This slow-cooked shredded beef ragu pasta is a true comfort food, with tender beef in a rich and savory tomato sauce. Paired with hearty pasta, it’s the kind of dish that fills you up and warms your soul.
The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity and versatility. You can adjust the seasoning to your taste, or add in some extra veggies to the sauce for more flavor and nutrition. It’s an ideal meal for any night of the week, and the slow cooker makes it so easy to prepare. Serve it with a side of garlic bread and a green salad for a well-rounded dinner that everyone will love.
Full Recipe
Ingredients:
-
2 pounds beef chuck roast
-
1 tablespoon olive oil
-
1 medium onion, chopped
-
3 cloves garlic, minced
-
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
-
1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
-
1 tablespoon dried basil
-
1 tablespoon dried oregano
-
1 teaspoon salt
-
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
-
1/2 cup red wine (optional)
-
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
-
1 tablespoon sugar
-
1 pound pasta (penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti)
-
Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Directions:
-
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the beef roast with salt and pepper, then sear it in the skillet until browned on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.
-
Transfer the beef to the crock pot. Add the chopped onion and garlic to the same skillet and sauté for 2 minutes until softened. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, oregano, salt, pepper, red wine (if using), balsamic vinegar, and sugar. Stir to combine, then pour the sauce over the beef in the crock pot.
-
Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and easily shreds.
-
Once the beef is done, remove it from the crock pot and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded beef to the sauce and stir to combine.
-
While the beef is cooking, cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
-
Serve the shredded beef ragu over the pasta and garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 8 hours (low) | Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes | Kcal: 540 kcal | Servings: 6 servings
The Perfect Comfort Food: Crock Pot Shredded Beef Ragu Pasta
When it comes to hearty, flavorful meals that are easy to make, the Crock Pot Shredded Beef Ragu Pasta is a winner. This dish is the perfect combination of tender, slow-cooked beef and a rich, savory tomato sauce, served over pasta to create a satisfying meal that the whole family will love. If you’re someone who enjoys Italian-inspired comfort food, this recipe should be a staple in your kitchen. The beauty of using a slow cooker for this dish lies in how the flavors develop over time, giving you the depth of taste that usually requires hours of attention and stirring—but with minimal effort on your part.
Why Choose the Crock Pot for This Dish?
The slow cooker is the ultimate tool for busy individuals or families who want to enjoy a homemade, comforting meal without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. When you cook the beef for this ragu in the Crock Pot, the low and slow cooking process allows the meat to become incredibly tender. It practically falls apart when you shred it with a fork, making it melt-in-your-mouth delicious. In addition, cooking it this way helps the flavors from the herbs, spices, and tomatoes fully absorb into the beef, creating a rich and deep sauce. The best part? You can set it and forget it, allowing the Crock Pot to do all the work while you go about your day.
Tender, Flavorful Beef
The key to a great ragu lies in the beef. For this recipe, beef chuck roast is the ideal cut. Chuck roast is well-marbled with fat, which breaks down as it cooks slowly, giving the dish a rich and succulent flavor. The slow cooking also allows the beef to become fork-tender, making it easy to shred into the sauce. As the beef cooks, it releases its juices into the sauce, making the ragu even more flavorful and the beef more tender with every hour it simmers. The result is a melt-in-your-mouth beef that pairs perfectly with pasta.
The Magic of a Slow-Cooked Sauce
The sauce for this ragu is another standout feature. Made from crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic, onions, and a blend of dried herbs like basil and oregano, it creates a deep and savory base that complements the beef beautifully. As the sauce cooks alongside the beef in the Crock Pot, the flavors meld together, intensifying as the beef releases its juices. Adding a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar brings a nice balance of acidity to the sauce, cutting through the richness of the beef and adding a slight tang that enhances the overall flavor profile. This slow-cooked sauce is the perfect topping for your favorite pasta.
Pasta Pairing Options
While this ragu is delicious on its own, pairing it with the right pasta can elevate the dish even further. The pasta of choice for this recipe is typically something hearty, such as penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti. These types of pasta work well because their ridges and thicker texture hold onto the rich, flavorful sauce, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor. You can also experiment with other pasta shapes depending on your preference or what you have on hand. Just make sure to cook the pasta al dente, as it will continue to absorb the sauce after you combine it, creating the perfect balance of textures.
Perfect for Meal Prep and Leftovers
One of the reasons this Crock Pot Shredded Beef Ragu Pasta is a fantastic recipe to add to your rotation is because it’s excellent for meal prep and leftovers. In fact, like many slow-cooked meals, this dish tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld together. If you’re someone who likes to cook once and eat twice (or more!), this recipe is perfect. You can store the leftover ragu in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days, or freeze it for up to three months. Just reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop, and you’ll have a delicious meal ready to go.
A Family-Friendly Dish
This recipe is also a great option for feeding a crowd or a busy family. The Crock Pot makes it simple to prepare a large batch, and because it’s so flavorful, everyone is sure to enjoy it. Whether you’re serving it for a weeknight dinner or a Sunday family gathering, the Crock Pot Shredded Beef Ragu Pasta is sure to please. You can also customize the dish to your liking, adding in extra vegetables like mushrooms, carrots, or bell peppers to the sauce for added flavor and nutrition.
Customization and Variations
While this recipe is already fantastic as written, there are many ways you can customize it to fit your tastes. For a little extra depth, try adding a dash of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick of heat, or experiment with different herbs like rosemary or thyme. If you prefer a richer sauce, you can stir in a bit of heavy cream or cream cheese at the end to create a creamy, decadent finish. Alternatively, you can try swapping out the red wine for beef broth if you want a non-alcoholic version of the sauce, though the wine does add a special richness to the flavor.
If you’re following a low-carb or gluten-free diet, simply swap the regular pasta for a gluten-free option or spiralized zucchini noodles for a healthier twist. This recipe can easily be adapted to suit a variety of dietary preferences.
Tips for the Best Results
-
Sear the beef: Although it’s tempting to skip this step, searing the beef before adding it to the slow cooker enhances the flavor. Browning the meat creates a deeper, richer flavor in the final dish and adds to the complexity of the sauce.
-
Use quality tomatoes: The tomatoes are a key component in the sauce, so be sure to use high-quality crushed tomatoes and tomato paste for the best taste.
-
Don’t skip the wine: If possible, include red wine in the recipe. It adds a wonderful depth of flavor that complements the beef. If you’re concerned about alcohol, don’t worry—the alcohol cooks off, leaving only the flavor behind.
-
Cook low and slow: The key to achieving tender, flavorful beef is to cook it on low for 7-8 hours. If you’re in a rush, you can cook it on high for 4-5 hours, but the low setting yields the best results.
-
Rest the beef before shredding: Once the beef is cooked, let it rest for a few minutes before shredding. This helps it retain its juices and prevents it from drying out.
Conclusion
The Crock Pot Shredded Beef Ragu Pasta is more than just a meal; it’s an experience. The slow-cooked beef in a savory, rich tomato sauce served over pasta is the definition of comfort food at its finest. With minimal effort, this recipe delivers big on flavor, making it a go-to dish for busy weeknights, family gatherings, or even special occasions. Plus, with its meal prep potential and the ability to customize it to suit your tastes, this dish is bound to become a household favorite. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just getting started, this recipe is approachable, delicious, and guaranteed to impress. So fire up your Crock Pot and get ready to enjoy a meal that will leave everyone asking for seconds!