Italian Sliced Beef Pizzaiola
Sliced Beef Pizzaiola, a fast and easy Italian dish. Slices of Beef in a deliciously spiced Tomato Sauce. Perfect on its own or make the ultimate Pizzaiola Sandwich.
Pizzaiola is a typical Italian dish that you will find from the North to the South of Italy. The ingredients are all the same, just the cooking of the beef might change, from browning the beef first to cooking it slowly in the sauce.
What does Pizzaiola mean?
Pizzaiola is made with the same ingredients as a Pizza Marinara, except sliced beef is added. So this is where the name comes from, apparently it originated in Naples.
Recipe Ingredients
- Beef – Thinly sliced Sirloin steak, gently pounded using a mallet until flattened. You can also use strip loin, beef tenderloin, flank steak or round steak slices.
- Tomatoes – I like to use san marzano peeled tomatoes, nothing added, you can chop them with a fork, or even use your food processor.
- Olive Oil
- Salt
- Oregano
- Basil
- Garlic – 1 or 2 cloves minced or more if you prefer
- Pepper or Hot Pepper Flakes – you can leave it hot if you wish
- Water
- Basil Leaves – fresh basil leaves or even chopped parsley
How to make Beef Pizzaiola
In a large frying pan add olive oil, tomatoes, salt, oregano, garlic, hot pepper flakes (if desired) and basil, stir to combine, then add the fresh basil and the water, add the slices of beef, stir gently to cover with sauce then drizzle with the remaining olive oil and remaining half of the spices.
Cook on low heat with the lid 1/4 uncovered for approximately 25 minutes (turning after 15 minutes), then uncover and raise heat and continue to cook for an additional 5 minutes until thickened (but not too thick). Top with fresh basil.
Serve as is, with a side of pasta or even in a sandwhich!
But never forget to do as the Italians “fare la scarpetta“.
How to make Fried Peppers
In a medium frying pan add 2 tablespoons olive oil, sliced pepper strips (2 medium peppers sliced), 1 teaspoon oregano, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1 clove garlic chopped. Cook on medium until peppers are soft and browned. Stirring occasionally.
tips for making the best pizzaiola
- Be sure to use a thinly sliced beef, cheaper cuts of steak work well in this recipe, because it cooks quite quickly you don’t want a tough cut. Pounding the meat a little before will also help.
- Make sure you don’t use stewing beef.
- If you prefer you can use slices of chicken or even pork, just make sure to cook it all the way through.
- You can add green or black olives or even capers towards the end of the cooking time.
More Beef Recipes You may enjoy!
- Chunky Thick Italian Beef Stew
- Involtini (Beef Roll ups)
- Baked Zucchini Stuffed with Meat
- Ossobuco alla Milanese
Fry up some Peppers, Mushrooms or Onions, get a big Italian bread roll and you can have yourself one of the best Italian sandwiches you may ever eat! Buon Appetito!
Italian Sliced Beef Pizzaiola
Ingredients
- 4 slices Sirloin steak, gently pound a few times. (You can also use strip loin, beef tenderloin, flank steak or round steak slices).
- 1 can marzano tomatoes (peeled nothing added) (14 ounces)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- ¼-½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1-1½ teaspoons oregano
- 1 teaspoon basil
- 1-2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1-2 dashes hot pepper flakes or black pepper (optional)
- ½ cup water
- 4-5 fresh basil leaves (or parsley)
FRIED PEPPERS
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 medium peppers (green or red or a combination sliced into strips)
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1-2 cloves garlic (minced)
Instructions
- In a large frying pan add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, tomatoes, half the salt, oregano, garlic, hot pepper flakes (if desired) and basil, stir to combine, then add the fresh basil and water, add the slices of beef, stir gently to cover with the sauce, drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and remaining half of the spices.
- Cook on low heat with the lid ¼ uncovered for approximately 25 minutes (turning after 15 minutes), then uncover, raise the heat and continue to cook for an additional 5 minutes until thickened (but not too thick you want a sauce to remain). Top with fresh basil. Enjoy!
FRIED PEPPERS
- In a medium frying pan add the olive oil, sliced pepper strips, oregano, salt and garlic. Cook on medium until the peppers are soft and browned. Stirring occasionally.
MAKE A SANDWICH
- Slice a large Italian bun in half. Top with some fried peppers (or mushrooms or desired veggie). A slice of Pizzaiola and some sauce, top with a couple of slices of mozzarella of desired. Serve hot. Enjoy!
Hi Rosemary..You sister must have read a children’s book called The Thunder Cake. I used to read it to my kids during a storm. Love your site,everything I make from it is delicious. Thanks Denise
Hi Denise, I will have to ask her, and thanks so much glad you enjoy the recipes. Have a great week.
Hello! Would you be able to tell me what kind of cut of meat for the sliced beef? Would arm roast work?
Hi Amber you can basically use any cut of beef (not too thick) and if it is a tougher cut just cook it longer on low to tenderize it. Hope that helps.
Does the beef go directly in the sauce totally raw
Hi Conrad, yes it does and it cooks slowly in the sauce. Hope you enjoy it. 🙂