New Year's Intention: Slow Cooker Italian-Style Beef Stew

Start your New Year’s healthy eating intentions with this hearty Slow Cooker Italian-Style Beef Stew—a wholesome, flavor-packed dish loaded with lean protein, vibrant veggies, and nourishing ingredients to keep you on track!

Slow Cooker Italian-Style Beef Stew

Happy 2025! I love kicking off each year by embracing my healthy eating goals with a hearty, nutritious soup. This year, I came across a Slow Cooker Italian-Style Beef Stew recipe that sounded amazing. With a few adjustments, it turned into a hearty and flavorful dish—perfect for starting the year on a healthy note!

This Slow Cooker Italian-Style Beef Stew is a hearty, comforting dish packed with bold flavors and wholesome ingredients. Tender chunks of beef chuck roast simmer alongside gold potatoes, carrots, celery, and cannellini beans in a rich tomato-based broth enhanced with red wine, garlic, and Italian herbs. The slow cooker does all the work, creating a melt-in-your-mouth texture and a deeply savory flavor profile. Finished with a touch of cornstarch for the perfect thickness, this stew is as nourishing as it is delicious, making it an ideal choice for a cozy, healthy meal any day of the week.

This dish is the perfect recipe for anyone looking for a delicious, nutritious, and low-effort meal. With minimal prep time and the convenience of a slow cooker, it’s an easy way to enjoy a comforting, homemade dinner without spending hours in the kitchen. Simply chop your ingredients, toss them into the slow cooker, and let it work its magic while you go about your day. The result is a tender, flavorful, savory, and aromatic stew the whole family will enjoy.   Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or feeding a family, this dish is a stress-free and satisfying choice! 

What Ingredients do I need?

Produce

• 1 ½ pounds gold potatoes
• 3 medium carrots
• 3 celery stalks
• 1 medium onion
• 6 cloves garlic

Meat

• 2 ½ pounds beef chuck roast

Canned Goods

• 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
• 1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans

Liquids

• 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
• ¾ cup red wine

Spices and Seasonings

• dried thyme
• dried oregano

Other

• cornstarch - used for thickening the broth

Substitutions and Variations

Substitutions

• Dried Thyme and Oregano: Swap with Italian seasoning or fresh herbs like rosemary and basil.

• Red Wine: Replace with additional beef broth, grape juice, or a splash of balsamic vinegar for depth.

• Cannellini Beans: Swap with great northern beans, chickpeas, or omit for a lower-carb option.

• Diced Tomatoes: Use fresh chopped tomatoes or crushed tomatoes for a slightly different texture.

• Beef Chuck Roast: Replace with stew meat or beef brisket.

• Gold Potatoes: Use red potatoes, russet potatoes, or even sweet potatoes for a slightly different flavor.

Variations

• Herb Lovers:  Use fresh rosemary, thyme, and basil for a more aromatic and herbaceous flavor.

• Low-Carb Version:  Skip the potatoes and beans, and replace them with cauliflower florets or zucchini for a low-carb alternative.

• Vegetarian Option:  Replace the beef with mushrooms (like portobello or cremini), double up on the beans, and use vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.

Kitchen Tips and Notes

• Use the Right Cut of Meat:  Choose beef chuck roast or another well-marbled cut, as it becomes tender and flavorful when slow-cooked. Trim excess fat for a leaner stew.

• Chop Ingredients Uniformly:  Cut the vegetables into even pieces to ensure they cook evenly. Aim for larger chunks to prevent them from becoming too soft during the long cooking process.

• Layer Ingredients Correctly:  Place the vegetables at the bottom of the slow cooker, followed by the meat, and pour the liquid over everything. This ensures even cooking and flavor distribution.

• Taste and Adjust Seasonings:  Taste the stew near the end of cooking and adjust salt, pepper, or herbs as needed for a perfectly balanced flavor.

• Thicken Without Lumps:  When adding the cornstarch mixture, whisk it well and stir it in gradually to avoid lumps. Let it simmer for a few minutes to thicken properly.

• Great for Leftovers: The stew stores well and tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen. Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

• Bonus Tip:  Serve with crusty bread and a side salad for a complete meal. 

     Equipment You May Need     

• All Clad Slow Cooker - I own this and it is the best slow cooker I've ever had.

• CrockPot Slow Cooker - This is a great manual model

• Chef's Knife 8" - a staple in every kitchen

• Cutting Board - great board - it has one side with compartments for charcuterie use and the other side is solid flat with grooves for catching juices.

