Pasta & Meat Sauce

PASTA AND MEAT SAUCE

1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
1 large rib celery, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
1 cup low sodium beef broth
1 1/2 tbs tomato paste
1 tsp each sugar and dried Italian seasoning
3/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
1 1/4 pounds beef chuck steak, cut into 1" chunks
8 oz fettuccine pasta
Parmesan cheese (optional)

Put carrot, celery, onion and garlic in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped, place in the slow cooker bowl. Add diced tomatoes, broth, tomato paste and sugar to slow cooker. Add 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning, 1/2 tsp salt and pepper flakes. Stir in beef and cook on high 5 hours or low 6 hours.

Remove beef chunks from slow cooker and set aside. Shred beef and stir back into slow cooker. Add remaining Italian seasoning and 1/4 tsp salt. Cook another 30 min.

Cook pasta according to package directions. Serve with meat sauce. Sprinkle with cheese, if desired, then serve.