Tender Homemade Beef Braciole Recipe: A Savory Italian Classic

Hearty Italian beef braciole might just become your new favorite comfort meal that surprises and delights.

Tender rolls of meat promise a rich culinary adventure waiting to unfold.

Carefully rolled slices packed with herbs and cheese speak to traditional southern Italian cooking techniques.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this delectable dish that celebrates simple ingredients transformed with love.

Slow-cooked and carefully seasoned, these meat rolls melt in your mouth with incredible depth of flavor.

Mastering this recipe connects you to a cherished cultural tradition that feels both rustic and elegant.

When you serve these beautiful braciole, expect compliments and requests for seconds.

Beef Braciole – Rolled, Stuffed, and Slow-Simmered

• Slow-Cook Comfort: Beef braciole offers a tender, melt-in-your-mouth experience that transforms tough meat into a luxurious dinner.
• Versatile Cooking Methods: Easily prepare this dish using oven, stovetop, or slow cooker techniques, making it adaptable to different kitchen setups and schedules.
• Impressive Entertaining Dish: Creates a gourmet-style meal that looks complex but requires simple preparation, perfect for impressing guests without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Flavor-Packed Customization: Allows creative flexibility with filling ingredients, letting home cooks personalize the recipe with their favorite herbs, cheeses, and seasonings.

Elements of Traditional Beef Braciole

• Beef Top Round: A lean, flavorful cut perfect for rolling and braising, best when sliced thinly and pounded.
• Prosciutto: Delicate Italian dry-cured ham that adds rich, salty depth to the beef rolls.

• Garlic, Parsley: Fresh aromatics that provide bright, herbal flavor to the filling.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, salty cheese that adds complexity and helps bind the filling.
• Breadcrumbs: Creates structure and helps absorb moisture in the filling.

• Red Wine: Adds depth and helps deglaze the pot, creating a rich flavor base.
• Beef Broth: Provides additional savory liquid for braising the meat.
• Canned Tomatoes: Adds acidity and creates a classic Italian-style sauce.
• Italian Seasoning: A blend of dried herbs that brings traditional Mediterranean flavor.

• All-Purpose Flour: Used to create a thickening slurry for the sauce.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and enhancing overall flavor.
• Sugar: Optional ingredient to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.

Rolling and Cooking Beef Braciole

Step 1: Create Tender Meat Slices

Cut top-round into 12 equal pieces.

Gently pound each slice until thin and uniform, creating delicate beef sheets ready for rolling.

Step 2: Mix Flavor-Packed Filling

• Fresh minced garlic
• Chopped parsley
• Grated cheese
• Breadcrumbs
• Salt
• Black pepper

Blend ingredients until well integrated for a rich, aromatic stuffing.

Step 3: Layer and Roll Beef

Place a prosciutto slice on each beef piece.

Sprinkle filling evenly across surface.

Carefully roll meat tightly, securing each bundle with toothpicks to maintain shape during cooking.

Step 4: Sear Beef Rolls

Heat olive oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

Brown beef rolls on all sides, creating a delicious caramelized exterior.

Remove rolls and set aside.

Step 5: Build Robust Sauce

Deglaze pot with wine, scraping browned bits from bottom.

• Beef broth
• Crushed tomatoes
• Sliced garlic
• Italian seasoning

Return beef rolls to pot and bring to gentle simmer.

Step 6: Select Cooking Method

Oven Method: Cover with damp parchment and lid.

Bake at 325°F for 1.5-2 hours, turning once midway.

Stovetop Method: Simmer covered on low heat for 1.5 hours, turning occasionally.

Slow Cooker Method: Cook on high 3-4 hours, medium 5-6 hours, or low 7-8 hours.

Step 7: Finish and Serve

Remove beef rolls and tent with foil.

Create sauce slurry by mixing flour with hot liquid.

Stir into sauce and simmer until thickened.

Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and optional sugar.

Pour sauce over rolls and garnish with fresh parsley.

Serve alongside pasta, polenta, or roasted potatoes.

Beef Braciole Prep Shortcuts That Work

• Pound beef slices evenly to ensure uniform cooking and melt-in-your-mouth texture, preventing tough or chewy results.
• Swap traditional ingredients with alternatives like sun-dried tomatoes, different cheeses, or herbs to create unique flavor combinations that suit your taste preferences.
• Use kitchen twine or tight toothpick placement to secure beef rolls during cooking, maintaining their shape and preventing filling from escaping.
• Gradually add flour slurry while stirring to achieve perfect sauce thickness, avoiding lumps and ensuring a smooth, rich coating for the beef rolls.
• Allow braciole to rest after cooking, letting meat absorb additional sauce and developing deeper, more complex taste profiles before serving.

