Easy Italian Pot Roast Recipe for Tender Slow-Cooked Beef

Easy Italian Pot Roast is the ultimate comfort food, with tender beef slow-cooked in a rich tomato sauce. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to keeping it moist and flavorful. The crispy edges and tender interior will make your family beg for this better-than-takeout dinner. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Crispy Parmesan Pesto Roasted Potatoes Recipe and Spicy Jalapeno Peach Chicken Recipe for Easy Dinner.

What You'll Need for Easy Italian Pot Roast Recipe for Tender Slow-Cooked Beef

Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.

• 2 lb beef chuck roast
• 1 large onion
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• Optional: Fresh parsley
• Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese
• Optional: Crusty bread

How to Make Easy Italian Pot Roast Recipe for Tender Slow-Cooked Beef

1. Step 1: Season the beef with salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the beef on all sides until browned. Remove the beef from the skillet and set it aside.
2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add the onion and garlic and cook until softened. Add the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, tomato paste, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
3. Step 3: Place the beef in a slow cooker and pour the tomato mixture over the top. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the beef is tender and falls apart easily.
4. Step 4: Remove the beef from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Stir the shredded beef back into the sauce. Serve hot, topped with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Storing & Reheating Easy Italian Pot Roast Recipe for Tender Slow-Cooked Beef

Short-Term Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: This dish can be made ahead and frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Freezing Easy Italian Pot Roast Recipe for Tender Slow-Cooked Beef

Freeze cooked and cooled pot roast for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Reheat Without Drying It Out

Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 20-25 minutes, until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, until heated through. Stir halfway through.

Recipe Notes

• Chef tip: To make this dish even more comforting, serve it over mashed potatoes or egg noodles.
• Best substitution: You can substitute the beef chuck roast with a beef shoulder roast or bottom round roast.
• Make-ahead: This dish can be made ahead and frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
• Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thin, simmer it in a saucepan over medium heat until it thickens. If it's too thick, add a little more beef broth or water.

Easy Italian Pot Roast Recipe for Tender Slow-Cooked Beef

⏱

Prep

15 mins

🍳

Cook

4-10 hrs

⏳

Total

4 hrs 15 mins

🍽

Serves

6 servings

🥗

Diet

Gluten-Free

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 2 lb beef chuck roast
• 1 large onion
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Seasonings

• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp tomato paste

Optional Toppings

• Fresh parsley
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Crusty bread

Instructions

1. Step 1: Season the beef with salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the beef on all sides until browned. Remove the beef from the skillet and set it aside.
2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add the onion and garlic and cook until softened. Add the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, tomato paste, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
3. Step 3: Place the beef in a slow cooker and pour the tomato mixture over the top. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the beef is tender and falls apart easily.
4. Step 4: Remove the beef from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Stir the shredded beef back into the sauce. Serve hot, topped with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

• Chef tip: To make this dish even more comforting, serve it over mashed potatoes or egg noodles.
• Best substitution: You can substitute the beef chuck roast with a beef shoulder roast or bottom round roast.
• Make-ahead: This dish can be made ahead and frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
• Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thin, simmer it in a saucepan over medium heat until it thickens. If it's too thick, add a little more beef broth or water.

Storage

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze cooked and cooled pot roast for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
• Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 20-25 minutes, until heated through.
• Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, until heated through. Stir halfway through.
• Make ahead: This dish can be made ahead and frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 450
• Protein: 42g
• Fat: 22g
• Carbs: 18g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Cholesterol: 120mg
• Sat. Fat: 9g

Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.

Easy Italian Pot Roast Recipe for Tender Slow-Cooked Beef FAQs

A Warm Final Note

I can’t wait for you to try Easy Italian Pot Roast Recipe for Tender Slow-Cooked Beef and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!