Description
Experience the ultimate comfort of slowly braised beef short rib ragu. This luxurious dish features tender, fall-off-the-bone beef simmered in a rich vegetable-based sauce infused with aromatic herbs and umami-rich parmesan. Perfectly suited for relaxed gatherings, this rustic yet sophisticated pasta sauce is best served over wide ribbons of pappardelle for a meal that feels like a warm embrace.
Ingredients
4 pounds English cut beef short ribs
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 large carrots, peeled and diced
1 large yellow onion, finely diced
1 stalk celery, finely diced
8 cloves garlic, finely chopped
6 ounces tomato paste
1 cup non-alcoholic red grape juice or beef broth
1 package fresh poultry herb blend (rosemary, sage, thyme)
2 bay leaves
1 parmesan rind
14 ounces crushed tomatoes
2 cups low-sodium beef broth
Kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste
24 ounces pappardelle pasta
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated parmesan
Instructions
Pat the short ribs dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper.
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat and sear the ribs on all sides until well browned. Remove and set aside.
In the same pot, add carrots, onion, and celery. Sauté until softened, about 8-10 minutes.
Add garlic and tomato paste, stirring for 2 minutes to caramelize slightly.
Deglaze the pan with the non-alcoholic red grape juice or broth, scraping up any browned bits.
Return the ribs to the pot along with the herbs, bay leaves, parmesan rind, crushed tomatoes, and beef broth.
Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook on low heat for 3 to 4 hours until the meat is fork-tender.
Remove the ribs, shred the meat, discard bones and cartilage, and return the meat to the sauce.
Stir in heavy cream and adjust seasoning.
Serve over freshly cooked pappardelle and top with grated parmesan.
Notes
The ragu can be prepared a day in advance as the flavors develop even further overnight. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The parmesan rind adds essential umami but can be omitted if unavailable.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups ragu with 1 cup pasta
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 110mg