Slow Cooker Pork Ragu is the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights or lazy Sundays. This recipe transforms a simple pork shoulder into a rich, melt-in-your-mouth sauce through hours of gentle simmering with aromatic vegetables, tomatoes, and red wine. The result is a deeply savory, complex flavor profile that rivals any traditional Italian kitchen, all achieved with minimal hands-on effort.

The beauty of using a slow cooker for this ragu is how it effortlessly breaks down the tough fibers of the pork, creating tender shreds that soak up the luscious tomato sauce. Served over a bed of wide ribbons of pappardelle or creamy polenta, it provides a satisfying and hearty meal that feels both sophisticated and rustic. It is a fantastic option for meal prep, as the flavors continue to develop and improve when reheated the next day.

Key Ingredients

• 2 1/2 pounds pork shoulder or pork butt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, minced
• 3 medium carrots, grated fine
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 3/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 package pappardelle noodles

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper, then rub the mixture evenly over all sides of the pork.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the seasoned pork on all sides until it is deeply browned.
3. Lightly coat the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray and place the seared pork at the bottom.
4. Add the crushed tomatoes, chicken stock, minced onion, grated carrots, minced garlic, tomato paste, and the bay leaf to the slow cooker.
5. Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours (or on high for 4–6 hours) until the meat is completely fall-apart tender.
6. Transfer the pork to a cutting board and use two forks to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces, discarding any large bits of fat.
7. Remove the bay leaf from the sauce and return the shredded meat to the slow cooker to simmer for an additional 30 minutes.
8. While the ragu finishes, cook the pappardelle noodles in a large pot of salted water according to the package directions.
9. Drain the pasta and serve the rich pork ragu generously over the hot noodles.

Slow Cooker Pork Ragu is the ultimate comfort meal, delivering restaurant-quality flavor with the ease of a set-and-forget cooking method. By allowing the pork shoulder or loin to simmer slowly in a rich tomato and herb-infused sauce, you achieve a tender, fall-apart texture that pairs perfectly with wide noodles like pappardelle or fettuccine. Whether you are looking for a simple weeknight solution or a hearty Sunday dinner, this recipe provides a satisfying and nutritious option that the whole family will love.

One of the best features of this dish is its versatility and convenience. Leftovers store beautifully in the refrigerator for several days and can even be frozen for a quick future meal, making it an excellent choice for meal prep. Simply serve it with a fresh sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and perhaps a side of crusty bread to soak up the savory sauce. This one-pot wonder is sure to become a recurring favorite in your kitchen rotation, offering gourmet results with minimal cleanup.