Beef Braciole Recipe with Prosciutto and Parmesan (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Samantha Ferraro · This post may contain affiliate links · 58 Comments

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A traditional Italian dish, beef braciole recipe is a flank steak wrapped with prosciutto and Parmesan and slowly braised in Merlot and a hearty marinara.

Beef Braciole Recipe with Prosciutto and Parmesan (1)

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Start any meal with myGoat cheese stuffed phyllo cupsit's simple and impressive.

Beef Braciole is an Italian recipe.

So let's talk about Braciole. This is an Italian dish where meat is rolled up with other flavors and stuffing ingredients, such as my braciole stuffed with prosciutto. I used a 2lb flank steak and pounded it out to even the thickness, but cutlets work just as well.

I made a braciole filling of caramelized onions and garlic, prosciutto, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg and fresh herbs and rolled the filling into the steak. Then once the meat is seared, I used the delicious meat drippings to make a fabulous deep red sauce. It was pure heaven. The meat slowly braised in the sauce and was the perfect accompaniment to a good glass of wine.

How to make Beef Braciole

Beef Braciole Recipe with Prosciutto and Parmesan (2)

Step 1: Caramelize onions and garlic in olive oil. When done, add to a bowl. Make the filling by combining the onions and garlic, prosciutto, egg, breadcrumbs, fresh herbs and Parmesan. Mix together and set aside.

Beef Braciole Recipe with Prosciutto and Parmesan (3)

Step 2: Remove flank steak from package and lay between 2 pieces of plastic wrap. Use a meat mallet (or anything hard) and pound the flank so the width is even. Remove the plastic wrap and place the filling evenly on the steak.

Beef Braciole Recipe with Prosciutto and Parmesan (4)

Step 3: Begin to roll the steak, making sure the filling is tight inside. Once rolled, use butcher string to tie the steak in several places so that it is as even in shape as it can be. Season with the outside evenly with salt and pepper.

Beef Braciole Recipe with Prosciutto and Parmesan (5)

Step 4: In a large dutch oven or pot, drizzle with olive oil and sear the braciole on all sides. Once seared, remove to a plate.

Beef Braciole Recipe with Prosciutto and Parmesan (6)

Step 5: In the same Dutch oven, saute the chopped onion, garlic and spices and saute until softened. Add tomato paste and red wine and continue cooking until reduced. Then pour the crushed tomatoes in and season with salt and pepper.

Beef Braciole Recipe with Prosciutto and Parmesan (7)

Step 6: Add the braciole (with any juices that have accumulated) into the tomato sauce and cover the pot, leaving a small opening. Allow the sauce to come to a boil and then reduce to a slow simmer. Allow to cook for about 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes. When done, the meat should slice easily and tender.

Beef Braciole Recipe with Prosciutto and Parmesan (8)

Step 7: When done, let the meat rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing, then slice the braciole and serve with additional tomato sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil.

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Beef Braciole Recipe with Prosciutto and Parmesan

Samantha Ferraro

LittleFerraroKitchen.com

A traditional Italian dish, beef braciole recipe is a flank steak wrapped with prosciutto and Parmesan and slowly braised in a hearty marinara.

4.81 from 73 votes

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Resting Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 50 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 6 servings

Calories 381 kcal

Ingredients

Braciole Filling

Marinara Sauce

Instructions

  • First caramelize onions and garlic in olive oil. When done, add to a bowl.

  • Make the filling by combining the onions and garlic, prosciutto, egg, breadcrumbs, fresh herbs and Parmesan. Mix together and set aside.

  • Remove flank steak from package and lay between 2 pieces of plastic wrap. Use a meat mallet (or anything hard) and pound the flank so the width is even. Season with salt and pepper.

  • Remove the plastic wrap and place the filling evenly on the steak.

  • Then begin to roll the steak, making sure the filling is tight inside. Once rolled, use butcher string to tie the steak in several places so that it is as even in shape as it can be. Season with salt and pepper.

  • In a large dutch oven or pot, drizzle with olive oil and sear the braciole on all sides. Once seared, remove to a plate. To the same pot, add chopped onions, garlic, dried oregano, red pepper flakes and sauté until onions are translucent. Add tomato paste and stir to combine. Then add 1 cup of Merlot and deglaze while using a wooden spoon to scrape the bottom. The wine should reduce by half and thicken.

