Go Back

Slow-Cooked Short Rib Ragù

Tender braised beef short ribs in rich tomato sauce, slow-cooked to perfection for the ultimate comfort food pasta.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 4 hours
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Comfort Food, Italian
Calories: 680

Ingredients
  

For the Ragù
  • 3 pounds bone-in beef short ribs
  • salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion diced
  • 3 celery stalks diced
  • 2 large carrots diced
  • 6 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup red wine Italian wine preferred
  • 28 ounces crushed tomatoes canned
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
For Serving
  • 1 pound wide egg noodles or pappardelle
  • fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
  • grated Parmesan cheese optional

Equipment

  • Dutch oven or heavy pot
  • Large pot for pasta
  • Wooden spoon
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • Tongs

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 300°F. Pat short ribs dry and season generously with salt and pepper on all sides.
  2. Heat olive oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear short ribs in batches until deeply browned on all sides, 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer to plate.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add onion, celery, and carrots. Sauté 8-10 minutes until softened and beginning to caramelize.
  4. Add garlic and tomato paste, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes until paste darkens and becomes fragrant.
  5. Pour in red wine, scraping up browned bits from bottom. Simmer vigorously 3-4 minutes until reduced by half.
  6. Stir in crushed tomatoes, beef broth, bay leaves, thyme sprigs, and oregano. Bring to simmer.
  7. Nestle browned short ribs into sauce, ensuring mostly submerged. Cover and transfer to oven.
  8. Braise 3-3.5 hours until meat is fall-apart tender and pulls away from bones easily.
  9. Remove from oven, transfer ribs to cutting board. Rest 10 minutes, then shred meat with forks, discarding bones and large fat pieces.
  10. Remove bay leaves and thyme stems from sauce. Return shredded meat to sauce. If thin, simmer uncovered 10-15 minutes to reduce.
  11. Cook egg noodles in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta water.
  12. Toss noodles with ragù, adding pasta water as needed for proper consistency. Serve topped with parsley and Parmesan.

Notes

This ragù tastes even better the next day. Store in refrigerator up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months. Skim solidified fat before reheating. Can also serve over polenta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread.