Throw a raw beef top round steak into the slow cooker with 4 other easy items and wake up to a heavenly aroma that will have everyone running to the kitchen.

This 5-ingredient slow cooker solstice sunset supper is the kind of set-it-and-forget-it meal that makes busy days feel a little more magical. You literally place a raw beef top round steak in the slow cooker, spoon a rich, dark sauce over the top, and let it cook low and slow while you sleep or go about your day. By the time everyone wanders into the kitchen, the house smells heavenly and dinner is basically done. It’s inspired by those cozy Midwestern pot roast suppers, but simplified for nights when you just don’t have the energy for a long ingredient list.

Serve this tender, shredded beef over mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or steamed rice to soak up all the savory sauce. A simple green salad, roasted carrots, or steamed green beans round out the plate nicely. If you’re feeding kids, keep sides familiar—corn, dinner rolls, or even buttered toast soldiers work wonderfully. Leftovers make great sandwiches the next day piled onto soft buns with a slice of cheese or a spoonful of coleslaw.

Servings: 6

2 1/2 to 3 lb raw beef top round steak, about 1 1/2 inches thick

Place the raw beef top round steak flat in the bottom of your slow cooker. If it’s too large, you can tuck the edges under slightly, but keep it in one main piece so it cooks evenly.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of mushroom soup, dry onion soup mix, beef broth, and tomato paste until you have a thick, dark, smooth paste-like sauce. It will look a bit like a deep reddish-brown gravy.

Pour or spoon the sauce mixture directly over the top of the raw steak in the slow cooker, spreading it so the meat is fully covered in a thick layer. The steak should be resting under this dark, rich paste at the bottom of the slow cooker.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Cook on LOW for 8–10 hours, or until the beef is very tender and easily pulls apart with a fork. This long, gentle cooking time is what turns the lean top round into something wonderfully tender.

Once cooked, use two forks to gently shred or slice the beef right in the slow cooker, mixing it into the sauce so every bite is coated. Taste and adjust seasoning with a pinch of salt and pepper if needed.

Serve the saucy shredded beef hot over your favorite base, spooning extra sauce over the top. Turn the slow cooker to WARM if you’re letting people serve themselves over a longer period.

For picky eaters, keep the flavors mild by using regular cream of mushroom soup and low-sodium broth, then serve the beef separately from the sauce so kids can control how much goes on their plate. If your family doesn’t love mushrooms, you can swap the cream of mushroom soup for cream of chicken or cream of celery. For a bit of sweetness, stir 1–2 tablespoons of ketchup or brown sugar into the sauce mixture before pouring it over the steak. If you prefer more vegetables, you can tuck thick-cut carrots or quartered onions around the steak before adding the sauce; just know this technically adds ingredients beyond the main five, but it’s a nice way to stretch the meal. To make it feel a little fancier, stir in a splash of heavy cream or a pat of butter at the end for extra richness. Food safety tips: Always start with a fully thawed beef top round steak—do not cook it from frozen in the slow cooker, as that can keep the meat in the temperature danger zone too long. Keep the slow cooker covered during cooking to maintain a safe, steady temperature, and use the LOW setting for the full time so the beef reaches at least 145°F internally (it will usually go much higher for tenderness). Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours in shallow containers and use within 3–4 days, reheating until steaming hot before serving again.