Slow-Roasted Italian Beef with Sweet Peppers

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender slow-roasted beef simmered with sweet peppers and Italian herbs, perfect for hearty sandwiches or a flavorful dinner. This italian-inspired beef ready in about 200 minutes pairs beef chuck roast, medium, sliced sweet bell peppers, large, sliced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 180 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Rub 3 lbs beef chuck roast with 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 2 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, and 1 tsp dried thyme. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe pot over medium-high heat. Sear the roast on all sides until browned, about 4 minutes per side.
  2. Step 2: Remove the beef and add 1 large sliced yellow onion, 3 sliced sweet bell peppers, and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 2 cups beef broth and stir, scraping any browned bits from the pot. Return the beef to the pot, cover tightly, and transfer to the oven. Slow roast for 3 hours until the beef is fork-tender.
  4. Step 4: Remove the beef and shred it with two forks. Mix the shredded beef with the softened peppers and onions in the pot. Add 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes if you want mild heat.
  5. Step 5: Serve the Italian beef piled onto 4 Italian sandwich rolls, spooning extra peppers and juices over the top for a juicy sandwich experience.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Roasted Italian Beef with Sweet Peppers take to make?

Total time is about 200 minutes (20 min prep + 180 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Slow-Roasted Italian Beef with Sweet Peppers?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep beef chuck roast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Roasted Italian Beef with Sweet Peppers?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Slow-Roasted Italian Beef with Sweet Peppers for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Slow-Roasted Italian Beef with Sweet Peppers?

Italian beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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