Best 7 Slow Cooker Hearty Turkey Ragu Recipes

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Slow-cooker turkey ragu is a delicious and hearty stew that is perfect for busy weeknights or weekend comfort food. Using a slow cooker makes this recipe incredibly easy to prepare, as you can simply add all of the ingredients to the pot and let it cook on low all day. The result is a rich and flavorful ragu that can be served over pasta, polenta, or rice. The best part about this recipe is that it is incredibly versatile, so you can easily customize it to your own liking. For example, you can add vegetables such as carrots, celery, or onions, or you can adjust the amount of spices to suit your taste. No matter how you choose to prepare it, slow-cooker turkey ragu is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

SLOW COOKER HEARTY TURKEY RAGU



Slow Cooker Hearty Turkey Ragu image

Flavorful and economical, turkey thighs slow cooked with vegetables and tomato sauce create a delicious ragu to serve with chunky pasta shapes like rigatoni or penne. This recipe makes plenty of sauce, so freeze batches in small containers for quick and easy weeknight suppers.

Provided by Debra D.

Categories     European

Time 9h

Yield 1 1/2 Cups, 11 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 (1 1/2 lb) turkey thighs
1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon pepper, divided
1/4 cup olive oil
2 medium onions, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1 celery rib, chopped
2 large garlic cloves, chopped
2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
1 (8 ounce) package button mushrooms, quartered
1/2 cup water
1 lb pasta

Steps:

  • Pat turkey dry with paper towels; sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat until hot. Cook turkey thighs 8 to 10 minutes or until browned, turning once. Place turkey in 5- to 6-quart slow cooker.
  • Cook onions, carrots, celery, garlic and rosemary in same skillet over medium heat 10 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently. Add to slow cooker, along with tomatoes, mushrooms, water and remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
  • Cook, covered, on low 8 to 9 hours or until turkey is tender and pulls away from bones. Remove turkey, leaving cooker on. Cut into bite-size pieces; discard skin and bones. Return turkey to slow cooker; cook 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Serve ragu over pasta.

SLOW COOKER RAGU



Slow Cooker Ragu image

Cans are one of the best ways to get vegetables from its source to your family table. And canned tomatoes, carrots and mushrooms make this pasta sauce as nutritious as it is delicious.

Provided by Kelsey Nixon

Time 6h15m

Yield 8-10 Servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 yellow onion, finely chopped
1 celery stalk, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
Kosher salt and cracked black pepper
¼ cup canned tomato paste
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ cup low-sodium beef broth
Two 28-ounce cans crushed tomatoes
1 pound ground pork
1 pound ground beef sirloin
1 (14.5 oz.) can sliced carrots, drained
1 (4 oz.) can sliced mushrooms, drained
Cooked pasta, such as spaghetti, for serving

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and celery and saute for 1 minute just to soften. Add the garlic and season with salt and pepper cooking for about 3 minutes. Add the tomato paste and thyme and continue cooking for another 2 minutes. Deglaze with the beef broth using a wooden spoon to pull up any bits from the bottom of the pan. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Carefully transfer mixture to the slow cooker. Stir in the canned tomatoes. Mix the pork and sirloin together in a separate bowl, using your hands, until combined. Stir the meat into the slow cooker, spreading out evenly and avoiding any large clumps. Cover and cook on high for 4 to 6 hours or on low 8 to 10 hours. During last two hours of cooking, add canned carrots and mushrooms to ragu. Skim the accumulated grease from the top before serving.
  • Serve over pasta with crusty bread for soaking up the sauce.

SLOW-COOKER BEEF RAGU



Slow-Cooker Beef Ragu image

Served over pasta or polenta, or in sandwich rolls, this simple meat dish becomes a star.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Beef Recipes

Time 5h

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 medium yellow onion, diced small
3 garlic cloves, minced
6 tablespoons tomato paste
3 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano leaves (or 3 teaspoons dried)
1 beef chuck roast (4 pounds), halved
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 to 2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar

Steps:

  • In a 5-to-6-quart slow cooker, combine onion, garlic, tomato paste, and oregano. Season roast with salt and pepper and place on top of onion mixture.
  • Add 2 cups water, cover, and cook on high until meat is tender and can easily be pulled apart with a fork, 4 1/2 hours (or 9 hours on low). Let cool 10 minutes, then shred meat in slow cooker with 2 forks and stir in vinegar to taste.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 528 g, Fat 32 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 51 g, SaturatedFat 13 g

SLOW-COOKER PORK RAGU



Slow-Cooker Pork Ragu image

This slow-cooked pasta sauce goes well beyond the average spaghetti topper with all-day slow-cooked flavor. Pork shoulder, bacon and aromatic vegetables cook in a crushed tomato sauce and thicken to a hearty, rich consistency that pairs well with rigatoni pasta in particular. Make it a day ahead when you have some extra time, and let the flavors mellow and meld-or just be sure to save some leftovers! This take on a classic Italian sauce is sure to impress your dinner table regulars and special guests alike.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 8h40m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 13

8 slices applewood smoked bacon, chopped (half of a 12-oz package)
1 1/2 lb boneless pork shoulder, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 cups chopped onions
2 cups chopped carrots
5 cloves garlic, chopped
2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
1/2 cup Progresso™ chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)
1 can (28 oz) Muir Glen™ organic fire roasted crushed tomatoes, undrained
6 cups cooked rigatoni pasta (about 4 1/2 cups uncooked)
Shredded Parmesan cheese, if desired
Chopped fresh oregano leaves, basil or Italian (flat-leaf) parsley, if desired

Steps:

