Description
Hearty Italian pot roast stracotto invites comfort and warmth from rustic Italian kitchens. Slow-braised beef melts with rich red wine and aromatic herbs, promising a soulful dining experience you’ll savor with deep satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 3 to 4 pounds (1.36 to 1.81 kilograms) beef chuck roast
Vegetables:
- 2 large onions, chopped
- 4 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) red wine
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) beef broth
- 1 (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Ignite the oven to 325F (165C), preparing for a slow-cooking Italian culinary adventure.
- Sizzle olive oil in a spacious Dutch oven over robust heat, generously seasoning the beef with salt and pepper. Create a golden-brown exterior by searing each side meticulously.
- Introduce diced onions and minced garlic, dancing them in the pot until the onions become translucent and fragrant.
- Incorporate chopped carrots and celery, allowing them to soften and release their aromatic essence for approximately 5 minutes.
- Deglaze the pot with robust red wine, carefully scraping up the flavorful caramelized bits clinging to the bottom.
- Reunite the seared beef with the vegetable medley, then cascade beef broth, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and aromatic rosemary and thyme into the vessel.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.
- Seal the Dutch oven and slide into the preheated oven, allowing the roast to transform over 3 to 4 hours until the meat becomes incredibly tender and effortlessly pulls apart.
- After removing from the oven, let the roast rest briefly to allow juices to redistribute.
- Carve the roast and present alongside the rich vegetables and luxurious gravy, inviting diners to savor this traditional Italian comfort dish.
Notes
- Meat Selection Matters: Choose a well-marbled chuck roast or bottom round for maximum tenderness and rich flavor that melts in your mouth.
- Wine Wisdom: Use a dry red wine like Chianti or Cabernet Sauvignon to enhance the depth of flavor and tenderize the meat during slow cooking.
- Low and Slow Magic: Cooking at a consistent low temperature ensures the beef becomes incredibly soft and absorbs all the delicious herb and vegetable essences.
- Make-Ahead Marvel: This dish tastes even better the next day, so consider preparing it in advance and reheating for intensified flavors and easier meal prep.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 to 4 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg