This Italian Pot Roast, aka Pizzaiola, is a hearty tomato based chuck roast made easier with the Instant Pot or Crockpot.
It’s juicy and fork tender, perfect for eating in the bowl or as sandwiches. Try serving it with fresh crusty bread or polenta for a gluten free alternative.
- What is Pizzaiola?
- Can I Use Roast for Pizzaiola?
- Learn to Use the Instant Pot
- Can I Use a Crockpot?
- How Do You Serve Italian Roast?
- Recipe
What is Pizzaiola?
Well, it’s not pizza! No, Beef Pizzaiola isn’t anything like pizza. It’s usually a beef cut, cooked with tomatoes, spices, onions and peppers. Then that’s where it gets interesting.
There are different versions of pizzaiola. Most of the ones I’ve seen are made with beef steak. If I were to use a sirloin steak for this recipe, I would have cooked it on a stove.
It wouldn’t have required much cooking, after all. Sirloin is a tender cut.
You may also find Pizzaiola called Carne Pizzaiola because you can try other meat as well. You can even use chicken.
It’s Italian so I’m sure there are lots of different styles and variations based on region and availability.
 | Have a browse at all |
Can I use Roast for Pizzaiola?
Instead of steak, I’ve chosen an Angus Chuck Roast since I wanted to try to adapt this to an Instant Pot recipe.
To help with cooking in the Instant Pot, I’ve cut the roast into eight pieces. This is also convenient with serving.
Learn to Use the Instant Pot
The Instant Pot is the name of the wildly-popular pressure cooker that made its way to many of your gifts last year.
When you first get one, please do the water test first, before you do anything else.
You may want to do boiled eggs next. You will absolutely love boiled eggs in the Instant Pot. Mom says that, “Even if I only used it for boiled eggs, it would be worth it to me to have the Instant Pot.”
Once you have these two things finished, you should be ready to jump in with both feet and make this Instant Pot Beef Pizzaiola recipe.
If you don’t have an Instant Pot, have a look at this 6-Quart Instant Pot (aff link) which we use. We’ve had it for several years and it still works great.
Is It Difficult to Make Pizzaiola?
Absolutely not! This is one of the easier recipes I’ve made in the Instant Pot. In all honesty, though, all of them are fairly easy. You just add everything in there, close the lid and set the timer. Easy peasy.
For Instant Pot Italian Pot Roast, I did the following:
- Cut up the roast, season it, then sear it in olive oil.
- Cut up the peppers, onions and garlic.
- Add everything into the Instant Pot, turn it on and cook it.
- Open the lid and enjoy.
Can I Use a Crockpot Slow Cooker?
Yes, you can! Sear your roast in a separate pan then proceed with the rest of the instructions. Set to cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
How do you serve Italian roast?
The obvious choice is to serve Italian pot roast in a bowl. Keep some crusty bread nearby to dip into the delicious remaining soup.
The roast is so tender, you could easily serve sandwiches. Get some hoagie buns and pile on the roast. Add some of the peppers and melt some provolone cheese on top.
Believe it or not, I made wraps with burrito size tortillas. You may say that I make entirely too many burritos!
I’m busy and having a hold-in-your-hand wrapped sandwich is perfect for me. I simply put them in the air fryer for about three minutes and perfect every time.
In this case, I added sour cream, roast, cheese and several drops of green Tabasco. So yummy! Almost as good as the burritos I made with the Sinaloa Style Refried Beans.
Try Out More Instant Pot Recipes
If you would like to have some tasty crusty bread on the side, try our Italian Wheat Pesto Bread Recipe.
Browse all our Instant Pot Recipes or choose one of these.
- Instant Pot Vegan Noodle Soup
- Kielbasa and Lentils Instant Pot Soup
- Mexican Picadillo (Meat and Potatoes Hash)
- Steak and Mushrooms Soup
Our Focaccia Bread recipe will be great on the side of this Pizzaiola too!
Recipe
Italian Pot Roast Instant Pot or Slow Cooker
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For more information, be sure to check the recipe details in the attached 24Bite® post.
Equipment
- 6-quart Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 2.5 pounds Chuck Roast, boneless
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
- 26 ounces Chopped Tomatoes
- ½ cup White Wine
- 1 teaspoon Balsamic Vinegar
- 1 medium Onion, sliced into slivers
- 6 Baby Bell Peppers, sliced horizontally, into rings
- 4 Garlic Cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon Oregano, see extra note below
- 1 teaspoon Basil
- 1 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
Instructions
- Cut roast into 8 equal pieces and season with salt and pepper.
- Press the Saute button on the Instant Pot to begin cooking in saute mode. Add olive oil. Sear the pieces of roast in the olive oil and then remove to plate. Searing should take about 3-4 minutes on each side. Press the Cancel button on the Instant Pot to reset.
- Add all remaining ingredients to Instant Pot. Stir. Place the seared roast chunks on top of the tomato mixture and pour in any juices on the plate. Check the Instant Pot lid to ensure the seal is in place and nothing is blocking the vent. Place lid on top and set lever to Sealing. Press the Manual button on the Instant Pot and set to high for 70 minutes, then natural release. The entire cook time will be about 90 minutes.
- Remove lid and serve.
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Notes
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. All amounts are estimates and 24Bite® takes no responsibility for actual figures since calculations vary by packaging and supplier. Please calculate the amounts yourself based on package labeling if you have specific dietary requirements. 24Bite®, Kim Guzman or Christian Guzman shall not be liable for adverse reactions or any other outcome resulting from the use of recipes or recommendations on this website or actions you take as a result.
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Noelle says
Loved this! Perfect flavors and paired well with some homemade bread 🙂
Abigail Raines says
I love using the instant pot especially when I’m making fall-perfect stews like this tasty beef dish!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
Love all the flavors here, I already know I’m going to enjoy this recipe a lot!
Emmeline says
Never heard of this before but will be trying it out this weekend!
Pam says
I just got my instant pot and can’t believe how many great recipes there are to be made in it, including this one!
Mom says
Best recipe! I make it once a week in the wintertime. I do add a tiny bit of ground fennel.
Christian Guzman says
Fennel sounds like a great addition!
Gary Kaetzel says
I can’t rate it because I haven’t made it yet but it looks really good! I also wanted to say that I, too, make tons of burritos and wraps! It’s almost a joke with me that I’ll put anything in a flour tortilla! Some of my faves are Turkey and Dressing, of course ground beef taco meat, taco-seasoned chicken, and I’ve even put fast food into them like White Castles, Jack in the Box, and McDonalds! Another one I’m probably long overdue on making are Long John Silvers wraps! I take either a piece of chicken or half a piece of fish, or sometimes both, covered by sliced hushpuppies and some fries and put some Frank’s Hot Sauce on them and roll them up. I put some tartar sauce on each bite! Best of luck with your cooking endeavors!
Christian Guzman says
That’s so funny! I’m glad there is someone else understanding my burrito obsession. Thanks so much for visiting.
Joseph says
great recipe Mom made this , twice a month. was thinking about it couple of weeks ago. happy to have found your posts.
Christian Guzman says
I love it too. Great for Sunday dinner. Thank you for visiting!