Cazuela de Vaca (Beef and Pumpkin Stew)

Rating: 4.73 stars
22 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 17
  • 4 star values: 4
  • 3 star values: 1
  • 2 star values: 0
  • 1 star values: 0

This hearty Chilean stew of beef, corn, and pumpkin is a one dish meal. The main ingredients are stewed in serving-sized pieces, so that each person receives a large piece surrounded by a broth with the other vegetables.

By damasio
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Ingredients

6
Original recipe yields 6 servings
The ingredient list now reflects the servings specified

Directions

  • Cut the piece of beef into 6 large chunks (one per serving). Place the beef into a large saucepan; pour in the beef broth and water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium, cover, and simmer until nearly tender, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

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  • Stir the polenta into the stew along with the potatoes and onion. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Cut the pumpkin into 6, serving-sized pieces, and add to the stew along with the corn, carrot, bell pepper, celery, and leek; simmer until the vegetables are tender, adding more water if needed to barely cover. Stir in the oregano and paprika during the last 5 minutes.

  • Season to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle into serving bowls, and sprinkle with chopped cilantro.

Partner Tip

Reynolds® Aluminum foil can be used to keep food moist, cook it evenly, and make clean-up easier.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:
314.4 calories; 22.2 g protein; 34.6 g carbohydrates; 48.1 mg cholesterol; 161.4 mg sodium. Full Nutrition

Reviews (17)

Read More Reviews

Most helpful positive review

Elaine
Rating: 4 stars
01/23/2009
I tried this receipe for my in laws who are Chilean and just flew in from South America on night. I was sadden that the cazuela/pumpkin turned out dry. I would use butternut squash or acorn squash next time. My mother who made this dish back in the old country recommended trying it with butternut squash. You can also use this receipe with chicken instead of beef if you like. My father in law wanted to add Cumin since it was missing just a tad flavor. Overall it is a nice basic soup and I followed the receipe 100% as written. I was hoping to impress but instead got a cooking lesson at dinner. Read More
Helpful
(60)
22 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 17
  • 4 star values: 4
  • 3 star values: 1
  • 2 star values: 0
  • 1 star values: 0
Reviews:
Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest
Elaine
Rating: 4 stars
01/23/2009
I tried this receipe for my in laws who are Chilean and just flew in from South America on night. I was sadden that the cazuela/pumpkin turned out dry. I would use butternut squash or acorn squash next time. My mother who made this dish back in the old country recommended trying it with butternut squash. You can also use this receipe with chicken instead of beef if you like. My father in law wanted to add Cumin since it was missing just a tad flavor. Overall it is a nice basic soup and I followed the receipe 100% as written. I was hoping to impress but instead got a cooking lesson at dinner. Read More
Helpful
(60)
Elaine
Rating: 4 stars
01/23/2009
I tried this receipe for my in laws who are Chilean and just flew in from South America on night. I was sadden that the cazuela/pumpkin turned out dry. I would use butternut squash or acorn squash next time. My mother who made this dish back in the old country recommended trying it with butternut squash. You can also use this receipe with chicken instead of beef if you like. My father in law wanted to add Cumin since it was missing just a tad flavor. Overall it is a nice basic soup and I followed the receipe 100% as written. I was hoping to impress but instead got a cooking lesson at dinner. Read More
Helpful
(60)
gescudero
Rating: 5 stars
01/27/2011
South American 'pumpkin' is completely different from North American Pumpkin. It is sweeter and much softer more a squash really. DO NOT USE PUMPKIN SUBSTITUTE with Butternut Squash. I would use Knorr beef bouillon instead of beef broth and add sweet potato. Read More
Helpful
(47)
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speckldowl
Rating: 5 stars
10/08/2009
This soup is a big hit in our house! Even my picky 2 year old liked it.:) I did substitute butternut squash for the pumpkin used broccoli and mushrooms instead of leeks and onions (my husband doesn't like onions and I had mushrooms and broccoli I didn't want to go bad) as well as added the cumin someone else suggested. Amazing soup! Oh but when I made it it served way more than 6! It made a very large stock pot full. So good! Read More
Helpful
(37)
jtaylor
Rating: 5 stars
11/27/2009
This was a huge hit for our thanksgiving lunch for 4 people.I cooked it all in a crock pot over night except I didn't add the pumpkin. Then the next morning I cut the top off a pumpkin and saved the top for later. Meanwhile I had some other pumpkin chunks I added to the stew and let it simmer for another 2 hrs. I transported part of the stew into the pumpkin and baked it with a foil on top. I baked it for another hr but I think that was too long. The bottom started to leek. I would say maybe 20 minuted would have enough time for the pumpkin to bake. The top was too big for it to fit in the oven on the pumpkin so I cooked it for about 30 minutes so it would have an even color. This was an excellent recipe my whole family loved but the only problem I saw was cooking the pumpkin too long. Other than that A Read More
Helpful
(16)
CLAUDIAMARINNA
Rating: 4 stars
09/18/2007
Nice start. I did add more veggies though. Topped it with Cilantro and Onions. Really nice. Read More
Helpful
(12)
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ChristianLady
Rating: 5 stars
11/20/2009
That was really good soup! I was skeptical at first to try this recipe reading from the previous comments about adding cumin and substituting the pumpkin. But I wanted a pumpkin stew recipe from the enormous pumpkin we just harvested. I used all the above ingredients but I cut my roast and pumpkin a bit smaller and used little red potatoes. My stew came out more hearty than more liquid...and was so flavorful! I had some cumin just in case but did not need it. This is my first time making a pumpkin beef stew and I can't wait to bring it to my parents' home for Thanksgiving! It's so tender that it won't ruin my mother's dentures! lol Read More
Helpful
(10)
mary
Rating: 5 stars
01/06/2011
I have two Chilean students staying with us and I made this for them. They said it was very good and even went back for seconds! Read More
Helpful
(10)
Laura
Rating: 4 stars
10/25/2013
I liked this recipe. I thought it came our really good. Used butternut squash instead of pumpkin but otherwise followed recipe exactly. Slightly bland but not bad. Read More
Helpful
(4)
MMMICHELLE
Rating: 5 stars
04/04/2014
SUPER! I eliminated the red pepper and corn on the cob and substituted butternut squash for the pumpkin. It was delicious and we really enjoyed it!! Read More
Helpful
(3)
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