Valentine’s Day is Saturday and you’re probably seeing recipes for “dinner for two” everywhere . . since we’re a family of four and are staying in on Valentine’s Day, I wanted to post a recipe for you guys to make for your entire family. So, yes, this is a Valentine’s Day dinner idea for the whole family.
The husband and I are going out a few days before the 14th so we can have some alone time and a date night but Saturday night, we’ll be home with the kiddos and I will be making dinner. The highlight of the night will be whatever movie my kids pick out and dessert.
For this bolognese, I wanted to try something new. First off, we used this gluten free fettuccine and instead of using ground beef, I seared a big chunk of beef in a skillet, chopped it into chunks and then slow cooked it in the sauce.
I like to buy boneless short rib beef all the time because you can buy about 3 lbs. of it from CostCo and then freeze what you don’t use. . but this time, I opted for beef chuck, which is a little less expensive than boneless beef short ribs and still becomes very tender and works well for slow cooker recipes.
I mean, shouldn’t a bolognese sauce look like this? With chunks of beef swimming in sauce. It is a meat-based sauce and sometimes, frankly, ground beef just doesn’t cut it. So, this Valentine’s Day, if your significant other, friends, roommates, whoever. . likes beef and pasta, you’ve got to give this recipe a try!
My husband devoured this . . this is what he loves about me being a food blogger the most. The fact that he gets to eat special meals like this twice. And regarding the wine for this recipe, use a great tasting red wine that you would actually drink with your meal. I used this cabernet sauvignon.
Enjoy!
- 1 to 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- salt and pepper
- 1 lb. beef chuck or boneless beef short rib beef
- 12 ounces cremini mushrooms, chopped
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (28-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 to 2 teaspoons anchovy paste
- 1 cup beef stock
- 1 cup red wine
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- a few sprigs of fresh thyme
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- crushed red pepper flakes, optional for some heat
- 1 pound fettuccine pasta, cooked
- freshly grated parmesan cheese, for garnish
- Using a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. Season the beef with the salt and pepper on both sides and then add the beef to the skillet. You want the oil to be relatively hot so you will hear an immediate sizzle as soon as you add the beef to the skillet. Sear on each side for about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and onto a cutting board. Cut into bite sized chunks (but not too small) and place into your slow cooker.
- Add the sliced mushrooms, onions, garlic, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, anchovy paste, beef stock and red wine. Sprinkle on the dried oregano and add in the fresh thyme. Stir well and cook on low for 8 hours, or on high for at least 6 hours.
- After about 5 hours, stir in the brown sugar, taste and season with salt and pepper and add some red pepper flakes, if using. Stir well and cook for another hour or so on low heat. The meat will be very tender and flavorful. Before serving, discard the thyme sprigs. Serve over pasta and garnish with freshly grated parmesan cheese.
Recipe from How Sweet It Is
This slow cooker is seriously one of my hardest working countertop appliances. I freaking love this thing. . and it’s so big! 6-quarts. This is what I love the most, well, the size and the lid and it’s digital display. And I’m getting their new Multi-Cooker so I can’t wait!!! Will keep you guys posted. . my slow cooking love may be divided!
This is not a sponsored post. Just showing you guys the products and appliances that I actually use and love.
We’re getting teased with springtime weather this weekend, but I’m certain that old man winter will return! That’s when I’ll break out my slow cooker and make some red sauce! Bill loves when I add short ribs—I know your recipe is a winner!
P.S. I got my coeur a la creme mold at Sur la Table 🙂
I love a hearty Bolognese and I love that you used chunks of beef in this slow cooker recipe!
You!! Are saving me this week. I love this bolognese, especially the wine you have in it! I can’t wait to try it for realz!! Do you think ground beef will work? That’s all I have right now and will love to set this up tomorrow.
This looks like the ultimate comfort dish! I think I would devour it too, along with that crusty loaf and that fabulous bottle of cab!
Mmm, looks delicious! I love slow-cooked short rib, but I usually pair it with potatoes and such. I never thought to use it as a bolognese! Unfortunately, I don’t have a slow-cooker, so what would you recommend if I were to attempt this in the oven?
Ok I have been wanting to buy a slow cooker for sometime now but I keep thinking I can live without it. But now, I see this and all I want is to run to bedbath&beyond and buy one!! That sauce – finger licking delicious!
Big juicy meat + slow cooker + pasta? That’s for sure a meal you can’t refuse. And red wine will make it more special, for sure. Yum!
I definitely think a bolognese sauce shoul look like this! It’s perfect!
This looks like a perfect Valentine’s meal, Alice! My husband loves any type of red sauce, so this would be perfect for him. And I love that this is made in the slow cooker too! Sounds delicious!
This looks absolutely amazing, Alice! I love the red wine and anchovy paste you added to the bolognese sauce, it sounds so delicious and full of flavor! This would be the perfect meal for Valentine’s Day especially since it’s made in the slow cooker. That means more time to spend with your sweeties 🙂
I love the sound of using beef chunks instead of ground beef in a bolognese sauce! It looks so good!
Ugh, dinner for two-shmoo. I’d much rather have this family-sized pasta and split it between me and my guy on our couch. And that bottle of wine is calling my name…
I’m seriously drooling over this Alice! It looks amazing. And your dinner for 4 sounds great!
I absolutely love a good Bolognese sauce…and this version looks especially tasty! I’m thinking this would indeed make a great V-Day meal. Oh, and a good bottle of red wine is an absolute necessity. Sign me up to take care of the leftovers here! 🙂
YUMZ. Perfect timing as we just dug the slow cooker out of the basement and are anxious to get it going! This looks so good!
I love Bolognese sauce but have been intimidated by the long cook time. Now that I know you can successfully cook it in the slow cooker, I will have to try it! Your recipe looks simply amazing! 🙂
I’m all about family recipes! Even though there is only two of us, I love making family meals because then I can save the leftovers. This bolognese sauce looks perfect and I love any excuse to use my slow cooker!
Looks so good Alice! I love that it’s slow cook too. We usually eat in for Valentines Day and anything that helps make that dinner easy is a winner for me!
We always stay in for Valentine’s Day and this would be the perfect meal. I love that it is family sized so hubby and I could have leftovers for a lazy Sunday!
MY GOODNESS! I want this! Also the hub and I are going out the day after V day. I like that you and the hub are going out a few days before so you can also avoid that crowd.
I love that you use chunks of beef. I am still yet to make a bolognese in my slow cooker, but this has convinced me to give it a go. Pinning this!
Eating out on Valentine’s Day is nuts! I avoid restaurants at all costs. I’d much rather stay in and relax. I love this pasta! I bet the sauce is amazing after slow cooking all day. And I am going to try out that gluten free fettuccine! Thanks for the recommendation!
Oh wow, I am so hungry after seeing this! I so love that you made the sauce in the slow cooker (one of my favorite kitchen tools!). This is great for Valentine’s Day, but I would love it on a cold, rainy day. Mmm….a big bowl of hot, meaty, cheesy pasta!
Bolognese is one of my all-time favorite pasta sauces and I love the idea of making it in the slow cooker! Love this recipe, Alice. Thank you!
Have a great time at your date night Alice! Beef chunk sounds much better than ground beer for the sauce. Looks delicious! Pinned for later!
I bow to you. Short rib? YES! Brilliant. Such a great cut, it is meant for slow cooking and the flavours! OMG! The flavours it adds to the sauce…..YOU ROCK Alice!! 🙂
I will gladly make this full recipe, because even though I’m only cooking for two, I bet the leftovers are outstanding!
This looks Ah-MAZE-ing!! We stay in for Valentine’s Day as well! I always figure that we can make a much better meal at home anyway and we also like to celebrate with the whole fam!! Love this bolognese! give me some crusty bread and a great glass of red wine and I am set!! 🙂
Great idea using beef chunks for a sauce. I must give that a go one day 😀
This looks amazing, Alice! My husband loves short ribs, so I think I’ll try it with that cut of meat. My husband and I never go out on Valentine’s Day. We prefer a quiet family meal, and once the kids go to bed we usually have a special dessert and just hang out together.
I am such a sucker for a deeply-flavored, slow-cooked bolognese and this seriously looks SO cozy and comforting! I know what’s gonna be on my menu Saturday night. 😀
We always stay home on Valentine’s Day too. A slow cooker meal is perfect because there is hardly any mess! What a great idea to use beef chunks! It really is so much prettier than ground beef.
I love a good Bolognese and yours looks and sounds amazing! Cooking with wine is so much fun 🙂
I hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day with the family!