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Italian Pot Roast (Stracotto)

Italian Pot Roast (Stracotto)

This comforting Italian Pot Roast (Stracotto) is a fall and winter favorite, featuring a tender chuck roast braised in a rich tomato and red wine sauce.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 4 hours
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 people
Calories 716 kcal

Equipment

  • 7 to 8 quart Dutch oven

Ingredients
  

  • 4 pounds beef chuck roast excess fat trimmed
  • 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • Olive oil for searing and cooking
  • 1 medium yellow onion finely diced
  • 3 medium carrots finely diced (about 2.5 cups diced)
  • 4 stalks celery finely diced
  • 6 cloves fresh garlic minced
  • 4 ounces diced pancetta
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons minced fresh herbs (oregano, thyme, rosemary)
  • 1 cup red wine Merlot or Pinot Noir
  • 28 ounces canned whole peeled tomatoes blended, see note
  • 1.5 to 2 cups beef broth plus more as needed
  • 6 sprigs fresh herbs rosemary, thyme, oregano
  • Chopped Italian parsley for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
  • Season the chuck roast with 2 teaspoons kosher salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper on both sides. Heat a few drizzles of olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the roast until a golden brown crust forms, about 5–6 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
  • Add more oil to the pot, and sauté the diced onions, carrots, and celery until softened, about 8 minutes.
  • Push the vegetables to the side, then sauté the garlic and pancetta until fragrant, about 2 more minutes. Stir everything back together.
  • Add in the tomato paste and minced fresh herbs, stirring to coat the vegetables. Then, add the red wine and deglaze any remaining brown bits. Stir in the blended canned tomatoes and beef broth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Return the seared beef into the pot, ensuring it's nearly covered with liquid, adding more broth if needed. Nestle in the herb sprigs, pushing them under the liquid. Bring back to a simmer.
  • Cover with the lid and transfer to the oven braise for 3 hours until the meat is fall-apart tender.
  • Once ready, absorb some of the fat on top with a paper towel or remove with a spoon and discard.
  • Shred the meat into smaller pieces. Serve over mashed potatoes, polenta or pasta. Enjoy!

Notes

Canned tomatoes: Whole canned tomatoes taste better. Use a food processor to finely chop onions, carrots, and celery.

Nutrition

Serving: 1portionCalories: 716kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 63gFat: 43gSaturated Fat: 18gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 21gTrans Fat: 2gCholesterol: 221mgSodium: 1571mgPotassium: 1632mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 5585IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 135mgIron: 8mg
Keyword Beef, braised, comfort food, Italian Pot Roast, Stracotto, winter dinner
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