Beef Stew Italiano
A hearty Italian-inspired beef stew with tender meat, aromatic fennel, and fresh vegetables, perfect for comforting family dinners or cozy gatherings.
Ingredients
- 2 c. beef for stew ⓘ
- 3 Tbsp. flour ⓘ
- 1 1/2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/8 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. fat or vegetable oil ⓘ
- 2 medium tomatoes, cut into wedges ⓘ
- cooked shell macaroni ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. crushed fennel seed ⓘ
- 3/4 c. water ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic, minced ⓘ
- 1 medium onion, diced ⓘ
- 1 green pepper, diced in 3/4-inch pieces ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine flour, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Dredge beef for stew into the flour mixture.
- Brown the meat in cooking fat or oil in a large skillet.
- Pour off the drippings from the skillet.
- Sprinkle crushed fennel seed over the browned meat.
- Add water and minced garlic to the skillet.
- Cover tightly and cook slowly for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- Add diced onions and continue cooking, covered, for 15 minutes.
- Stir in diced green pepper and cook, covered, for 5 to 7 minutes.
- Add cut tomatoes and cook for another 5 minutes or until heated through.
- Serve the stew with cooked shell macaroni.
Tips & Substitutions
For added depth of flavor, consider marinating the beef in red wine or balsamic vinegar before cooking. If you don't have fennel seed, you can substitute with a pinch of anise or omit it altogether. To thicken the stew, you can also add a tablespoon of tomato paste. For a richer taste, try adding a bay leaf during cooking.
Serving Suggestions
This beef stew pairs beautifully with cooked shell macaroni, but you can also serve it over rice or with crusty bread for dipping. A side salad with a tangy vinaigrette complements the hearty stew well. For a complete Italian meal, consider serving with a slice of Italian recipes like Iliana'S 'Veal Marsala' or a hearty Meaty Lasagna.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the stew on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of water if needed to reach your desired consistency. It can also be reheated in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Beef Stew Italiano contains roughly 198 calories, with 5g protein, 8g carbohydrates, and 17g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (47% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1249mg per serving (54% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different cut of beef for this stew?
Absolutely! While beef for stew is recommended for its tenderness after slow cooking, cuts like chuck roast or brisket also work well. Just make sure to cut them into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.
Can I make this stew in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can easily adapt this recipe for a slow cooker. After browning the meat and adding the ingredients, transfer everything to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the beef is tender.
What can I add to this stew for extra veggies?
You can enhance the stew with additional vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, or peas. Add heartier vegetables like carrots and potatoes at the beginning of cooking, while quicker-cooking vegetables like peas should be added in the last 5-10 minutes.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).