Description
Experience the rich flavors of Italy with this hearty Italian Pot Roast (Stracotto) served alongside creamy oven-baked Gorgonzola polenta. Perfect for family dinners and special occasions, this traditional Sicilian recipe is slow-cooked to tender perfection with aromatic herbs and vegetables, offering a comforting and savory meal that embodies authentic Italian-American cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3โ4 pounds beef chuck roast or Italian chuck roast (perfect for beef recipes for dinner)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 cup dry red wine or beef broth
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: Italian parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Season the beef chuck roast generously with salt, pepper, and herbs like rosemary and thyme to enhance flavor.
- Sear the roast in a hot skillet with olive oil until browned on all sides, creating a flavorful crust.
- Place the seared beef in a slow cooker or transfer to a Dutch oven or roasting pan for oven baking.
- Add sliced onions, garlic, carrots, and celery to the slow cooker or pan. Pour in red wine or beef broth, add diced tomatoes, and herbs.
- Cover and cook on low in a slow cooker for 6-8 hours or bake in a preheated oven at 325ยฐF (160ยฐC) for 3-4 hours until the meat is tender and flavorful.
- Meanwhile, prepare the oven-baked Gorgonzola polenta as specified below.
Notes
- Use a quality cut of beef, like chuck roast, for optimal tenderness.
- Brown the meat properly to develop rich flavors.
- Low and slow cooking yields the best results for a melt-in-your-mouth roast.
- Add herbs like rosemary and thyme to boost authentic Italian flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 3-8 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking / Oven Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 large slice of beef with polenta
- Calories: 450 Kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg