Herb-Encrusted Italian Pot Roast
This Herb-Encrusted Italian Pot Roast is a delightful, hearty dish that brings the comforting flavors of Italy right to your dinner table. With a blend of aromatic herbs and succulent vegetables, this pot roast is perfect for a cozy family dinner or a weekend gathering. The top round roast is gently simmered in a robust mixture of tomatoes, red wine, and fragrant herbs, creating a tender, flavorful meat that literally falls apart at the touch of a fork. Serve this delectable roast with the accompanying vegetables for a complete meal that nourishes the body and warms the soul. Ideal for meal prep, leftovers can be easily transformed into sandwiches or served over pasta for a quick weekday meal.
N/A
Servings
600
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
top round roast
2 lbs (trimmed)
garlic cloves
4 (minced)
yellow onions
2 (sliced)
green bell pepper
1 (sliced)
celery
4 stalks (cut into two-inch pieces)
new potatoes
12 (whole)
bay leaf
1 (whole)
oregano
1/2 teaspoon (dried)
basil
1 teaspoon (dried)
tarragon
1/2 teaspoon (dried)
thyme
1/2 teaspoon (dried)
rosemary
1/4 teaspoon (dried)
canned tomatoes
28 ounces (whole or diced)
tomato sauce
15 ounces (canned)
soy sauce
2 teaspoons (liquid)
Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon (liquid)
red wine
1/2 cup (hearty)
salt
to taste (seasoning)
pepper
to taste (seasoning)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C).
2
In a large roasting pan, place the trimmed top round roast. Spread the minced garlic, sliced onions, and sliced green bell pepper over the top of the meat.
3
Arrange the chopped celery and new potatoes around the roast, creating a bed of vegetables.
4
In a medium bowl, combine the canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and red wine. Stir until well mixed.
5
Pour the tomato sauce mixture evenly over the roast and the surrounding vegetables.
6
Sprinkle the bay leaf and all dried herbs (oregano, basil, tarragon, thyme, and rosemary) over the entire dish. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7
Cover the roasting pan with a lid or aluminum foil to retain moisture.
8
Place the roasting pan in the preheated oven and cook for 4 to 5 hours, or until the meat is fork-tender and easily shreds apart.
9
Once cooked, remove the pot roast from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing or shredding. Serve warm with the roasted vegetables and sauce.
Nutrition Information
20g
Fat
50g
Carbs
45g
Protein
7.5g
Fiber
5g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Herb-Encrusted Italian Pot Roast?
It is a hearty Italian-inspired dish featuring a top round roast simmered with tomatoes, red wine, and a variety of aromatic herbs and vegetables until tender.
What cut of beef is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for a 2 lb top round roast that has been trimmed of excess fat.
At what temperature should the oven be set?
The oven should be preheated to a low temperature of 250 degrees Fahrenheit (120 degrees Celsius).
How long does the Italian Pot Roast need to cook?
The roast should cook for 4 to 5 hours until the meat is fork-tender and easily shreds apart.
Which vegetables are cooked alongside the roast?
The recipe includes garlic, yellow onions, green bell pepper, celery, and new potatoes.
What type of wine is best for the sauce?
A hearty red wine is recommended to complement the robust flavors of the tomatoes and beef.
Can this pot roast be used for meal prep?
Yes, leftovers can be easily transformed into sandwiches or served over pasta for quick weekday meals.
What are the nutritional facts per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 600 calories, 20g of fat, 50g of carbohydrates, and 45g of protein.
Which dried herbs are used in the herb crust?
The herb blend consists of oregano, basil, tarragon, thyme, and rosemary.
Do I need to sear the meat before roasting?
No, the instructions indicate placing the trimmed roast directly into the roasting pan without prior searing.
Should the roasting pan be covered during cooking?
Yes, you should cover the pan with a lid or aluminum foil to retain moisture during the long cooking process.
How should the celery be prepared?
The 4 stalks of celery should be cut into two-inch pieces before being added to the roasting pan.
What liquid ingredients make up the sauce?
The sauce is made from canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and red wine.
How many new potatoes are used in the dish?
The recipe calls for 12 whole new potatoes arranged around the roast.
Is there a bay leaf in the recipe?
Yes, one whole bay leaf is sprinkled over the dish before cooking for added aroma.
How much garlic is required?
You will need 4 minced garlic cloves to spread over the meat.
Can I use diced tomatoes instead of whole canned tomatoes?
Yes, the recipe allows for either 28 ounces of whole or diced canned tomatoes.
What type of onions are recommended?
The recipe specifically suggests using 2 sliced yellow onions.
What is the fiber content of this meal?
This dish provides approximately 7.5g of fiber per serving.
How much soy sauce is used in the mixture?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of liquid soy sauce.
Does the recipe include sugar?
There are 5g of sugar per serving, primarily from the tomato and vegetable components.
How do I know the roast is finished cooking?
The meat is ready when it is fork-tender and can be easily shredded.
Should the meat rest after cooking?
Yes, it is recommended to let the pot roast rest for a few minutes before slicing or shredding.
How much rosemary should I add?
The recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon of dried rosemary.
What size should the green bell pepper be sliced?
The instructions simply specify one sliced green bell pepper, generally in strips to lay over the meat.
What makes this an 'Italian' pot roast?
The combination of tomatoes, red wine, and traditional herbs like basil and oregano gives it its Italian flavor profile.
Is the sodium content listed for this recipe?
The specific sodium content is not provided, and salt is added 'to taste'.
How much Worcestershire sauce is needed?
The recipe requires 1/2 teaspoon of liquid Worcestershire sauce.
Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried?
While the recipe specifies dried herbs, you can use fresh; typically, you use three times the amount of fresh herbs compared to dried.
What is the total ingredient count for this recipe?
There are 19 individual ingredients used to prepare this pot roast.