Description
Warm, hearty, and slow-cooked to perfection, this Sunday Dinner Slow Cooker Beef Ragu is your answer to an easy recipe that tastes like a labor of love. Whether you’re after quick prep ideas, cozy comfort food, or weekend dinner ideas, this dish hits all the right notes. With tender shredded beef in a rich tomato and red wine sauce, it’s the kind of food that makes everyone feel at home. Serve it over creamy polenta, pappardelle, or mashed potatoes for a truly satisfying meal.
Ingredients
3 pounds beef chuck roast
1 large onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 carrots, peeled and diced
2 celery stalks, diced
28 ounces crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup red wine
1 cup beef broth
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
1. Sear the beef in a hot skillet with olive oil until browned on all sides to deepen the flavor.
2. In the same pan, sauté the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery for 5–7 minutes until softened.
3. Transfer the beef and vegetables to the slow cooker.
4. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine, beef broth, bay leaves, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
5. Cover and cook on LOW for 8–10 hours or HIGH for 4–6 hours, until the beef is tender and shreds easily.
6. Remove beef, shred with forks, then return it to the slow cooker and stir. Let sit for 10–15 minutes.
7. Serve over polenta, pasta, or mashed potatoes. Garnish with parsley and grated Parmesan if desired.
Notes
Searing the beef before slow cooking adds a deep, caramelized flavor that elevates the entire dish.
Use high-quality tomatoes, like San Marzano, for the richest sauce.
Let the shredded beef sit in the sauce before serving—it soaks up all the goodness and tastes even better.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: easy dinner, beef ragu, slow cooker recipe, comfort food, weekend meals