Go Back
+ servings
Slow Cooked Shredded Beef Ragu Pasta

Slow Cooked Shredded Beef Ragu Pasta

Slow Cooked Shredded Beef Ragu Pasta is a luscious Italian dish showcasing the beauty of slow cooking.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 50 minutes
Course Pasta, Slow Cooked
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 people
Calories 678 kcal

Equipment

  • heavy-based pot
  • fry pan
  • wooden spoons

Ingredients
  

Ragu

  • 1.2 kg chuck beef, cut into 4 equal pieces (Note 1)
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • black pepper
  • 3 tablespoon olive oil, separated
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 cup carrots, diced (Note 2)
  • 1 cup celery, diced (Note 2)
  • 800 g crushed canned tomatoes
  • 3 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 cubes beef bouillon, crumbled (Note 3)
  • 1 cup red wine, full-bodied (like merlot, cabernet sauvignon), or sub with beef broth/stock
  • 1.5 cups water (Note 3)
  • 0.75 teaspoon dried thyme or 3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 3 leaves dried bay leaves

To Serve

  • 1 lb dried pappardelle, or other pasta of choice (Note 4)
  • freshly grated parmesan cheese or parmigiano reggiano
  • fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional)

Instructions
 

Cooking Instructions

  • Pat beef dry and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over high heat in a heavy based pot. Add beef and sear each piece aggressively on all sides until very browned (3 - 5 minutes in total), then remove onto a plate.
  • Turn stove down to medium low and add remaining 2 tablespoon of olive oil.
  • Add garlic and onion and sauté for 2 minutes. Then add the carrots and celery and sauté slowly for 5 minutes.
  • Add remaining Ragu ingredients and return the beef to the pot (including pooled juices). Turn the stove up and bring it to a simmer, then turn it down to low so it's bubbling very very gently.
  • Cover the pot and let it cook for 2 hours or until beef is tender enough to shred.
  • Remove beef then coarsely shred with 2 forks. Return beef to the pot. Simmer for 30 minutes until sauce is reduced and thickened - beef will soften slightly more during this step.
  • Do a taste test and adjust the seasoning to your taste with salt and pepper. Additionally, add ½ teaspoon sugar if sauce is a bit sour for your taste. Place the lid on and set aside until ready to serve.
  • Bring a very large pot of water with 1 tablespoon of salt to the boil. Add pasta and cook for 1 minute less than the recommended cooking time as per the packet instructions.
  • Meanwhile, place 5 cups of the Ragu in a very large fry pan or dutch oven. Heat over high heat while the pasta is cooking.
  • When the pasta is ready, transfer it directly from the pot into the fry pan using tongs. Add ¾ cup of pasta water into the fry pan.
  • Gently toss the pasta until the sauce water evaporates and leaves you with a thick Ragu sauce that coats the pasta.
  • Serve immediately with plenty of freshly grated parmesan, or with parmigiano reggiano.

Notes

Sauce keeps for 5 days in the fridge, or months in the freezer.

Nutrition

Serving: 80gCalories: 678kcalCarbohydrates: 69gProtein: 42gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 170mgSodium: 1451mgPotassium: 1155mgFiber: 5gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 3105IUVitamin C: 13.2mgCalcium: 107mgIron: 6.4mg
Keyword Beef ragu, Ragu, Ragu Sauce, Slow Cooked Shredded Beef Ragu
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!