This Slow Cooker Italian Beef Stew is a hearty and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a cozy winter meal! It features tender beef, pancetta, a medley of vegetables, and a rich tomato-based broth, all infused with aromatic herbs and spices. This recipe is easy to make in the slow cooker and perfect for a satisfying and comforting dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Italian Beef Stew Recipe
- Flavorful and Easy: This stew is packed with Italian-inspired flavors, yet it’s incredibly easy to make in the slow cooker.
- One-Pot Meal: All the ingredients cook together in one pot, making for a convenient and satisfying meal.
- Perfect for Cold Weather: This hearty stew is the perfect comfort food for chilly evenings.
Ingredients
- Olive Oil: Used for sautéing the vegetables and browning the beef.
- Pancetta: Adds a salty and savory flavor to the stew.
- Carrots, Onion, Garlic, and Mushrooms: Provide a flavorful and aromatic base.
- Stew Beef: Cut into bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Red Wine: Adds depth and complexity to the flavor.
- Flour: Used to coat the beef and thicken the stew.
- Beef Broth: Creates a rich and flavorful base for the stew.
- Tomato Paste and Diced Tomatoes: Add a rich tomato flavor.
- Salt, Pepper, and Italian Seasoning: Enhance the overall taste.
- Bay Leaf: Adds a subtle aromatic flavor.
- Italian Flat Beans or Green Beans: Add a touch of freshness and texture.
- Peas: Add sweetness and color.
How to Make Slow Cooker Italian Beef Stew Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables and Pancetta
Heat olive oil in a sauté pan and cook pancetta until browned. Add carrots, onion, garlic, and mushrooms to the pan and sauté until softened.
Step 2: Brown the Beef
While the vegetables are cooking, pat the stew beef dry and season with salt and pepper. Coat the beef with flour. Brown the beef in the same pan until all sides are seared. Deglaze the pan with red wine.
Step 3: Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker
Transfer the sautéed vegetables and pancetta to the slow cooker. Add the browned beef and red wine to the slow cooker. In a bowl, whisk together the remaining flour with beef broth until smooth. Add this to the slow cooker along with tomato paste, diced tomatoes, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and bay leaf.
Step 4: Slow Cook
Cover and cook on low for about 8 hours.
Step 5: Add Vegetables and Finish
Add the Italian flat beans and peas during the last hour of cooking.
Tips for Making Slow Cooker Italian Beef Stew Recipe
- Brown the Ingredients: Browning the pancetta, vegetables, and beef adds depth of flavor to the stew.
- Deglaze the Pan: Deglazing the pan with red wine helps to capture all the flavorful brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Adjust the Thickness: If you prefer a thicker stew, you can add a cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with a little cold water) during the last hour of cooking.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Italian Beef Stew
- Over Polenta, Noodles, or Potatoes: Serve this stew over creamy polenta, egg noodles, or mashed potatoes for a hearty and satisfying meal.
- With Crusty Bread: Crusty bread is perfect for dipping into the flavorful stew.
- With a Side Salad: A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing complements the richness of the stew.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing
This stew freezes well for up to 3 months.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different type of meat?
Yes, you can use beef chuck roast, boneless short ribs, or even lamb.
2. Can I use different vegetables?
Absolutely! Feel free to add or substitute your favorite vegetables, such as potatoes, zucchini, or green beans.
3. How can I make this stew vegetarian?
Omit the pancetta and beef. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth and add more vegetables, such as lentils, beans, or mushrooms.
4. Can I make this stew ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the stew a day ahead of time and reheat it when ready to serve.
There you have it! A simple and delicious recipe for Slow Cooker Italian Beef Stew. I hope you enjoy it!
PrintSlow Cooker Italian Beef Stew Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Category: main dishes
- Method: slow cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Slow Cooker Italian Beef Stew is a hearty and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a cozy winter meal. Tender beef, pancetta, and a medley of vegetables are simmered in a rich tomato-based broth with Italian herbs and spices.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 2 ounces pancetta, diced small
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 1 1/4 – 1 1/2 pounds beef stew meat
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 (14-ounce) can low-sodium beef broth
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus extra for seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper, plus extra for seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup Italian flat beans or green beans
- 1 cup peas
Instructions
- Brown pancetta and vegetables: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté pancetta until browned. Add carrots, onion, garlic, and mushrooms; season with salt and pepper. Sauté until softened. Transfer to a slow cooker.
- Coat and brown beef: Season beef with salt and pepper. Toss with flour in a bowl. Brown beef in the same skillet with remaining olive oil. Add red wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Transfer beef and wine to the slow cooker.
- Make broth and add to slow cooker: Whisk remaining flour from the bowl with beef broth until smooth. Add to the slow cooker along with tomato paste, diced tomatoes, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and bay leaf.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
- Add vegetables: Add green beans and peas during the last hour of cooking.
- Serve: Serve hot with polenta, egg noodles, or mashed potatoes, and crusty bread for dipping.
Notes
- You can cook the stew without browning the ingredients first, but browning adds more flavor.
- For a thicker gravy, add a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1/8 cup water) during the last hour of cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 530kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 920mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
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