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Easy Argentine Matambre a la Pizza Recipe: Stuffed Flank Steak for Dinner

A beginner-friendly, Argentine-inspired matambre a la pizza made with butterflied flank steak rolled around tomato sauce, mozzarella, deli ham, and roasted red peppers. The savory beef roll is seared, roasted, rested, and sliced into colorful spirals for a special but practical family dinner.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds flank steak about 1 inch thick (900 g)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt 6 g
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 g
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 g
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1.5 g
  • 3/4 cup prepared tomato sauce or pizza sauce 180 ml
  • 4 ounces thinly sliced deli ham 115 g
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese divided (6 ounces/170 g)
  • 1/2 cup drained and sliced roasted red peppers 75 g
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil 15 ml
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley optional, for serving (8 g)

Instructions

  • Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the flank steak on a cutting board and pat it dry. If it is thicker than about 1/2 inch (1.25 cm), carefully butterfly it by slicing horizontally through the thickest part, stopping before cutting all the way through. Open it like a book. Cover with plastic wrap and gently pound to an even 1/2-inch thickness.
  • Season both sides of the steak with the salt, pepper, oregano, and garlic powder. Position the steak with a long side facing you.
  • Spread the tomato sauce over the steak, leaving a 1-inch (2.5 cm) border around all edges. Arrange the ham over the sauce, then scatter 1 cup (113 g) of the mozzarella and the roasted red peppers on top.
  • Starting from the long side closest to you, roll the steak tightly into a log. Tuck in loose filling as you roll. Tie the roll crosswise with kitchen twine at 1 1/2-inch (4 cm) intervals, using 4 to 5 pieces of twine.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the steak roll for 2 to 3 minutes per side, turning carefully with tongs, until browned all around.
  • Transfer the skillet to the oven. Roast for 25 to 35 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the meat reaches at least 145°F (63°C). Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup (57 g) mozzarella over the top during the final 5 minutes of roasting.
  • Move the steak roll to a cutting board and rest it for 10 minutes. Remove and discard the twine. Slice into 1-inch (2.5 cm) rounds, sprinkle with parsley if desired, and serve warm.