Classic Crime Mystery Stew

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-30 · Updated 2026-03-30

A rich, slow-cooked stew with tender beef, root vegetables, and a smoky depth of flavor, inspired by the enigmatic allure of The Classic Crime. This american-inspired soups ready in about 90 minutes pairs ground beef, diced carrots, stalks, diced celery for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 2, diced carrots
• 2 stalks, diced celery
• 1, diced onion
• 3 cloves, minced garlic
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 3 cups beef broth
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook until browned and crumbly, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
2. Step 2: Add 1 diced onion, 2 diced celery stalks, and 2 diced carrots to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds.
3. Step 3: Return the beef to the pot. Pour in 2 cups tomato sauce and 3 cups beef broth. Stir in 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp thyme, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
4. Step 4: Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until the stew thickens and the beef is tender.
5. Step 5: Let sit for 10 minutes before serving, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.