An Italian classic made easy, Slow Cooker Braciole. Delicious sauce, tender beef braciole and just like I had in Italy, over mashed potatoes.
Braciole is a staple in an Italian kitchen. An Italian Sunday dinner just wouldn’t be the same without a tender, fall apart in your mouth piece of braciole! The problem you can run into, if it isn’t cooked long enough the meat will be incredibly tough. So what better way to get that meat fall apart fabulous, why not a slow cooker!?!? Lets be honest, besides the fact that you will get great braciole, the fact that you can start it then leave it without worrying about the sauce on the bottom of the pot burning is an added bonus!
So, whenever I eat braciole I am immediately brought back to mine and hubbys trip to the Amalfi Coast (pre kiddos!) in 2008! I dream often about getting back… the goal is 2017 for our 10 year wedding anniversary!! We were in Positano, surrounded my beautiful beaches and the place we enjoyed the most amazing Lemon Ice… lemon ice as in a guy squeezing the most gorgeous lemons by hand right in front of you… HEAVEN!!! I digress…. back to the braciole! There was a Hotel/Restaurant over looking over the ocean (I am completely blanking on the name, ugh!) and there I had the most fantastic braciole… get this served over MASHED POTATOES! I know, crazy right?? NO, It was fantastic!!
Heres some photos from the beloved trip!
If you’ve never made braciole it is a very simple dish. It is a pounded out piece of top round (don’t worry, its labeled braciole in the grocery store). As to what goes inside depends very much on the region of Italy or just your family preference. My husbands family puts hard boiled egg in there, my grandmother puts pignoli nuts and raisins… me I prefer it a little more simple.
Slow Cooker Braciole
Basic Tomato Sauce
2 cans crushed tomatoes
3 large cloves of garlic, smashed
handful of fresh basil leaves, torn (we keep it rustic)
1 T of dried oregano
olive oil
4 pieces braciole meat
1/2 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
1/2 cup grated pecorino romano
2 Tbsp garlic and herb seasoning (I use Tastefully Simple Garlic Garlic)
1 large shallot, diced
6 Tbsp Olive oil, divided
Slow cooker set to low for 5 1/2 hours. Start by mixing all the ingredients for the sauce in the slow cooker. Allow the sauce to start cooking while you get everything else ready.
Lets start the breadcrumb mixture (this is where you can get creative and throw in what you love). In a small bowl toss together the breadcrumbs, cheese and the garlic & herb seasoning. In a small sauté pan over medium heat add 3 Tbsp oil and the diced shallot, cook until softened. Add the shallots along with the oil to the breadcrumb mixture and mix until moistened.
Lay the pieces of meat out flat and put a layer of the breadcrumb mixture on each. Depending on large the pieces are you may have a little extra breadcrumbs. Roll each piece and secure with a few toothpicks.
In the same sauté pan you cooked the shallots it, over medium high heat, add 3 Tbsp of olive oil and sear each side of the braciole. Once browned on each side place into the slow cooker. The meat will be falling apart tender and the sauce fantastic from all those wonderful flavors and slow cooking!
*side note: I really want the All Clad Slow Cooker when mine craps out, you can brown meat right in the insert on the stove! I’ve included a link for it at the bottom*
*side note: I really want the All Clad Slow Cooker when mine craps out, you can brown meat right in the insert on the stove! I’ve included a link for it at the bottom*
And, just like in Positano, I served mine over a simple mashed potatoes
(potatoes, garlic, butter, vegetable broth, milk, salt and pepper).
(potatoes, garlic, butter, vegetable broth, milk, salt and pepper).
Anonymous
This looks delicious, and loving the use of the crock pot for this. Love braciole, make it all the time but never in the crock pot. Anxious to try! Thx 🙂
Angela LeMoine
Thanks! I don’t know why I didn’t think of it earlier haha! Enjoy it!!! xoxo
Anonymous
Made this last night in the crock pot for the first time! Very, very tasty and was definately kid and husband approved so that’s always a plus! I was wondering if you had any easy bone-in pork chop recipes in and out of the crock pot? Always looking for new ones! thx 🙂
Angela LeMoine
So glad to hear!!! I will work on a bone in chop recipe for ya! Ill try to have something for you this week so keep checking back! 🙂
Anonymous
That sounds great, thanks!
Unknown
I’m making this tomorrow! Can’t wait
Angela LeMoine
Yay! Enjoy!!!! Its a wonderfully comforting meal!
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Ben Cometa
Interesting. I was thinking of doing Braciole in the Crock Pot this week, when I saw your recipe. My mom always made hers stuffed with hard boiled eggs, garlic, parsley, basil, EVOO and mozzarella/ Romano cheeses. Rolled up, tied with butcher string, braised in Peanut Oil and baked covered in sauce for 1 1/2 hours. It was literally to die for. I’m not sure about 6 hours on low in the crock pot though, but I will try it.
Ben Cometa, GA
Angela LeMoine
I’d certainly love to hear your thoughts. This is certainly not a traditional way, not how grandma does it but on one of those days that you are really wanting that comfort food but have running around to do- this is a great option. Its funny, my husbands family does the hard boiled egg in theirs but my family never did. Every region of Italy certainly has their own way of doing things. I hope this turns out to your liking. And surely, make any seasoning changes as you prefer- its the wonderful thing about cooking isn’t it?