You can’t have a Sunday Sauce dinner without some traditional protein! For every Sunday Sauce dinner, my grandmother has always had meatballs, beef braciole, and pork braciole (Spiedini or involtini). You can eat them by themselves, and the flavor they add to your homemade sauce will make your mouth water. Here I will share how to cook your Beef Braciole, Pork Braciole, and Meatballs in your homemade sauce. We won’t judge you if you use a jarred sauce instead of making your own; we know you’re busy and a jarred sauce is great (wink, wink, we’re launching our own soon!) I will also show you how to cook your Beef Braciole, Pork Braciole, and Meatballs.
Braciole is a classic Italian stuffed and rolled meat dish that is traditionally simmered in tomato sauce for hours until fork tender. The tomato sauce infuses the meat bundles with rich, robust flavor However, braciole can also be made deliciously without sauce
When cooked correctly, pork braciole roasted in the oven develops a crusty exterior with juice locked into the interior. The stuffing provides plenty of flavor, so no sauce is needed to make this braciole mouthwateringly moist and tasty.
Read on to learn how easy it is to make succulent pork braciole without sauce right in your own oven, This method cuts down on time and fuss but sacrifices none of the flavor
Why Cook Braciole Without Sauce?
Cooking braciole without sauce offers several benefits
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Shorter cook time – No long simmering required to tenderize meat.
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Simpler prep – Skipping the sauce means fewer ingredients and steps.
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Less mess – No splattering sauce to clean up.
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Lets meat shine – The pork flavor takes center stage rather than sauce.
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Highlights stuffing – The filling provides the main flavor profile.
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Good for diets – Leaves out high-acid tomato sauce.
You still get tender stuffed meat rolls with tons of flavor, just without the lengthy sauce component.
Tips for Making Braciole Without Sauce
Follow these tips for braciole success without sauce:
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Pound the meat thin – For quick, even cooking.
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Season generously – Use lots of herbs, garlic, cheese in stuffing.
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Roll up tight – Prevent fillings from falling out while cooking.
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Brown well first – Develops a lovely crust for added texture and flavor.
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Don’t overcook – Check often to avoid drying out meat.
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Let rest before slicing – Allows juices to redistribute for moistness.
With these braciole pointers, you’ll get fantastic results sauce-free!
How to Cook Braciole Without Sauce
Cooking braciole without sauce simply involvesstuffing, rolling, searing then roasting the pork bundles. Here are step-by-step instructions:
Prep the pork
- Take a 1-1.5 lb pork tenderloin
- Slice lengthwise to open up flat
- Pound to 1⁄4 inch thickness
Make the filling
- Combine breadcrumbs, garlic, herbs, cheese, etc
- Season filling well with salt and pepper
Roll up the braciole
- Spread filling over pork, leaving a 1 inch border
- Roll up lengthwise and tie at 2 inch intervals with butcher twine
Brown the braciole
- Heat oil in a skillet over high heat
- Add braciole and brown well on all sides, about 2 minutes per side
Finish in the oven
- Place browned braciole in a baking dish or sheet pan
- Roast at 375°F for 25-30 minutes until internal temperature reaches 145°F
Let rest then serve
- Allow braciole to rest for 5-10 minutes before removing string
- Slice and serve braciole warm
It’s that simple to make braciole without sauce!
![Pork braciole fresh from the oven][image1]
Mouthwatering pork braciole roasted to perfection without sauce. (Image credit: Joe Lingeman)
Best Stuffing Combinations for Braciole
The stuffing provides most of the flavor for braciole when it’s cooked without sauce. Get creative with your fillings! Here are some tasty ideas:
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Italian-style with provolone, parmesan, garlic, parsley and breadcrumbs
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Herbed with basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme and feta
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Spicy with crushed red pepper, cayenne, cheddar, breadcrumbs
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Mediterranean using olives, sun-dried tomatoes, feta, spinach
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Tex-Mex with pepper jack, cilantro, chili powder, cumin
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Greek with artichoke hearts, lemon zest, mint, feta
Let your imagination run wild and try different braciole fillings to find new favorites!
Serving Suggestions for Braciole
Braciole makes a hearty main course or appetizer. Here are delicious ways to serve it:
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Slice braciole and serve over creamy polenta or grits.
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Pile slices on crusty Italian bread for meaty sandwiches.
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Add to pasta with alfredo, pesto or vodka sauce.
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Slice and toss into salads for a protein punch.
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Serve as an appetizer on toasted baguette rounds.
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Float slices in minestrone, wedding or other vegetable soup.
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Add to pizza in place of sausage or pepperoni.
Get creative with how you serve up your tasty sauce-free braciole!
Now that you know how easy it is to make braciole without sauce, you can enjoy this Italian classic anytime without the lengthy prep and messy cleanup of a sauce.
The oven does the work of gently cooking the pork bundles while sealing in moisture. A flavor-packed stuffing provides all the taste you need.
For more simple, yet satisfying recipe ideas, check out these posts:
So next time braciole sounds good but sauce sounds like too much work, you’ll know just how to make this hearty Italian specialty sauce-free. Get ready to enjoy tender, juicy and crazy flavorful braciole anytime the craving strikes!
How to Cook Your Beef Braciole, Pork Braciole (involtini/Spiedini) and Meatballs In Your Homemade Sauce
Hands down cooking your proteins in your homemade sauce is BY FAR the best way to cook them. It not only makes your sauce taste great, but it also keeps the proteins very tender. Every Nonna, Nonno, Nonni, or Italian grandparent who moved to the United States will always say that the proteins should be cooked in their own sauce. Here is how you should prepare your proteins for your Sunday Sauce dinner:
- Put a little extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) on the bottom of a pan.
- Bring the pan to a med/high heat
- Braise your proteins on all sides (~1 min per side)
- Put the meats in the homemade sauce as it starts to boil.
- Cook your proteins in your simmering sauce for about 1-1. 5 hours.
- Take the meat out of the sauce and serve it in a different bowl.
The Ultimate Pork Braciole Recipe: So Juicy and Flavorful!
FAQ
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