Cooker or Instant Pot)

6 Freestyle Points 347 calories

Total Time:varies

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme
  • 2 tbsp all purpose flour (gluten free would work)
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • fresh black pepper, to taste
  • 2 lbs stew beef, trimmed and cut into 2-inch cubes
  • 1/2 cup Marsala wine
  • 1 pound Kobacha squash, peeled seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/4 cup chopped sun dried tomatoes
  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
  • crusty bread, for serving (optional)

Directions:

  1. Slow Cooker: In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add the oil, onion, garlic, rosemary and thyme and cook 4 minutes, or until the onion is tender.
  2. Place the flour, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add the beef and toss gently to coat. Add the beef to the pan in batches and cook, turning occasionally until browned on all side and golden on the edges, about 5 minutes. Add the Marsala and scrape up the browned bits from the pan.
  3. Transfer everything to the slow cooker, add the squash, sun-dried tomatoes and broth and stir. Cover and cook 4 to 5 hours on high or 8 hours on low. Serve with crusty bread and sprinkle with parsley.
  1. Instant Pot: Press saute on the Instant Pot. When hot add the oil, onion, garlic, rosemary and thyme and cook 4 minutes, or until the onion is tender.
  2. Place the flour, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add the beef and toss gently to coat. Add the beef to the pot in batches and cook, turning occasionally until browned on all side and golden on the edges, about 5 minutes. Add the Marsala and scrape up the browned bits from the pan.
  3. Add the squash, sun-dried tomatoes and broth and stir. Cover and cook high pressure 35 minutes, natural release. Serve with crusty bread and sprinkle with parsley.

Nutrition Information

Yield: 6 Servings, Serving Size: 1 1/3 cups

  • Amount Per Serving:
  • Freestyle Points: 6
  • Points +: 9
  • Calories: 347 calories
  • Total Fat: 14g
  • Saturated Fat: g
  • Cholesterol: 100mg
  • Sodium: 510mg
  • Carbohydrates: 17g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Protein: 35g
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posted November 19, 2015 by Gina
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