Pork Stew and Potatoes – Rustic Italian Comfort Food

Tender, Flavorful & Perfect for Chilly Days 🍷

Stew…stufato…whatever you call it, this dish is a time-honored Italian classic that brings deep, savory flavor and heartwarming nostalgia to your table.

Pork Stew and Potatoes is a rustic recipe with humble ingredients, slowly simmered to create tender morsels of meat and melt-in-your-mouth potatoes.

Though the cooking process is long, it’s simple and economical—exactly how Nonna used to do it!

💖 Why Nonna Loves This Recipe

• Tender and comforting – Perfect for slow Sundays with family.
• Budget-friendly – Uses affordable, easy-to-find ingredients.
• Full of flavor – Thanks to a rich tomato base and herbs.
• One-pot simplicity – Hearty and satisfying in a single pan.

⏳ Cooking Time

• Preparation: 20 minutes
• Cooking: 1 hour
• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Servings: 4 portions

🛒 Ingredients

For the Stew:

• 1 1/2 lbs (700 g) pork stew meat, cut into chunks
• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup dry white wine (or red wine if using veal)
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt, to taste
• 3/4 cup (200 ml) tomato sauce
• Pepper or red chili flakes, to taste
• 1 sprig rosemary
• 2 tbsp soffritto (finely chopped onion, carrot, and celery)
• 4 cups (1 liter) vegetable broth

🍽️ Method: Step-by-Step

1. Start the Soffritto:
   • In a high-sided saucepan, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over low heat.
   • Add the soffritto (onion, carrot, celery) and sauté gently until softened—do not brown.
2. Sear the Pork:
   • Add pork pieces and brown them on all sides for several minutes.
   • Season with salt and pepper or chili flakes.
   • Add bay leaf and rosemary sprig.
   • Pour in wine and raise heat slightly to let alcohol evaporate.
3. Simmer with Tomato:
   • Once wine has reduced and alcohol is gone, remove the rosemary.
   • Add tomato sauce and most of the vegetable broth (reserve some for later).
   • Simmer on medium heat, partially covered, for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add the Potatoes:
   • Meanwhile, peel and cut potatoes into chunks.
   • Soak in cold water until ready to use.
   • When pork is tender (test with a fork), drain and add potatoes.
   • Adjust salt, add more broth if needed, and cover.
   • Cook for 30 minutes or until potatoes are tender but not falling apart.
5. Serve:
   • Serve hot with crusty homemade bread and a glass of Chianti. Buon appetito!

🧾 Nutritional Facts (Per Serving)

🧠 Tips & Tricks

• Use veal or beef if preferred, adjusting cooking time as needed.
• Deglaze with red wine for a deeper, richer stew.
• Add frozen peas or mushrooms for extra texture.
• Let rest 10 minutes before serving to enhance flavor.
• Pairs beautifully with rustic bread or polenta.

PORK STEW AND POTATOES

Pork Stew and Potatoes is a rustic recipe with humble ingredients, slowly simmered to create tender morsels of meat and melt-in-your-mouth potatoes.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4

Notes

Ingredients

For the Stew:

• 1 1/2 lbs (700 g) pork stew meat, cut into chunks
• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup dry white wine (or red wine if using veal)
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt, to taste
• 3/4 cup (200 ml) tomato sauce
• Pepper or red chili flakes, to taste
• 1 sprig rosemary
• 2 tbsp soffritto (finely chopped onion, carrot, and celery)
• 4 cups (1 liter) vegetable broth

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🍽️ Method: Step-by-Step

1. Start the Soffritto:
   • In a high-sided saucepan, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over low heat.
   • Add the soffritto (onion, carrot, celery) and sauté gently until softened—do not brown.
2. Sear the Pork:
   • Add pork pieces and brown them on all sides for several minutes.
   • Season with salt and pepper or chili flakes.
   • Add bay leaf and rosemary sprig.
   • Pour in wine and raise heat slightly to let alcohol evaporate.
3. Simmer with Tomato:
   • Once wine has reduced and alcohol is gone, remove the rosemary.
   • Add tomato sauce and most of the vegetable broth (reserve some for later).
   • Simmer on medium heat, partially covered, for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add the Potatoes:
   • Meanwhile, peel and cut potatoes into chunks.
   • Soak in cold water until ready to use.
   • When pork is tender (test with a fork), drain and add potatoes.
   • Adjust salt, add more broth if needed, and cover.
   • Cook for 30 minutes or until potatoes are tender but not falling apart.
5. Serve:
   • Serve hot with crusty homemade bread and a glass of Chianti. Buon appetito!

Keyword pork stew, pork stew and potatoes, spezzatino di maiale con patate, spezzatino