• Soup Bowls  - nice wide and deep bowls perfect for stew!

     Other Delicious Soups     

• Simple Pasta Fagioli

• Slow Cooker Arroz con Pollo

• Chicken Pot Pie Soup

• Instant Pot Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup

• Tomato Gnocchi Soup

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Slow Cooker Italian Style Beef Stew


Serves 6-8


1 ½ pounds gold potatoes, cut into quarters
3 medium carrots, cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces
3 celery stalks, cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces
1 cup chopped onion
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 ½ pounds beef chuck roast, trimmed and cut into 2-inch chunks
1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
2 cups low-sodium beef broth, divided
¾ cup red wine
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground pepper
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. dried oregano
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans, rinsed

Combine potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and beef in a 6-qt. or larger slow cooker. Stir together tomatoes, tomato paste, 1¾ cups broth, wine, salt, and pepper; pour over the beef mixture. Sprinkle in the dried herbs.

Cover and cook on "Low" 8 hours or on "High" for 5-6 until beef is tender. 

Whisk together cornstarch and the remaining ¼ cup broth in a small bowl; stir into the stew. Gently stir in beans; cook, uncovered and stirring occasionally, until the stew is thickened and the beans are heated through, 10 to 15 minutes.

Adapted from:  Eating Well

Carne Guisada - Instant Pot and Oven/Stove Top Versions

This mouthwatering Carne Guisada has tender chunks of seasoned beef cooked in a luscious tomato-based sauce.  It's a fiesta in a bowl!

 Carne Guisada

Enjoy a wonder meal with this succulent Latin flavored stew.  Tender chunks of stew meat are cooked in a luscious tomato-based sauce that filled with onion, tomatoes, and Latin spices.  It's said that Carne Guisada is originally from Puerto Rico although there are many variations across Latin countries.  This is a very simple dish to make and it all cooks in one pot.

Serve it over a nice bed of rice along with tortillas for a great meal.  Any leftovers can be stuffed in to tortillas for soft tacos or rolled in to enchiladas.  The flavor is amazing and this dish is all about the sauce and the tender meat.  I made this in my Instant Pot and the meat was falling apart.  You can make this on the stove top or in the oven in a Dutch oven.  It will take you about 1 1/2 to make this start to finish so plan on making this on the weekend for Sunday dinner or even game day!

Enjoy!

What Ingredients do I need?

• 2 pounds of stew meat

• white or yellow onion

• cumin

• canned diced tomatoes 

• beef broth - low sodium

• olive oil

• dried oregano

• flour

Substitutions and Variations

• Vegetables - add potatoes and carrots

Kitchen Tips and Notes

• serve over steamed rice or mashed potatoes

• serve with tortillas or cornbread

• leftovers can be kept in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 3 days

• turn leftovers in to tostadas, tacos, enchiladas, or use in quesadillas

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Carne Guisada

serves 4-6

4 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoon cumin
2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups beef broth, low sodium
2 lbs beef stew meat, cubed
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, with their juices
1/4 cup flour

1/4 cup water
1 large yellow or white onion, chopped

Pressure Cooker:

Turn your Instant Pot on sauté mode and add the olive oil to heat up.  Add 1/2 of the beef and brown on all sides.  Remove from the pot and set aside.  Continue to brown the remaining beef on all sides.  Hit the cancel button to turn off.  

Add in the onion, garlic, tomatoes, beef broth, cumin, salt& pepper, oregano and return the browned beef to the Instant Pot.  Place the lid on the pot and turn the vent knob to "seal".  Press the pressure cook button and set the time for 50 minutes.  When the time is up turn the knob to vent and allow the steam to release.  

In a small bowl mix together the flour and water until smooth.  Open the lid and turn on the sauté button again.  Once the mixture heats up to almost boiling add the flour/water mixture and stir in.  This will thicken the sauce.  Continue to boil on "sauté" for about 5 minutes until thickened.  

Serve over rice.

Oven/Stove Top:

If using the oven preheat to 325 degrees.  In a Dutch oven over medium high heat add the olive oil and heat up.  Add 1/2 of the beef and brown on all sides.  Remove from the pot and set aside.  Continue to brown the remaining beef on all sides.  Remove and set aside.

