Hearty Beef Pasta in Tomato Sauce Recipe to Warm Your Soul

Cooking a hearty beef pasta in tomato sauce feels like wrapping yourself in a warm culinary embrace.

Savory aromas will drift through your kitchen, promising comfort in every bite.

Tender meat mingles with rich, velvety sauce, creating a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Italian traditions inspire this classic dish, which combines simple ingredients with passionate preparation.

Mediterranean influences shine through the robust combination of ground beef and ripe tomatoes.

Each forkful tells a story of tradition and home-cooked goodness.

You’ll find this recipe transforms an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary experience that celebrates genuine, rustic cooking.

One taste will transport you straight to a cozy Italian trattoria.

Beef Pasta in Tomato Sauce That Hits All the Right Notes

• Quick Comfort Meal: Whip up a hearty beef pasta dish that wraps you in warmth and satisfaction with minimal kitchen effort.
• Weeknight Wonder: Transform tough beef cuts into melt-in-your-mouth tender meat through slow simmering, creating rich, deep flavors without constant monitoring.
• Crowd-Pleasing Potential: Impress family and friends with a restaurant-quality meal that scales easily for gatherings, making it perfect for potlucks or cozy dinners.
• Customizable Cooking: Adapt the recipe by swapping beef cuts, experimenting with different herbs, or adjusting wine types to match personal taste preferences and pantry ingredients.

Pasta in Tomato Sauce with Beef Ingredients

• Beef: Rich, tender meat that forms the heart of the dish, ideal for slow cooking; choose a tough cut like chuck or brisket for best results.

• Onion, Carrots, Celery: Classic mirepoix base for deep flavor and aromatic foundation; fresh, firm vegetables work best.
• Garlic: Adds intense, sharp flavor to the sauce; fresh garlic cloves preferred over pre-minced.

• Olive Oil: Provides cooking fat and initial searing base; extra virgin for better flavor.
• Red Wine: Adds depth and complexity to the sauce; choose a dry red wine suitable for cooking.
• Beef Broth: Enhances meaty flavor and provides additional liquid for braising.
• Crushed Tomatoes: Creates rich, hearty sauce base; San Marzano tomatoes recommended for best taste.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing overall flavor.
• Dried Thyme, Dried Oregano: Classic Italian herb blend that adds earthy undertones.
• Bay Leaves: Provides subtle background flavor; remove before serving.

• Pasta: Classic base for serving the beef ragu; choose a robust shape like pappardelle or rigatoni.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, salty finish; freshly grated gives best flavor.
• Fresh Basil or Parsley: Bright, fresh garnish that adds color and herbal note.

Beef Pasta with Tomato Sauce Prep Instructions

Step 1: Brown the Beef

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.

Season beef with salt and pepper.

Sear the beef until it develops a rich golden crust on all sides.

Transfer the browned beef to a separate plate and set aside.

Step 2: Build Flavor Base

• Chopped onions
• Diced carrots
• Sliced celery

Sauté the vegetables until they become soft and translucent.

Toss in minced garlic and cook for another minute, releasing its aromatic essence.

Step 3: Create Sauce Foundation

Stir in tomato paste and cook briefly.

Pour red wine into the pot, scraping up all the delicious browned bits from the bottom.

Let the wine simmer and reduce for a few minutes.

Step 4: Combine Everything

Return the seared beef to the pot.

• Crushed tomatoes
• Beef broth
• Dried thyme
• Dried oregano
• Bay leaves

Mix all ingredients thoroughly.

Step 5: Slow Simmer

Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower heat.

Cover and let the sauce simmer gently for 2-3 hours.

The beef will become incredibly tender and the sauce will thicken beautifully.

Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 6: Prepare Pasta

About 20 minutes before serving, cook pasta until perfectly al dente.

Drain and keep warm.

Step 7: Final Touch

Remove bay leaves from the ragu.

Spoon the beef sauce over the pasta.

Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top.

Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley for a burst of color and flavor.

Pasta Prep For Beef In Tomato Sauce

• Select chuck roast or short ribs for maximum flavor and tenderness, ensuring a melt-in-your-mouth texture in your pasta dish.
• Brown the beef thoroughly to develop a rich, caramelized crust that adds depth and complexity to the sauce's overall taste profile.
• Simmer uncovered during the last 30 minutes to naturally thicken the sauce if it's too liquid, creating a perfect coating for pasta.
• Use a dry red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot to enhance the sauce's richness and add sophisticated flavor layers to the ragu.
• Choose robust pasta shapes like pappardelle or rigatoni that can hold onto the hearty beef sauce, maximizing each delicious bite.

Save Tomato Beef Pasta Easily

• Transfer leftover beef pasta to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool the dish completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Pack portions in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Seal tightly, removing excess air. Frozen beef pasta will maintain quality for 2-3 months.
• Pour pasta into a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of beef broth or water to prevent drying. Stir gently until heated through, about 5-7 minutes.
• Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until temperature is consistent.

Tomato Pasta Pairings You’ll Enjoy

• Elevate Wine Pairing: Choose a robust Italian red like Chianti Classico or Barbaresco to complement the rich, hearty beef ragu. The wine's tannins will cut through the meat's richness and match the tomato sauce's acidity perfectly.
• Create Cheese Harmony: Sprinkle aged Parmigiano-Reggiano on top, which adds a sharp, nutty flavor that enhances the beef's depth and provides a salty contrast to the tomato sauce's sweetness.
• Design Herbal Accompaniment: Serve with a crisp arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette. The salad's peppery greens and bright citrus notes will refresh the palate between bites of the heavy, savory pasta dish.
• Match Bread Selection: Offer crusty Italian bread or focaccia on the side to soak up the delicious ragu sauce, providing a perfect textural complement and extra flavor absorption.

Beef Pasta in Tomato Sauce Serving Styles

• Vegetarian Pasta Fusion: Replace beef with hearty mushrooms like portobello or a plant-based protein such as lentils or seitan, maintaining the rich tomato sauce base.
• Gluten-Free Comfort Bowl: Use gluten-free pasta like chickpea or quinoa noodles and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for sensitive individuals.
• Lean Protein Makeover: Swap beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter protein option, reducing overall fat content while keeping the robust sauce flavor.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Version: Incorporate lamb instead of beef, add kalamata olives, and sprinkle feta cheese for a Greek-inspired interpretation of the classic recipe.

FAQs

• What type of beef works best for this recipe?

Chuck roast or beef chuck are ideal because they’re tough cuts that become incredibly tender and flavorful when slow-cooked. These cuts have great marbling that helps create a rich, delicious sauce during the long simmering process.

• Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can! After searing the beef and sautéing vegetables, transfer everything to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours until the beef is very tender. Follow the same steps for preparing vegetables and adding liquids before transferring to the slow cooker.

• How can I make this recipe more budget-friendly?

Use less expensive cuts of beef like bottom round or shoulder roast. These cuts are typically cheaper but still work well when slow-cooked. You can also reduce the amount of meat and add more vegetables to stretch the dish and lower the overall cost.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

The recipe isn’t automatically gluten-free. To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and ensure your beef broth and red wine are certified gluten-free. Always check ingredient labels carefully to avoid hidden gluten sources.

Beef Pasta in Tomato Sauce Recipe

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4.5 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty Beef Pasta blends rich Italian comfort with robust flavors, creating a satisfying meal that warms both body and soul. Savory beef, tender pasta, and zesty tomato sauce combine in this classic dish that promises to delight hungry diners seeking a quick and delicious dinner.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (450g) beef chuck, cut into bite-sized pieces

Vegetables:

• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup (240ml) red wine (optional; can substitute with beef broth)
• 1 can (28 ounces/800g) crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup (240ml) beef broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 bay leaves
• 12 ounces (340g) pappardelle or your preferred pasta
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
• Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Create a robust foundation by searing beef chunks in a hot pot, developing deep caramelized flavors. Season generously with salt and pepper before browning meat on all surfaces.
2. Transform the same cooking vessel into a vegetable medley, gently sweating onions, carrots, and celery until they become translucent and aromatic. Introduce minced garlic during the final moments to release its fragrant essence.
3. Intensify the sauce’s complexity by incorporating tomato paste, allowing it to bloom and caramelize. Deglaze the pan with red wine, carefully scraping accumulated flavor-rich browned bits from the bottom.
4. Reunite the seared beef with the vegetable base, creating a harmonious mixture. Pour in crushed tomatoes and beef broth, then sprinkle dried thyme, oregano, and tuck in bay leaves to infuse deep, layered taste profiles.
5. Initiate a slow, gentle cooking process by bringing the ragu to a brief boil, then reducing heat to a whisper-quiet simmer. Cover and allow the mixture to tenderize for approximately 2-3 hours, stirring periodically to prevent scorching.
6. As the ragu nears completion, prepare pasta in rapidly boiling salted water until it reaches perfect al dente texture. Drain the pasta, reserving its potential for absorbing rich sauce.
7. Finalize the dish by extracting bay leaves from the luxurious ragu. Cascade the beef sauce over waiting pasta, crowning the creation with freshly grated Parmesan and a sprinkle of vibrant herb garnish.

Notes

• Enhance meat tenderness by choosing cuts like chuck roast or short ribs with good marbling.
• Use low and slow cooking method to break down tough muscle fibers, creating melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Consider deglazing pan with red wine to add depth and richness to the sauce’s flavor profile.
• Swap beef with ground turkey or plant-based alternatives for lighter, diet-friendly version.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 60g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 80mg