Beef Caldereta with Cheese (Kalderetang Baka Recipe)

A healthy one-pot meal, Beef Caldereta is a popular Filipino Beef Stew recipe that is hearty, decadent and so full of flavor you will want to snuggle up with a bowl full. Slowly simmered in tomato sauce with fresh vegetables, spices, and cheese. Yep! You heard that right this Beef Caldereta recipe uses cheese. 🧀

this recipe for later

This recipe was inspired by the Beef Mechado I shared previously. I wanted to write about the similarities and differences between these dishes as they're often mistaken for one and the other.

History and Origin of Beef Caldereta

Caldereta also spelled "Kaldereta" in Tagalog is a dish of Spanish origin, Caldereta is from the word "caldera" meaning cauldron. Caldereta is typically cooked (using goat meat) in a big pot that is stirred and simmered for hours until the meat is tender.

And like most Filipino stews that are inspired by the Spaniards when they colonized the Philippines for over 300 years, starts out with tomato sauce (fresh or canned) as the base, vegetables (potatoes, carrots, bell peppers), and spices (oregano, salt, black pepper) are added to finish the dish.

The dish has evolved over time by incorporating other types of meats, vegetables, sauces, and spices. 

Ingredients for Beef Caldereta with Cheese (Kalderetang Baka Recipe)

Beef: The star of this dish! Choose tender cuts like chuck roast or beef cubes for maximum flavor. 

Cheese: I used a sharp cheddar blend, which added creaminess and richness to the overall taste.

Broth: Beef broth, or two beef bouillon cubes mixed with water 

Sauces: Provide the base for the rich and savory sauce in the Caldereta.

• Soy Sauce (for that umami flavor), Cooking Sherry (acid to balance out the richness), and Tomato Sauce (you can use canned tomato sauce or make your own from fresh tomatoes if you prefer a more homemade touch), 

Vegetables: 

• Potatoes and Carrots: These vegetables are commonly used in traditional Caldereta recipes to add texture and balance out the flavors. They also soak up all that tasty sauce! 
• Bell Peppers: Green and red bell pepper give this dish its vibrant color while adding sweetness and crunchiness. 
• Green Olives Stuffed with Red Pimentos

Aromatics: Garlic and Onions 

Spices: Salt, Black Pepper, Oregano, Bay Leaf

Cooking Oil: Olive oil

Pepperoni, Liver Spread, or Liver Pate: (Optional) This may sound unusual, but liver spread/pate adds a unique depth of flavor to the stew. However, if you're not a fan or simply don't have any on hand, feel free to skip it. I used Pepperoni instead.

Why Use Cheese in Enhancing Flavor 

You might be wondering why anyone would want to add cheese to an already flavorful dish like Beef Caldereta. 

Well, let me tell you, the addition of cheese brings a whole new level of richness and creaminess that will have your taste buds dancing with joy. 

When you melt some cheese into the simmering pot of tender beef chunks, tomatoes, bell peppers, and spices, it creates a luscious sauce that coats every bite in cheesy goodness. 

The creamy texture of the melted cheese blends perfectly with the bold flavors of the dish, creating an unforgettable combination. 

Not only does the cheese enhance the taste and texture of your Beef Caldereta but it also adds a beautiful golden hue to the stew. Just imagine serving this vibrant dish at your next family gathering or dinner party - it's sure to impress everyone at the table.

To incorporate cheese into your Beef Caldereta recipe, simply grate or cube the desired amount and add it towards the end of cooking time. Stir gently until fully melted and incorporated into the sauce. Be careful not to overcook as excessive heat can cause separation or stringy texture. 

The result? A mouthwatering bowlful of goodness that combines all those comforting flavors we love in Beef Caldereta with an irresistible cheesiness that makes it hard to resist going back for seconds. 

So, the next time you're craving a Filipino comfort food classic with a twist, don't hesitate to add cheese to your Beef Caldereta. Your taste buds will thank you, and your friends and family will be asking for the recipe! 

