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Italian Pot Roast

Italian Pot Roast: Comforting Stracotto with Creamy Polenta

This Italian Pot Roast (Stracotto) is a comforting dish that's slow-cooked to perfection, ideal for cozy gatherings.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Beef
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

For the Beef Roast
  • 3 pounds Beef Chuck Roast
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil can substitute with canola oil
For the Vegetables
  • 1 Onion or shallots for milder flavor
  • 3 cloves Garlic fresh preferred
  • 2 Carrots or parsnips
  • 2 Celery stalks or fennel
For the Sauce
  • 1 cup Red Wine or beef broth if avoiding alcohol
  • 1 can Canned Tomatoes crushed for consistency
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Rosemary or fresh if available
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Thyme or fresh if available
  • 2 cups Chicken or Beef Broth low-sodium preferred
For the Polenta
  • 1 cup Gorgonzola Cheese or feta for milder taste
  • 1 cup Polenta instant polenta can save time
  • 2 tablespoons Butter or olive oil for dairy-free

Equipment

  • heavy-bottomed pot

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Season the beef chuck roast generously with salt and pepper. In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the roast for about 4-5 minutes on each side until browned. Remove roast from pot and set aside.
  2. Add chopped onion, minced garlic, diced carrots, and diced celery to the pot. Cook over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Pour in red wine and let it simmer for about 2-3 minutes, scraping up browned bits. Allow wine to reduce slightly.
  4. Stir in crushed tomatoes, dried rosemary, dried thyme, and chicken or beef broth. Return seared beef roast to pot.
  5. Cover pot with lid and reduce heat to low. Simmer gently for 2-3 hours until meat is fork-tender.
  6. While roast simmers, cook the polenta according to package instructions. Stir in Gorgonzola cheese and butter until creamy.
  7. Once pot roast is ready, remove from pot and let rest. Slice or shred beef and serve with creamy polenta.

Nutrition

Serving: 1plateCalories: 550kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 40gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 800mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 250IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 150mgIron: 3mg

Notes

This dish tastes even better the next day. Consider pairing with a fresh salad or roasted garlic mashed potatoes for a memorable meal.

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