Description
Get ready for the ultimate comfort food with this rich, savory Slow Cooker Beef Ragu. Tender shredded beef slow-cooked in a tomato-based sauce infused with garlic, herbs, and red wine, this dish is perfect for quick weeknight dinners or hearty weekend meals. Serve it over pasta, polenta, or even mashed potatoes. Whether you're looking for easy dinner ideas, healthy comfort food, or meal prep favorites, this easy recipe is a must-have in your rotation. It's cozy, flavorful, and made with pantry staples — ideal for family meals and impressive enough for guests.
Ingredients
900g beef chuck roast
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large yellow onion, diced
2 carrots, peeled and diced
2 celery stalks, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
800g crushed tomatoes
1 cup dry red wine
1/2 cup beef broth
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
2 bay leaves
Salt and pepper, to taste
450g pappardelle pasta
Grated Parmesan, for serving
Fresh parsley or basil, optional for garnish
Instructions
1. Season the beef chuck roast with salt and pepper on all sides.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the beef until browned on all sides. Transfer to slow cooker.
3. In the same skillet, sauté onion, carrots, and celery for 5–7 minutes until softened.
4. Stir in garlic and tomato paste; cook for another 1–2 minutes to caramelize.
5. Pour in red wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up brown bits. Simmer until wine reduces by half.
6. Transfer the wine-vegetable mixture to the slow cooker.
7. Add crushed tomatoes, beef broth, oregano, basil, and bay leaves.
8. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours, until beef is very tender.
9. Remove beef and shred with two forks, discarding excess fat. Return to sauce.
10. Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve a bit of pasta water.
11. Toss pasta with ragu or serve ragu over pasta. Use reserved water to loosen sauce if needed.
12. Garnish with grated Parmesan and herbs if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
For best flavor, always sear the beef before slow cooking.
Use high-quality canned tomatoes for a richer sauce.
This ragu freezes beautifully — perfect for make-ahead meals.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: slow cooker beef ragu, easy dinner, Italian comfort food, beef pasta sauce, healthy slow cooker recipe