Ultimate Slow Cooker Spezzatino di Manzo: Tender Italian Beef Stew Recipe
Imagine coming home to the savory aroma of a rich, slow-cooked Italian beef stew filling your kitchen. That’s the magic of Slow Cooker Spezzatino di Manzo. This classic Italian comfort food features unbelievably tender, juicy beef that has slowly simmered for hours in a robust, herbed tomato sauce. It’s a dish that evokes warmth, tradition, and minimal effort for maximum flavor.
Often referred to as Italian Beef Stew, Spezzatino di Manzo is the epitome of hands-off cooking. You simply set it, forget it, and let your slow cooker transform humble ingredients into a culinary masterpiece. When served over a bed of creamy tagliatelle, this hearty stew becomes a satisfying meal that effortlessly brings a taste of Italy right to your dinner table. Get ready to enjoy a delicious, authentic Italian experience without the fuss!
Why This Slow Cooker Italian Beef Stew Will Become Your Family Favorite
As a passionate home cook and a busy parent, I’m always on the lookout for recipes that combine delicious flavors with practical ease. My family, especially the kids, absolutely adores Italian cuisine, and my slow cooker is one of my most cherished kitchen appliances. So, it was only natural that this combination would lead to a truly delightful recipe that’s also incredibly simple to prepare: our Slow Cooker Spezzatino di Manzo.
To say this Italian beef stew was a hit would be a massive understatement. The slow cooker pot was practically licked clean! The rich, savory tomato sauce, infused with aromatic Italian herbs, perfectly complemented the incredibly tender beef. It struck a delightful balance of spicy and fresh, with the creamy tagliatelle providing the perfect comforting base. When my children eagerly asked if we could have it again soon – a sure sign of success in any household! – I knew this was a recipe I had to share with all of you.
Crockpot Italian Spezzatino di Manzo: A Taste of Tradition
Spezzatino di Manzo translates literally to “pieces of beef,” and it’s a celebrated classic in Italian culinary traditions. This hearty beef stew is beloved across Italy, with each region often boasting its own unique variations and family secrets. At its heart, it’s a dish where chunks of beef are slowly cooked until fall-apart tender in a richly seasoned tomato-based sauce.
This traditional method makes it exceptionally well-suited for the slow cooker or Crockpot. The gentle, consistent heat allows the beef to braise perfectly, absorbing all the wonderful flavors from the sauce, vegetables, and herbs. Forget about pre-packaged mixes or artificial flavors; this recipe relies on fresh, wholesome ingredients like carrots, celery, onions, ripe tomatoes, a splash of wine, and fragrant Italian herbs. The result is an authentic, deeply satisfying savory meal that’s perfect for any occasion when you’re craving true Italian comfort food.
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Andréa
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Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ onion, finely chopped
- 1 stalk celery, washed and diced
- 1 carrot, scraped and diced
- 2 cloves garlic, pressed
- 2 pounds chuck roast
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ⅓ cup red wine
- 14 oz. sieved tomatoes
- ½ cup water
- 1 beef stock cube
- ½ oz. fresh Italian herb mix, tied together with a string
- 1 pound tagliatelle, prepared according to the package instructions.
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
Instructions
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Heat the olive oil and butter in a large frying pan or Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add the finely chopped onion, diced celery, and diced carrot. Sauté for about five minutes until the vegetables soften and become fragrant, forming the foundational “soffritto” for your stew.
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Next, add the pressed garlic to the pan with the softened vegetables. Stir-fry for an additional 30 seconds until the garlic is fragrant, being careful not to burn it. This aromatic trio forms the flavor base of your Italian beef stew.
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Once the vegetables are ready, carefully remove the entire mix from the frying pan using a slotted spoon, leaving any remaining oil/butter mixture behind. Transfer these flavorful vegetables into the basin of your slow cooker.
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Take your chuck roast pieces and generously sprinkle them with salt and ground black pepper. In the same frying pan with the remaining oil/butter, increase the heat slightly and sear the beef chunks until they are beautifully browned on all sides. This crucial step adds depth of flavor to the stew. Once browned, carefully transfer the meat to the slow cooker, joining the sautéed vegetables.
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Ensure the beautifully browned beef is nestled amongst the aromatic vegetable mix in the slow cooker. This layering helps all the flavors meld together as it cooks.
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Pour the red wine into the slow cooker, followed by the sieved tomatoes (passata), and the water. These liquids will form the rich, flavorful sauce that the beef will braise in.
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Crumble the beef stock cube directly over the ingredients in the slow cooker. Stir everything gently to combine all the ingredients and ensure the stock cube dissolves. Finally, place the bundle of fresh Italian herbs on top of the mixture. Secure the lid on your slow cooker and set it to the ‘low’ setting for 8 hours, or ‘high’ for 5 hours. Let the magic happen!
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Once the slow cooking is complete, about 15-20 minutes before you plan to serve, prepare the tagliatelle according to the package instructions. Carefully remove and discard the tied bundle of Italian herbs from the stew. Serve the glorious, tender Spezzatino di Manzo generously over the freshly cooked tagliatelle. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh Parmesan cheese and a few fresh basil leaves, if desired. Enjoy your truly tasty Italian stew!
Notes
2. Red Wine Selection
- For the best flavor, choose a full-bodied red wine with a deep, robust flavor profile. Excellent choices include a Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or a Bordeaux. These wines add a complex depth that beautifully complements the tomato and beef flavors.
- If you prefer not to use red wine, it’s an easy substitution! Simply replace the specified amount of wine with an equal quantity of high-quality beef stock or broth. The stew will still be incredibly flavorful.
