Beef Ragu

When you need a hearty yet simple family-friendly meal, this delicious Beef Ragù recipe made with tender beef, homemade pasta sauce, and pappardelle checks all the boxes! You’ll love the rich tomato sauce poured over your favorite pasta. Serve with a green salad and a crusty loaf of bread for a filling meal!

A classic Beef Ragu is one of my favorite Italian dishes. It’s so easy to make and is just packed full of flavor. Though it takes a little time, it’s worth it once you taste that first mouthful of savory pasta sauce. 

What is Ragù?

Ragù is a meat-based sauce commonly served with pasta in Italian cuisine, commonly comprised of finely-chopped vegetables, meat, and some sort of cooking liquid like wine or stock. There are many different versions of ragu recipes, using different meats and vegetables. This comfort food is perfect on a cold winter’s night as you cozy up with your whole family. Serve it for a filling weeknight or special occasion dinner!

What kind of pasta should I serve with this delicious Beef Ragu?

This recipe calls for pappardelle, which is a flat, long, ribbon-shaped pasta. It can sometimes be hard to find, so you can always use your favorite pasta shape in its place or wide egg noodles will work as well.

Where to find Pappardelle pasta

Good news– you can find this type of pasta at your local grocery store. I found a brand that has dried pappardelle: DeCecco which can also be ordered from Amazon. If you would like fresh pappardelle, you can check your grocer’s refrigerator pasta section for Rana brand pasta.

Beef Ragu Recipe Ingredients

Gather together the things you’ll need to make this hearty dish. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2-lb beef chuck roast, cut into 2-inch cubes
• 2 teaspoons of salt
• 1 teaspoon of pepper
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 5 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 cup dry red wine
• 28-oz can crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 4 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 16 oz pappardelle, cooked
• ¼ cup of parmesan cheese, grated

How to make Slow Cooked Beef Ragu

This rich sauce recipe takes a few hours to make, but with these simple ingredients, it is effortless to put together.

First, heat your oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the roast chunks with salt and pepper and add them to the pan. Sear all the sides of the roast, then transfer the meat to a plate.

Next, add the onions and garlic to the pan and sauté them until the onions are softened. Deglaze pot (remove all the browned bits from the bottom of the pot) with the red wine and a wooden spoon or rubber spatula and cook for one minute over medium heat.

Now add the meat, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, thyme, and bay leaves to the pot. Bring the mixture up to a simmer. Cover the pot and reduce the burner to low heat. Allow the beef to simmer for 2 hours or until the meat is tender.

Shortly before the meat sauce is ready, cook your pasta as directed on the package. Remove the bay leaf from the sauce, then serve this delicious ragu over the pasta and top with parmesan cheese. Enjoy!

How long is this ragu sauce good for?

You can cook this sauce ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator for up to six days. I think it’s even better the next day! Store it in an airtight container until ready to use, then reheat it in a saucepan until simmering. 

Can you freeze the sauce?

This sauce is perfect for freezing! Place any leftover sauce in an airtight container to freeze for up to six months.

What kind of wine should I use for Italian Beef Ragu?

The best tip I can share with you is to avoid cooking wine- it just doesn’t taste very good. I like to use Merlot, Pinot Noir, or Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Can this be made without the wine?

If you don’t want to use wine in your ragu, a great way to alter this is by substituting beef broth in a 1:1 ratio. You will however be cooking out the alcohol, so it is safe for kids to eat with the wine. 

Sides to serve with this beef pasta sauce

You can’t go wrong serving this dish with a slice or two of my Grandma’s Easy Homemade Italian Bread. Smother it with some butter and then drag it through that gravy and your taste buds will surely be thanking you.

This Strawberry Spinach Salad pairs perfectly with it as well. Serving the two together along with some fresh bread and a bottle of red wine will make for a great date night dinner in.

Other Pasta Recipes You’ll Love

Pasta recipes are some of our favorite things to make here on the blog! For a similar Ragu recipe made in a slow cooker, try this recipe for Crockpot Pork Ragu. Other hearty dishes include our Lasagna Rolls with Meat Sauce, this savory Sausage Alfredo Rigatoni and this fabulous Easy BBQ Pork Mac & Cheese.

For some pasta dishes on the lighter side, try this Summer Pasta or this Grilled Vegetable, Feta, and Orzo Salad. It is just the perfect mix of flavors for a light pasta salad.

Stick-to-your-ribs delicious, this braised Beef Ragu makes a wonderful family dinner that everyone will request again.