Description
Experience the warmth and richness of braised beef ragu, a timeless dish that envelops your senses with tender beef simmered in a savory sauce. Perfect for cozy family dinners or festive gatherings, this recipe is straightforward yet impressive, making it a favorite among both novice cooks and seasoned chefs. Serve it over pasta or polenta to create a meal that brings everyone together.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 lbs boneless beef chuck roast, cut into 2.5-inch chunks
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 large carrots, finely diced
- 2 stalks celery, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1.5 cups dry red wine (Chianti or Cabernet)
- 1 can (28 oz) San Marzano whole peeled tomatoes, hand-crushed
- 1.5 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, 3 sprigs thyme, 2 bay leaves (tied)
- 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1 lb pappardelle or rigatoni pasta
- Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano & chopped parsley (for serving)
Instructions
- Sear Beef: Season beef chunks with salt and pepper. Sear in olive oil inside a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until deeply browned on all sides. Remove to a plate.
- Sauté Aromatics & Deglaze: Sauté onion, carrots, and celery for 6 minutes. Add garlic and tomato paste for 2 minutes. Pour in red wine, scraping up browned bits. Simmer 5 minutes, then add crushed tomatoes, broth, and herb bundle.
- Slow Braise & Shred: Return beef to pot. Cover and braise at 325°F (163°C) for 2.5 to 3 hours until fork-tender. Remove herbs and shred beef with forks into the sauce.
- Toss with Pasta & Serve: Toss hot al dente pasta with ragu and a splash of pasta water. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan and parsley, and serve!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Main
- Method: Braising
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 405
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 105mg