3. Adjusting Portion Sizes: While many recipes allow you to simply press a “2x” or “3x” button to adjust quantities, slow cooker recipes require a bit more nuance, especially regarding liquids. If you decide to double the weight of the meat, it’s recommended to add an extra ½ cup (120 ml) of water or beef stock to ensure there’s enough liquid for the extended volume of ingredients. Remember, slow cookers retain moisture very efficiently, so you often need less liquid than conventional stove-top stew recipes.
4. Slow Cooker Settings: To achieve perfectly tender beef and a rich, flavorful stew, set your slow cooker to the ‘low’ setting for approximately 8 hours. If you’re short on time, you can use the ‘high’ setting for about 5 hours. Both methods will yield delicious results, but slow and low often results in even more tender meat.
5. Storage & Reheating:
- Refrigerator: To store, allow the Spezzatino di Manzo to cool rapidly (within 1-2 hours) after cooking. Transfer it to an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to two to three days.
- Freezer: For longer storage, cool the stew quickly and place it in an airtight freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. It will maintain its quality for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen stew overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: Gently reheat the Italian beef stew over medium heat on the stovetop, stirring occasionally, until it is thoroughly hot. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave. Add a splash of water or beef stock if the sauce has thickened too much during storage.
Nutrition
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Serving Suggestions and Creative Variations
While serving Slow Cooker Spezzatino di Manzo with tagliatelle is a classic and undeniably delicious choice, don’t limit yourself! This versatile Italian beef stew pairs beautifully with a variety of sides, allowing you to customize your meal for different occasions or preferences.
Consider serving it over creamy polenta for a truly authentic Northern Italian experience, or with fluffy mashed potatoes for a comforting twist. Crusty Italian bread is also a must-have, perfect for soaking up every last drop of that incredible tomato sauce. Other pasta shapes like pappardelle, rigatoni, or even a short pasta like penne would also work wonderfully. For a lighter touch, you could serve it alongside a simple green salad dressed with a vinaigrette.
Creative Variations for Your Spezzatino
- Add More Vegetables: Feel free to toss in other hearty vegetables during the last hour or two of cooking. Sliced mushrooms, bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange), or even some zucchini can add extra flavor and nutrition.
- Spice It Up: If you enjoy a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the garlic for a subtle kick.
- Different Herbs: While fresh Italian herb mix is fantastic, you can experiment with specific herbs. Rosemary and bay leaves offer a deep, woodsy flavor, while fresh basil added at the end brightens the dish.
- Citrus Zest: A touch of orange zest can add a surprising and delightful brightness to tomato-based stews. Add it in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Creamy Finish: For an extra rich and creamy sauce, stir in a splash of heavy cream or a spoonful of mascarpone cheese just before serving.
The Magic of Slow Cooking: Perfecting Italian Beef Stew
The slow cooker truly shines when it comes to dishes like Spezzatino di Manzo. Its consistent, low heat provides the ideal environment for transforming tougher cuts of beef into fork-tender morsels, all while allowing flavors to deeply meld and intensify over several hours. This “low and slow” method isn’t just about convenience; it’s about achieving a depth of flavor and texture that is difficult to replicate with faster cooking methods.
Unlike stovetop simmering, which requires frequent stirring and monitoring, a slow cooker allows you to essentially “set it and forget it.” This means you can get your prep work done in the morning and return home to a fully cooked, aromatic, and delicious meal ready to serve. The gentle heat breaks down the collagen in the beef, resulting in incredibly moist and succulent pieces that practically fall apart. Furthermore, the tightly sealed environment of the slow cooker locks in moisture, preventing the sauce from drying out and ensuring all the wonderful juices and aromas are concentrated within the stew.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Got questions about making the best Slow Cooker Spezzatino di Manzo? We’ve got answers!
Q: What is the best cut of beef for Spezzatino di Manzo?
A: Chuck roast is highly recommended for its marbling and collagen content, which breaks down beautifully during slow cooking, resulting in tender, flavorful meat. Other good options include bottom round, top round, or tri-tip roast, all of which benefit from long, slow braising.
Q: Can I make this Italian Beef Stew on the stovetop instead of a slow cooker?
A: Yes, you can! After browning the meat and sautéing the vegetables, combine all ingredients in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot. Bring it to a simmer, then cover and cook on very low heat on the stovetop, or in an oven preheated to 300°F (150°C), for 2.5 to 3.5 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender. You may need to add a bit more liquid if cooking on the stovetop, as it evaporates more quickly.
Q: How can I thicken the sauce if it’s too thin?
A: If your sauce is too thin, you have a couple of options. You can remove the lid for the last 30-60 minutes of cooking to allow some liquid to evaporate. Alternatively, you can remove about ½ cup of the sauce, mix it with 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch or flour until smooth, then stir it back into the slow cooker. Cook on high for another 30 minutes, or until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
Q: What kind of red wine should I use for cooking?
A: Choose a dry, full-bodied red wine that you would enjoy drinking, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or a Chianti. Avoid “cooking wines” as they often contain added salt and preservatives that can negatively impact the flavor. If you prefer not to use alcohol, simply substitute with an equal amount of beef broth.
Q: Can I add potatoes or other root vegetables directly to the slow cooker?
A: Yes, absolutely! Cubed potatoes (like Yukon Gold or red potatoes), parsnips, or turnip chunks can be added to the slow cooker along with the other ingredients. Keep in mind that different vegetables have different cooking times, so add them at a point that ensures they are tender but not mushy by the end of the cooking cycle.
3 More Slow Cooker Recipes to Love
If you’ve enjoyed the ease and incredible flavor of this Slow Cooker Spezzatino di Manzo, you’ll be thrilled to discover more of our favorite slow cooker creations! These recipes are perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed weekends when you want a delicious, homemade meal with minimal hands-on time.
- Beef and Winter Vegetable Stew Slow Cooked
- Slow Cooker Coconut Chicken Curry
- Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes