Easy Italian Beef Stew (Crock Pot)
Description: So easy to toss into the crock pot in the morning. I cut up the meat and veggies the night before to make it even simpler. The meat gets nice and tender from the slow cooking. Great to come home to on a cold night!
Cook Time: 10 hours

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 10 hours and 15 minutes
Recipe Category: Stew
Keywords: Roast Beef, Meat, European, Weeknight, Easy
Aggregated Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Calories: 459.9 per serving
Nutritional Information Per Serving:
- Fat: 31.4g
- Saturated Fat: 12.2g
- Cholesterol: 104.3mg
- Sodium: 427.6mg
- Carbohydrates: 13.2g
- Fiber: 1.3g
- Sugar: 8.9g
- Protein: 29.8g
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs boneless beef chuck roast
- 2 onions
- 1 green pepper (optional)
- 1 jar (24 oz) spaghetti sauce
- Hot cooked pasta, for serving
Instructions:
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Prepare the Meat: Trim any excess fat from the chuck roast and cut it into 1-inch cubes.
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Layer Ingredients: In your crock pot, layer the beef cubes, sliced onions, and green pepper if using.
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Add Sauce: Pour the entire jar of spaghetti sauce over the layered ingredients in the crock pot.
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Slow Cook: Cover the crock pot with its lid and set it to cook on low heat for 9 to 10 hours. This slow cooking process will allow the flavors to meld together and the meat to become tender.
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Serve: Once the cooking time is complete, serve the Italian beef stew hot over cooked pasta.
Tips:
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Prep Ahead: To make mornings even easier, prepare the meat and veggies the night before and store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to assemble the stew in the crock pot.
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Variations: Feel free to customize this recipe by adding other vegetables such as carrots, celery, or mushrooms. You can also adjust the seasoning according to your taste preferences.
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Serve with: Besides pasta, this Italian beef stew also pairs well with crusty bread or mashed potatoes for a hearty meal.
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Leftovers: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to develop, making it even more delicious for reheating.
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Freezing: This stew freezes well. Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just thaw and reheat for a quick and convenient meal.
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Make it Spicy: If you like a bit of heat, consider adding crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the stew for an extra kick.
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Garnish: Before serving, you can garnish the stew with fresh chopped parsley or grated Parmesan cheese for an added burst of flavor and visual appeal.
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Slow Cooker Size: Make sure your crock pot is large enough to accommodate all the ingredients comfortably without overflowing. If needed, you can halve the recipe for a smaller batch.
Nutritional Information:
The nutritional values provided are estimates and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.