Nona’s Beef Ragu

If you’re craving pasta, then go ahead and whip up this delicious recipe for Nona’s Beef Ragu! This entire meal can be made in a slow cooker, which makes it perfect for any night of the week. Plus, it’s kid-friendly, which makes dinner time even easier.

While this entire recipe tastes delicious, the star ingredient is a jar of crushed tomatoes. Not only is this a quintessential ingredient for ragu, but it is also incredibly nutritious. Cooked tomato products (found in canned tomato products like pasta sauce) contain an ingredient called lycopene. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that has been proven to protect the body against many chronic diseases and even reduce the risk of stroke. Similar to most nutrients, it’s more natural to obtain lycopene from foods rather than supplements. In order to achieve maximum health benefits associated with lycopene, it is recommended to consume tomato products with a heart healthy fat, such as olive oil or avocado. That’s why we recommend enjoying lycopene and its health benefits through delicious foods such as this recipe for Nona’s Beef Ragu

You can feel good about serving this delectable meal to your family, and they will delight in the complex flavors. To make this meal extra special, serve with a simple side salad dressed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Whether you’re enjoying this beef ragu for a Sunday family dinner or a simple weeknight meal for one, you’ll be satisfied.

Check out this video to learn how this recipe is made. So, what are you waiting for? Enjoy some canned tomato products today!

Nona’s Beef Ragu

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If you’re craving pasta, then go ahead and whip up this delicious recipe for Nona's Beef Ragu! This entire meal can be made in a slow cooker, which makes it perfect for any night of the week. Plus, it’s kid-friendly, which makes dinner time even easier.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 4 hours

Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 4 lbs. beef brisket, cut into 4 evenly sized pieces
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 (14 oz.) cans crushed tomatoes
• ½ cup red wine
• ½ cup beef broth
• 4 Tbsp. tomato paste
• 1 beef bouillon cube
• 1 tsp. basil
• 1 tap. oregano
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 ½ tsp. granulated sugar
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tsp. cornstarch
• 2 Tbsp. water
• Spaghetti, for serving
• Parmesan cheese, for garnish

Instructions

1. Season brisket with salt and pepper. Heat one tablespoon of the olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the beef into the pan and sear it on both sides until brown and crispy. Remove the beef from the pan and transfer it into a crock pot. 
2. Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil into the pan along with the onion and garlic. Sauté until the onion turns translucent then add the mixture into the crock pot. Mix until combined.  Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours until the beef easily falls apart when pulled with two forks.
3. Whisk the cornstarch and water together in a small bowl until well combined. Pour the mixture into the crock pot. Cover and cook on high for an additional 30 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
4. Serve over spaghetti and garnish with freshly grated parmesan cheese. Enjoy!

For other delicious pasta recipes, check out some of our favorites:

Puttanesca Pasta
Pasta with Marinara and Roasted Vegetables
Walnut and Mushroom Ragu
Instant Pot Pizza Pasta