This 5-ingredient slow cooker Sunday supper is the kind of dependable, cozy meal that makes the whole house smell like dinnertime is going to be something special. A beef shoulder roast is a wonderful cut for low-and-slow cooking because it turns tender and rich with very little hands-on work, and with just four simple pantry-style additions, you can build a savory gravy right in the crock. It is a practical family meal that feels hearty enough for Sunday dinner but easy enough for any busy day.
Serve this roast with mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or fluffy rice to catch all that rich sauce. For vegetables, I like simple green beans, roasted carrots, or a crisp side salad to balance the richness. If you are feeding a crowd, set out soft dinner rolls so everyone can make little roast sandwiches with the extra meat and gravy.
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Sunday Supper Beef Roast
Servings: 6 to 8
Ingredients
1 raw beef shoulder roast, about 3 to 4 pounds
1 packet onion soup mix, about 1 ounce
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup, 10.5 ounces
1/2 cup beef broth
1 tablespoon dried parsley
Directions
1. Place the raw beef shoulder roast in the bottom of a 5- to 7-quart slow cooker.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together the onion soup mix, condensed cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, and dried parsley until well combined.
3. Pour the soup mixture over the roast, covering the top as evenly as you can.
4. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 9 hours or on high for 5 to 6 hours, until the beef is very tender and pulls apart easily with a fork.
5. Transfer the roast to a platter, spoon some of the cooking sauce over the top, and serve hot with your favorite sides.
Variations & Tips
For extra vegetables: Add peeled carrots and halved small potatoes around the roast before cooking. They soak up the savory juices and turn this into a true one-pot supper.
For a smoother gravy: If you want the sauce a little silkier, whisk the cooking liquid after the roast comes out, or strain it and serve it in a gravy boat. That little step makes the plate feel extra special for company.
For picky eaters: Shred the beef well and serve it over noodles or on soft sandwich buns with a little gravy. Sometimes a simple change in presentation makes dinner much more inviting for little ones.
For deeper flavor: If you have a few extra minutes, brown the roast in a skillet before placing it in the slow cooker. It is not required, but it gives the finished meat a richer, roastier taste.