Steak Pizzaiola with Fresh Oregano Tomato Sauce
Indulge in the rich and savory flavors of Steak Pizzaiola, a dish inspired by traditional Italian cooking and famously thought to be a favorite of a pizzaiolo's wife. This delightful recipe features tender beef T-bone steaks browned to perfection, then simmered in a vibrant tomato sauce infused with fresh garlic, spicy red pepper flakes, and aromatic oregano. The key to this dish is using fresh oregano leaves, which elevate the sauce's flavor far beyond what dried herbs can achieve. Paired with good crusty bread for soaking up the delectable sauce, this dish is perfect for a romantic dinner or a cozy gathering with friends. Get ready to impress with this uncomplicated, yet deliciously satisfying meal!
2
Servings
400
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
beef T-bone steaks
2 (3/4 inch thick, seasoned with salt and pepper)
salt and pepper
to taste
extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons
garlic cloves
3 (peeled and crushed)
tomatoes
1 (24 ounce) can (including juice)
red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
fresh oregano
3 sprigs (leaves only, chopped)
white wine
1/2 cup
Instructions
1
In a medium-sized pot, heat 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add one crushed garlic clove and allow it to turn slightly golden, being careful to remove it before it browns too much.
2
Add the entire can of tomatoes (including the liquid) to the pot and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook the sauce until it thickens and reduces, about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once reduced, set the sauce aside and keep warm.
3
Season both sides of the T-bone steaks generously with salt and pepper.
4
In a large skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat until hot. Add the remaining crushed garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
5
Carefully place the steaks in the skillet and brown for about 1 minute on each side to achieve a nice crust. Remove the steaks from the skillet and set them on a plate.
6
In the same skillet, add red pepper flakes and chopped fresh oregano, stirring for a few seconds to release their flavors. Then pour in the white wine and let it cook down, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet, until slightly reduced.
7
Stir in the prepared tomato sauce and bring it to a gentle simmer. Return the browned steaks to the pan, ensuring they are well-coated in the sauce.
8
Reduce the heat to medium and cook for an additional 6-8 minutes, turning the steaks once, or until they reach your desired level of doneness.
9
Transfer the steaks to a serving platter and generously pour the sauce over the top. Serve immediately with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Nutrition Information
22.5g
Fat
16g
Carbs
30g
Protein
3g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Steak Pizzaiola?
Steak Pizzaiola is a traditional Italian-inspired dish featuring beef steaks simmered in a savory tomato sauce with garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes.
What cut of beef is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for two beef T-bone steaks, approximately 3/4 inch thick.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to serve 2 people.
What are the nutritional values per serving?
Each serving contains 400 calories, 22.5g of fat, 16g of carbohydrates, and 30g of protein.
How much fiber is in the Steak Pizzaiola?
There are 3 grams of fiber per serving.
What type of tomatoes should I use?
Use one 24-ounce can of tomatoes, including the juice, for the sauce.
Can I use dried oregano instead of fresh?
The recipe emphasizes fresh oregano leaves as they elevate the flavor significantly more than dried herbs can.
Is there alcohol in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe uses 1/2 cup of white wine to deglaze the skillet.
How do I prepare the garlic?
The recipe requires 3 garlic cloves that should be peeled and crushed before use.
How long does the tomato sauce need to simmer?
The sauce should simmer for about 15-20 minutes until it thickens and reduces.
How long should I sear the steaks?
The steaks should be browned for about 1 minute on each side over medium-high heat to create a crust.
What is the total cooking time for the steaks in the sauce?
After returning to the pan, the steaks cook in the sauce for an additional 6-8 minutes.
What should I serve with Steak Pizzaiola?
It is best served with good crusty bread to soak up the extra tomato sauce.
How much olive oil is needed?
You will need a total of 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, divided between the sauce and the steak skillet.
Is this recipe spicy?
It has a mild kick from 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, which can be adjusted to your personal taste.
When do I add the white wine?
The white wine is added to the skillet after searing the steaks and sautéing the oregano and pepper flakes.
Should I drain the canned tomatoes?
No, you should add the entire can of tomatoes including the liquid to the pot.
What do I do with the garlic used in the sauce?
The garlic should be golden but removed before it browns too much to avoid a bitter taste.
How do I season the steaks?
Season both sides of the T-bone steaks generously with salt and pepper before cooking.
What is the purpose of deglazing the pan with wine?
Deglazing helps to scrape up and incorporate the flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the skillet into the sauce.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 8 main ingredients used in this recipe.
What category does this recipe fall under?
This is an Italian beef dish categorized as comfort food and an easy dinner.
Do I need to turn the steaks while they simmer in the sauce?
Yes, you should turn the steaks once while they are cooking in the sauce for 6-8 minutes.
What are the key tags for this recipe?
Key tags include beef, steak, Italian, pizzaiola, tomato sauce, oregano, and easy dinner.
How should the sauce look before adding it to the steaks?
The sauce should be thickened and reduced after simmering for 15-20 minutes.
Is there any sugar or cholesterol information provided?
No, the sugar, sodium, and cholesterol values are not specified in the recipe data.
What size pot should I use for the sauce?
A medium-sized pot is recommended for preparing the tomato sauce.
What size skillet is needed for the steaks?
A large skillet is required to accommodate the two T-bone steaks.
Can I adjust the doneness of the steak?
Yes, you can adjust the final simmering time in the sauce to reach your desired level of doneness.
What is the inspiration behind this dish?
It is a traditional Italian dish famously thought to be a favorite of a pizzaiolo's wife.