Ingredients:
Beef Slices: Thin slices of top round are traditional. You can also use flank steak or veal because they work just as well. Just make sure the meat is tender and easy to roll.
Breadcrumbs: These give the filling a nice texture and soak up all the delicious flavors of the herbs and cheese.
Directions:
Place the beef slices between two sheets of parchment paper and gently pound them with a meat mallet, starting from the center and working outward. If the slices are very large, cut them in half. This amount of meat typically yields four large steaks, which can be divided into eight smaller portions if preferred.
Lay the beef slices flat on your work surface. Season them evenly with ½ teaspoon salt and a light grind of black pepper. Divide the breadcrumb filling evenly over each piece of beef.
Roll the beef tightly, folding in the sides as you go, and secure each roll with kitchen twine or toothpicks.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef rolls and brown them on all sides, about 3–4 minutes total.
Add the remaining garlic to the pan. As soon as the garlic becomes fragrant, pour in the red wine and let it come to a boil.
Add the crushed or puréed tomatoes along with additional salt and pepper to taste. Bring the sauce back to a boil, spooning some sauce over the Braciole.
Lower the heat to a gentle simmer, cover the pan, and cook for 1½ to 2 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender. Turn the braciole occasionally during cooking. If the sauce thickens too quickly, add a small splash of water to prevent it from drying out.
Once tender, remove the twine. If the braciole are large, slice them thickly before serving.
Serve with plenty of tomato sauce and crusty bread, or toss the sauce with pasta and serve alongside the braciole.
Notes – Tips for Success
Top round steak works beautifully, but flank, skirt, or rump steak can also be used.
Secure rolls with kitchen twine or wooden toothpicks before cooking.
Heat the Oil: In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat.
Make the Tomato Sauce: Sauté the Onion: In the same skillet, add 1 chopped onion and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes.
Add the Tomatoes: Stir in 2 cups crushed tomatoes, 1 teaspoon dried basil, and 1 teaspoon dried oregano. Bring to a simmer.
Return the Braciole: Place the browned beef rolls back into the skillet, submerging them in the sauce.
The filling can change depending on the region, but no matter what it is, the beef its always tender and very delicious. Yoy can serve it with pasta, potatoes or some crusty bread. It’s a simple and very impressive dinner that’s all about Italian home cooking!
Why I Love This Recipe?
This Beef Braciole is one of my favorite comfort food! Soft beef, aromatic herbs, and a rich tomato sauce are the perfect combination that’s packed with flavor.
The slow simmering makes the beef very tender and delicious because it soaks up all of the flavors from the sauce. And all of the simple ingredients let each flavor shine. You can season the filling to your taste by adding your favorite additions and spices. A true classic!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions for Beef Braciole
Beef Slices: Thin slices of top round are traditional. You can also use flank steak or veal because they work just as well. Just make sure the meat is tender and easy to roll.
Breadcrumbs: These give the filling a nice texture and soak up all the delicious flavors of the herbs and cheese.
Parmesan Cheese: Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano adds a rich, nutty flavor that makes the filling irresistible.
Garlic & Fresh Herbs: Garlic, parsley, and basil are the stars here, bringing bold, fresh flavor to the filling.
Olive Oil: A drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil elevates the flavor of the dish—don’t skimp on this one!
Tomato Sauce: A simple crushed tomato and onion sauce is perfect for simmering the braciole, making it tender and flavorful.
Tools You’ll Need
- Meat Mallet: To pound the beef slices thin.
- Twine or Toothpicks: To secure the beef rolls.
- Large Skillet: For browning the beef and simmering the sauce.
- Large Pot: If making a larger batch of sauce.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Traditional Beef Braciole (Involtini)
Prepare the Beef
- Pound the Beef: Place the beef slices between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them with a meat mallet until they are about ¼ inch thick. Be careful not to make any holes in the meat, because it won’t hold the filling.
- Season and Fill: Season the beef with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, mix 1 cup breadcrumbs, ½ cup grated Parmesan, 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Spread the filling evenly over each beef slice.
Roll and Secure the Beef
- Roll the Beef: Starting from one end, tightly roll each beef slice around the filling.
- Secure the Rolls: Use kitchen twine or toothpicks to secure each roll, making sure the filling doesn’t spill out.
Brown the Braciole
- Heat the Oil: In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Sear the Braciole: Add the beef rolls to the skillet and brown them on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Once browned, remove the rolls from the skillet and set them aside.
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Make the Tomato Sauce
- Sauté the Onion: In the same skillet, add 1 chopped onion and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Add the Tomatoes: Stir in 2 cups crushed tomatoes, 1 teaspoon dried basil, and 1 teaspoon dried oregano. Bring to a simmer.
- Return the Braciole: Place the browned beef rolls back into the skillet, submerging them in the sauce.
Simmer the Braciole
- Simmer on Low: Cover the skillet and let the braciole simmer on low heat for 1 ½ to 2 hours, or until the beef is tender and the flavors have melded. Stir occasionally and add water if the sauce becomes too thick.
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