Description
Italian Pot Roast (Stracotto) is the ultimate slow-cooked comfort meal—tender, juicy beef simmered for hours in a rich tomato sauce infused with garlic, onions, herbs, and vegetables. This Italian classic captures the soul of rustic home cooking, perfect for cozy family dinners or elegant gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients:
- 3 lbs (1.4 kg) beef chuck roast (or brisket)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes (or tomato passata)
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ cup additional broth (for slow cooker version)
Instructions
- Brown the Meat: Season the roast with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven and sear on all sides until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- Build the Flavor Base: Add onions, carrots, and celery to the pot and sauté for 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and tomato paste, cooking another minute.
- Deglaze and Add Liquids: Pour in crushed tomatoes and broth, scraping up browned bits. Add herbs, bay leaf, and red pepper flakes.
- Slow Cook: Return beef to the pot. Cover and simmer for 3–4 hours, or bake at 325°F (160°C) for 3 hours until tender.
- Serve: Remove bay leaf. Slice or shred beef and serve with the rich tomato sauce over pasta, mashed potatoes, or polenta.
Notes
- Choose the right cut: Chuck roast is ideal for tenderness and flavor.
- Brown first: Don’t skip searing—it adds rich, deep flavor.
- Slow and low: Cooking gently ensures melt-in-your-mouth beef.
- Thicken the sauce: Simmer uncovered at the end or use a cornstarch slurry.
- Leftovers tip: Stracotto tastes even better the next day!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooked
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
Keywords: Italian Pot Roast, Stracotto, Slow Cooked Beef, Italian Beef Recipes, Comfort Food, Classic Italian Dinner, Fall Recipes, Cozy Meals