Description
Hearty one pot beef ragu pasta brings Italian comfort to weeknight dinners with rich, slow-simmered sauce. Robust beef melds perfectly with aromatic herbs, creating a satisfying meal you’ll savor down to the last comforting bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef or beef chuck, cut into small pieces
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
Liquid and Seasoning:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup red wine (optional, can substitute with beef broth)
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, preparing a robust foundation for the ragu.
- Sear ground beef or beef chuck with salt and pepper until deeply browned, developing rich caramelized flavors.
- Transfer browned meat to a separate plate, reserving the flavorful pan drippings.
- Sauté diced onions, minced garlic, chopped carrots, and celery in the same pot until vegetables become translucent and fragrant, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Deglaze the pot with red wine, scraping up browned bits and allowing the liquid to reduce by half, concentrating the wine’s essence.
- Incorporate crushed tomatoes, beef broth, tomato paste, dried oregano, basil, and a bay leaf, creating a complex, aromatic sauce.
- Reintroduce the browned beef to the pot, stirring to integrate all ingredients.
- Simmer the ragu on low heat for 15-20 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
- Add uncooked pasta directly into the sauce, ensuring complete coverage with 2 cups of water.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 10-15 minutes until pasta reaches al dente and sauce thickens.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Discard the bay leaf before serving.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and generously sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Select lean ground beef or beef chuck with less fat for a healthier version of the dish.
- Swap regular pasta with whole wheat or gluten-free alternatives to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Chop vegetables finely to enhance flavor distribution and create a smoother sauce texture.
- Use low-sodium broth and control salt added to manage overall sodium content in the meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg