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Sunday Slow Cooker Beef Ragu Recipe

Sunday Slow Cooker Beef Ragu Recipe
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★★★★★

4.8 from 5 reviews

This Sunday Slow Cooker Beef Ragu is a rich and hearty Italian-inspired dish perfect for a comforting weekend meal. Tender chunks of beef chuck are slow-cooked with aromatic vegetables, garlic, red wine, and a blend of herbs in a robust tomato sauce. Serve it over your favorite pasta and garnish with fresh Parmesan and herbs for a flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Beef and Oils

  • 2.5 – 3 lbs (approx. 1.2 – 1.4 kg) boneless beef chuck roast, trimmed of excess fat and cut into 2-inch cubes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Vegetables

  • 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1.5 cups)
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and finely chopped (about 1 cup)
  • 2 celery stalks, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
  • 4–6 cloves garlic, minced

Tomato and Liquids

  • 1/4 cup (60ml) tomato paste
  • 1 cup (240ml) dry red wine (such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Chianti)
  • 1 (28-ounce / 794g) can crushed San Marzano tomatoes (or good quality crushed tomatoes)
  • 1 (14.5-ounce / 411g) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 cup (240ml) beef broth (low sodium preferred)

Herbs and Spices

  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed (or 1 sprig fresh rosemary)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
  • Optional: Pinch of red pepper flakes for a hint of spice

For Serving

  • Cooked pasta (pappardelle, tagliatelle, or rigatoni are excellent)
  • Fresh Parmesan cheese (grated or shaved)
  • Fresh basil or parsley (chopped)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Beef: Trim any excess fat from the beef chuck roast and cut it into 2-inch cubes to ensure they cook evenly and become tender.
  2. Sear the Beef: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the beef cubes in batches, ensuring each piece is nicely seared on all sides. This step adds depth of flavor to the ragu.
  3. Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the finely chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until softened and aromatic. Add the minced garlic in the last minute to prevent burning.
  4. Add Tomato Paste and Deglaze: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes, then pour in the cup of dry red wine. Scrape the bottom of the pan to release any browned bits. Let the wine reduce slightly for about 3-4 minutes.
  5. Transfer to Slow Cooker: Place the seared beef cubes and sautéed vegetables into the slow cooker. Add crushed San Marzano tomatoes, diced tomatoes (with juice), and beef broth.
  6. Add Herbs and Seasoning: Stir in bay leaves, dried oregano, thyme, rosemary, kosher salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Mix everything well to combine.
  7. Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or on high for 4-6 hours, until the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened to a rich consistency.
  8. Final Touches: Remove the bay leaves and rosemary sprig if fresh was used. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt or pepper as needed.
  9. Serve: Serve the beef ragu over your favorite cooked pasta such as pappardelle, tagliatelle, or rigatoni. Garnish generously with freshly grated or shaved Parmesan and sprinkle with chopped fresh basil or parsley for a bright finish.

Notes

  • For best flavor, choose a good quality dry red wine such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Chianti.
  • Slow cooking on low heat allows the beef to become incredibly tender and the flavors to meld beautifully.
  • This ragu can be made a day ahead as flavors deepen overnight and it reheats beautifully.
  • Leftover ragu freezes well, store in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
  • Adjust the amount of garlic and red pepper flakes to taste for milder or spicier results.
  • Use fresh herbs if available for enhanced aroma and flavor instead of dried.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker beef ragu, beef ragu recipe, Italian slow cooked beef, Sunday dinner ragu, comfort food pasta sauce

Find it online: https://frommamamaya.com/sunday-slow-cooker-beef-ragu-recipe/