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    Home » Recipes » Dinner

    Italian Braised Beef Ragu with Parmesan Polenta

    Published: Feb 25, 2021 by Melissa Stadler · This post may contain affiliate links · 10 Comments

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    Italian Braised Beef Ragu with Parmesan Polenta Slow-cooked braised beef in a hearty homemade Italian tomato garlic sauce on top of creamy parmesan polenta. A true comfort food! www.modernhoney.com #ragu #italian #italianfood #polenta #beef #slowcooker

    Italian Braised Beef Ragu with Parmesan Polenta

    Slow-cooked braised beef in a hearty homemade Italian tomato garlic sauce on top of creamy parmesan polenta. A true comfort food!

    I crave comfort food on Sundays. Growing up, we always gathered around our large dining room table and would eat a meal usually centered around a beef roast, some type of potato, vegetables, and rolls. We bantered, we laughed, we teased, and we caught up with one another. It was time to slow down and to connect with family and I loved it. 

    So when I think of Sundays, I think of family, church, and comfort food. I think of gathering together and food does just that -- it can bring people together. So my kids get excited when they see I am cooking a roast because that means we are having a "big meal" and they love that.

    My son, who is 18, and will be leaving on a church mission this summer, is my one kid who craves that family dinner time. He works most nights but always has Sundays off so it is his one day at home with the family. So I make sure to feed him well! A beef roast is always top of his favorites list.

    Italian Braised Beef Ragu with Parmesan Polenta Slow-cooked braised beef in a hearty homemade Italian tomato garlic sauce on top of creamy parmesan polenta. A true comfort food! www.modernhoney.com #ragu #italian #italianfood #polenta #beef #slowcooker

    This Italian Braised Beef Ragu is something I love to order at Italian restaurants. I started making it at home a few years ago and it is such a different and yummy way to cook a beef roast. It is tender, it is flavorful, it melts in your mouth. I am so hooked that I made it twice this week!

    When you pair it with creamy polenta mixed with churned butter and nutty parmesan cheese, it is comfort food at its finest. If you are wondering what polenta is...it is cornmeal and it is cooked with some type of liquid (water, chicken broth, milk, cream) until cooked through. Then you add butter and cheese to make it extra rich and delicious. 

    This Italian Braised Beef Ragu is made with a lean beef roast and cooked with canned San Marzano tomatoes, fresh garlic and basil, onions, a touch of carrot, tomato paste, red chili flakes, and spices. It is cooked low and slow until it is so tender that you can easily shred it with two forks. Then you serve it with a hefty amount of grated parmesan cheese. 

    Italian Braised Beef Ragu with Parmesan Polenta Slow-cooked braised beef in a hearty homemade Italian tomato garlic sauce on top of creamy parmesan polenta. A true comfort food! www.modernhoney.com #ragu #italian #italianfood #polenta #beef #slowcooker

    How to make Italian Braised Beef Ragu with Parmesan Polenta:

    1. Heat a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add oil and then carefully place roast in skillet. If the oil becomes too hot, it can splatter, so be cautious. Sear on both sides for about 2-3 minutes.  
    2. Place the beef roast into the slow cooker or crockpot. Generously season with salt and pepper. Finely chop the onion, carrot, and garlic. Add the garlic, onion, carrots, tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, basil, and red chili flakes on top of the roast. 

    3. Cook on low for 8 hours. Once it is tender, shred meat with two forks. Taste for seasoning and add more salt and pepper as needed. 

    4. While meat is cooking, cook polenta 30 minutes before ready to serve. Toss with shredded beef Ragu. Serve and top with freshly grated parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Italian Braised Beef Ragu with Parmesan Polenta Slow-cooked braised beef in a hearty homemade Italian tomato garlic sauce on top of creamy parmesan polenta. A true comfort food! www.modernhoney.com #ragu #italian #italianfood #polenta #beef #slowcooker

      Italian Braised Beef Ragu with Parmesan Polenta Slow-cooked braised beef in a hearty homemade Italian tomato garlic sauce on top of creamy parmesan polenta. A true comfort food! www.modernhoney.com #ragu #italian #italianfood #polenta #beef #slowcooker

      Italian Braised Beef Ragu with Parmesan Polenta

      Modern Honey® - www.modernhoney.com
      Italian Braised Beef Ragu with Parmesan Polenta Slow-cooked braised beef in a hearty homemade Italian tomato garlic sauce on top of creamy parmesan polenta. A true comfort food!
      4.88 from 8 votes
      Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
      Prep Time 15 mins
      Cook Time 8 hrs
      Course Dinner
      Cuisine Italian
      Servings 6

      Ingredients
        

      • (1) 2.5 to 3 lb. Beef Roast (such as chuck)
      • 1 to 2 Tablespoon Olive Oil
      • 1 to 2 teaspoons Salt
      • 1 teaspoon Pepper
      • 5 Garlic Cloves (minced)
      • 1 large Onion (diced)
      • 1 Carrot (diced)
      • (1) 28-ounce can San Marzano Tomatoes (puree in blender)
      • ¼ cup Tomato Paste
      • ½ cup Beef Broth
      • 8 Fresh Basil Leaves (chopped)
      • 1 teaspoon Red Chili Flakes

      Parmesan Polenta:

      • 8 Tablespoons Salted Butter (divided)
      • 1 small Onion (minced)
      • 1 teaspoon Salt
      • 2 cups Whole Milk
      • 4 cups Water or Beef Broth
      • 1 ½ cups Polenta (corn grits)
      • 1 cup Parmesan Cheese

      Garnish:

      • Fresh Basil
      • Parmesan Cheese

      Instructions
       

      Slow Braised Italian Beef Ragu:

      • Heat a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add oil and then carefully place roast on in the pan. Be cautious of splattering oil. Sear on both sides for about 2-3 minutes.  
      • Place the beef roast into the slow cooker. Season with salt and pepper. Add garlic, onion, carrots, tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, basil, and red chili flakes. 
      • Cook on low for 8 hours. Shred meat with two forks. Taste for seasoning and add more salt as needed. 
      • While meat is cooking, cook polenta 30 minutes before ready to serve. Toss with shredded beef Ragu. Serve and top with freshly grated parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

      Parmesan Polenta:

      • Heat a large heavy saucepan over medium heat. Melt 4 Tablespoons of butter. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
      • Increase heat to medium-high and add the milk, water, and salt. Bring to a boil. Slowly pour the polenta into the pot, whisking constantly. Cook, whisking constantly, for about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to LOW and cover the pan.
      • Simmer, stirring often every 5-10 minutes, for about 30 minutes. Watch carefully so the polenta doesn't burn. Taste to check if it is creamy.
      • Remove from heat and stir in the remaining 4 Tablespoons of butter. Add a small amount of cheese at a time and keep stirring. If polenta becomes too thick, add more milk. Add more salt, if needed

      Notes

      Polenta recipe adapted from Five Mary's Ranch Cookbook
      Keyword beef ragu, beef ragu with parmesan polenta, slow cooked beef ragu, slow cooker beef ragu
      Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Laura

      March 19, 2023 at 2:31 pm

      5 stars
      This was delicious. I don't know if my polenta turned out correctly because the recipe for it didn't include the listed beef broth so I never added it. It seemed like it turned out ok but I don't know. When was it supposed to be added?

      Reply
    2. Brenda

      June 12, 2022 at 9:26 pm

      5 stars
      This was hands down the best new recipe I have ever tried! Absolutely delicious as comfort food or for company! I cooked mine in the Instant pot and still awesome!

      Reply
    3. Dayna

      March 28, 2022 at 2:29 pm

      5 stars
      Love, love, love this recipe. So good.

      Reply
    4. Dean

      March 10, 2022 at 7:52 am

      5 stars
      This is total comfort food. Taking a bite with the ragu and Polenta together, yum! Very easy to make and a keeper for sure. Easy dinner.

      Reply
    5. Cindy

      October 31, 2021 at 3:19 pm

      5 stars
      Made this today!! Im a lifelong Sunday dinner lover!! This is a winner, I added some peas on the top lots of parm on top and some extra crushed red, OMG, we're stuffed!!! Made polenta and pasta just to make sure we tried it both ways. Lots of weekday leftovers ????

      Reply
    6. Linda Hogan

      May 27, 2021 at 8:01 am

      5 stars
      This is one of the BEST recipes I have ever made off the the internet. I was skeptical, but I followed the recipe exactly as written. My husband and I LOVED it!!! Will be making again very soon.

      Reply
    7. Steph

      March 16, 2021 at 4:49 pm

      LOVED every single bite - an excellent dish! And so simple! Thank you for this recipe! I don't say this lightly either; when it comes to food it is hard to knock my socks off. I guess that happens when you grow up with a dad who's passion is really good food. Again, thank you!

      Reply
    8. Robin Marin

      March 03, 2021 at 6:25 pm

      4 stars
      Melissa,

      Made this recipe last weekend. AbsoluteLy delicious‼️. It was a great Sunday night family dinner and elicited raves from all, including my polenta- challenged adult son. Shared with neighbors next day and had last of leftovers for lunch. Even better on day 3! I will be recommending this recipe to my cooking buddies. Thanks for a keeper.

      Robin

      Reply
    9. Kristina

      February 25, 2021 at 8:01 pm

      This sounds amazing and got my mouth watering! It is on my list to try very soon. Is a rump roast okay to use as well? I have a couple in the freezer now so thought I'd see. Thanks for sharing all the great recipes you do. I've used many of them from dinners to sweet treats!

      Reply
    10. Donna A Pollock

      February 25, 2021 at 5:25 pm

      5 stars
      Melissa,
      What a sweet and Precious story.....I loved it. God Bless you all. and for this beautiful dinner, it looks so good. I think I will be making it this Sunday. We need to connect here as well. Everyone is so busy, we need to slow down too. Thank you for reminding me.

      Reply

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    Melissa Stadler Modern Honey

    Hi, I'm Melissa Stadler! I am an Award-Winning Recipe Creator. Cover of Food Network Magazine. Two-Time Pillsbury Bake-Off Finalist. I am passionate about sharing the best recipes so you have success in the kitchen!

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