Beef Ragu

5 from 4 votes

This Beef Ragu recipe is a heartwarming dish that's perfect for any day of the week. It features tender, slow-cooked beef chuck roast in a rich, tomato-based sauce filled with vegetables like onions, garlic, and carrots. Served over pasta and topped with freshly grated Parmesan and a sprinkle of parsley, it's a delicious way to bring the family together around the dinner table.

Prep Time20

Cook Time2 45

Total Time3 5

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American, Italian

Servings:

Calories: 630kcal

Author: Joanna Cismaru

Equipment

6 Quart Dutch Oven

Ingredients

3 pound beef chuck roast cut into 6 equal pieces
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion chopped
6 cloves garlic minced
1 medium carrot finely chopped or shredded
28 ounce crushed tomatoes
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
3 tablespoon tomato paste
1 cup red wine
2 cups beef broth
1 teaspoon sugar

To Serve

1 pound pasta such as pappardelle
Parmesan cheese freshly grated
fresh parsley chopped

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Pat the beef dry with papertowels then season with the salt and pepper.
Heat the 1 tbsp of olive oil in a Dutch oven or heavy based pot. Add the beef to the pot and sear it on all sides until browned, over high heat. Transfer the beef to a plate.
Turn the heat down to a medium and add the remaining 1 tbsp of olive oil. Add the onion, garlic and carrot to the pot. Saute for at least 5 minutes or until the onion softens.
Add the remaining ingredients, stir to combine, then bring it to a simmer. Add the beef back to the pot and turn the heat down to a low. Cover the pot and let it cook for 2 hours or until the beef is tender enough to shred.
Remove the beef from the pot and shredd it with 2 forks. Return it back to the pot and stir. Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper as necessary. Simmer for another 30 minutes until the sauce reduced a bit and thickened.
Serve over pasta with parmesan cheese and parsley.

Notes

Cut of Beef: While chuck roast is ideal for its tenderness, other cuts like brisket or round roast can also be used. Just adjust cooking times accordingly.
Wine Substitute: If you prefer not to use wine, you can replace it with an equal amount of beef broth to maintain the rich flavor of the sauce.
Vegetable Variations: Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or celery for extra nutrition and flavor.
Herb Options: Italian seasoning works great, but using a combination of fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or basil can add an extra layer of freshness.

Nutrition