Beef Braciole Leftovers You’ll Actually Crave

• Store beef braciole in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Freezes perfectly for up to 3 months without losing flavor or texture.
• Preheat to 325°F, place beef rolls in a baking dish with extra sauce, cover with foil, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
• Place portion on a microwave-safe plate, add splash of sauce, cover with damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals until warm, stirring midway.

Perfect Sips For Braciole

• Pair with Rich Red Wine: Choose a bold Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the hearty beef and cut through its richness, enhancing every savory bite of the braciole.
• Rustic Bread Companion: Serve warm, crusty Italian bread to soak up the delicious tomato-wine sauce, creating a perfect marriage of flavors and textures.
• Create Creamy Side Harmony: Prepare soft, cheesy polenta as a luxurious base that catches the braciole's flavorful sauce, providing a smooth contrast to the tender rolled beef.
• Classic Pasta Pairing: Select wide egg noodles or pappardelle to capture the robust sauce, offering a traditional Italian-style accompaniment that elevates the entire dish.

Beef Braciole Filling Variations

• Gluten-Free Braciole: Replace wheat breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond meal to create a celiac-friendly version without compromising flavor.
• Low-Carb Braciole: Swap breadcrumbs with finely chopped mushrooms or crushed pork rinds, reducing carbohydrate content while maintaining the dish's traditional texture.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Eliminate cheese and replace with nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese substitute for individuals with lactose intolerance or dairy restrictions.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Substitute beef with large portobello mushrooms or eggplant slices, keeping the rolling technique and stuffing method while creating a plant-based equivalent.

FAQs

• What are the key ingredients for the filling?

The filling combines breadcrumbs, minced garlic, chopped parsley, grated cheese, salt, and pepper, creating a flavorful and aromatic mixture that enhances the beef’s taste.

• Why do I need to pound the beef slices?

Pounding the beef helps tenderize the meat and creates a thin, uniform thickness, which allows for easier rolling and ensures even cooking throughout the braciole.

• Can I substitute the prosciutto in the recipe?

While prosciutto adds rich flavor, you can replace it with pancetta or thin bacon if needed, though the taste profile will slightly change from the traditional preparation.

• What's the purpose of deglazing the pot with wine?

Deglazing helps release the flavorful browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot, which adds depth and richness to the sauce, creating a more complex and delicious final dish.

Beef Braciole Recipe

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4.8 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Italian “beef braciole” rolls up savory prosciutto, herbs, and cheese into tender beef parcels that simmer in rich tomato sauce. Rustic flavors from Naples dance on plates, inviting you to savor each carefully crafted bite of this classic comfort dish.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 6 thin slices boneless top round beef (about 2 pounds / 907 grams)
• 12 large cloves garlic
• 12 thin slices prosciutto
• 2 cups dry red wine
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 can (28 ounces / 794 grams) crushed tomatoes

Cheese and Herbs:

• 1 cup shredded Parmesan or Romano cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped Italian parsley
• 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning

Seasonings and Binding:

• 2 tablespoons seasoned dry breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Pinch of sugar (if needed)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the kitchen workspace and preheat the oven to a gentle 325°F, ensuring even heat distribution for slow cooking.
2. Transform top-round beef slices into delicate, uniform canvases by halving widthwise and gently pounding to an elegant, thin profile.
3. Craft a vibrant filling by blending aromatic garlic, verdant parsley, rich cheese, crisp breadcrumbs, and seasoning into a harmonious mixture.
4. Layer each beef slice with a gossamer sheet of prosciutto, generously distribute the prepared filling, then meticulously roll and secure with toothpicks.
5. Sear the rolled beef in a heated Dutch oven, developing a rich caramelized exterior that promises deep flavor complexity.
6. Deglaze the pot with wine, capturing the concentrated browned bits that create a foundation for an exceptional sauce.
7. Introduce beef broth, rustic tomatoes, additional garlic, and aromatic Italian herbs to create a robust braising liquid.
8. Select your preferred cooking method: oven braising with a protective parchment cover, allowing gentle heat to transform the meat into tender perfection.
9. Allow the beef rolls to simmer and develop flavor, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking and moisture distribution.
10. For those preferring alternative methods, slow cooker and stovetop techniques offer flexibility without compromising culinary integrity.
11. Create a silky sauce by whisking flour into the cooking liquid, transforming the braising juices into a luxurious, glossy accompaniment.
12. Final touches include seasoning adjustment, a potential hint of sugar for balance, and a flourish of fresh parsley before serving alongside complementary starches.

Notes

• Tenderize beef by pounding it uniformly to ensure even cooking and maximum tenderness.
• Substitute prosciutto with pancetta or thin bacon for alternative flavor profiles and dietary preferences.
• Control sauce consistency by adjusting flour slurry thickness, adding gradually to prevent over-thickening.
• Prepare braciole a day ahead for enhanced flavor development and convenient meal planning.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 440
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg