Description
Italian Pot Roast, or Stracotto, is a classic slow-cooked beef dish simmered in a rich tomato and red wine sauce with aromatic herbs and vegetables. The result is tender, flavorful meat that melts in your mouth and pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes or pasta.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds beef chuck roast
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Pat the beef dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the roast on all sides until browned, about 3–4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, add onion, carrots, and celery; sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the red wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Simmer for 2–3 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Stir in beef broth, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and bay leaves. Return the roast to the pot, nestling it into the sauce.
- Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer gently for 3–4 hours, or until the meat is fork-tender.
- Remove the roast and slice or shred. Discard bay leaves, then return meat to the sauce and stir to combine.
- Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley, over mashed potatoes, polenta, or pasta.
Notes
- For the best flavor, make this dish a day ahead and reheat before serving — the flavors deepen beautifully overnight.
- You can substitute red wine with additional beef broth if preferred.
- Leftovers make excellent sandwich fillings or pasta sauce.
- Cook slowly over low heat to achieve tender, melt-in-your-mouth meat.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 4 hrs
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooked
- Cuisine: Italian