Easy Italian Dinner for the Crock Pot
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 hours
Total Time: 10 hours 5 minutes
Description:
Discover the simplicity of this hearty Italian-inspired crock pot recipe that combines tender beef, flavorful vegetables, and a savory sauce. This dish is perfect for busy days when you want a comforting meal ready for you when you get home. Easily adaptable for larger gatherings, you can double the recipe to feed a crowd. Whether you prefer it with spaghetti, mashed potatoes, or creamy polenta, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite.
Category: Roast Beef
Keywords: Vegetable, Meat, Potluck, Savory, Beginner Cook, Easy, Inexpensive
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 pounds boneless beef chuck roast
- 2 large onions, chopped into chunks
- 1 red sweet bell pepper, cut into pieces
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 2 cups mashed potatoes (prepared)
- 4 1/2 cups cooked polenta
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
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Prepare the Meat: Begin by trimming any excess fat from the beef chuck roast and cutting it into 1-inch cubes. This will ensure that the meat becomes tender and flavorful as it cooks.
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Assemble in Crock Pot: Place the beef cubes into the bottom of a 3 ½ to 4-quart crock pot. Add the chopped onions and bell pepper pieces on top of the meat.
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Mix and Pour the Sauce: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the spaghetti sauce, minced garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, dried oregano, and black pepper. Stir well to mix all the flavors together. Pour this mixture over the beef and vegetables in the crock pot, making sure everything is evenly covered.
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Cook the Dish: Cover the crock pot and set it to cook on the low setting for 9 to 10 hours or on the high setting for 4 1/2 to 5 hours. The slow cooking process will allow the flavors to meld beautifully, and the beef will become melt-in-your-mouth tender.
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Add the Zucchini: If you are cooking on the low setting, switch the crock pot to high and add the sliced zucchini to the pot. Stir everything well to incorporate the zucchini into the mixture. Cover and cook for an additional 15 minutes. This step ensures the zucchini is tender but not overcooked.
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Season and Serve: Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve the flavorful beef and vegetable mixture over hot spaghetti, creamy mashed potatoes, or soft polenta. Finish with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for an extra touch of richness.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 733.8
- Fat: 39.9g
- Saturated Fat: 15.4g
- Cholesterol: 130.4mg
- Sodium: 651.4mg
- Carbohydrates: 48.1g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 10.7g
- Protein: 43.7g
Enjoy this easy and delicious Italian dinner that brings together classic flavors with minimal effort. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual potlucks, this crock pot meal is sure to please! 🌟🍲🧀
