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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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