Few meals capture the essence of a warm, comforting evening quite like a rich, slow-cooked braised steak ragu. Imagine walking into your home on a chilly night, immediately enveloped by the deep, intoxicating aroma of beef simmered for hours in red wine, tomatoes, and aromatic herbs. This isn't just a sauce; it's a culinary hug, a testament to the magic that happens when time and simple ingredients combine.
This luscious ragu, featuring fork-tender pieces of beef swimming in a deep, savory gravy, is perfectly paired with wide, silky ribbons of pappardelle pasta, designed to scoop up every last bit of the rich sauce. This is a classic dish of pure comfort, guaranteed to become a new cold-weather staple in your kitchen.
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The secret lies in the slow, gentle braise, transforming an ordinary cut of beef into an extraordinary melt-in-your-mouth experience. Forget complicated weeknight meals—this recipe is designed for a relaxing weekend or any night you need a little soul-satisfying warmth. Get ready to ditch the quick fixes and embrace the delicious simplicity of this hearty, deeply flavored Italian-American masterpiece.
This isn't just a sauce; it's a hug in a bowl, perfect for those chilly, cozy nights. Our Savory Braised Steak Ragù with Pappardelle delivers an incredibly rich, deep, and satisfying flavor profile that takes your weeknight dinner from ordinary to extraordinary.
The magic begins with slowly braised steak—often chuck or short ribs—seared until dark brown, then gently simmered for hours in a complex liquid base.
This base typically features robust red wine, crushed San Marzano tomatoes, beef broth, and a classic Italian soffritto of finely diced carrots, celery, and onion.
As the meat breaks down, it naturally thickens the sauce, infusing it with a mouth-watering concentration of savory flavors. The resulting ragù is wonderfully rustic and fork-tender.
This luxurious sauce is then tossed with broad, springy pappardelle noodles, whose large surface area is ideal for capturing every last drop of the rich, chunky ragù.
A final dusting of fresh Parmesan cheese elevates the dish, making it a true celebration of slow cooking and comfort. It's an effortlessly elegant meal that transforms simple ingredients into culinary poetry.
Take the beef chunks, dab them dry, and season them liberally with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil inside a large, heavy-based cooking vessel, like a Dutch oven, over a medium-high flame. Brown the meat in small quantities—avoiding crowding the pan—until a deep, rich crust develops across the surface. This typically requires about 4 to 5 minutes for each group of steak pieces. Lift the browned beef from the pot and reserve it.
Lower the heat setting on the stove to medium. Add the cubed onion, carrots, and celery (the aromatic base) to the remaining oil and drippings. Sauté the vegetables, stirring periodically, until they become tender and the onion is clear and soft—this process usually spans 7 to 8 minutes. Mix in the minced garlic and cook for just sixty seconds more until its aroma is released.
Retrieve the pot from the oven. Remove and discard the bay leaves. Tear the ultra-tender steak into pieces directly within the sauce using two forks. Continue to simmer the ragu, uncovered, on the stovetop for 10 to 15 minutes to achieve the desired consistency. Simultaneously, boil the pappardelle following the directions printed on the packaging. Drain the cooked pasta and move it straight into the pot containing the ragu. Toss gently to ensure every strand is fully coated. Serve the dish immediately, finishing it with fresh chopped parsley and a generous blanket of grated Parmesan cheese.* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
A rich, slow-cooked steak ragù served over wide pappardelle pasta is the ultimate comfort food for a chilly evening. The depth of flavor comes from hours of gentle simmering, which transforms a humble cut of steak into a tender, succulent sauce.
Achieving a restaurant-quality ragù at home relies on careful technique and patience.
Presentation and temperature are crucial for a cozy night dish.
While the classic recipe is perfect, a ragù is highly adaptable.
Savory Braised Steak Ragù with Pappardelle is the epitome of thoughtful, slow cooking. It transforms simple ingredients into a deeply satisfying, complex dish perfect for a cold night.
By mastering the searing process, allowing sufficient simmering time, and following the proper serving techniques, you’ll create a memorable, comforting meal that is well worth the time invested.
