Slow Cooker Italian Pot Roast comes together in minutes and will permeate your house with the aromas of rosemary, garlic and red wine while it cooks.
March is going to be a busy travel month and, in fact, I have three business trips in the first two weeks alone. Fortunately, my boys get to join me on one and my youngest sister will be with me on another so I am looking forward to many exciting adventures.
Whenever I leave town, I like to stock the fridge with plenty of ready-to-eat meals that my husband or babysitter can quickly reheat. One of the not-so-secret reasons Rich doesn’t mind me leaving is because it gives him the opportunity to eat his favorite foods (read: pizza and burgers.)
To break up the fast food rotation, Slow Cooker Italian Pot Roast is one of my favorite meals to prepare for them. Seasoned with fresh rosemary, lots of garlic and dry red wine, this pot roast is always a huge hit and usually lasts at least a couple days.
To lock in the juices, I quickly sear the roast with my Crock-Pot that has a super convenient stove-top-safe insert. The flavor of the finished dish intensifies over time which is one reason I love making when I travel. Serve with whipped sweet potatoes, garlic roasted yukon golds or a loaf of crusty Italian bread.
Your fork is waiting.
Slow Cooker Italian Pot Roast
Ingredients
- 1 three pound beef roast (chuck will produce the most tender result)
- 5 teaspoons kosher salt (divided)
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic (peeled left whole)
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 4 celery stalks (quartered)
- 2 carrots (peeled and quartered)
- 32 ounce can whole peeled tomatoes
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup dry red wine (or additional beef broth)
- fresh parsley (to serve)
Instructions
- Take the beef roast out of the refrigerator and let come to room temperature by sitting on the counter 10-15 minutes.
- Sprinkle roast evenly with 3 teaspoons kosher salt and all of the pepper.
- Heat a Dutch oven or large pan over high heat (or insert of Slow Cooker with Stove Top Browning) then add olive oil.
- Sear beef roast on all sides, rotating every 3-4 minutes, so that it forms a golden brown crust on all sides. Remove from pan and place in slow cooker if you didn’t use the stove-top-safe slow cooker insert.
- Add all remaining ingredients to the slow cooker: garlic, rosemary, celery, carrots, tomatoes, beef broth, wine and remaining 2 teaspoons of kosher salt.
- Heat on Low for 8 Hours.
- To serve, remove beef from slow cooker and let rest 10 minutes. Shred with fork is slice against the grain. Serve with vegetables on the side and fresh parsley.
I made this for dinner when my in-laws came over. I puréed some of the veg and stock and then added a cornstarch slurry after adding back to the pot to create a more gravy-like sauce. Served over Parmesan polenta. Everyone raved. My Italian MIL, an avid cook, later told me she has “dreamt of that dinner.” We couldn’t believe it was a crock-pot meal. This is my go-to and my husband’s standard for all other pot roasts. Thank you!!
This looks YUMMY!
I’ve never think about making Italian recipes in my slow cooker.
Can’t wail to try.
I hope you like it!!
My husband is on a sodium restricted diet. Does you have any suggestions for replacing the salt but not losing flavor?
Thanks in advance
I’m afraid I don’t – you really need salt to bring out the beef flavor. If you could lower the salt that would be fine.
I made this for Sunday supper for my family and it was a hit. When I took the meat out, I used the immersion blender to puree the vegetables and added a little cornstarch slurry. Turned the slow cooker onto high for about 10 minutes and we had a lovely sauce to serve with the mashed potatoes. Thanks!
That is such a brilliant idea! So glad you enjoyed!
This pot roast looks beautiful! I can’t wait to try it for an upcoming dinner party!
I hope you love it!
I love a good pot roast, and this one sure sounds delicious! I also think it’s super nice that you stock the house before you go. Hope you have awesome trips, and can’t wait to see you on one of them ;)
Thank you my friend – can not WAIT to see you!!
This pot roast does sound delicious. Hope you have lots of fun traveling.
Thanks so much Susan!!
Yummy! I need to get my slow cooker out and start getting used to it!!
I can smell it thru my screen!! Looks fabulous Liz!!
Thank you so much Cheryl!
I’m pretty sure I left my husband with a frozen pizza for the past couple of days. You definitely should get an award with this pot roast.
hahaha He probably would have loved frozen pizza too ;)
Great Sunday dinner idea! My family would love it!!
I LOVE a good slow cooker recipe!!! I’m tired of the same old beef roast coming out of my crockpot. Excited to try this Italian version :)
You and me both!! I hope you love this!
I don’t have a slow cooker but I wish I did! This looks amazing!!
You can always use your oven on a low temp as a slow cooker (like 200)
Baseball season officially started. So with Paul playing in his adult league, Trevor playing in Single A….AND Paul coaching little league. My life ceases to exist for the next several months. Bring on the crock pot recipes. LOVE this one!
Oh my goodness – girl you’re going to need lots of crock pot recipes!! I hope you try this!
I love slow cooking and I love Italian cuisine. Um, I think I will try your delicious recipe. Thank you, Liz, for sharing.
I hope you love it!
This looks amazing!
This is right up may alley! Love the tip to sear the roast first!
I hardly make pot roast, I did not grow up with it so I’m just not used to cooking it. Slow cooker seems the way to go! Larry and his parents would really love this. Looks delish!
I never do either!! It’s Rich’s favorite so I always make when I leave town. :) The boys go crazy for it.
Ooh! I’ll babysit if it means I can eat this for dinner ;)
DEAL! :)