Freezer Meals

Simple Weeknight Paprika Pork Stew Recipe

~ Carrie Tyler ~ 1 Comment
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Paprika Pork Stew Recipe in a bowl with carrots, onion, parsley. It's an easy family dinner. 

Are your weeknight dinners frazzled?  I hear you!  I used to be there too.  And if I don’t turn to my easy dinner arsenal, I can be right back there again!  BUT, this Simple Weeknight Paprika Pork Stew Recipe is yet another dinner to help make your life easier!  

This Paprika Pork Stew Recipe is loaded with flavor and texture.  With each spoonful you get a smokey and salty bite flavor from the pork, paprika, oregano, garlic and onion.  Carrots balance out this dish with a slightly sweet and tender bite.  Finally, the pork is so moist and fork tender.  But the best part is that this entire dinner can be made in the slow cooker during the day.  Or you can make it ahead in the oven and then reheat on a busy weeknight!

Want more tips for making busy family dinners easier?  Click here for my Free Printable 5 Simple Steps to Easy Family Dinners!

THE MAGICAL SLOW COOKER

One of the easiest ways to make family dinners on busy weeknights is using a slow cooker!   You can put all of the ingredients into the pot and then set and forget.  The slow cooker does all of the work and you get a home filled with wonderful aromas and a hot meal just waiting to be enjoyed!  I have had the same slow cooker for years and there is absolutely nothing fancy about it.  But it’s never let me down and I never feel the need to get any other machines.  Check out my Shop page to see the slow cooker I would get today if I were going to replace mine!  It has a browning pot so you don’t have to dirty a second pan!

Here are a few of my family’s favorite slow cooker dinners:

Quick note!  This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase from them.  This commission is what helps me keep this blog afloat :).  I also share these links because I have used the products, genuinely love them, and want you to know exactly what I used. 

EQUIPMENT FOR THIS PORK STEW RECIPE

I made this recipe in a slow cooker.

However, you could also make it in the oven in a dutch oven or small roasting pan with a lid. To make this stew in the oven, follow the instructions for adding all of the ingredients. Then bake covered in the oven at 400 F degrees for 1-1.5 hours until the pork is fork tender.

And mincing garlic is made super easy with a Garlic Press.

PREP-AHEAD STEPS FOR YOUR PORK STEW RECIPE

We are all extremely busy and making dinner during the week can be overwhelming. Here are the steps you prepare in the day(s) ahead!

What can I say, this one is super easy!  The only thing you need to do for this recipe is prep the veggies and then mix everything in the slow cooker insert.

Up to 5 days ahead, you can peel and dice the carrots and onion. Also peel and mince the garlic.  These can be stored together in the fridge until you are ready to cook.

What else can I add to the stew?

For veggies, there are lots of options!  Veggies that can be added in from the start of the cooking are: creamer (baby gold) potatoes halved, sweet potato cubes, butternut squash cubes, celery slices, diced parsnips, or bell peppers.  Veggies that you will want to add in just the last hour are: kale, zucchini slices, or other soft vegetables that can get mushy.  Spinach can be added after the cooking is done and will wilt down in the hot stew in just minutes.

You can also add in egg noodles in the last hour and they should cook through for you!  Or you can add cooked rice or cooked quinoa.  

COOK YOUR PORK STEW RECIPE

Well, it doesn’t get much easy than this!  Just add the onion, carrots, and pork to the slow cooker insert. Then add the paprika, minced garlic, dried oregano, crushed bouillon cubes, water, salt, and pepper. Mix to combine.

Adding paprika to raw pork and veggies in slow cooker insert for Paprika Pork Stew Recipe with carrots, onion, parsley.

All ingredients in slow cooker insert for Paprika Pork Stew Recipe with carrots, onion, parsley.

Turn the slow cooker to 6, 8, or 10 hours depending on your schedule.

Serve in a bowl by itself or over noodles and enjoy!

Can I freeze the stew?

Yes!  Absolutely!  This is a wonderful meal to make a ton of and then portion out for freezing. You can either freeze all of the ingredients raw and then add them to the slow cooker frozen.  In this case, you will wait to add the water until you are ready to cook.  Freeze the rest of the ingredients, then add them to the slow cooker frozen with the water, and set to 8 hours.

If you want to cook and then freeze, I like to first cool it in the fridge.  Then transfer it into freezer storage bags that can freeze flat and then be neatly stacked.  However, you can also freeze it in reusable plastic storage containers or glass freezer-safe containers.

ENJOY!  😍 Carrie

Paprika Pork Stew Recipe in a bowl with carrots, onion, parsley. It's an easy family dinner. 
Paprika Pork Stew Recipe in a bowl with carrots, onion, parsley. It's an easy family dinner. 
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Simple Weeknight Paprika Pork Stew Recipe

This Paprika Pork Stew Recipe is loaded with flavor and texture.  With each spoonful you get a smokey and salty bite flavor from the pork, paprika, oregano, garlic and onion.  Carrots balance out this dish with a slightly sweet and tender bite.  Finally, the pork is so moist and fork tender.  But the best part is that this entire dinner can be made in the slow cooker during the day.  Or you can make it ahead in the oven and then reheat on a busy weeknight! #porkstew #porkrecipes #easydinners

Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword beef stew, crock pot, pork, Pork stew, slow cooker
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 10 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 283 kcal
Author Carrie Tyler

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Pork stew meat, cubed
  • 1 Onion, yellow or 3 small shallots
  • 2 Medium Carrots
  • 1 tbsp Garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp Paprika
  • 1 tsp Dried Oregano
  • 4 Chicken or Beef Bouillon Cubes, crushed
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Ground Black Pepper
  • 3 cups Water

Instructions

Prep Ahead Steps

  1. Peel and dice the carrots. Peel and dice the onion. Peel and mince the garlic.

Cook your Paprika Pork Stew Recipe

  1. Add the onion, carrots, and pork to the slow cooker insert. Then add the paprika, minced garlic, dried oregano, crushed bouillon cubes, water, salt, and pepper. Mix to combine.

    All ingredients in slow cooker insert for Paprika Pork Stew Recipe with carrots, onion, parsley.

  2. Turn the slow cooker to 6, 8, or 10 hours depending on your schedule.

  3. Serve in a bowl by itself or over noodles and enjoy!

    Paprika Pork Stew Recipe in a bowl with carrots, onion, parsley. It's an easy family dinner. 

Shredded Beef Ragu Recipe

~ Carrie Tyler ~ 1 Comment
Jump to Recipe

Shredded Beef Ragu Recipe with Pappardelle with a fork on plate with basil and parmesan on the table. It's so easy to make and has a thick meaty texture and a super rich delicious flavor.

This is my easy, made-for-busy-moms Shredded Beef Ragu Recipe!  It has a thick meaty texture and a super rich delicious flavor.  It’s made with beef chuck, so it’s affordable and easy to work with.  It’s made without wine, but instead gets that acidic backdrop from Balsamic Vinegar.  And it’s easy for busy moms because it’s made in a slow cooker!  Just toss all ingredients in, set for 6-8 hours, shred the beef, and that’s it!

Shredded Beef Ragu Recipe with Pappardelle on plate with parsley, basil, parmesan, and bread on the table. It's so easy to make and has a thick meaty texture and a super rich delicious flavor.

EASY DINNER TO FREEZE FOR LATER!

This recipe makes a ton of sauce that freezes and then cooks up again deliciously!  That means it’s perfect for getting multiple meals out of.  Simply cool and then freeze the portion you want to save.  It will keep in your freezer for up to 4-6 months.  Click here to get more freezer dinners: Five 5-Ingredient Freezable Dinners – with Grocery List!

