Beef Braciole is a company-worthy, classic, hearty, homestyle southern Italian dish that’s perfect for a winter night! Thin slices of beef, a savory filling in a wine-infused sauce you’ll fall in love with!
(Recipe updated and post republished from the original dated 12-24-14.)
Beef Braciole (pronounced BRA-cheeo-lay) has many variations. It can be made with thin, individual slices of beef such as round or as one large roll using flank steak. It always has a savory filling.
The filling may be any number of things including cheese, breadcrumbs, fresh herbs, preserved meats such as prosciutto or salami. Another combination may be spinach, pine nuts and raisins.
No matter what you fill it with, Beef Braciole is a dish you will fall in love with!
I adapted this recipe from one in the “The Sopranos Family Cookbook.” (Affiliate link.) A client, who was a fan of the show, requested I prepare that recipe. A couple of tweaks later, it’s been a favorite on my personal chef menu ever since.
For this version, you’ll need thinly sliced beef top round, which you can get your butcher to do. Slices of top round can be quite large. First, I pound it out to tenderize it, then cut in half widthwise to make it the perfect size to accommodate a slice of prosciutto.
Prosciutto is a dry-cured Italian ham. Prosciutto di Parma is imported from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy and can be quite expensive. Less expensive domestic brands are available in most supermarket deli departments.
Top with a combination of Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, garlic and fresh Italian parsley…
Tuck the sides in to secure the filling, roll into a cylinder and secure with a toothpick.
Brown in olive oil to a lovely deep brown then braise in the wine-infused sauce for a company-worthy dish!
If cooking this dish on the stovetop, you may not need the flour to thicken the sauce as it’s going to reduce as it simmers. I prefer the oven or slow-cooker method because those cooking methods don’t require much attention.
If you need to thicken the sauce, make a slurry with the flour and slowly add it to the sauce. Simmer until thickened. Here’s more information from The Kitchn on how to do it: How to Make and Use a Slurry
Serve the beef rolls over thick, tube-shaped pasta such as ziti, penne or rigatoni and some good crusty bread!
Mama Mia!
Want more amazing slowly-braised beef recipes? Try one of these:
- Cabernet-Braised Beef Short Ribs with Cauliflower – Leek Puree
- Korean-Braised Beef Short Ribs
- Stout-Braised Beef Short Ribs and Colcannon
- Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs Barbacoa with Cilantro – Lime Cauliflower Rice
Related items: (Affiliate links)
Thank you, hope you enjoy and please share this From A Chef’s Kitchen reader favorite!
Beef Braciole
Beef Braciole is a hearty, slowly-simmered wine-infused homestyle southern Italian dish that’s perfect for a wintry night.
Ingredients
- 6 thin slices boneless top round (about 2 pounds)
- 12 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup finely chopped Italian (flat-leaf) parsley, plus more for garnish
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan or Romano cheese, plus more for serving if desired
- 2 tablespoons seasoned dry breadcrumbs
- salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 12 thin slices prosciutto
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups dry red wine
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 can (28-ounce) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
- 2 heaping tablespoons all-purpose flour
Directions
Cut top round slices in half widthwise so that you have 12 equal pieces. Place beef between two pieces of plastic wrap. Gently pound to 1/4 to 1/8-inch thickness.
Mince 4 cloves of garlic; slice the remaining 8 cloves.
Combine minced garlic, parsley, cheese, breadcrumbs, salt and black pepper in a small bowl. Place a prosciutto slice over the filling then sprinkle filling evenly over all beef slices.
Roll the beef into a cylinder, tucking in the sides to hold in the filling as you roll. Secure with toothpicks.
Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat. Place the beef rolls, seam side down in the pot and brown seam side first to seal it. Cook, turning the meat occasionally until each roll is nicely browned on all sides. Transfer to a plate.
Add the wine and the sliced garlic. Bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits. Add beef broth, tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Place beef rolls back in the pot and bring back to a simmer.
Cover and cook on low heat, turning occasionally until beef is tender and easily pierced with a fork, about 1 1/2 hours. Alternately, cook covered in a 325-degree oven for 1 1/2-2 hours or in a slow cooker for 3-4 hours on high, 5-6 hours on medium or 7-8 hours on low.
To thicken, place pot back on the stove if cooked in the oven. Remove some of the hot cooking liquid to a bowl. Add the flour and stir until smooth to create a slurry. Slowly add it to the hot cooking liquid, bring to a slow simmer and cook until thickened.
Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Remove toothpicks and serve over pasta with additional grated cheese if desired.
Recipe Notes
If cooking on the stovetop, you may not need the flour to thicken the sauce.
Ruth Damore says
If I want to make this with a whole flank steak what would I have to change in the recipe?
Carol says
Hi, Ruth, Thanks for your question. Really, not that much. I would probably add another type of cheese such as provolone because you’re working with a larger piece of meat and you’ll want that filling to stand out a little more. Hope you enjoy and please let me know how it goes.
Ruth damore says
Thank you! What size of flank steak would you use?
Carol says
Hi, Ruth, Flank steaks run 1 to 1 1/2 pounds. I’ve always found the larger the flank steak, the easier they are to work with. You’ll want to roll it so that the grain runs lengthwise. Then, when you slice it, you’ll be slicing it against the grain. Here’s some more information on using a flank steak from Fine Cooking: http://www.finecooking.com/recipe/braised-beef-braciola-stuffed-with-basil-and-mozzarella
Sara says
This looks entirely too yummy! My husband would love to have this for dinner!
Carol says
Thanks, Sara!
Jessica says
Yum! This dish sounds like a dream, Carol! I really love that it is adapted from the Soprano’s family cookbook. 😀
Jennifer says
Mama Mia is right! This looks mouthwatering and I cannot wait to try it! I pinned it for later!
Carol says
Thanks, Jennifer!
Lois. O says
These pictures have me drooling on my keyboard! I can’t wait to try this out myself.
Mackenzie says
I so desperately want to eat this right now! This is one of my favorites, but I always think of it as a special date night type of meal as compared to something I can make for myself. I can’t wait to try this recipe out!
Carol says
Thanks, Mackenzie! Hope you enjoy!
Stacey says
This is absolutely stunning! Braciole is a favorite of mine, oh and that sauce looks amazing. I need to make this soon!
Carol says
Thanks, Stacey! Hope you enjoy!
Julie says
This looks absolutely amazing! Stuffed and rolled pinwheel flank steaks are one of my go-to grilling summer dishes, but I’ve never figured out how to bring them inside for the months when our grill is covered with snow. Can’t wait to give this a try!
Carol says
Thank you, Julie! Yes, this dish is adaptable to a whole flank steak too. Hope you enjoy!
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
It looks absolutely absolutely delicious. One of our very family favorites. Your meat and sauce look perfect!! Great job.
Jenni says
Your version of beef braciole looks great! This is always such a fun dish for those nights when I’m craving a great Italian dish without the extra carbs from pasta. Love the inspiration from the Sopranos too!
Carol says
Thank you, Jenni!
michele says
We love a great braciole…. my husbands mother was so good at it that Ive never really tried to make one. But its one of the recipes we never thought to have her write down. Im going to give this one a try and surprise Jeff…. and ps… your photography always makes me hungry! Beautiful!
Carol says
Thanks, Michele! Making the rolls takes a little bit of doing, but the whole dish is soooo worth it!
Rachel says
This recipe looks fabulous. It’s a little sophisticated, but is still totally Italian comfort food. I’m going to be trying this one out on my family!
Carol says
Thanks, Rachel! It’s actually pretty rustic but so perfect for guests!