Slow Cooker Italian Pot Roast – I finally found a pot roast that I like! This is hands-down THE BEST pot roast recipe EVER! Not only is this delicious, but it is also super easy to make! Pot Roast slow-cooked all day in tomato juice, Italian dressing mix, garlic, onion, pepper, and au jus gravy mix. Serve over a quick homemade parmesan risotto. Comfort food at its best! I literally licked my plate! Can freeze leftovers for later.
Originally posted 5/27/2009
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Pin This RecipeThe BEST Pot Roast Recipe
I finally found a pot roast that I like, no, LOVE to eat! This Italian Pot Roast is hands-down the BEST pot roast EVER. The recipe was inspired by a braised boneless short ribs with parmesan risotto dish at our favorite restaurant, Gianmarco’s. It was one of the best things I’ve eaten, and I started working on an easy copycat version. I finally settled on this recipe and it was great! The pot roast was tender and juicy. We loved the tomato gravy that the roast made as it cooked. It went perfectly with the risotto.
How to Make Italian Pot Roast
This pot roast is ridiculously easy to make. Place a roast in the slow cooker. Whisk together tomato juice, garlic, dried onion flakes, Au Jus gravy mix, Italian dressing mix, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Pour over the roast and cook on LOW until the roast is fall-apart tender. Shred the roast with two forks and serve over risotto.
- What kind of roast do you use for pot roast? The most popular cut to use is a Chuck roast. You can also use a blade roast or rump roast.
- Do I need to pan sear the roast before adding it to the slow cooker? You can pan-sear the roast for a few minutes on all sides before adding it to the slow cooker, but it isn’t necessary.
- Can you freeze Italian Pot Roast? Yes! You can freeze leftover pot roast for a quick meal later.
- You can make this a freezer meal and place all the ingredients in a freezer bag and freeze until you are ready to cook. There is no need to thaw the ingredients first, you can just place them in the slow cooker frozen. It will take longer to cook from frozen.
- Feel free to add vegetables to the slow cooker – potatoes, carrots, onions, mushrooms, and green peas are good.
- Do NOT make the Italian dressing. You are only using the seasoning packet.
What to Serve with Pot Roast
We always serve this roast over risotto. I included the recipe for my stove-top risotto below. It takes a little time but it is easy to make and goes great with the pot roast.
- Here is my Instant Pot Risotto Recipe that is faster and less hands-on time: https://www.plainchicken.com/parmesan-prosecco-risotto/
- You can also make risotto in the crockpot. Here is my Slow Cooker Risotto Recipe: https://www.plainchicken.com/slow-cooker-risotto/
You can serve the roast over potatoes, rice, noodles, or grits. It is also delicious on its own. We usually whip up a salad and some bread to round out the meal. Here are a few of our favorite recipes from the blog that go great with this AMAZING pot roast:
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Italian Pot Roast & Parmesan Risotto
Equipment:
Ingredients:
Pot Roast
- 1 (3-lb) pot roast,
- 1 Tbsp dried minced onion flakes
- 2 Tbsp minced fresh garlic or to taste
- 1 (1¼-oz) package au jus mix
- 1 (1-oz) package dried Italian salad dressing mix
- 2 tsp black pepper or to taste
- 1 pinch cayenne, optional
- 1½ cups tomato juice
Parmesan Risotto
- 3 tsp Olive Oil
- 6 cups Chicken Broth, warmed
- 1 lb Arborio Rice
- 1 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ground pepper to taste
Instructions:
Pot Roast
- Place roast in slow cooker. Whisk together remaining ingredients and pour over roast. Cook on LOW for 8-12 hours or on HIGH for about 4½hours.
Parmesan Risotto
- In large skillet, evenly coat rice with olive oil. Add 1 cup of heated chicken broth, stirring continually.
- Maintain a slow boil and add rest of broth, 1 cup at a time, while stirring continually. When all the broth is absorbed, add cheese, onion powder and pepper.