Reduce the heat to medium low and add the onions and saute until transparent.  Add in the garlic, return the beef to the pot and add in the cumin, salt & pepper, and oregano.  Stir to coat.  Add in the tomatoes, broth and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hours or transfer to the oven and cook for 1 hour.  

In a small bowl mix together the flour and water until smooth. Stir the mixture in to the pot and boil on the stove top for about 10 minutes to thicken the broth. 

Serve over rice.

Mushroom Bourguignon

This rich and hearty vegetarian version of a classic French dish is so delicious you won't miss the meat!  The vibrant mix of vegetables and herbs creates a silky stew that perfect for serving over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles.  

Mushroom Bourguignon

I love a classic Beef Bourguignon but it takes a lot of time to cook.  This vegetarian dish uses mushrooms as the main ingredient and let me tell you, once you try this, you won't miss the meat!  It's rich and hearty with meaty mushrooms, tender carrots, and onion, cooked in an aromatic sauce from the rosemary, red wine and beef broth, which gives it a deep rich flavor.  Delicious is what this dish is!

Easy enough to make on a weeknight, this dish will be on the table in under 45 minutes.  Make sure to serve it with your choice of mashed potatoes, rice, or even egg noodles.  This dish is heaven on a plate and perfect for these chilly nights.

Enjoy!

What Ingredients do I need?

• whole baby bell mushrooms
• carrots
• yellow onion
• rosemary
• garlic
• tomato paste
• flour
• beef broth
• red wine
• sherry vinegar

Substitutions and Variations

• Use frozen pearl onions instead of chopped yellow onion

• Use sliced mushrooms, but note they will shrink more and be smaller bites

• Use beef consume for a deeper flavor

• If you don't have sherry vinegar you can use red wine vinegar

• Leave out the wine and use more beef broth

Kitchen Tips and Notes

• Don't salt the mushrooms when cooking them or they will give off too much moisture.  You want them dry to brown well.

• This dish comes together in under 45 minutes so it's great for weeknights.

• Prep all your ingredients first for a quicker cooking time and smoother process.

• You can purchase pre-cut onions, baby carrots, and mushrooms to cut down on prep time.  If using baby carrots, I would cut them in half.

• Double the recipe if serving 4 or more people.

• Great for using leftover mashed potatoes or rice.

Items You Will Need

Dutch Ovens

Chef Knives

Cutting Boards

Wooden Spoons

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Mushroom Bourguignon

serves 2-3

8 oz  whole baby bella mushrooms, halved or quartered if large
2 small carrots, peeled and cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 1/2 teaspoon rosemary, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 Tablespoon tomato paste
1 Tablespoon flour
1 cup beef broth
1/4 cup red wine
1 teaspoon sherry vinegar
salt & pepper
olive oil

mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice for serving

In a medium Dutch oven or pot, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high.   Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and any liquid is evaporated, about 7-9 minutes.

Add onions, carrots, and 1 tablespoon oil.  Cook, stirring, until vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.  Stir in chopped garlic and rosemary, tomato paste and flour.  Cook until fragrant and tomato paste is slightly darkened, about 1 minute.

Add in beef broth, red wine, and sherry vinegar, stirring to combine and scraping up any brown bits on the bottom of the pan.  Bring to a simmer over medium heat.  Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook until vegetables are tender and sauce resembles a thick stew, 10–15 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles.

Easy Homemade Turkey Chili Recipe

Everyone needs a basic chili recipe and this one that features ground turkey, beans, and a blend of spices will knock your socks off!

Whenever we have a large crowd over for a party or game night, chili is always a good idea.  Everyone loves it and it is easy to make!

This recipe is a healthier version using ground turkey however, you may use ground beef as well.  Whatever meat you choose the end result will be spectacular.  With a combination of kidney and black beans, tomatoes, and spices this chili is bursting with flavor.  It's the chili we make the most because of the flavors.

All you need for this one pot dish is a dutch oven.  You can even choose to make this in a slow cooker if you like.  I've included notations on that method as well.

This dish is wonderful as a causal dinner.  All you have to do is set it up buffet style with the chili in the dutch oven, and lay out bowls of toppings.  People can serve themselves and make their chili personalized with the toppings.  Very easy...I just love that!

