Crock Pot Italian Pot Roast

Nothing is better than a Crock-Pot meal.... especially during the week... coming home to a house smelling wonderful and dinner almost totally made... heaven!

I've posted a number of Pot Roast recipes.. all good in their own right... but I wanted to make something a little different... so I decided on an Italian version.

TIPS

Make sure you season this dish enough.. the slow cooking seems to dull spices... 

I used Beef Consommé ... I like the more intense beef flavor.. you can substitute beef broth if that's what you have on hand.

I like Portobello mushrooms..  they have a wonderful earthy flavor and I think it enhances this dish.

I like boneless beef bottom round... I think the meat is more tender but a chuck roast will do nicely as well.

The longer you cook this .. the more the meat will fall apart... I used a smaller roast today... just over 2 pounds... and cooked it on high for 4 1/2 hours...it sliced nicely. 

When I use a smaller roast.. I use the same amount of other ingredients.. extra gravy is never a bad thing.

My gravy was very thin.. if you prefer thicker gravy... double the amount of tomato paste.

I used canned diced tomatoes... you can use whatever variety you prefer... I highly recommend the Basil, Oregano and Garlic one.. it just adds to the flavor.

Serve this with garlicy mashed potatoes or polenta and a side salad... just delicious!

Recipe:  Crock-Pot Italian Pot Roast

All you need:

3 to 3 ½ lb boneless beef bottom round roast or chuck roast

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 large onion, cut in half then sliced

1 large garlic cloves, minced

1 pkg. (8 oz.) Portobello mushrooms, cut in half

1/2 cup baby carrots

1 can Campbell's Beef Consommé

1 can Hunt's Diced Tomatoes with Basil, Garlic and Oregano

1/2 cup red wine

2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning

1/2 can tomato paste (seasoned is best)

All you have to do:

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium high heat.  Sprinkle the roast with salt, pepper and garlic powder.  Sear the meat on all sides... about 2 minutes a side.

Place the roast in a crock pot.  Add all the remaining ingredients.  Cook on low for about 8 hours or on high about 5 hours on low or until beef is tender.