Here are some other recipes that are great for freezing:

Shredded Beef Ragu Recipe with Pappardelle with a fork on plate with parsley, basil, parmesan, and bread on the table. It's so easy to make and has a thick meaty texture and a super rich delicious flavor.

Quick note!  This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase from them.  This commission is what helps me keep this blog afloat :).  But, I also share these links because I have used the products, genuinely love them, and want you to know exactly what I used. 

EQUIPMENT NEEDED

I made this recipe in a slow cooker. However, you could also make it in the oven in a dutch oven or any or any good quality enameled cast iron 5-6 quart dutch oven or small roasting pan with a lid. For the oven, you will want to cook it for 2-3 hours at 400 F degrees until the meat is fall apart tender.

PREP-AHEAD STEPS FOR YOUR BEEF RAGU RECIPE

We are all extremely busy and making dinner during the week can be overwhelming. Here are the steps you can prepare in the day(s) ahead. (Full recipe is below)

The prep for this recipe is to dice the onions and carrots, as well as to mince the garlic.  The rest of the ingredients are simply measured out and then added to the slow cooker insert.

Can I substitute red wine for the Balsamic Vinegar?

Yes, you can add red wine to this recipe and then will want to eliminate the balsamic so the ragu is not too acidic.  If you want to add wine, you can reduce the 2 cups of broth to 1.5 cups and then replace the reduced amount of 1/2 cup with wine.  Or add 1 cup of broth and 1 cup of wine for even more wine flavor.  I would use a good dry red wine that you enjoy drinking.

Are there any other cuts of beef that can be used?

The beauty of this dish is that you can use a less expensive tough cut of meat used for stew and it gets really tender and delicious.  If you want to make this even more decadent, you could use boneless short ribs in this instead.  Just cut them into cubes so they cook evenly and get as tender as possible.  

COOK YOUR BEEF RAGU RECIPE 

This is the easiest part!  Just put all of the ingredients into the slow cooker, mix to combine, and then set the slow cooker to 6 or 8 hours, depending on your schedule.

Raw beef cubes in pot for Shredded Beef Ragu Recipe with Pappardelle. It's so easy to make and has a thick meaty texture and a super rich delicious flavor.

Raw beef cubes, diced onion, and diced carrots in pot for Shredded Beef Ragu Recipe with Pappardelle. It's so easy to make and has a thick meaty texture and a super rich delicious flavor.

Pouring pureed tomatoes over raw beef, diced onion, carrots, and other ingredients in pot for Shredded Beef Ragu Recipe with Pappardelle. It's so easy to make and has a thick meaty texture and a super rich delicious flavor.

2 bay leaves on top of ingredients in pot for Shredded Beef Ragu Recipe with Pappardelle. It's so easy to make and has a thick meaty texture and a super rich delicious flavor.

When the beef is done cooking and is fall apart tender, scoop all of the cubes out of the sauce and shred them. Leave your Slow Cooker on the warm setting. Once shredded, add it back to the sauce in the slow cooker.

2 forks shredding cooked beef for Shredded Beef Ragu Recipe with Pappardelle. It's so easy to make and has a thick meaty texture and a super rich delicious flavor.

2 forks shredding cooked beef for Shredded Beef Ragu Recipe with Pappardelle. It's so easy to make and has a thick meaty texture and a super rich delicious flavor.

Adding cooked shredded beef to sauce in pot for Shredded Beef Ragu Recipe with Pappardelle. It's so easy to make and has a thick meaty texture and a super rich delicious flavor.Cook your pappardelle pasta in a large pot of water with a large pinch of salt. Follow package instructions. Cook to al dente and then strain the pasta.

While the pasta is cooking, you can give the fresh parsley a rough chop and either tear the basil into pieces or roll the leaves and slice across to chiffonade it.

Mix the pasta and some of the sauce. Serve and garnish with the basil, parsley, and parmesan. 

