Nonna's Hearty Italian Stew
Warm up with a bowl of Nonna's Hearty Italian Stew, a comforting recipe that has been passed down through generations. This rustic dish combines tender beef or veal with earthy mushrooms, vibrant vegetables, and aromatic herbs, all simmered to perfection in a rich tomato-based sauce. Best enjoyed on a chilly evening, it's served with crusty Italian bread for the perfect dunking experience. Feel free to savor the flavors on the second day—it's even better after the flavors have melded overnight!
4-6
Servings
350
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
lean beef or veal
2 lbs (cut into cubes (or mix with 1 lb of each))
medium onion
1 (sliced)
garlic
1 clove (minced)
white mushrooms or baby bella mushrooms
1 lb (cleaned and cut into quarters)
olive oil
3-4 tablespoons
Italian plum tomatoes or tomato puree
28 oz (1 can (or 2 cans of tomato puree))
carrots
4-6 (cut into 1 inch pieces)
large potatoes
5 (peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces)
fresh green string beans
1 lb (cleaned and cut into bite-sized pieces)
dry red wine
1/2 cup
bay leaf
1
dried basil
1/4 teaspoon (optional, crushed)
dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon (optional, crushed)
salt
to taste
pepper
to taste
boiling water
1 quart
Instructions
1
In a 6-quart pot, heat 3-4 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the cubed beef or veal along with the sliced onions. Brown the meat on all sides, about 8-10 minutes.
2
Stir in the cleaned and quartered mushrooms. Cook for an additional 5 minutes until the mushrooms release their juices and become tender.
3
Pour in the canned Italian plum tomatoes (or tomato puree), then add the minced garlic, dry red wine, bay leaf, and optional herbs (basil and oregano). Stir the mixture and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4
Add the carrots and bite-sized potatoes to the pot, followed by enough boiling water to just cover the vegetables. Continue cooking and stirring occasionally for another 15-20 minutes or until the vegetables are beginning to soften.
5
Introduce the green beans and, if necessary, add a bit more boiling water to ensure they are covered. Reduce the heat to low and cook for an additional 10 minutes, or until all the vegetables are tender.
6
Season the stew with salt and pepper to taste. Stir well before serving.
7
Serve hot with generous slices of crusty Italian bread for dunking.
Nutrition Information
40g
Carbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nonna's Hearty Italian Stew?
It is a comforting, rustic dish passed down through generations that combines tender beef or veal with mushrooms, vibrant vegetables, and aromatic herbs in a rich tomato-based sauce.
What kind of meat should I use for this stew?
You can use 2 lbs of lean beef or veal, or a mixture of 1 lb of each, cut into cubes.
How many people does this recipe serve?
This recipe makes 4 to 6 servings.
What type of mushrooms are recommended?
White mushrooms or baby bella mushrooms are recommended, cleaned and cut into quarters.
What type of tomatoes are best for the sauce?
The recipe calls for one 28 oz can of Italian plum tomatoes or two cans of tomato puree.
Is wine used in this recipe?
Yes, a 1/2 cup of dry red wine is used to add depth to the sauce.
How long should I brown the meat?
The meat should be browned on all sides with sliced onions for about 8 to 10 minutes.
What size pot do I need?
A 6-quart pot is recommended for cooking this stew.
Which vegetables are included in the stew?
The stew includes onions, mushrooms, carrots, potatoes, and fresh green string beans.
How should the potatoes be prepared?
You should use 5 large potatoes, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces.
When do I add the green beans?
Green beans should be introduced after the carrots and potatoes have begun to soften, then cooked for an additional 10 minutes.
What dried herbs are optional?
Dried basil and dried oregano (1/4 teaspoon each) are optional additions for extra flavor.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are approximately 350 calories per serving.
What is the carbohydrate content?
Each serving contains about 40g of carbohydrates.
Should I use boiling water?
Yes, approximately 1 quart of boiling water is added to cover the vegetables during the simmering process.
Can I eat this stew the next day?
Yes, it is even better on the second day after the flavors have melded overnight.
What is the suggested side dish?
It is best served hot with generous slices of crusty Italian bread for dunking.
How much olive oil is needed?
You will need 3 to 4 tablespoons of olive oil.
How much garlic is required?
The recipe requires 1 clove of garlic, minced.
How long do the mushrooms need to cook?
The mushrooms should cook for about 5 minutes until they release their juices and become tender.
What type of onion is used?
One medium onion, sliced, is used in the initial browning stage.
How many carrots should I add?
Add 4 to 6 carrots cut into 1-inch pieces.
Is a bay leaf necessary?
One bay leaf is added during the simmering stage to provide traditional aromatic flavor.
How do I season the stew?
Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
What heat level should I use for browning?
The meat and onions should be browned over medium heat.
What heat level should I use for the final simmer?
The heat should be reduced to low once the green beans are added.
How long is the initial simmer after adding tomatoes?
The mixture should simmer for 15 to 20 minutes before adding the carrots and potatoes.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 16 total ingredients in this hearty stew.
Can this be considered a winter recipe?
Yes, it is tagged as a winter recipe and is described as being best enjoyed on a chilly evening.
Is this considered an easy dinner?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy dinner despite being a rich, multi-stage family recipe.