Description
Hearty slow cooker beef ragu delivers rich Italian comfort straight to dinner tables with mouthwatering depth. Tender shredded beef nestled over creamy polenta creates a satisfying meal that welcomes you into warm culinary embrace.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) chuck roast
- 1 can (28 ounces / 794 grams) crushed tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups (360 milliliters) beef broth
Aromatics and Herbs:
- 1 large onion (diced)
- 2 medium carrots (peeled and diced)
- 2 celery stalks (chopped)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
Seasonings and Serving:
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
- 8 ounces (227 grams) pasta (such as tagliatelle, pappardelle, or fettuccine), cooked according to package
Instructions
- Infuse chuck roast with a robust blend of salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and thyme, ensuring a rich flavor foundation for the ragu.
- Create an aromatic base in the slow cooker by layering minced garlic, diced onion, carrots, and celery, which will contribute depth and help thicken the sauce during cooking.
- Position the seasoned roast atop the vegetable medley, then gently pour beef broth and crushed tomatoes, stirring to distribute ingredients evenly throughout the cooking vessel.
- Slow cook at low temperature (195°F) for 8 hours, allowing the meat to transform into a tender, flavor-absorbing masterpiece. If time is limited, high heat for 4-5 hours can expedite the process.
- Carefully extract the beef from the slow cooker, meticulously shredding it with two forks and discarding excess fat. Reintegrate the shredded meat into the sauce, ensuring complete incorporation.
- Simultaneously prepare pasta (tagliatelle, pappardelle, or fettuccine) according to package instructions, selecting wide ribbon varieties that capture sauce effectively.
- Combine hot pasta with the ragu, thoroughly coating each strand to create a harmonious, flavor-packed dish ready for serving.
Notes
- Seasoning is crucial for developing deep, rich flavors in this ragu, so take time to coat the beef thoroughly with herbs and spices.
- Slow cooking breaks down tough meat fibers, creating incredibly tender and melt-in-your-mouth beef that’s perfect for comfort meals.
- Choose fatty cuts like chuck roast for maximum flavor and tenderness, as the marbling helps keep the meat juicy during the long cooking process.
- For gluten-free options, swap traditional pasta with zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, or low-carb alternatives like cauliflower rice to accommodate different dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg