Slow Cooker Valentine's Dinner: Hearty Beef Ragu (Print Version)
Slow Cooker Valentines Dinner: Effortless romance! Discover easy recipes for a delicious, stress-free meal for two.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 6 Hours minutes
Total Time: 26 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: Italian
Dietary: Contains Dairy (Parmesan), Contains Alcohol (red wine)
# Ingredients:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
Beef Chuck Roast (2-3 lbs)
02 -
Crushed Tomatoes (28 oz can)
03 -
Dry Red Wine (1 cup)
04 -
Beef Broth (1 cup)
05 -
Yellow Onion (1 large)
06 -
Carrots (2 medium)
07 -
Celery Stalks (2)
→ Flavor Boosters & Seasonings
08 -
Garlic (4-5 cloves)
09 -
Tomato Paste (2 tbsp)
10 -
Balsamic Vinegar (1 tbsp)
11 -
Bay Leaves (2)
12 -
Dried Oregano (1 tsp)
13 -
Fresh Rosemary (1 sprig)
14 -
Salt & Black Pepper
→ Finishing Touches (for serving)
15 -
Fresh Parsley (chopped)
16 -
Parmesan Cheese (grated)
# Instructions:
01 -
First things first, pat that beef chuck roast dry with paper towels. This is super important for a good sear. Cut it into 2-inch chunks, then season generously with salt and pepper. While that's sitting for a minute, chop your onion, carrots, and celery. I always try to get them roughly the same size so they cook evenly. This is where the kitchen starts to smell good, honestly!
02 -
Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat with a couple of tablespoons of olive oil. Once it's shimmering, sear the beef in batches until it's beautifully browned on all sides. Don't overcrowd the pan, or it'll steam instead of sear! This step is crucial for flavor, trust me. I once rushed this and regretted it, big time.
03 -
Remove the beef and set aside. In the same pan, add a bit more oil if needed, then toss in your chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté them for about 5-7 minutes until they start to soften and get a little color. This is the base of all that incredible flavor for your Slow Cooker Valentine's Dinner, so take your time here. Add the minced garlic and tomato paste, stirring for another minute until fragrant.
04 -
Pour in the red wine, scraping up all those delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes until it's reduced slightly. Then, stir in the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, balsamic vinegar, bay leaves, dried oregano, and fresh rosemary sprig. Bring it to a gentle simmer.
05 -
Carefully transfer the seared beef chunks and the sauce mixture into your slow cooker. Give it a good stir to make sure everything is submerged. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and easily shreddable. This is the easy part, where your house just fills with amazing smells!
06 -
Once the beef is tender, remove the bay leaves and rosemary sprig. Using two forks, shred the beef right in the slow cooker, stirring it back into that rich, glorious sauce. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Sometimes I add a tiny pinch more salt here. Serve this amazing Slow Cooker Valentine's Dinner ragu over pasta, polenta, or with crusty bread. A sprinkle of fresh parsley and Parmesan is a must!