Explore More Recipes in The Recipe Index

Get my Latest Recipes sent to your inbox:

[rank_math_breadcrumb]

Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Ragu

4.5 from 353 votes
Beef roast is slow cooked with vegetables in tomato sauce and beef broth, then served over thick noodles in this savory comfort food dish the whole family will love.
photo of Danelle, author of Let's Dish
Published on , Updated January 13, 2025
4.5 from 353 votes

Beef roast is slow cooked with vegetables in tomato sauce and beef broth, then served over thick noodles in this savory comfort food dish the whole family will love.

Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Ragu

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Nothing says comfort food like a hearty, slow cooked meal, and this Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Ragu is a favorite with my hungry boys!

It all starts with a big beef roast (which is always a good place to start when feeding hungry teenagers), that’s slow cooked in a mixture of vegetables, canned tomatoes, beef broth and savory seasonings.

The result is some amazingly tender, melt-in-your mouth shredded beef that’s the perfect accompaniment to hot papparadelle or egg noodles.

Really, you could serve this with any pasta, or even over mashed potatoes. Just be sure you choose something hearty as a side!

This Italian-style ragu is such a big hit with my family that it’s become one of my favorite ways to cook those tough cuts of beef, like chuck roast. 

Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Ragu

Making this dish in the slow cooker means it not only comes out tender and delicious, but it’s so easy to prepare. And although I really do recommend searing your meat first for added flavor, you can skip that step if you’re really in a hurry.

Otherwise, you really can just add the ingredients to your slow cooker and forget about it for eight to ten hours! That’s my kind of dinner prep for sure!

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, they’re perfect for making a savory beef stew with carrots and potatoes, or rolling up in a tortilla with some shredded cheese.

Of course, with three growing boys to feed, I don’t see many leftovers around here.

But if you’re looking for a hearty and heartwarming new way to prepare a beef roast, this Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Ragu is the answer. Enjoy!

Be sure to save this recipe to your favorite Pinterest board for later.

Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Ragu

Ingredients

  • Beef roast
  • Spices: thyme, oregano, bay leaves, salt and pepper
  • Olive oil
  • Produce: garlic, onion, carrots, celery
  • Canned crushed tomatoes
  • Tomato paste
  • Beef broth
  • Papparedelle pasta and Parmesan cheese, for serving
Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Ragu

Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Ragu

Beef roast is slow cooked with vegetables in tomato sauce and beef broth, then served over thick noodles in this savory comfort food dish the whole family will love.
4.50 from 353 votes
Rate Print Pin Save
Course: Main Dishes
Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 serevings
Calories: 173kcal
Author: Danelle

Ingredients 

  • 3 pound beef roast
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3-4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 1 cup diced celery
  • 1 cup diced carrots
  • 1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 6 oz. can tomato paste
  • 2.5 cups beef broth
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • Papparadelle noodles and grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions

  • Cut roast into 3-4 chunks and season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef a few pieces at a time and sear on all sides. Place beef in lightly greased slow cooker.
  • In a medium bowl, stir together garlic, onion, celery, carrots, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, thyme, oregano, bay leaves and sugar. Pour over roast in slow cooker.
  • Cover and cook on low until beef is tender and shreds easily with a fork. Season with additional salt and pepper, to taste.
  • About 15 minutes before serving, cook pasta according to package directions. Serve shredded beef and sauce over cooked noodles with Parmesan cheese for garnish, if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 173kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 841mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g
Keep scrolling for tips, ingredient substitutions, answers to frequently asked questions and more!

If you love this recipe, you might also like:

[mv_create key=”1108″ layout=”circles” thumbnail=”https://letsdishrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Beef-Ragu-feature.jpg” title=”More Slow Cooker Beef Recipes” type=”list”]

Share this recipe

10 comments

  • This looks delicious! Can it be frozen?

  • Jannette

    Can you serve this over mashed potatoes?

  • Anne Grasmick

    Is this correct? A 13 pound roast??? I do t know if I’ve ever seen one this big. Can I cut the recipe in half? How would a 13 pound roast fit in the crock pot?

    • A
      Danelle

      It should read as one 3 pound roast. I’ll edit the recipe card to make that more clear. Thanks for noticing that!

4.50 from 353 votes (353 ratings without comment)

Leave your comment

Recipe Rating




photo of Danelle, author of Let's Dish

Hello! I’m Danelle. Thanks for visiting.

At Let's Dish, I'm bringing a taste of uptown foodie to real-life, everyday meals! Here, I share simple, reliable recipes that make mealtime easy.
More About Me