Description
Indulge in the rich, savory flavors of Italian cuisine with this budget-friendly Poor Man’s Short Rib Ragu. By using a humble chuck roast instead of pricey short ribs, this recipe delivers all the bold tastes and comforting textures you crave without breaking the bank. The slow cooker does all the hard work, allowing tender beef to simmer alongside a medley of vegetables, crushed tomatoes, and aromatic seasonings until it melts into a sauce that clings beautifully to fettuccine. Perfect for weeknight family dinners or impressing guests during Sunday gatherings, this hearty dish is a true crowd-pleaser that comes together with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 – 4 lbs chuck roast
- 1 medium yellow onion (finely diced)
- 2 carrots (peeled and finely diced)
- 2 celery stalks (finely diced)
- 2 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 packet Italian dressing seasoning mix (divided)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1½ cups beef broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 8 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 12 – 16 oz fettuccine
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients by finely dicing the onion, carrots, and celery; mince the garlic.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, sear the chuck roast on all sides until browned.
- Place the seared roast in a slow cooker; add diced vegetables and minced garlic.
- Mix in tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, beef broth, bay leaf, butter, half of the Italian dressing mix, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
- Cook on low for about 5 hours until meat is tender; stir occasionally if possible.
- Remove roast from slow cooker; shred beef with forks and return to sauce.
- Cook fettuccine according to package instructions; reserve some pasta water before draining.
- Toss cooked fettuccine with ragu sauce using reserved pasta water for desired consistency; garnish as preferred.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Main
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 120mg