Description
Italian Pot Roast, or “Stracotto,” is a tender, slow-braised beef dish simmered with tomatoes, red wine, and aromatic herbs. Perfect over polenta, pasta, or mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 pounds beef chuck roast
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 cup red wine
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish
Instructions
- 1. Season the beef generously with salt and pepper.
- 2. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the roast on all sides until browned, about 3โ4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- 3. Add onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook for 5โ7 minutes until softened.
- 4. Stir in garlic and tomato paste. Cook for 1 minute.
- 5. Deglaze with red wine, scraping up browned bits.
- 6. Add crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, bay leaf, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine.
- 7. Return the beef to the pot, nestling it into the sauce. Bring to a simmer.
- 8. Cover and cook on low heat for 3โ3.5 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender.
- 9. Remove bay leaf, shred or slice beef, and serve with sauce over your choice of side.
- 10. Garnish with fresh herbs before serving.
Notes
- This dish improves in flavor after resting make it a day ahead if possible.
- Use a dry red wine like Chianti or Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Leftovers are perfect in sandwiches, pasta, or risotto.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Braising
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
Keywords: Italian pot roast, stracotto, braised beef, tomato red wine roast