Cozy Slow Cooker Short Rib Pasta with Red Wine Sauce
Experience the ultimate comfort food with this Slow Cooker Short Rib Pasta with Red Wine Sauce. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the recipe to ensure tender, melt-in-your-mouth short ribs in a rich, velvety sauce. The cozy aroma will fill your home and make your family beg for seconds. Start it in the morning and come home to a delicious, hassle-free dinner. Try it with my Easy Greek Chicken Burgers for a complete meal. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Greek Chicken Burgers and Easy Buffalo Chicken Bombs.
Why This Cozy Slow Cooker Short Rib Pasta with Red Wine Sauce Is Pure Comfort
- Tender, fall-off-the-bone short ribs
- Rich, velvety red wine sauce
- Easy, hands-off cooking in the slow cooker
- Comforting, hearty meal perfect for chilly evenings
What You'll Need for Cozy Slow Cooker Short Rib Pasta with Red Wine Sauce
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 2 lbs beef short ribs
- 1 lb pasta
- 1 bottle red wine
- garlic
- onion
- tomato paste
- bay leaves
- thyme
- salt
- pepper
- Optional: grated Parmesan
- Optional: fresh parsley
- Optional: crusty bread
📝 Ingredient Notes
- short ribs: Bone-in short ribs work best for this recipe.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Slow Cooker — Ensures even, low-temperature cooking for tender results. → See on Amazon
- Instant-read Meat Thermometer — Guarantees perfectly cooked short ribs every time. → See on Amazon
How to Make Cozy Slow Cooker Short Rib Pasta with Red Wine Sauce
- Step 1: Season short ribs with salt, pepper, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Sear in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until browned on all sides.
- Step 2: Transfer short ribs to the slow cooker. Add onion, tomato paste, bay leaves, thyme, and red wine. Cook on low for 8 hours.
- Step 3: Remove short ribs from the slow cooker and shred the meat. Strain the cooking liquid and skim the fat. Return the meat to the slow cooker and add cooked pasta. Stir well to combine.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cozy Slow Cooker Short Rib Pasta with Red Wine Sauce
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the pasta. Add it to the slow cooker in the last 10 minutes to prevent it from becoming mushy.
- Pro tip: For a richer sauce, use a full-bodied red wine like cabernet or syrah.
- Pro tip: To make ahead, prepare the short ribs and sauce in the slow cooker. Refrigerate overnight. Reheat and add cooked pasta before serving.
Storing & Reheating Cozy Slow Cooker Short Rib Pasta with Red Wine Sauce
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the short ribs and sauce in the slow cooker up to 2 days ahead. Reheat and add cooked pasta before serving.
Freezing Cozy Slow Cooker Short Rib Pasta with Red Wine Sauce
Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker version, use the Instant Pot instead of the slow cooker. Cook at high pressure for 45 minutes.
- Best substitution: Substitute the short ribs with beef chuck roast for a more affordable option.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the short ribs and sauce in the slow cooker up to 2 days ahead. Reheat and add cooked pasta before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thin, simmer it on the stovetop for 10-15 minutes to reduce and thicken.
Want to level up this recipe?
Dutch Oven — Ideal for searing the short ribs and building flavor. → Check price on Amazon
Cozy Slow Cooker Short Rib Pasta with Red Wine Sauce
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef short ribs
- 1 lb pasta
- 1 bottle red wine
Seasonings
- garlic
- onion
- tomato paste
- bay leaves
- thyme
- salt
- pepper
Optional Toppings
- grated Parmesan
- fresh parsley
- crusty bread
Instructions
- Step 1: Season short ribs with salt, pepper, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Sear in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until browned on all sides.
- Step 2: Transfer short ribs to the slow cooker. Add onion, tomato paste, bay leaves, thyme, and red wine. Cook on low for 8 hours.
- Step 3: Remove short ribs from the slow cooker and shred the meat. Strain the cooking liquid and skim the fat. Return the meat to the slow cooker and add cooked pasta. Stir well to combine.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker version, use the Instant Pot instead of the slow cooker. Cook at high pressure for 45 minutes.
- Best substitution: Substitute the short ribs with beef chuck roast for a more affordable option.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the short ribs and sauce in the slow cooker up to 2 days ahead. Reheat and add cooked pasta before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thin, simmer it on the stovetop for 10-15 minutes to reduce and thicken.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: Prepare the short ribs and sauce in the slow cooker up to 2 days ahead. Reheat and add cooked pasta before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 750
- Protein: 50g
- Fat: 30g
- Carbs: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Cholesterol: 150mg
- Sat. Fat: 12g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Cozy Slow Cooker Short Rib Pasta with Red Wine Sauce FAQs
Yes, cook at high pressure for 45 minutes for a quicker version.
Ensure you're using bone-in short ribs and cooking them low and slow to achieve tender results.
Yes, sear the short ribs in a Dutch oven, then transfer to the oven at 325°F (165°C) for 2.5-3 hours.
Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes for the best results.
Yes, this hearty, comforting dish is perfect for holiday gatherings. Make it in the slow cooker to free up oven space.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Cozy Slow Cooker Short Rib Pasta with Red Wine Sauce and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
