08/16/2025
Ready to cook up something truly special?
Give this Beef Braciole recipe a try, and experience the true taste of Italian comfort food. Your family will thank you — and trust me, they’ll be asking for seconds!
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Beef Braciole: A Hearty Italian Classic That Will Warm Your Heart
Beef Braciole is the epitome of Italian comfort food. Imagine tender, stuffed beef rolls simmered slowly in a savory tomato sauce — the flavors meld together, and the beef becomes so fork-tender, you’ll barely need to chew. It’s the kind of dish that fills your home with the sweet aroma of an authentic Italian Sunday dinner. This dish is perfect for those cozy, chilly winter afternoons when you need something hearty, comforting, and absolutely satisfying.
I remember my father serving this dish at the restaurant with Ricotta Gnocchi on the side, but honestly, any pasta you like will pair perfectly. Just toss your pasta (or gnocchi) in some of the sauce from the braciole, and there you have it — absolute perfection!
Ingredients:
1 lb boneless beef round, cut into 4 thin slices (approximately 1/3 inch thick)
4 slices of prosciutto
1 tablespoon pignoli beans (pine nuts)
2 tablespoons grated pecorino romano cheese
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped fine
2 carrots, peeled and chopped fine
2 celery stalks, chopped fine
1 cup dry red wine
2 (28oz) cans imported Italian tomatoes
2 bay leaves
3 fresh basil leaves, torn into small pieces
Flour (for dredging)
Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions:
Prepare the beef:
Place each slice of beef between two sheets of plastic wrap. Use a meat pounder to pound them out until they're about 1/4 inch thick. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. Lay a slice of prosciutto on each slice of beef.
Stuff the beef:
In a bowl, mix together the pignoli beans, pecorino romano cheese, garlic, and parsley. Sprinkle this mixture evenly on top of the prosciutto-covered beef slices. Roll up the slices, tuck in the ends, and tie them with kitchen string.
Brown the braciole:
Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Dredge the braciole in flour, shaking off any excess. Then, place the braciole in the pan. Cook the braciole, turning to brown all sides, for about 15 minutes. Once browned, remove the braciole with a slotted spoon and set aside.
Prepare the sauce:
If necessary, add a bit more olive oil to the pan. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender but not browned, about 10 minutes.
Deglaze the pan:
Pour in the red wine, stirring to loosen any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. Let it cook for about 2 minutes, until the wine reduces by half.
Add the tomatoes:
Crush the Italian tomatoes by hand and add them to the pan, along with their juices. Fill one of the tomato cans halfway with water and pour that into the pan as well. Add the bay leaves and season with salt and pepper.
Simmer the braciole:
Return the braciole to the sauce. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours until the beef is tender.
Finish and serve:
Sprinkle the fresh basil over the braciole and cook for another 2 minutes. Transfer the beef rolls to serving plates, spoon the sauce over the top, and serve immediately.
The Story Behind Beef Braciole
This dish has been a family favorite for years, and it holds a special place in my heart. I first shared it on this website back in 2000, and I’ve since revisited it to make a few tweaks based on more experience. The first time I noticed a significant spike in website traffic, I realized something interesting — many people were suddenly searching for Beef Braciole. After some sleuthing, I found out that the TV show Everybody Loves Raymond had aired an episode called “Debra Makes Something Good,” where Debra makes braciole, and it sparked a massive wave of interest in this classic dish.
The popularity of Beef Braciole surged even more after that, and every time I saw a bump in traffic, I couldn’t help but smile, thinking about how a little TV episode led so many people to discover this delicious, comforting dish. Now, I want to share it again with you, with a fresh update and some new insights.
Why You Need to Try Beef Braciole
Beef Braciole is the perfect dish for a cozy winter meal or a Sunday family dinner. The slow-simmered beef, paired with the rich tomato sauce, creates a hearty, flavorful combination that will make your kitchen smell like an Italian Sunday feast. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity, and while it does take time to prepare, the results are more than worth the effort.
The stuffed beef rolls, simmered in the tomato sauce, absorb all the flavors of the ingredients, making each bite incredibly satisfying. Whether paired with pasta, gnocchi, or just a piece of crusty bread, Beef Braciole is guaranteed to bring a little Italian comfort into your life.
