This easy, weeknight-friendly Slow Cooker Short Rib Ragu Bolognese doesn’t require hours of babysitting the stove! Silky, rich and packed with tender, melt in your mouth meat, this versatile Italian sauce is sure to be a hit with your family and become a staple in your home!

Updated:  This post was originally published in January 2019. I updated the post below to include more information about short rib ragu. I also added step by step photos, plus a recipe video to show you how quick and easy this slow cooker bolognese sauce is to make!

Hi, friends! Since a polar vortex (winter storm) just hit the Midwest and East Coast, and brought with it extremely cold temperatures, I felt it only fitting to share the coziest of cozy meal with you guys today.

But, not only is todays dish luscious and comforting, it’s also crazy easy to make!

Basically, it’s the perfect melt-in-your mouth, soul-satisfying dish to get you through a long lazy winter.

Slow Cooker Short Rib Ragu Bolognese

Melt-in-your-mouth tender, shredded beef swimming in a flavor-packed tomato and red wine sauce studded with finely diced onions, pungent garlic, sweet carrots, mellow celery and fragrant herbs.

Essentially, this beefy, saucy, tomato gravy situation is the perfect comforting Sunday (or everyday if you want to live your best life) sauce!

It’s epic over pasta, divine over crusty bread, marvelous over creamy polenta, and honestly, it’s heavenly devoured plain, straight from the crockpot.

What is Bolognese sauce? How to pronounce Bolognese?

Bolognese, pronounced bolon-ne-ze, is a hearty meat-based sauce which originates in Bologna, Italy. Traditionally known as ragu alla Bolognese, it can be used over polenta, to dress pasta or to prepare lasagna.

What is Ragu Sauce?

Ragu is a broad term used to define any any tomato based meat sauce.

Are ragu and Bolognese the same?

While ragu and Bolognese are both classic Italian meat sauces, they are not technically the same thing. Ragu originates in Naples, Italy. While Bolognese, originating in Bologna, Italy is a type of ragu, it uses less tomato in the sauce and also incorporates milk (or cream).

What kind of meat for Ragu alla Bolognese sauce?

While ragu alla bolognese was originally made with beef along with a small amount of pancetta, the sauce has evolved with time, and different regions each have their own traditions and versions of bolognese.

Ragu Bolognese recipes today can use a wide range of meats from beef (ground beef, minced steak or short ribs), pork (ground pork, cured pork, pork belly or sausage), veal, lamb or even chicken livers.

This easy recipe uses boneless short ribs which results in a hearty, beefy sauce.

What kind of wine for Ragu Bolognese? When to add wine?

Traditionally Bolognese calls for white wine, however you can use whichever wine you prefer as long as it is of a good, drinkable quality.

While you can use either white or red wine in this short rib pappardelle recipe, I personally prefer the richer, robust, savory flavor of a dry red wine.

Traditionally, the wine should be added to the sauce right before adding the tomatoes, or sometimes with the tomatoes, depending on the recipe. Since this is an easy Italian meat sauce made in the slow cooker, you will add the wine to the crockpot with the tomatoes.

How to serve Bolognese sauce?

Originally Bolognese was served with polenta, slices of bread or over wide, flat egg pastas (such as tagliatelle). However, nowadays the uses for bolognese are only limited by one’s imagination!

I served this crockpot beef ragu sauce with pappardelle, however there are many ways to serve bolognese meat sauce.

What to serve with meat sauce?

• Generously ladle sauce on top of polenta.
• Take toast to the next level by spooning sauce over the top of crusty, toasted bread.
• Use bolognese as a sauce for egg pasta (tagliatelle, tortellini) or regular pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, ziti).
• Top potato dumplings (gnocchi or gnudi) with this hearty meat sauce for a cozy meal.
• Use the sauce as a filling for lasagna.
• Spoon bolognese sauce on top of baked potatoes.
• Jazz up zucchini noodles with this hearty sauce.
• Pour warm leftover bolognese over cheesy nachos
• Use as a stuffing for bell peppers.
• Take crepes to the next level by using the sauce as a filling.
• Keep this sauce on hand as a filling for Italian cannelloni.
• Put a twist on meat lover’s pizza and substitute regular pizza sauce for bolognese.

How long will Bolognese keep in the fridge? How long will Bolognese keep in the freezer?

Leftover short rib ragu sauce should be stored in an airtight container. Properly stored the sauce will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Bolognese sauce freezes exceptionally well! To freeze, allow the sauce to cool to room temperature before transferring to an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Bolognese will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Can sauce be reheated?

Ragu is easy to reheat and makes exceptionally delicious leftovers! To reheat the sauce, defrost in the refrigerator overnight if frozen and reheat in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until fully heated throughout.

How to make short rib ragu?

This rich and meaty ragu doesn’t require hours of babysitting the stove! With just 25 minutes of preparation, you can make restaurant quality meat sauce in your very own kitchen!

1. Season short ribs on all sides generously with salt and pepper.
2. Brown short ribs:  In a large Dutch oven or cast iron skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Add half the ribs and sear on all sides until browned (about 2 minutes per side). Transfer meat to slow cooker. Repeat with remaining tablespoon of oil and ribs. OPTIONAL: With the heat still on under the pot, add 1/3 cup of wine and scrape off the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Pour wine and browned bits over meat in the slow cooker. ALTERNATIVELY, you can add all the wine directly to the slow cooker and skip deglazing the pan.
3. In the slow cooker:  Add all the remaining ingredients (EXCEPT CORNSTARCH MIXTURE or HEAVY CREAM) to the slow cooker and season generously with salt and pepper. Give everything a good stir to combine.
4. Cook:  Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours* or until short ribs are fork tender.
5. Shred meat:  When ribs are tender, either shred the meat right in the slow cooking or remove them from the slow cooker and transfer to a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the meat. Remove the bay leaves from the slow cooker and discard. Add the meat back to the slow cooker and stir to combine. Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper. Cover and switch slow cooker to WARM while you make the pasta.
6. Optional for a thicker sauce:  Add the cornstarch/water mixture to the slow cooker and stir to combine. Cover and cook on HIGH for 30 minutes to thicken.
7. Optional for a creamy sauce:  Stir in heavy cream to combine. Cover and cook on LOW for 5-10 minutes, or until heated through.
8. To Serve:  Top with fresh parsley and/or fresh basil and grated parmesan. Enjoy!

How to make ragu step by step photos:

Tips for the best Short Rib Ragu:

1.  Make sure you use a high quality wine you would drink yourself. While white wine is traditionally used in bolognese, I personally prefer the rich taste of a dry red wine. I normally either use a Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir or Chianti.
2. While flat, wide pasta noodles are generally served with bolognese, you can use any type of pasta you prefer. Or, if you don’t fancy pasta, try serving this sauce over polenta, or in lasagna!
3. If you don’t like your sauce too saucy, either switch the slow cooker to HIGH and cook uncovered, stirring frequently, for 10-15 minutes to evaporate some of the liquid, or use a slotted spoon to serve the ragu.
4. I recommend cooking this sauce on LOW in the slow cooker. However, if you are pressed for time, you can cook it on HIGH for 4-5 hours instead. Please note that the meat will not be quite as succulent and tender.

This weeknight-friendly, ultra-cozy Crockpot ragu is nothing short of EPIC. Delicious on pasta, polenta, crusty bread, potatoes, rice – you name it! Trust me, you are going to want to put this ragu on everything!

Until next week, friends, cheers – to heartwarming  meals!

XOXO

Cheyanne

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The best Slow Cooker Short Rib Ragu Bolognese recipe plus video👇

Print Recipe

5 from 10 votes

Slow Cooker Short Rib Ragu Bolognese Recipe

This easy Slow Cooker Short Rib Ragu Bolognese doesn't require hours of babysitting the stove!  Silky, rich and packed with tender meat, this sauce is sure to be a hit with your family and become a staple in your home!

Recipe can be scaled up or down by using the slider if you hover your mouse over the number of Servings.

Prep Time25 mins

Cook Time7 hrs 15 mins

Total Time7 hrs 40 mins

Course: entree, main, Sauce

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: bolognese, crockpot, meat sauce, ragu, short rib, Slow Cooker

Servings: 8

Calories: 347kcal

Author: Cheyanne Holzworth

Equipment

• Cast Iron Skillet or Dutch Oven
• Slow Cooker or Crockpot

Ingredients

• 2 ½ - 3 pounds Boneless Beef Short Ribs – cut into 2-3’’ pieces
• Kosher Salt & Ground Black Pepper - to taste
• 2 TBS Olive Oil - DIVIDED
• 1 medium Sweet Onion – finely diced (1 ½ Cups)
• 2 large Carrots – peeled & finely diced( 1 Cup)
• 3 medium stalks Celery – finely diced (1 Cup)
• 4 large cloves Garlic – minced
• 2 TBS Tomato Paste
• ¾ Cup Dry Wine (or beef broth) - DIVIDED (SEE NOTES)
• 1 (28 ounce) Can San Marzano Crushed Tomatoes (or whole tomatoes crushed by hand)
• 2 Bay Leaves
• ¾ tsp EACH: Dried Thyme, Dried Basil & Dried Oregano
• ½ tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes - or more to taste

OPTIONAL:

• 2 tsp Cornstarch mixed with 2 TBS water (OPTIONAL FOR A THICKER SAUCE)
• 2 TBS - ¼ Cup Heavy Cream , or more to taste (OPTIONAL FOR CREAMY SAUCE)

OPTIONAL TO SERVE:

• 12 ounces Flat Wide Pasta Papparelle or Tagliatelle*
• 2-3 TBS Fresh Parsley and/or Basil – chopped
• ½ Cup Parmesan - freshly grated

For Serving: Baguette, Buffalo Mozzarella or Burrata, Fresh Parsley or Basil

Instructions

• Season short ribs on all sides generously with salt and pepper.
• Brown short ribs:  In a large Dutch oven or cast iron skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Add half the ribs and sear on all sides until browned (about 2 minutes per side). Transfer meat to slow cooker. Repeat with remaining tablespoon of oil and ribs. OPTIONAL: With the heat still on under the pot, add 1/3 cup of wine and scrape off the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Pour wine and browned bits over meat in the slow cooker. ALTERNATIVELY, you can add all the wine directly to the slow cooker and skip deglazing the pan.
• In the slow cooker:  Add all the remaining ingredients (EXCEPT CORNSTARCH MIXTURE or HEAVY CREAM) to the slow cooker and season generously with salt and pepper. Give everything a good stir to combine.
• Cook:  Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours* or until short ribs are fork tender.
• Shred meat:  When ribs are tender, either shred the meat right in the slow cooking or remove them from the slow cooker and transfer to a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the meat. Remove the bay leaves from the slow cooker and discard. Add the meat back to the slow cooker and stir to combine. Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper. Cover and switch slow cooker to WARM while you make the pasta.
• OPTIONAL FOR A THICKER SAUCE: Add the cornstarch/water mixture to the slow cooker and stir to combine. Cover and cook on HIGH for 30 minutes to thicken.
• OPTIONAL FOR A CREAMY SAUCE: Stir in heavy cream to combine. Cover and cook on LOW for 5-10 minutes, or until heated through.
• To Serve: Top with fresh parsley and/or fresh basil and grated parmesan. Enjoy!

OPTIONAL IF SERVING WITH PASTA:

• Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to boil and cook pasta to just barely al dente according to directions on package.
• Drain pasta, reserving ½ cup of cooking liquid, and return to pot. Add enough Ragu Bolognese sauce to coat, along with some of the cooking liquid. Quickly cook over medium-high heat, tossing/stirring gently to combine, for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Transfer to a large serving platter or divide among serving bowls. Top with fresh parsley and grated parmesan. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

1. Make sure you use a high quality wine you would drink yourself. While white wine is traditionally used in bolognese, I personally prefer the rich taste of a dry red wine. I normally either use a Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir or Chianti.
2. While flat, wide pasta noodles are generally served with bolognese, you can use any type of pasta you prefer. Or, if you don’t fancy pasta, try serving this sauce over polenta, or in lasagna!
3. If you don’t like your sauce too saucy, either switch the slow cooker to HIGH and cook uncovered, stirring frequently, for 10-15 minutes to evaporate some of the liquid, or use a slotted spoon to serve the ragu.  Keep in mind that the sauce will thicken significantly as it sits.  If you need to thin the sauce, just add more broth or cream.
4. I recommend cooking this sauce on LOW in the slow cooker. However, if you are pressed for time, you can cook it on HIGH for 4-5 hours instead. Please note that the meat will not be quite as succulent and tender.
5. Leftover bolognese sauce should be stored in an air-tight container. Properly stored sauce will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Or, this sauce freezes exceptionally well! To freeze, allow the sauce to cool to room temperature before transferring to an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Sauce will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
6. To reheat the sauce, defrost in the refrigerator overnight if frozen and reheat in a saucepot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until fully heated throughout.

Recipe Serves:  8-10

Nutritional Information is an approximation and based on 8 servings (does not include pasta)

Nutrition

Calories: 347kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 87mg | Sodium: 251mg | Potassium: 704mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 3185IU | Vitamin C: 4.9mg | Calcium: 110mg | Iron: 3.5mg

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