  • Spray 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray.
  • In 5-quart Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium-high heat 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and crisp. With slotted spoon, remove bacon to small bowl.
  • Season pork with 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper. Add half of the pork to bacon drippings in Dutch oven, and cook 4 to 6 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned. With slotted spoon, remove pork from Dutch oven to slow cooker. Repeat with remaining pork.
  • Add onions, carrots, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to Dutch oven; cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened. Stir in garlic and oregano; cook 30 seconds. Add broth; heat to simmering, stirring to remove brown bits on bottom. Transfer mixture to slow cooker with pork. Stir in tomatoes and bacon.
  • Cover; cook on Low heat setting 8 to 10 hours or until pork is tender and easily falls apart. Before serving, shred pork with two forks. Serve over cooked pasta. Garnish with Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh herbs.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 540, Carbohydrate 70 g, Cholesterol 60 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 5 g, Protein 32 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, ServingSize 1 Cup Ragu and 3/4 Cup Pasta, Sodium 490 mg, Sugar 5 g, TransFat 0 g

TURKEY RAGù



Turkey Ragù image

Here, ground turkey is simmered with chopped tomatoes, red wine and pancetta into a rich and hearty meat sauce. Use dark meat if you can find it. It's more flavorful and richer than ground breast.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories     dinner, easy, weekday, pastas, main course

Time 45m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 ounces pancetta, diced
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 carrot, chopped small
1 small celery stalk, chopped
1/2 onion, peeled and chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 bay leaf
1 pound ground dark-meat turkey
1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/3 cup red wine
1-14 1/2-ounce can crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 pound pasta, cooked
Fresh ricotta

Steps:

  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring, until golden and most of the fat has rendered, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate.
  • Add the oil to the skillet. Stir in the carrot, celery, onion, garlic and bay leaf. Cook, stirring, until the vegetables are soft and a little golden in spots, about 7 minutes. Scrape the mixture onto a plate.
  • Add the turkey to skillet and cook, breaking up meat with a fork, until golden and cooked through, 7 to 10 minutes. Return pancetta and vegetables to the pan. Season with salt and pepper. Pour in the wine; cook, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet, until it is mostly evaporated. Add the crushed tomatoes. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the butter until melted. Taste and adjust seasonings, if necessary. Serve over pasta, topped with a dollop of ricotta.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 554, UnsaturatedFat 12 grams, Carbohydrate 62 grams, Fat 20 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 28 grams, SaturatedFat 6 grams, Sodium 543 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams, TransFat 0 grams

EASY TURKEY RAGU



Easy Turkey Ragu image

Make and share this Easy Turkey Ragu recipe from Food.com.

Provided by ratherbeswimmin

Categories     Poultry

Time 30m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 tablespoons butter
1 lb ground turkey
1/2 onion, chopped (about 3/4 cup)
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon italian seasoning
crushed red pepper flakes (a pinch or to taste)
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
12 ounces spaghetti, cooked and kept warm
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, melt butter over med-high heat.
  • Add turkey, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, and if desired, crushed red pepper.
  • Cook until turkey is browned and crumbly and onion is tender.
  • Add diced tomatoes, and simmer for 15 minutes or until mixture has thickened.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Toss with warm cooked spaghetti, and sprinkle with cheese before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 459.9, Fat 15.6, SaturatedFat 7, Cholesterol 77, Sodium 730.8, Carbohydrate 50, Fiber 3.7, Sugar 5.6, Protein 30.2

TURKEY RAGU WITH FONTINA AND PARMESAN



Turkey Ragu with Fontina and Parmesan image

I love hearty, cheesy pasta dishes like meat sauce and lasagna, but it's impossible to keep to a diet when eating such meals! I put this together one night to attempt a healthy version of a traditional ragu. It is surprisingly tasty and lends itself to modifications for personalization of taste.

Provided by Jessica

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Turkey     Ground Turkey Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 sweet onion (such as Vidalia®), diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound lean ground turkey
1 (14.5 ounce) can canned diced tomatoes with their juice
1 (14.5 ounce) can canned crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons dried parsley
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
1 cup grated fontina cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the macaroni, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir onions until translucent and slightly brown, about 10 minutes. Reduce heat to low and stir in garlic. Cook for 1 minute, then add the ground turkey. Cook and stir until the turkey is no longer pink. Mix in the diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, parsley, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes. Combine pasta with the tomato sauce in the skillet. Toss pasta with the fontina cheese and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese until the cheese is melted. Serve pasta in a large bowl with 3 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 420.7 calories, Carbohydrate 49.8 g, Cholesterol 63.5 mg, Fat 13.2 g, Fiber 3.6 g, Protein 26 g, SaturatedFat 5.3 g, Sodium 687.4 mg, Sugar 5.4 g

Tips:

  • Choose the right turkey meat: Ground turkey breast is a leaner option, while ground turkey thigh is more flavorful. You can also use a combination of both.
  • Brown the turkey meat before cooking: This will help to develop flavor and prevent the meat from becoming dry.
  • Use a variety of vegetables: This will add flavor, color, and texture to the ragu. Some good options include carrots, celery, onions, garlic, and mushrooms.
  • Use a flavorful broth: Chicken broth or vegetable broth are both good options. You can also use a combination of both.
  • Add some herbs and spices: This will help to enhance the flavor of the ragu. Some good options include thyme, rosemary, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
  • Cook the ragu on low heat for a long time: This will help to develop the flavors and tenderize the meat.
  • Serve the ragu over pasta, rice, or polenta: This will make a delicious and hearty meal.

Conclusion:

Slow cooker hearty turkey ragu is a delicious and easy-to-make meal that is perfect for a busy weeknight. It is also a great way to use up leftover turkey. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a flavorful and satisfying dish that the whole family will enjoy.

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