Description
Hearty one pot beef ragu pasta celebrates Italian comfort cooking with rich, slow-simmered beef and tender pasta. Warm, savory flavors blend perfectly, delivering a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450 grams) ground beef (80% lean)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup red wine (optional)
- 12 oz (340 grams) short pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fusilli)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 carrot, finely chopped
- 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Sauté diced aromatic vegetables in a large pot over medium heat until translucent and tender, releasing their fragrant essence.
- Introduce ground beef to the pot, browning thoroughly and carefully eliminating any excess grease to enhance flavor concentration.
- Incorporate tomato paste, stirring vigorously to caramelize and develop a rich, deep umami profile for approximately 2 minutes.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes, robust red wine, savory beef broth, tangy Worcestershire sauce, and a harmonious blend of classic Italian herbs, creating a complex and layered sauce.
- Allow the mixture to gently simmer, then nestle uncooked pasta directly into the liquid, ensuring each strand becomes infused with the hearty sauce during a 15-18 minute cooking process.
- Once pasta reaches perfect al dente texture, transform the dish’s richness by folding in freshly grated Parmesan cheese until seamlessly melted and integrated.
- Elevate the presentation by scattering vibrant, freshly chopped herbs across the surface, creating a visually appealing and aromatic final touch before serving immediately.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, healthier version that’s perfect for those watching calories or preferring leaner proteins.
- Create a gluten-free option by using gluten-free pasta and ensuring all other ingredients like Worcestershire sauce are certified gluten-free.
- Enhance the depth of flavor by deglazing the pot with red wine after browning the meat, scraping up those delicious browned bits stuck to the bottom for extra richness.
- For meal prep, this ragu freezes beautifully for up to 3 months, making it an excellent make-ahead dinner that tastes even better the next day after flavors have melded together.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg