Beef Ragu With Beans

Total Time: 6 hrs 15 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 6 hrs

Ingredients

• 2 large carrots, peeled and coarsely chopped
• 2 large celery ribs, coarsely chopped
• 1 large onion, coarsely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, peeled
• 2 lbs ground beef
• 2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
• 2 cups beef broth
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 (15 1/2 ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 1/2 teaspoons italian seasoning
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 lb rigatoni pasta, cooked
• grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Recipe

• 1 place carrots, celery, onion and garlic in a food processor; pulse until finely chopped.
• 2 in a large bowl, mix vegetables, ground beef, diced tomatoes, beef broth, tomato paste, sugar and beans. add half of each: italian seasoning, salt and red pepper flakes. stir until combined.
• 3 place mixture in a 6 quart slow cooker and cook 5 1/2 hours on high or 8 1/2 hours on low.
• 4 stir in remaining italian seasoning, salt and red pepper flakes. cook for an additional 30 minutes.
• 5 for 8 servings, toss half the meat sauce with rigatoni; serve with grated cheese, if desired. reserve other half of the sauce for future meals. may be frozen, tightly covered, for up to 2 months.