Notes:
- I used a packet of Good Seasonings Italian Dressing Mix. Do NOT make the dressing. Only use the dry seasoning packet in the recipe.
- What kind of roast do you use for pot roast? The most popular cut to use is a Chuck roast. You can also use a blade roast or rump roast.
- Do I need to pan sear the roast before adding it to the slow cooker? You can pan-sear the roast for a few minutes on all sides before adding it to the slow cooker, but it isn’t necessary.
- Can you freeze Italian Pot Roast? Yes! You can freeze leftover pot roast for a quick meal later.
- You can make this a freezer meal and place all the ingredients in a freezer bag and freeze until you are ready to cook. There is no need to thaw the ingredients first, you can just place them in the slow cooker frozen. It will take longer to cook from frozen.
- Feel free to add vegetables to the slow cooker – potatoes, carrots, onions, mushrooms, and green peas are good.
- Do NOT make the Italian dressing. You are only using the seasoning packet.
- Here is my Instant Pot Risotto Recipe that is faster and less hands-on time: https://www.plainchicken.com/parmesan-prosecco-risotto/
- You can also make risotto in the crockpot. Here is my Slow Cooker Risotto Recipe: https://www.plainchicken.com/slow-cooker-risotto/
- You can serve the roast over potatoes, rice, noodles, or grits.
Steph
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Making this today, but forgot to buy the italian seasoning, and not feeling like running back to the store! Ideas on replacements? I have onion soup mix, garlic & herb seasoning mix, or a little seasoning salt?
I would say garlic & herb seasoning mix
Making this tonight but am going beef broth for chicken broth in the risotto to add to the beefy goodness.
Anyone who is reading this and isn't sure: MAKE THIS NOW. I am eating leftovers and still sitting here saying, "Mmmm, oh my gosh." How often does *that* happen with leftovers? This sauce kills it – I want to bathe in it, rotfl.
Hi Stephanie- can't wait to make this for Vday! As for the Parmesan, do you use the grated kind (in the green can), freshly grated (from a block), or the pre-shredded Parmesan (in a container or bag)?
I used pre-shredded Parmesan in the container/bag, but the can or fresh grated will work too.
I have Jasmine rice, would that substitute ok? Forgive me for not having an experience with Arborio, but this sounds so good, I must make it for dinner tonight!
I've never made risotto with jasmine rice, but it should be ok.
if I want to make this for ten people what do I do?
you can double the ingredients and keep the cooking time the same
can i use tomato sauce? got the wrong thing at the grocery.:(
I would use 1 cup tomato sauce and 1/2 cup water. The tomato sauce might be too thick. I think it would be fine if you mixed it with some water. Hope it works out!
I've been trying some of your recipes lately and made this one last weekend. My family loved it. We used mashed potatoes instead of the risotto though. This was so very tasty! Thank you!
Your recipe calls for one pound of arborio rice. What is the equivalent in cups? Can't wait to try the recipe for the roast.
I didn't make the risotto this time but the roast was easy and delicious! Thank you!
Hi what can i use instead of au jus mix & dried italian salad mix.
Yes, would like to know that too. We can't get dried Italian salad mix in Canada
Steph – this was amazing!!!! Best pot roast ever! It smelled to die for and. Tasted better than a restaurant could do 😉 love your recipes..thank you!!!
Melissa – YAY! This is the first pot roast that I enjoyed. So glad you enjoyed it too!
We enjoy EVERYTHING we try from you!! You are amazing ;))
Since I only cook for myself and hubby, and he won't eat leftovers, can I halve the risotto recipe? How many servings do you get from the original recipe?
I saw some Arborio rice at Kroger today and bought it to make with either this one or the 3 envelope recipe… I was so excited! I miss Publix!!
You will love either one!
Caro – maybe red wine or beef or vegetable broth.
My bf is allergic to tomatoes. What do you think I should use instead? Sounds delicious!