Italian Grandma Makes Beef Stew (Spezzatino)

beef

🥗Healthier: chicken

💰Cheaper: pork

Chicken is lower in fat and pork is often less expensive.

red wine

🥗Healthier: non-alcoholic wine

💰Cheaper: grape juice

Non-alcoholic wine maintains flavor without alcohol.

beef broth

🥗Healthier: vegetable broth

💰Cheaper: water with seasoning

Vegetable broth is lower in calories and can be made cheaply.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Canola oil is less expensive and has a neutral flavor.

Prepare the ingredients: peel tomatoes, chop mushrooms, celery, and carrots.

Season the beef with salt, black pepper, and flour, mixing well.

Heat olive oil in a large pot until hot.

Add the seasoned beef to the pot and brown on all sides.

Once browned, add chopped onions and minced garlic to the pot.

Cook the onions and garlic until soft.

Pour in white wine, scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze.

Add mushrooms, celery, and carrots to the pot, mixing everything together.

Season with more salt and black pepper to taste.

Add the peeled tomatoes and stir to combine.

Pour in enough water to cover the ingredients in the pot.

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cover, cooking on low for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

After 45 minutes, add cubed potatoes to the pot.

Check the potatoes for doneness with a fork; they should be tender.

Let the stew cook for an additional 5-10 minutes after adding the potatoes.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens