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.

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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





The next morning, heat the canola oil in a deep skillet. Add the cornstarch and the rest of the seasoning mixture to a small bowl. When oil is very hot, use tongs to pick up one piece of chicken at a time and dredge in the cornstarch, shaking off the excess. Add to the hot oil and cook until browned on both sides and the internal temperature reaches 165º. If you’re not sure, use a thermometer.
To assemble, arrange the waffles on a serving dish in a single layer (if you made them the night before, pop them into the microwave for 1 minute to reheat). Top each waffle section with a piece of chicken and secure with a skewer or toothpick.
Wow, these little skewers were so tasty! The recipe was a bit of extra work, but I think everyone enjoyed them along with my usual brunch offerings. As I said before, it was all about trying something different. And would you believe, I myself had never had Chicken and Waffles before?











Ingredients:
After the bacon was poached and drained, I browned it in a 
I added all of the wine, stock, tomato paste and seasonings. Honestly, there was a bit too much liquid and I would cut back next time. Julia did not add carrots in her recipe, but I went rogue and put a few in. Lid on, time to simmer!


I transferred all of the liquid from the sauté pan into a stock pot and whisked in the beurre manié until it was smooth and silky.
I added the onions and mushrooms to the sauce, then poured it over the chicken, bringing to a simmer one last time before serving.
There it is. So many little steps to develop the flavor profile of this famous dish. Yes, it was delicious. Yes, I will take a few shortcuts next time, but I do intend to make this again.


Oh, and as if you hadn’t waited long enough, the baked loaf will need to rest a full day before slicing! Most gluten free breads need extra time to release their moisture but for this one I don’t slice for a full 24 hours. It is worth the wait.

Day 2 –

Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let it rest 45 minutes while you have dinner.
Evening



Reduce the oven temperature to 450º and bake for 30 minutes. Then remove the cover and continue baking another 20 minutes. Loaf is done when the internal temperature reaches 210º (check with a
After all that, you will probably want to tear right into your loaf of bread. But- please be patient! This beautiful, artisanal loaf needs a full 24 hours to release its moisture. Rushing it can mean a wet sticky loaf instead of a gorgeous crumb like this!
Day 4-
Notes:
When the pan is hot, add the chicken and cook for 6-7 minutes per side, turning once.

I served it with
Notes ♪♫









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Spoon sauce over the veal shanks and garnish with Italian parsley.









The recipe makes a small batch, breakfast for two. I ended up with 5 full size pancakes and one mini pancake. You can double or triple the recipe for a large family, or if you want extra to freeze for later.
Preparation:
Set up 2 bowls, whisk together the dry ingredients in one bowl (I strongly recommend that you weigh the flour), and the wet ingredients in the other. Stir the wet and dry ingredients together, just until moistened.
Melt butter 1 tbsp. at a time on the griddle. Scoop batter by 1/3 cups and add to the griddle, leaving space in between.
Cook for 5 minutes then flip. Cook 3-5 more minutes. Keep in mind that gluten free pancakes take longer to cook than regular pancakes. Check if they are done by inserting a toothpick in the center. If it comes out dry, they are ready.
If you have a little batter left over at the end, you can make a test pancake, here’s mine. Just one bite!
You can serve the pancakes immediately or freeze for later. I let mine cool completely on a rack, then wrapped them separately and stored in freezer safe bags.
