Slow-Simmered Italian Beef and Peppers with Garlic Bread

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

Tender Italian beef braised with sweet peppers and savory gravy served alongside warm, crusty garlic bread. This italian-inspired beef ready in about 150 minutes pairs pounds beef chuck roast, large, thinly sliced yellow onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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: 130 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 pounds beef chuck roast and cut into 2-inch chunks. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown beef chunks on all sides for about 5 minutes, then remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 large thinly sliced yellow onion, and 4 sliced bell peppers (2 green, 2 red, each sliced into 1/2-inch strips). Sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Return beef to the pot and pour in 3 cups beef broth. Stir in 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until beef is tender and gravy thickens.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375°F. Slice 1 Italian bread loaf in half lengthwise. Melt 4 tablespoons unsalted butter and mix with 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley and 1 minced garlic clove. Brush mixture evenly over cut sides of bread.
  5. Step 5: Place bread halves on a baking sheet cut-side up and bake for 10-12 minutes until golden and fragrant. Slice and serve alongside the Italian beef and peppers.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Simmered Italian Beef and Peppers with Garlic Bread take to make?

Total time is about 150 minutes (20 min prep + 130 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-Simmered Italian Beef and Peppers with Garlic Bread?

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 pounds beef chuck roast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Italian Beef and Peppers with Garlic Bread?

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-Simmered Italian Beef and Peppers with Garlic Bread 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-Simmered Italian Beef and Peppers with Garlic Bread?

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.