Braised Short Rib Ragu with Pappardelle
Slow-braised beef short ribs cooked down into a rich, tender ragu sauce served over wide, ribbon-like pappardelle pasta for a hearty Italian meal. This italian-inspired beef ready in about 215 minutes pairs bone-in beef short ribs, divided salt, divided black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 750 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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs, bone-in beef short ribs
- 2 tsp, divided salt
- 1 tsp, divided black pepper
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, finely diced carrot
- 1, finely diced celery stalk
- 1 medium, finely diced yellow onion
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- 12 oz pappardelle pasta
- 2 tbsp chopped, for garnish fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup, for serving grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Season 2 lbs bone-in beef short ribs generously with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear short ribs on all sides until deeply browned, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Lower heat to medium and add 1 medium finely diced carrot, 1 finely diced celery stalk, and 1 medium finely diced yellow onion to the pot. Cook for 8-10 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp tomato paste, cooking for 2 minutes until tomato paste darkens.
- Step 5: Pour in 1 cup dry red wine to deglaze the pot, scraping browned bits from the bottom. Simmer until wine reduces by half, about 5 minutes.
- Step 6: Return short ribs to the pot, add 2 cups beef broth, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 bay leaf, and remaining 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to simmer, cover tightly, and place in the oven for 2 1/2 to 3 hours until meat is fall-apart tender.
- Step 7: Meanwhile, cook 12 oz pappardelle pasta in salted boiling water for 7-9 minutes until al dente, then drain.
- Step 8: Remove short ribs from the pot, shred meat with forks, discarding bones. Return shredded meat to the sauce and simmer uncovered on stove for 10 minutes to thicken.
- Step 9: Serve the ragu over pappardelle pasta, garnished with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Braised Short Rib Ragu with Pappardelle take to make?
Total time is about 215 minutes (25 min prep + 190 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 Short Rib 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 bone-in beef short ribs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Braised Short Rib 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 Short Rib Ragu with Pappardelle 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 Braised Short Rib 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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.