Kitchen Recipe Collection
Italian Involtini di Carne (Meat Rolls)
Thinly sliced beef or veal rolled around a savory filling of prosciutto, cheese, and herbs, seared and simmered until tender.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Total
- 50 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- medium
- Cuisine
- italian
Ingredients
Scaled for 4 servings
- thin beef or veal cutlets
- prosciutto or speck slices
- provolone or fontina cheese (sliced)
- fresh sage or rosemary
- garlic (minced)
- dry white wine
- beef broth
- olive oil
- butter
- salt and pepper
Equipment
- Meat mallet
- Toothpicks
- Large skillet
Instructions
- 1
Pound the Meat
Place the cutlets between parchment paper and pound them thinly and evenly with a meat mallet.
- 2
Layer the Filling
Season the meat with pepper. Lay a slice of prosciutto and a slice of cheese on each cutlet. Sprinkle a little minced garlic and a sage leaf on top.
- 3
Roll and Secure
Roll the meat tightly around the filling. Secure the roll with one or two toothpicks.
- 4
Sear
Heat olive oil and a knob of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the involtini well on all sides, about 5 minutes total.
- 5
Deglaze
Pour in the white wine. Let it bubble vigorously and scrape up any browned bits from the pan.
- 6
Simmer
Add a splash of beef broth. Lower the heat, cover the skillet partially, and let the rolls simmer gently for 15-20 minutes until the meat is tender.
- 7
Reduce Sauce
Remove the involtini to a plate. Turn up the heat and boil the pan juices for 2-3 minutes until they thicken into a glossy glaze.
- 8
Remove Toothpicks
Carefully remove the toothpicks from the rolls.
- 9
Serve
Pour the reduced sauce over the involtini and serve hot, ideally with mashed potatoes or a crisp green salad.
Cooking Tips
- Keep the filling slightly away from the edges so it doesn't melt out entirely during cooking.
- The cheese should be a melting variety like provolone or fontina, not a hard cheese.
Variations
- Involtini alla Siciliana: Fill with breadcrumbs, pine nuts, raisins, and pecorino instead of ham and cheese.
Chef's Notes & Storage
- A fantastic way to make a small amount of meat feel substantial and luxurious.
Nutrition Estimate
420 calories · 45g protein · 4g carbs · 22g fat · 1g fiber per serving
