Cooking Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds (about 900g) beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 cup red wine (optional)
- 1 can (14 oz/400g) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup small pasta (such as ditalini or small shells)
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions:
1. Sear the Beef:
- Intensity: Medium
- Time: 8 minutes
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef stew meat and brown on all sides. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot. Remove the browned beef and set aside.
2. Sauté Aromatics:
- Intensity: Medium
- Time: 5 minutes
In the same pot, add chopped onion, minced garlic, sliced carrots, and sliced celery. Sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Deglaze with Wine (Optional):
- Intensity: Medium
- Time: 3 minutes
Pour in red wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until the wine has reduced slightly.
4. Add Tomatoes and Broth:
- Intensity: Medium
- Time: 5 minutes
Return the browned beef to the pot. Add diced tomatoes with their juice and beef broth. Stir in dried oregano, dried basil, dried rosemary, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil.
5. Simmer:
- Intensity: Low
- Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 1 hour and 30 minutes or until the beef is tender.
6. Add Vegetables and Pasta:
- Intensity: Medium
- Time: 15 minutes
Add green beans and small pasta to the stew. Simmer for an additional 15 minutes or until the pasta is cooked al dente and the green beans are tender.
7. Check Seasoning:
- Intensity: Low
- Time: 2 minutes
Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Remove the bay leaf.
8. Garnish and Serve:
- Intensity: Low
- Time: 2 minutes
Ladle the Italian Beef Stew into bowls. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot. Optionally, top with grated Parmesan cheese.
9. Enjoy:
- Intensity: Low
- Time: 1 minute
Serve this hearty and flavorful Italian Beef Stew with crusty bread or a side of your choice.
Note:
- If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, you can omit the red wine and proceed with the recipe.
- Feel free to customize the vegetables based on your preferences.
Nutrition Information (per serving):
- Calories: 400
- Protein: 30g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
- Sodium: 700mg
Note: Nutrition information is approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients used.
