Beef Guazzetto – Italian Beef Stew

Would you believe that an Italian dish like this one could be gluten free?  You might be surprised to know, that other than the pasta, there was only one ingredient swap needed to make this meal completely Celiac safe!

It’s true!  There are some recipes that require major modifications, but the vast majority will only need a swap of one or two ingredients to be gluten free.  This Beef Guazzetto, or Italian Beef Stew is a great example.

An economical cut like beef chuck becomes melt in your mouth tender using this slow cooked, braising method.  With today’s soaring food prices, it is a great way to stretch your grocery budget.

This post contains affiliate links.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. stew beef (chuck), cut into cubes
• 1 cup gluten free beef broth
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp. gluten free flour (you can use rice flour)
• 3 tbsp. olive oil, divided
• 1/2 sweet onion, minced
• 2 small carrots, minced or grated
• 2 small celery stalks, minced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tbsp. tomato paste
• 15 oz. can crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup red wine
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 tsp. basil
• gluten free pasta
• grated cheese, for serving
• fresh Italian parsley, for garnish (optional)

Preparation:

If the prep sounds familiar, it’s because the steps are similar to making a Bolognese sauce.  Let’s get started!

First, make a “soffritto” by pulsing the onion, carrot and celery in a food processor or electric chopper.

Dry the beef with paper towels, this helps with browning.

Place the beef cubes in a food safe plastic bag with 2 tbsp. rice flour and shake to coat.

Heat 1 tbsp. olive oil in a Dutch oven and begin browning the beef.  Don’t crowd the pan, brown in batches if needed using an additional tbsp. of olive oil for each batch.

Leave those caramelized brown bits in the bottom of the pan, they are full of flavor!  Set the beef aside and keep warm.

Add more olive oil to the pan with the onion, carrot, celery and garlic.  Cook for several minutes, stirring frequently, then clear a space in the center for the tomato paste.

Toast the tomato paste for a minute, then stir it into the vegetables.  Add the wine, using a spatula to scrape up those browned bits at the bottom of the pan.  Reduce heat to a simmer and continue cooking until the wine is reduced by half.

Add the beef cubes back to the pan, with the bay leaves.

Stir in the beef broth and crushed tomatoes, cover and simmer on lowest heat for 2-½ hours.

Stir the sauce frequently to be sure it isn’t sticking to the bottom of the pan.  A simmer mat is great for keeping sauces on a low simmer.  As it cooks, you will see the stew gradually thickening.

After 2 hours, this is what it will look like.  You will still have distinct chunks of beef, but some will partially break down and become one with the sauce.  It is incredible!

A sauce like this deserves an extra special pasta.  Check out these Gluten Free Paccheri Rigati – OMG what a find!  I got them from La Piccola Rosa Culinary Classics and believe me they are fabulous.  Check them out!

To plate, spoon cooked pasta into serving bowls and ladle the Beef Guazzetto over the top.  Sprinkle with grated cheese and fresh Italian parsley if available.

Variations: For a splurge, substitute beef short ribs for the stew beef.  At the end of cook time remove the bones and shred the meat.  Or, for a lighter sauce, use veal stew meat with white wine and chicken broth.

Notes ♪♫ Beef Guazzetto, or Guazzetto di Manzo was adapted from an episode of Lidia’s Italy, Lidia has long been one of my favorite TV chefs!  If you are thinking that you cannot enjoy your Italian favorites on the gluten free diet, think again.  Or better yet, let me inspire you!

Originally posted 5/28/2022       Updated and rephotographed 5/16/2026

 Print This Post