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Healthy Slow Cooker Beef Ragu

A rich and savory beef ragu made in a slow cooker, perfect for cozy family dinners.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch pieces Trim any excess fat before cutting.
  • 1 whole onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 whole carrots, diced
  • 1 stalk celery, diced
  • 14.5 ounces can diced tomatoes Use with their juices.
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • to taste Fresh parsley for garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Trim any excess fat from the beef chuck roast and cut it into 1-inch pieces.
  2. In a skillet, sauté the diced onion and minced garlic until fragrant and softened, about 2-3 minutes.
Cooking
  1. Place the sautéed onions and garlic in the slow cooker. Add the carrots, celery, diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato paste, beef broth, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Top with the beef chunks.
  2. Cover your slow cooker and set it to low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
  3. When cooking time is complete, take two forks to shred the beef and mix it back into the sauce for even flavor distribution.
Serving
  1. Serve over your favorite pasta, rice, or polenta, and garnish with fresh parsley.

Notes

Consider using lean cuts of beef or adding more veggies. Letting the beef cook on low enhances the flavors and tenderness. Do not skip the sautéing step for added depth of flavor.