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
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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
