Steak Pizzaiola: the tasty Italian recipe for juicy meat braised in tomato sauce

What do you do when you have a craving for pizza flavors, but need something a little bit meatier? You make Italian Steak Pizzaiola! It is also known as carne alla pizzaiola which means "pizza-style meat" in English.

It’s an easy Neapolitan recipe that consists of pan-fried steak braised in a rich tomato sauce flavored with garlic and oregano. It’s a quick dish to make and is a delicious way to cook cheaper cuts of beef.

To make it, you only need a handful of ingredients: a cheap cut of steak, tomato sauce, garlic, and oregano. Want a hearty midweek meal? Then make this authentic steak pizzaiola!

Steak Pizzaiola Ingredients

Steak – in this recipe, you can use rump steak or a cheaper alternative like cubed steak.

Tomato sauce – make your own, or use store-bought tomato sauce.

Olive oil – extra virgin olive oil.

Herbs – dried oregano (or substitute with fresh oregano).

How To Make Authentic Steak Pizzaiola

Start by preparing the steak. If you’re using a thicker cut of meat, slice it horizontally to make it thinner. Now make the sauce. Cook the garlic until fragrant (about 30 seconds to a minute). Add the tomato sauce and season to taste. Let the sauce simmer for about 15 minutes.

Now it’s time to cook the meat. Add the meat slices and cook for about 5 minutes. Flip and cook another 5 minutes.Season with oregano and serve!

Can You Make Steak Pizzaiola In The Slow Cooker?

Yes, you can! Simply season the steak, and add it to the slow cooker together with the tomato sauce and garlic. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Flip it a few times during cooking time to make sure the sauce covers all sides of the steak.

What To Serve With Steak Pizzaiola

Because the Steak Pizzaiola is so saucy, you can serve it over polenta or grits, rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes. You can also serve it with roasted veggies and fresh bread.

Tips For Making Italian Steak Pizzaiola

Peppers and onions are often added to stretch the dish. You can also add potatoes, simply cut them small or precook them to make sure they cook evenly.

If you’re serving the Steak Pizzaiola on bread rolls, add a bit of melted cheese.

How To Store and Reheat Steak Pizzaiola

Leftovers can be stored in the fridge (in an airtight container) for up to 4 days. Reheat the steak and sauce in a pan over medium heat.

You can also freeze the Steak Pizzaiola for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw completely before reheating.

More Recipes You'll Like

• Meatballs alla Pizzaiola
• Artichoke Pizzaiola
• Pizzaiola style baked rice

Instructions

If you’re using large pieces of steak, slice it into smaller pieces.

Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for a minute until fragrant.

Add tomato sauce, bring to a simmer, and season with salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to low, close with a lid, and cook for 15 minutes.

Add meat slices, coat them in sauce, close the lid and cook for 5 minutes.

Flip and continue to cook for another 5 minutes.

Open the lid and sprinkle with oregano.

Serve and enjoy!

Notes

If you’re using fresh tomatoes for this recipe, make sure that they are vine-ripened tomatoes, as these will provide the best flavor.