  • Add crushed tomatoes to the pot and season with salt and pepper. Add the braciole (with any juices that have accumulated) into the tomato sauce and cover the pot, leaving a small opening.

  • Bring up to a boil and then reduce to a simmer and cook everything until meat is tender and cooked through, about an hour and a half.

  • To serve, remove braciole from sauce and if allow to rest for 10 minutes. Then cut strings off braciole and slice into ½ inch thick slices. Serve with marinara sauce and garnish with fresh herbs.

Nutrition

Calories: 381kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 38gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 134mgSodium: 363mgPotassium: 713mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 285IUVitamin C: 2.9mgCalcium: 113mgIron: 3.5mg

Did you make this recipe?Let us know by leaving a comment and 5 star rating!

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Comments

  1. Jim says

    Beef Braciole Recipe with Prosciutto and Parmesan (18)
    I used round steak cutlets for this recipe . It turned out great. I used my garden Roma tomatoes (abundance) and peeled them . Then I hand crushed them instead of using canned. I might of used a little too much crushed red pepper. It got a little spicy, so I added a little sugar and it calmed the heat down.

    Reply

    • Samantha Ferraro says

      Fantastic Jim, It was a big tomato harvest here in our neck of the woods also. The line between too spicy and perfection is separated by a thin line so we understand your yummy dilemma. Thanks for the feedback. Samantha.

      Reply

  2. Jan says

    Beef Braciole Recipe with Prosciutto and Parmesan (19)
    I made this 45 yrs. ago & too young to get it right. This is excellent. Because of my hips I added it to my crockpot. Excellent & Thank You

    Reply

    • Samantha says

      Thank you so much! I have made this in the slow cooker as well and it comes out great!

      Reply

  3. Lucy says

    Beef Braciole Recipe with Prosciutto and Parmesan (20)
    This beef is so tender and moist and the marinara sauce compliments it perfectly.

    Reply

    • Samantha says

      Thank you so much Lucy!

      Reply

  4. Giangi Townsend says

    Beef Braciole Recipe with Prosciutto and Parmesan (21)
    Wonderful recipe that brings back fond memories of my grandmother and her cooking in her kitchen. Thank you for bringing back such a fond memory thru this fantastic dish.
    Delicious! Thank you for sharing

    Reply

  5. Lise Snider says

    Beef Braciole Recipe with Prosciutto and Parmesan (22)
    Oh my gosh. This was absolutely delicious. We made some noodles to eat with that amazing sauce and served it for our Christmas meal. Will definitely make again for a future special celebration.

    Reply

    • Samantha says

      Hi Lise! Thank you so much for commenting and bringing my recipe into your home! So glad you all enjoyed it!! Happy Holidays!

      Reply

  6. Gina Bellingham says

    Beef Braciole Recipe with Prosciutto and Parmesan (23)
    Hello,
    I printed the recipe but I noticed that the list of ingredients doesn't have tomato paste, crushed tomatoes or what type of wine (the instructions do say 1 cup). Can you please update? I'm dying to make this!

    Thank you!

    Reply

    • Samantha says

      Hi Gina! I've been having issues with my recipe cards, so thank you for commenting! Recipe is updated...let me know how it comes out! Such a delicious meal 🙂

      Reply

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Beef Braciole Recipe with Prosciutto and Parmesan (2024)

FAQs

What is the best cut of meat for beef braciole? ›

The other common way to make braciole is to use the top round cut of beef, which is a little less expensive than flank steak. Instead of being prepared as one long, thin roast, top round is sliced and pounded into multiple smaller steaks that are then rolled into individual bundles.

Why is my braciole tough? ›

Further, if you haven't pounded the meat thin enough, it can still be tough after cooking, so make sure to pound it to an even, thin slice. Lastly, the cooking time matters, as if you cook it too short it can be tough, so make sure to cook it slow and prolonged to get a more tender result.

What does braciole mean in Italian? ›

Braciole is an Italian-style roulade, a rolled and stuffed meat. It is also called involtini, or bruciuluni in Sicilian. The etymology of the word translates to slice of meat rolled over coals. The meat — typically beef, veal, or pork — is pounded thin and stuffed with prosciutto, breadcrumbs, cheese, and herbs.

