Name: Braciole with Marinara
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h 40 min
Total time: 2 h 5 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 3 pounds flank steak (approximately two - 1 1/2 lb pieces); 1 cup breadcrumbs; 2 teaspoons chopped garlic; 1 cup grated parmesan cheese; 2 Tablespoons Italian seasoning; 6 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided; cooking twine; 7-8 cups Old School Italian Gravy or marinara

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Braciole with Marinara is a classic, hearty Italian dish that is braised low and slow for an unforgettable Sunday dinner recipe. Flank steak is stuffed with a seasoned breadcrumb mixture, then seared in a cast iron skillet, and then slowly cooked in marinara.

sliced beef braciole in marinara sauce in a cast iron skillet

Beef Braciole for Sunday Dinner

One of my husband's favorite dishes for Sunday dinner is my Braciole recipe. It's a long time family favorite and he still remembers Grandma pounding out flank steak early on Sunday morning. Beef braciole is a classic, hearty Italian dish that cooks low and slow. It requires some prep and it cooks for a while, but the end result is absolutely worth it. This makes it one of the best Sunday dinner ideas.

sliced beef braciole in a ceramic dish with a serving fork

What is the Best Cut of Meat for Braciole?

Traditionally braciole is made using flank steak. This is the cut of meat that I prefer to use as well because it's great for braising and slow cooking. Top round that has been sliced thinly is another alternative that can be used when making braciole. Typically, those are smaller pieces and I prefer to have the larger piece that can be sliced. Flank steak comes in approximately 1 ½ pound pieces, which served about 4 people. This recipe uses two pieces or approximately 3 pounds of flank steak and serves about 8 people. Get yourself a good meat tenderizer if you can. It helps to start to tenderize the beef and also helps make the meat an even thickness for easier rolling later.

sliced beef braciole in marinara on a white plate

How to Make Beef Braciole

This braciole recipe is one of the best Sunday dinner recipes, but it also is great for Christmas dinner or any special occasion. Here is an overview of how to make the best braciole!

Using a meat tenderizer or rolling pin, pound meat to desired thickness making sure it is as even as possible.
Make your filling by combining your breadcrumbs, garlic, cheese, and seasoning with olive oil. Spread filling evenly onto one side of each piece of meat, slightly pressing it into the meat as you go.
Roll the meat up tightly so the breadcrumbs are inside, like a jelly roll.
Next, secure the roll with cooking twine to make sure it doesn't unroll during cooking. You can use toothpicks, but I have found the twine works best with a large cut of meat.
Sear the braciole on the stovetop in a cast iron skillet or dutch oven. Then, pour the marinara all over the seared pieces of beef and cover the pan.
Cook in the oven for 30 minutes, then remove the cover and spoon some of the sauce over the braciole. Replace the cover and let cook for an additional 30 minutes. Remove the cover, spoon more of the sauce onto the beef and then look for a final 30 minutes, uncovered.
Lastly, make sure you let it rest for about 10 minutes before removing the butcher's twine and slicing for serving.

hand pressing bread crumbs into meat for braciole

More Sunday Dinner Ideas...

Doesn't it look so delicious? It truly melts in your mouth, you must try it! For even more Sunday dinner ideas, try these favorites below:

Lastly, if you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and give it a rating. I love to hear from each and every one of you! Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram as well, if you make any of my recipes. It makes my day to see all of your photos of the food you have made.

Happy Cooking!

sliced braciole for serving with fork in a dish

Braciole with Marinara

Author: Amanda
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 100 minutes
Total Time: 125 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale

3 pounds flank steak (approximately two - 1 ½ lb pieces)
1 cup breadcrumbs
2 teaspoons chopped garlic
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 Tablespoons Italian seasoning
6 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
cooking twine
7-8 cups Old School Italian Gravy or marinara

Instructions

Preheat oven to 300°.
Take each flank steak and pound out using a meat tenderizer or rolling pin till meat is slightly thinned out and even in thickness.
In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs, garlic, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and 4 Tablespoons of the olive oil. Stir to combine.
Divide breadcrumb mixture evenly between the two flank steaks and spread out onto each piece of meat, pressing into the meat as you go.
Starting with the long side of each piece of meat, tightly roll up the beef with the breadcrumb mixture on the inside, like a jelly roll.
Using cooking twine, securely tie each roll together so it stays rolled up.
Heat a large dutch oven or cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add in the remaining 2 Tablespoons of the olive oil and sear each braciole in the heated pan till browned evenly on all sides.
Add in marinara sauce on and around the braciole so they are mostly covered and completely surrounded by sauce.
Cover and place in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, remove the cover and braise the meat by spooning the marinara from around the braciole on to the top of it. Replace cover and cook for another 30 minutes.
Remove the cover from the braciole, spoon more sauce on and around the beef and continue to cook for another 30 minutes (1 ½ hours total).
Remove the braciole from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes. Remove cooking twine, slice, and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 726

Keywords: beef, marinara, sunday dinner, italian, comfort food