Toppings to serve with chili

• Fritos
• Tortilla Chips
• Cornbread
• Avocados
• Diced Onions
• Corn Salsa
• Grated cheese
• Sour cream
• Chopped green onions
• Sliced jalapeños

Easy Homemade Turkey Chili Recipe

serve 6

double recipe for a large crowd

1/2 yellow onion, small dice
1 Tbsp. canola oil
1 lb ground turkey
1 29 oz. can crushed tomatoes

1 14 oz. cans red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 14 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/2  Tbsp. cumin
2 Tbsp. chili powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. paprika

Instructions

In a 5- 6 qt dutch oven over medium high heat, add the oil.  Once hot add the onions and saute 5-7 minutes until translucent. Add the ground turkey and cook until browned, chopping the meat as it cooks for about 7 minutes.

Add the tomatoes, beans, and all the spices. Stir thoroughly.  Turn up the heat to high and bring it to a boil.  Reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Serve with your favorite toppings.  

Slow Cooker Instructions: Cook onions and brown ground turkey in a skillet then add to the slow cooker.  Add all the other ingredients, and cook for 6-8 hours on low, or 3-4 hours on high.

11 Best Dishes of 2018

Yum

Happy New Year!

2018 was a year full of highs and lows but it seems that it went so fast that it was a blur.  The food we made was a full of variety.  The most popular dishes seem to have a comfort food theme with a little bit of restaurant flair thrown in.   

I've gathered the eleven most popular dishes (there was a tie for 10th place that I couldn't break) from 2018 in one spot for you to reference and enjoy!

Enjoy all the precious moments that 2019 will bring.  We only live once!

11 TOP RECIPES OF 2018

In no particular order...

Cajun Roasted Potatoes

Chili Lime Salmon with Roasted Vegetables

Baked Honey Soy Chicken Legs

Spicy Turkey Chili 

Garlic and Parmesan Crispy Oven Fried Chicken

Grilled Balsamic Chicken with Mediterranean Rice

Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Stew

Middle Eastern Chickpea Salad

Lemon Blueberry Muffins

Easy Cinnamon Peach Cobbler - Family Sized

Sheet Pan Beef Fajitas

There are plenty of dishes to come in 2019.  Lots of comfort food, weeknight meals, stir frys, southern dishes, and easy restaurant style meals.  Enjoy a prosperous holiday and I am so grateful for all of my followers.  I wish you the best to come in 2019 and will be talking to you in the new year!

Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Stew

Yum

Whenever the weather change to fall then toward winter I love, love, love making soups.  

There's something about a comforting homey meal when you get home from work after a long day that gets me right there. (Pointing toward heart)  It soothes the soul, if you know what I mean.  

So to make these wonderfully tasting soups and stews during the week I turn to my slow cooker for help.  It gives you that cooked all day flavor without the effort.  So what to make?  I'm feeling like a comforting chicken stew is in order.  I have a French chicken stew that I make but I'm actually in the mood for Italian flavors.  Something with a tomato base.  So a Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Stew was in order.

Wonderfully simple ingredients such as onion, celery, and carrots are the base of the recipes as with many soups and stews.  What makes this special are the addition of Italian ingredients such as tomatoes and Cannellini beans along with Italian spices such as basil, oregano, add the zest this Italian stew deserves.  

What equipment do I need to make this?  I have several slow cookers but my favorite is this one.  It has a sauté feature that I love along with it being a multi-functional cooker.  Another standard slow cooker I have is this one.  It has a good price point but doesn't have timer functions.  Other items you might like are some wonderful spices such as this one, or this one. Staples such as these long lasting measuring spoons and this necessary ladle for soups and stews are great to have as well.

Warm and inviting, this thick and hearty stew will have you rubbing your tummy and going back for more!  The spices blend together beautifully throughout the day and give this a wonderful flavor. This is a stew that you will want on rotation throughout the winter this year.

Enjoy! 





Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Stew

2 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts about 1 - 1 1/2 lbs.
28 oz crushed tomatoes
15 oz tomato sauce
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 yellow onion, diced
2 14.5 oz cans of Cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/2 cups celery, sliced
1 1/2 cups carrots, sliced
4 Tbls. Italian seasoning

2 tsp garlic, minced

1/4 parsley, chopped

1 tsp. kosher salt 

1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Add all of the ingredients to a 6 quart slow cooker placing the chicken on the bottom with the other ingredients over the chicken.  Stir to combine seasonings. 

Cook on low 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Remove the chicken to a cutting board and shred or chop chicken.  Place the chicken back in the slow cooker.  Stir to combine.  Serve immediately.

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