Slow Cooker Creamy Beef Ragu

by

This Slow Cooker Beef Ragu is the ultimate comfort food that practically cooks itself. Tender ground beef and chicken simmer all day with onions, carrots, celery, and herbs in a rich tomato base the kind that smells so good you’ll be counting down the minutes until dinner. A splash of cream at the end makes it luxuriously smooth and totally irresistible. Serve it over your favorite pasta, spoon it onto polenta, or pile it high on toasted bread. Cozy, hearty, and 100% delicious!

Time Breakdown

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 hours (Low)
  • Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
  • Servings: 6–8

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 medium carrots, chopped
  • 4 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1.5 lbs (680 g) ground beef
  • 1.5 lbs (680 g) ground chicken (pork substitute)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (5.5 oz / 156 g) can tomato paste
  • 2 dashes Italian seasoning
  • 2 dashes dried thyme
  • 2 cups (480 ml) beef broth
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) dry red wine (optional, for richness)
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream or whipping cream
  • Salt & pepper, to taste

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.

  • Large skillet
  • Slow cooker (Crockpot)
  • Cutting board and knife
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Wooden spoon

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Sauté the veggies: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for about 5–7 minutes, until softened and fragrant. Transfer to your slow cooker.
  2. Brown the meat: In the same skillet, cook the ground beef and chicken until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain off most of the fat, then add the meat to the Crockpot.
  3. Add the flavor: Stir in tomato paste, Italian seasoning, thyme, beef broth, and wine (if using). Mix everything together until combined.
  4. Slow cook it: Cover and cook on Low for 8 hours. Your kitchen will smell amazing promise!
  5. Finish & serve: Stir in the heavy cream, season with salt and pepper, and serve over pasta, mashed potatoes, or even toasted bread. Total comfort food!

Pro Tips

  • Skip the wine? Add extra broth or a splash of balsamic vinegar.
  • Make ahead: Even better the next day great for meal prep!
  • Freeze for later: Cool completely and freeze in containers for up to 3 months.
  • Serving tip: Top with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil for that restaurant-worthy finish.

Nutrition

Serving SizeCaloriesProteinCarbsFatFiberSugar
per serving48036 g14 g28 g3 g7 g