ENJOY!  😍 Carrie

Shredded Beef Ragu Recipe with Pappardelle with a fork on plate with parsley, basil, parmesan, and bread on the table. It's so easy to make and has a thick meaty texture and a super rich delicious flavor.
Shredded Beef Ragu Recipe with Pappardelle with a fork on plate with parsley, basil, parmesan, and bread on the table. It's so easy to make and has a thick meaty texture and a super rich delicious flavor.
5 from 1 vote
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Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Ragu Recipe

This is my easy, made-for-busy-moms Shredded Beef Ragu Recipe!  It has a thick meaty texture and a super rich delicious flavor.  It's made with beef chuck, so it's affordable and easy to work with.  It's also a beef ragu without wine, but instead gets that acidic backdrop from Balsamic Vinegar.  And it's easy for busy moms because it's made in a slow cooker!  Just toss all ingredients in, set for 6-8 hours, shred the beef, and that's it! #beefragu #meatsauce #ragurecipe #easyfamilydinners #dinnerideas #slowcooker #crockpot

Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Keyword Beef, beef sauce, pasta, pasta sauce, ragu, slow cooker
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Servings 10 servings
Calories 876 kcal
Author Carrie Tyler

Ingredients

Ragu Ingredients

  • 2 1/2-3 lbs Beef chuck roast, cubed
  • 1 Medium onion, diced finely
  • 1 cup Carrots, diced finely
  • 6 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 2 cup Beef broth
  • 3 Tbsp Tomato paste
  • 2 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
  • 28 oz Crushed Tomatoes
  • 2 Bay leaves
  • 1 tsp Dried Thyme
  • 1 tsp Sugar
  • 2 tsp Salt or to taste
  • 2 tsp Ground Black Pepper

Pasta and Toppings (serves 10, so reduce by half if you will freeze half of the ragu)

  • 40 oz Uncooked Pappardelle pasta (4oz dried per serving)
  • 1 small bunch Fresh Basil leaves
  • 6 oz Grated or Shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 1 small bunch Fresh Italian Parsley (optional)

Instructions

Prep Ahead Steps

  1. Finely dice the carrots and onions. Mince the garlic cloves.

Make the Ragu

  1. Put all ingredients into the slow cooker pot, starting with the beef chuck cubes, then adding all of the other ingredients. Mix to combine. Store in the fridge overnight to cook in the morning or move on to the next step.

    Pouring pureed tomatoes over raw beef, diced onion, carrots, and other ingredients in pot for Shredded Beef Ragu Recipe with Pappardelle. It's so easy to make and has a thick meaty texture and a super rich delicious flavor.

Cook your Beef Ragu and Pasta

  1. In the morning, set your slow cooker to 6 or 8 hours, depending on your schedule.

  2. When the beef is fall apart tender, scoop all of the cubes out of the sauce and shred them. Leave your Slow Cooker on the warm setting. Once shredded, add it back to the sauce in the slow cooker.

    Adding cooked shredded beef to sauce in pot for Shredded Beef Ragu Recipe with Pappardelle. It's so easy to make and has a thick meaty texture and a super rich delicious flavor.

  3. Cook your pappardelle pasta in a large pot of water with a large pinch of salt. Follow package instructions. Cook to al dente and then strain the pasta.

  4. While the pasta is cooking, you can give the fresh parsley a rough chop and either tear the basil into pieces or roll the leaves and slice across to chiffonade it.

  5. Mix the pasta and some of the sauce. Serve and garnish with the basil, parsley, and parmesan. Enjoy!

    Shredded Beef Ragu Recipe with Pappardelle with a fork on plate with parsley, basil, parmesan, and bread on the table. It's so easy to make and has a thick meaty texture and a super rich delicious flavor.

Recipe Notes

You could also make this recipe in the oven by braising the beef with the same exact ingredients in a dutch oven in the oven for 3-4 hours until the beef is pull apart tender.