Description
A hearty Italian pot roast that combines tender beef, bright tomatoes, and fragrant herbs, perfect for a comforting family dinner.
Ingredients
Meat and Bacon
- 4 ounces bacon (or pancetta), diced (optional)
- 3 pounds beef (such as chuck), cut into 3 large pieces (Chuck is best for braising.)
Vegetables
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 1 cup carrot, diced
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 1 tablespoon garlic, chopped
Liquids and Seasonings
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 14.5 ounce can crushed tomatoes (Use canned for convenience.)
- 1 teaspoon thyme, chopped (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
- 1 teaspoon rosemary, chopped (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or oregano)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and Pepper
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
Instructions
Cooking the Bacon
- Cook the bacon in a large oven-safe saucepan (Dutch oven) over medium heat, then set aside.
Searing the Beef
- Season the beef with salt and pepper and sear/brown in the bacon grease over medium-high heat, about 4-6 minutes per side, then set aside.
Cooking the Vegetables
- Add the onion, carrot, and celery to the pan and cook until tender, about 7-10 minutes.
- Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking until fragrant, about a minute.
Combining Ingredients
- Add the broth, crushed tomatoes, thyme, rosemary, Italian seasoning, bay leaves, and bacon to the mix before adding the beef.
Cooking the Pot Roast
- Choose your cooking method: (1) Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer, covered, for 2-4 hours; OR (2) Cover and transfer to a preheated oven at 275F/140C and cook until tender for 2-4 hours; OR (3) Transfer to a slow cooker and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or HIGH for 4-6 hours.
Final Touches
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, remove the bay leaves, and enjoy.
Notes
If using a slow cooker, it’s forgiving. Cool leftovers fast and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, warm gently on the stove over low heat.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: dinner, Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian