Authentic Slow-Cooked Beef Ragu with Fresh Pasta

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rich, deeply flavorful Italian ragù made with 24-hour braised chuck roast, San Marzano tomatoes, and fresh herbs, tossed with house-made pasta for a true Roman experience. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 180 minutes pairs (450g), cubed chuck roast, (800g) crushed San Marzano tomatoes, (75g) diced carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 710 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 3.6 (9 ratings) Prep: 30 min Cook: 150 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 710 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a heavy pot, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown 1 lb cubed chuck roast for 5 minutes per side until deeply seared, then remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same pot, cook 1/2 cup diced carrots, 1/2 cup diced celery, and 1/2 cup diced onion for 8 minutes until softened. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Sprinkle 2 tbsp all-purpose flour over the vegetables and stir for 1 minute, then add 28 oz crushed San Marzano tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, and the browned chuck roast.
  4. Step 4: Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook on low heat for 2 hours until meat is fork-tender. Uncover and simmer for 30 minutes to thicken the sauce, stirring occasionally.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 1/4 cup fresh basil, then cook 8 oz freshly made pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta water.
  6. Step 6: Toss the drained pasta with 2 cups of the ragù sauce and 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a silky consistency that coats the strands.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Authentic Slow-Cooked Beef Ragu with Fresh Pasta take to make?

Total time is about 180 minutes (30 min prep + 150 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Authentic Slow-Cooked Beef Ragu with Fresh Pasta?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (450g), cubed chuck roast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Slow-Cooked Beef Ragu with Fresh Pasta?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Authentic Slow-Cooked Beef Ragu with Fresh Pasta for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Authentic Slow-Cooked Beef Ragu with Fresh Pasta?

Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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