Braised Italian Beef Ragu with Pappardelle
Slow-braised beef simmered in a rich tomato and red wine sauce, served over wide pappardelle noodles for a hearty Italian meal. This italian-inspired beef ready in about 215 minutes pairs beef chuck roast, olive oil, large, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 680 calories and feeds 6, 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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef chuck roast
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced yellow onion
- 1 large, diced carrot
- 2, diced celery stalks
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 12 oz pappardelle pasta
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season 2 lbs beef chuck roast with salt and black pepper, then brown on all sides for 5-7 minutes until deeply caramelized. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add 1 large diced yellow onion, 1 large diced carrot, and 2 diced celery stalks to the pot. Sauté for 6-7 minutes until softened and fragrant. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and cook 1 minute.
- Step 3: Pour in 1 cup dry red wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up browned bits, and simmer for 3 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Step 4: Return beef to the pot and add 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 2 cups beef broth, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook for 3 hours until beef is tender and shreds easily.
- Step 5: Meanwhile, cook 12 oz pappardelle pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Step 6: Remove beef from sauce and shred with two forks. Return shredded beef to the sauce and stir to combine.
- Step 7: Serve the beef ragu over the cooked pappardelle, garnished with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Braised Italian Beef Ragu with Pappardelle take to make?
Total time is about 215 minutes (20 min prep + 195 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 Braised Italian Beef Ragu with Pappardelle?
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 beef chuck roast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Braised Italian Beef Ragu with Pappardelle?
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 Braised Italian Beef Ragu with Pappardelle for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Braised Italian Beef Ragu with Pappardelle?
Italian beef 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.
