Beef stew, there must be thousands of recipes for this hearty dish and Rustic Italian Vegetable Beef Stew is just one of them. Every family in every country seems to have a version of beef stew. Our Rustic Italian Vegetable Beef Stew contains lean meat, nourishing vegetables, creamy Pinto beans, and ditalini pasta all in a rich tomato broth. Think of a big pot of hot aromatic thick vegetable beef soup on the stove, waiting to welcome you and your family in from the cold. Our stew features cabbage instead of potatoes but you may add potatoes to your beef stew if you like, use venison meat, or make it vegetarian. We know you’ll love this stew.
For this recipe, you’ll need: beef, cabbage, onion, celery, carrots, green beans, garlic, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, pinto beans, beef broth, bay leaves, parsley flakes, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, olive oil, salt, pepper, small pasta.
History of Beef Stew
To call a dish beef stew, it has to cook in a pot with a liquid base, and it must have beef as the main ingredient. Stewing meat, as a method of cooking, goes as far back as the discovery of fire.
I can picture how stewing meat evolved. A caveman enters the family cave dragging something behind him. “Wife,” he bellows. “I’ve got meat. I’m hungry.”
The wife turns from the steaming cauldron that’s over the fire and looks at what her husband dragged in. “Huh!” she says. ” That meat is the same as you brought me last time. The last time I cooked it over the fire it was as tough as your shoes. We couldn’t swallow it.”
Caveman responds, “I’m tired of berries and nuts. I need meat!”
“Then bring me some meat I can cook over the fire.”
First Beef Stew
As the caveman leaves the cave, he’s mumbling about ungrateful wives.
The woman, in the meantime, looks at the bloody mass on the ground. She’s grumbling about leathery meat. With a sigh of resignation, she grabs the container of water then rinses off the dirt and grass from the hunk of flesh. What should she do?
She looks at her water-filled cauldron; she looks at the meat at her feet. Why not she thinks to herself? A hot soak in water couldn’t hurt the tough meat. She smiles to herself as she puts a big chunk of meat into the simmering water.
Beef Stew today
Today this delicious comfort food comes in many forms. It can be . . .
- Texas-style chili
- Burgoo a Kentucky stew.
- French Boef Bourguignonne.
- Beef Stroganoff.
- Hungarian Goulash.
- Flemish Carbonnade à la Flamande
- Italian Spezzatino di Manzo, and more.
Beef Stew in a slow cooker or Dutch Oven
Now that most homes have a slow cooker or crock-pot, it’s even easier to whip up a delicious beef stew any day of the week. We don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen tending the stew on the stove, the slow cooker does the work.
The only thing that we would do if using a slow cooker instead of a Dutch oven, is lightly sauté the meat first. Then we would sauté the onion, celery, carrots, garlic, and green beans and proceed with the rest of the recipe.
We made our Rustic Italian Vegetable Beef Stew in our Dutch oven. Smelling a wonderful stew simmering on the stove is so homey and enticing, no scented candle can ever match that smell.
This stew is versatile. You can use chicken or even make it vegan by eliminating the meat and adding more beans for the protein. If you like, add more broth and make it into Vegetable Beef Soup.
Beef Stew Seasoning
- Italian seasoning — oregano, basil, parsley leaves. bay leaves.
- spice — black pepper, red pepper flakes.
- soffritto — onion, celery, carrots.
- and garlic.
These seasonings aren’t etched in stone. They are just some of our favorites.
However you make it, we know you’ll be happy with the taste. We’re already planning our next vegetable beef stew, although this time, we may make it a venison stew.
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Tutti a tavola è pronto!
Un caro saluto e alla prossima.
Here’s a video of another soup you may like.
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We just couldn’t do without our Dutch Oven! It is such a work horse. Heavy and dependable we let our soups and meat cook slowly without fear of burning. We can even fry in it. We’ve hat the pot for years and I know it will last us forever.
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Rustic Italian Vegetable Stew Hearty Comfort Food
This hearty and tasty stew is very versatile and satisfying. You can make it thick as a stew or thin as a soup. It’s all up to you. Whichever way you make it, you will be happy with the taste and seasoning. Guaranteed!!
Rustic Italian Vegetable Beef Stew
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds chuck roast cubed
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 cup sliced celery
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- 2 cups shredded savoy cabbage
- 1 cup fresh green beans cut in 1-inch pieces may use frozen
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 can 16 ounces diced tomatoes
- 1 can 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 can 15 ounces pinto beans(drained)
- 1 can 14 ounces beef broth (or more if you prefer a thinner stew)
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 Tablespoon dried parsley flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon basil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes -use less if you don’t like spicy
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 3/4 cup dried ditalini may substitute any small pasta cooked to under al dente. It will finish cooking in stew.
- Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Place a Dutch oven or large pot on medium high heat sauté beef in 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Lightly salt and pepper the meat as it sautés. Remove meat with juices and set aside.
- In the same pot add the rest of the olive oil and sauté the onion, celery, carrots, garlic, green beans, seasonings over medium-high heat until the carrots and green beans are semi-soft.
- Add beef broth, beef cubes and juice,diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and bring to a boil then turn down to simmer. Cover with lid and continue to simmer until meat is tender about 1 hour.
- Stir in the drained beans and the savoy cabbage. Place the lid back on the pot and continue to cook for another 15 minutes.
- Check the meat for doneness. The beef should be tender.
- Stir in the cooked ditalini, cover the pot with lid, turn off the heat and let it rest.
- If you prefer a thinner stew, add more beef broth.
- Serve with shaved Parmesan cheese.
Notes
Nutrition
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Dee | Grammy's Grid says
Enjoyed your history of beef stew and the images 🙂 Your recipe sounds just yummy! Shared ♥
Marisa Franca says
Thank you, Dee! You’re such a sweet friend.
Susie says
Like you and hubby, we look forward to hot soups and stews starting in the fall season. It’s been our family tradional to have soup on Christmas and New Years Eve….night before the big Holiday meal the next day. Thanks MARISA for another tasty recipe😊
Michelle says
the caveman cartoons crack me up 😀 This beef stew looks delicious, saved and pinned!
swathi says
I like the history behind the beef stew, You made it delicious with beef and veggies and made whole some. Love it. Great for busy weekdays.
Valerie says
Stew is always a hit here in the fall and this sounds very hearty. I love ditalini in soup but haven’t tried it in stew.
Tammy says
Such a cute story, Marisa! This stew though looks amazing!!!! I wish I could have a bowl of this right now for dinner. This is food for the soul <3
Jenni LeBaron says
Yum! A good beef stew with plenty of veggies is one of my all-time favorite comfort foods. I think this is one of those dishes that is always even better the following day. Perfect cold weather food and a great way to feed the whole house!
Catalina says
This is so cute that you wrote about stew’s history. 🙂 It is so interesting to know more about culinary history! And your beef stew look so inviting! I need to buy the ingredients!
Jyothi (Jo) says
Stew is my first most favorite comfort food and stew loaded with vegetables is absolutely delicious! With cold weather this stew will warm tummy and soul. So good!
Lauren Vavala @ DeliciousLittleBites says
Beef Stew is one of my favorites – love the big chunks of meat and veggies – yum!
Veena Azmanov says
Now that looks like comfort food in a bowl. Love stews this time of the year and this sounds perfect with all that goodness. My kids would feast over this one Marisa. So hearty and wholesome.
Dan Zehr says
Wow and wow, this is so delicious and it makes my mouth watering. I want to try this recipe for dinner. I think that my family will like it.
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Dan! It certainly is very tasty!!
Jovina Coughlin says
Delicious one pot meal.
Susie says
Hi MARISA, Like you, we love stews and soups…..especially, going into the cooler months. This stew recipe is on my menu list. Our thoughts and prayers are with you finding the perfect house SOON. We can totally relate to your house hunting experience. Hang in there…..prayer is powerful!! Xoxxo
Mahy Elamin says
This tasty, easy and colorful vegetable beef stew is calling my name! I was always a fan of comfort food and I am pinning this recipe for later!
Denise says
I love stew! It was a staple back when I got my first apartment many, many years ago. I don’t put in as many ingredients as you do so I can’t wait to try your version. It looks so hearty and delicious! Great post!
Jolina says
We love a good beef stew. Especially my dad. He can eat beef stew all day everyday (though I’m sure he shouldn’t lol!). This looks so delicious.
Michelle says
I love stew and don’t make it nearly often enough. This version looks so good and hearty!
Gloria says
When it comes to comfort food season….I look for food in bowls. Love wrapping my hands around a warm bowl of goodness. I love stew, and this looks delicious. When I make stew at home, I make a HUGE batch. I love the leftovers, and my kids and grandkids always want to take some home.
Claudia Lamascolo says
I have just been starting to look for some great stew recipes for fall and wow this one is a keeper and must make!
Marisa Franca says
I sure your family will enjoy it, Claudia. Have a great weekend.
Alexis says
We love a hearty stew in our family, thank you for the new recipe! I’ll be adding it to our meal plan next week.
Marisa Franca says
Hello, Alexis! I think stew is a great dish any time of year – our family loves it.
Christine - Jar Of Lemons says
This is my kind of dinner recipe! So yummy and perfect for my entire family. They would love this beef stew!
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Christine! If you make a big pot, it’s great reheated!! Great for a busy family.
Gloria says
Well the calendar says SPRING…but the weather outside is an ICE STORM (for 2 days now). This is the perfect comfort food…and it will go with the wine to drown our weather headache. You can NEVER go wrong with a delicious bowl of stew and fresh baked bread for dinner any night of the week.
Julie says
My family and I loved it
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Julie!! Thank you for commenting — I appreciate the feedback and I’m so happy you enjoyed it. Have a wonderful day. xoxo
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
With comfort food season just around the corner, this looks totally delicious. When I make stew…I usually end up making a HUGE batch. Some for us, some for the freezer (hopefully)…and some for my daughter!!
Marisa Franca says
Ciao, Gloria! We do the same. It’s just as easy to make a huge batch then a small one. It’s so nice to have something good in the freezer. And our kids the benefit too. Perhaps that’s why the grandsons are always so excited for us to visit. 😉
J @ Bless Her Heart Y'all says
Hehe! I love your caveman story and illustrations! Made me laugh! I love a good beef stew and you are right, there are tons of them out there. I really tend to like beef stews like yours….. chunky, hearty, and rustic. This one looks absolutely delicious!
Marisa Franca says
Thank you! In winter it seems like we need something hearty! I wonder how the caveman liked what his wife made 🙂
Elizabeth says
Oh my goodness this sounds AMAZING! The perfect comfort food. I’ve just come back from a hill walk where I got hailed on in gale force winds, and I could seriously use a bowlful of this as I defrost!
Marisa Franca says
Hello, Elizabeth! Wish I could pop some in the mail and send it to you. We are ready to make our second batch – it’s cold here too. Hope you’ve defrosted – have a Merry Christmas.
Ciao Chow Linda says
A good beef stew is always so comforting on a cold winter day. Time to head to the store for ingredients before i get snowed in.
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Linda! Your neck of the woods gets a heck of a lot colder weather than we do. Stay warm and have a very Merry Christmas! Abbracci!
Heather @Boston Girl Bakes says
Oh I love a hearty stew! And this one looks scrumptious :)…and love the cartoons!
Marisa Franca says
Thank you, Heather! I enjoy writing the stories. Have a Merry Christmas.
Laura | Wandercooks says
Oh Marisa that’s a fantastic story hahaha. I love making up origin stories for dishes too, it’s always fun to wonder things like ‘How did people decide that eating eggs, or drinking milk was a good idea??’ Love your beef stew, it looks absolutely gorgeous, and any stew with pasta always has my vote!
Marisa Franca says
Hi! I’m glad you enjoyed the story. It’s like you guys going around the world finding recipes and then making them. They all have stories, don’t they?
Chiara says
lovely post Marisa, this beef looks so delicious !I wish you a Merry Christmas, un abbraccio !
Marisa Franca says
Buon Natale, Chiara! The stew was delicious. I was raised on soups and stews. Brings back great memories. Un abbraccio forte?
Hannah Healy says
This looks like the perfect winter stew!
Marisa Franca says
It certainly is, Hannah!
Emily says
This really does look like the perfect comfort food! Delicious!
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Emily! It is so good and versatile too.
Helene D'Souza says
that post is fun. =D
I always enjoy a hot bowl of beef stew. Sometimes it’s hard to get beef around here. We use beef shank for goulash and ragout in general because it’s best suited for longer cooking periods and it doesn’t get chewy and yet gives flavor.
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Helene! You can use chicken for the recipe or even make it vegan by adding more beans to substitute for the meat protein. We love our comfort stew 🙂
Emma @ Supper in the Suburbs says
I love posts like this where you get to learn a bit more about the history and art of cooking! I love beef stew as much as the next person and your take on it looks fab!
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Emma! Thank you. I am always curious about how recipes start adds so much knowing something about it.
RossC says
This will be delicious… Its uncommonly cold for the west coast and my tummy is warmer from just reading your description and recipe…
Oh… For whatever reason I have never seen ditalini on my grocers shelves.. I’ve always found plain old salad mac, usually on the bottom shelf, which I use frequently in the summer to make mac salad… Now I can put an Italian name to it… :O)
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Ross! I think it’s cold everywhere! Make some beef stew and warm up from the inside out 🙂 Sometimes you have to really search to find different pasta. I’m a sucker for something new and unusual. Hope you’re having a wonderful Christmas season.
Jovina Coughlin says
Perfect timing. It is cold here in the south today and beef stew would be very warming. Your recipe looks fantastic.
Marisa Franca says
Thank you, Jovina. I guess we better make up a big batch when we head south! Hopefully it will start warming up soon.