What is a good side dish for braciole? ›

A risotto side dish will also pair nicely with this braciole recipe. You can also serve braciole with polenta.

What is beef prosciutto called? ›

Bresaola is a bit like a lean prosciutto made with beef instead of pork and slightly reminiscent of pastrami in terms of flavor. It's also somewhat similar to Switzerland's Bündnerfleisch and viande des Grisons, though it's moister and more delicate than either of those.

What is the hardest cut of beef to cook? ›

Brisket. Universally beloved by barbecue pitmasters, the brisket is the breast of the cow and one of the toughest cuts. The grains of brisket are much coarser than those of other parts of the animal, so the cut requires some seriously long cook time.

What is the hardest Italian food to make? ›

The complex dishes we have explored - Timballo di Maccheroni, Saltimbocca alla Romana, Suckling Pig (Porceddu), Stuffed Calamari (Calamari Ripieni), and Pasticcio di Lasagna - represent the epitome of Italian gastronomy.

What to do if meat is too tough? ›

How to Tenderize a Tough Cut of Meat
  1. Pound it out. Pounding softens and tenderizes meat, making it easier to cut and eat. ...
  2. Use salt. ...
  3. Use an acidic marinade. ...
  4. Use kiwi, papaya, or pineapple. ...
  5. Score it. ...
  6. Slow cook it.
Jan 17, 2024

How do you make meat less tough? ›

Cut It Across the Grain

One way to make tougher meats tender starts with your knife and fork (or on your cutting board). Cutting meat "across the grain" simply means cutting crosswise through the long muscle fibers in the meat. Breaking them up makes the meat more tender.

What is the difference between braciole and braciola? ›

In Italy, "braciole" often refers to simple grilled slices of meat, usually pork. This is because "braciola" can be a term for any piece of meat cooked over embers or "braci." These are typically smaller pieces of meat, simply seasoned, grilled, and enjoyed right off the fire.

What is the national dish of Italy? ›

Commonly known around the world as spaghetti bolognese, in its authentic form 'Ragu alla Bolognese' is recognised as the national dish of Italy. Its origin can be traced back to Imola, a town near the city of Bologna, where a recipe was first recorded in the 18th century.

What part of Italy is braciole from? ›

The Neapolitan-style Braciole recipe is a dish that ran the history of Southern-Italian cuisine! The ingredients of this delicious, rolled meat come from the Ancient Greece, via the discovering of America and the French domination of the territory around Naples.

What is served with prosciutto? ›

Delicious on its own, prosciutto is perfect da sola or paired with creamy cheese, like fresh mozzarella. Simply place the slices on a plate, and enjoy.

What is the number 1 Italian dish? ›

Pizza. Besides pasta, pizza is perhaps the most popular and recognized Italian food. Pizza is considered a national symbol representing Italy to the rest of the world, so much so that UNESCO has acknowledged pizza as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

What popular Italian dish should not be cut? ›

Always before the boiling. Please, never cut your spaghetti in your plate with a knife in front of an Italian. There are also traditional Neapolitan and Sicilian dishes that require the spaghetti to be previously broken. For example, the Neapolitan pasta with provola cheese and potatoes.

Which cuts of beef are the most tender? ›

Black Angus filet mignon is the most tender cut of beef used for steaks. It comes from the smaller end of the tenderloin and should be well-marbled. You can grill it or cook it in a skillet and is best served blue rare or rare. Blue rare is a style of cooking that is becoming very popular for meat lovers.

What's the best kind of meat to use for Italian beef? ›

The cut of beef used for Italian beef is typically chuck roast. However, top sirloin, top round, or bottom round would also work well. Giardiniera. A delicious blend of pickled vegetables that adds that wonderful, classic flavor to Italian beef.

Which cuts of meat are the most tender? ›

Tenderloin steak and top blade steaks ranked first and second. Top round steak ranked last. Roasts were more tender than steak counterparts.

What cut of meat is braciole made from in the oven? ›

If you have never had braciole, it is basically thin flank steak stuffed with a bread crumb mixture and rolled up.

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