Serving Suggestions

Here are some fantastic serving suggestions and pairings that will take your Beef Caldereta experience to new heights. 

1. Serve it with Rice: There's no denying that Beef Caldereta and steamed white rice are a match made in culinary heaven. The rich tomato-based sauce infused with spices and tender chunks of beef pairs perfectly with fluffy rice. It complements the flavors while allowing you to savor every bite of this delectable dish. 
2. Garlic Bread or Baguette Slices: If you're looking for an exciting twist on traditional pairings, try serving your Beef Caldereta with Cheese alongside some crispy garlic bread or thinly sliced baguette pieces toasted to perfection. Not only does it add a delightful crunch, but the garlicky goodness also complements the savory flavors of the dish. 
3. Mashed Potatoes or Pasta: For those who crave comfort food, consider serving your Beef Caldereta with Cheese atop creamy mashed potatoes or alongside al dente pasta noodles like penne or fusilli. The velvety texture of mashed potatoes adds another layer of decadence, while pasta provides a hearty base for soaking up all those delicious saucy flavors. 
4. Steamed Vegetables: To balance out the richness of the dish, steamed vegetables make for great sidekicks when serving Beef Caldereta with cheese. Broccoli florets, carrots, green beans – choose your favorites and steam them until they're tender yet still vibrant in color. They'll provide a refreshing contrast while adding essential nutrients to your meal. 

Storage Tips

1. To extend the shelf life of your Beef Caldereta with cheese, store it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in aluminum foil before placing it in the refrigerator. This will prevent any unwanted odors from seeping in and keep your dish tasting as scrumptious as ever. 

2. If you have a large batch of Beef Caldereta with cheese, consider dividing it into smaller portions before storing it. Smaller servings are easier to reheat without compromising the flavors and textures. Plus, this way, you won't have to defrost more than what you need at once. 

3. Want to enjoy that cheesy goodness even after a while? Freezing is your answer! Make sure your Beef Caldereta has cooled down completely before transferring it into freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags. Label them with the date for easy identification later on. 

4. When you're ready to relish your frozen treasure, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator rather than using quick thaw methods like microwaving or hot water baths. Slow thawing ensures that all those amazing flavors are retained perfectly. 

5. Remember to always inspect any leftovers before consuming them – safety first! Discard any signs of spoilage such as mold growth or off-smells immediately. 

6. If possible, remove any excess melted cheese from the dish before storing leftovers separately (cheese tends to get rubbery when reheated). You can then add fresh grated cheese when reheating individual portions for that ooey-gooey goodness we all love. 

7. While Beef Caldereta with cheese can be stored for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator or around 2-3 months in the freezer, it's always recommended to enjoy it sooner rather than later for optimal taste and quality. 

Top tip

• Don't skimp on the garlic! The garlic gives the Beef Caldereta with cheese a very robust and earthy flavor. So I like to use a lot of it in this recipe.
• Cook low and slow - that's how all the flavors will be extracted from the beef and other ingredients from the dish.
• Check and stir the Beef Caldereta dish occasionally so it doesn't scorch. When I was just starting to learn how to cook, Caldereta was one of the dishes I first learned how to make and I burnt it! Ugh. The house stunk, the pot got burnt, and needless to say, we had cereals for dinner that night. So don't do what I did. Set a reminder for every 5 or 10 minutes, to check the dish and stir. Add some water or broth as needed.
• And speaking of adding water, only add a ½ cup at a time. A perfect Beef Caldereta has a thick sauce.
• Don't use Beef Stew meat! While it won't affect the flavor too much, I made a mistake once of using already cut "beef stew" and the overall texture was subpar. The packaged beef stew is typically made up of various cuts of beef and therefore, they are cooked differently.
• The trick to cutting the meat easier and more evenly is to cut the meat while it's still partly frozen.