Sunday Gravy Pappardelle with Slowcooked Beef Ragu

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Fancy a proper Italian American Sunday dinner ? Its Pasta Sunday in our house and that means one thing: Sunday gravy recipe .

This is Beef ragu pappardelle dream, bursting with that comforting, slow cooked flavour.

Brief Overview

Sunday gravy recipe aka ragu, has deep roots in Italian American culture. Families gather to cook and share. This Hearty pasta recipe requires a bit of time, about 4- 5 hours, but its quite simple.

The recipe serves 6-8 people. Perfect for Family dinner ideas .

Main Benefits

This Slow cooked beef ragu is total Comfort food pasta . Loaded with protein and hearty ingredients. The best thing, it is a great way to bring people together and this dish is always a winner and Chilli Flakes just makes it the more amazing.

So, Are you ready to learn how to make it?

Its Pasta Sunday: Slow Cooked Ragu Magic

Let's be real, shop bought sauces just don't cut it. Especially when you want the perfect Sunday gravy recipe . This recipe brings the nonna vibes straight to your kitchen. Its that good!

This Slow cooked beef ragu is all about patience. Honestly , the longer it simmers, the richer the flavour gets.

Trust me on this one! Think tender beef melting in a luscious tomato sauce, infused with Basil Leaves and a hint of Chilli Flakes .

Oh my gosh , that's what I call heaven.

Ingredients You'll Need

Right, gathering your troops is key. For this Hearty pasta recipe , you'll need: quality beef chuck roast, plenty of tomatoes (crushed, sauce, paste - the whole shebang!), carrots, celery, onion, garlic, beef broth, and some decent red wine, such as Chianti or Cabernet Sauvignon.

Don't forget the dried herbs: oregano, basil. And a wee pinch of those Chilli Flakes for a subtle kick.

Parmigiano Reggiano , a must have, for serving. You know? Nothing beats a generous grating of that salty goodness.

Level Up Your Pasta Game

Now, you can totally use dried pappardelle. I am not judging!, But freshly made pappardelle takes this dish to another level. Honestly , it's worth the extra effort!

Let's Get Cooking

Get your favourite apron ready. Next time we'll kick off cooking this Beef ragu pappardelle . Trust me, the amazing aroma alone will have you drooling and you will be amazed how simple is to create the perfect Italian American Sunday dinner

Ingredients & Equipment For The Best Sunday Gravy

Alright, let's dive into what you'll need for this Beef ragu pappardelle . It's Its Pasta Sunday , remember? I promise, even if you're not a pro chef, you can nail this Sunday gravy recipe .

Trust me. Honestly, the ingredients are pretty straightforward.

Main Ingredients: The Heart of the Ragu

• Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons (30 ml) . Use good quality extra virgin. You want that fruity flavour.
• Beef Chuck Roast: 2 pounds (900g) , cut into 2 inch (5cm) cubes. Look for well marbled beef. That's where the flavour is.
• Onion: 1 large (approx. 1 cup) , finely chopped. Yellow or white onion works just fine.
• Carrots: 2 (approx. 1 cup) , finely chopped. Adds sweetness and body to the sauce.
• Celery: 2 stalks (approx. 1 cup) , finely chopped. Don't skip this! It adds a subtle savoury flavour.
• Garlic: 4 cloves , minced. More if you're a garlic fiend like me.
• Dry Red Wine: 1/2 cup (120 ml) . Chianti or Cabernet Sauvignon are perfect. Don't use cooking wine. Bleugh!
• Crushed Tomatoes: 1 (28 ounce/800g) can . Go for good quality, they make a difference.
• Tomato Sauce: 1 (15 ounce/425g) can .
• Tomato Paste: 1 (6 ounce/170g) can . This adds richness and depth.
• Beef Broth: 1 cup (240 ml) . Low sodium is best so you can control the salt.
• Dried Oregano: 1 teaspoon .
• Dried Basil: 1 teaspoon . Fresh Basil Leaves could be even better.
• Red Pepper Chilli Flakes : 1/2 teaspoon (optional). For a bit of a kick. I love them!
• Bay Leaves: 2 .
• Salt and Pepper: To taste. Season generously.
• Fresh Parsley: 1/4 cup , chopped, for garnish. Makes it look fancy.
• Pappardelle Pasta: 1.5 pounds (680g) , fresh or dried. Fresh is amazing if you can swing it!
• Parmigiano Reggiano : For serving. Loads of it!

Seasoning Notes: The Secret Sauce

This Slow cooked beef ragu wouldn't be complete without the right seasoning. The Chilli Flakes are optional, of course. But I think that little bit of heat just lifts the whole dish.

Honestly, a good dose of Parmigiano Reggiano is the key! If you can't find fresh Basil Leaves , dried basil will work.

Just don't skimp on the aromatics.

Equipment Needed: Keep it Simple

You really don't need a fancy kitchen for this Hearty pasta recipe .

• Large Dutch oven. Or a heavy bottomed pot.
• Pasta machine. Only if you're making fresh pasta. A rolling pin also works!
• Large pasta pot. For boiling the pasta.
• Colander. For draining the pasta. Obviously.
• Large bowl. For tossing the pasta with the sauce.

And that's it. No need to overcomplicate things. Just good ingredients, a bit of time, and you'll have a Comfort food pasta that everyone will love.

This one is perfect for a Family dinner ideas , and you might end up calling this one a Italian American Sunday dinner .

You know, cooking like this is about more than just food. Its about making memories. So, give it a go and make this dish your own.

It's Pasta Sunday: Let's Talk Cooking Method

Okay, right then! Let's put together a Beef ragu pappardelle dish worthy of a proper Italian American Sunday dinner , the kind that makes you want to curl up on the sofa afterwards for a Downton Abbey marathon.

Think hearty, comfort food pasta , and just a little bit special.

This ain't your five minute wonder, mind. But trust me, the Sunday gravy recipe , especially with slow cooked beef ragu , is worth the effort.

Prep Like a Boss: Essential Mise en Place

Honestly, the secret to a stress free cooking sesh is all in the prep. Chop your onions, carrots, and celery. Mince that garlic like you mean it. Got everything ready? Good!

Now, give that 2 pounds of beef chuck roast a proper chopping into 2 inch cubes. I know, it sounds obvious, but having it all prepped before you even turn on the hob saves you a shed load of time.

Oh, and one little thing - always, always wash your hands after handling raw meat, yeah? Nobody wants a dodgy tummy!

Ragu step-by-step: From Sear to Simmer

Right, let's get this show on the road.

1. First, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in your Dutch oven over a medium high flame. Season that beef with salt and pepper. Brown it in batches until it looks proper golden on all sides. Should take a few minutes per batch. Set aside. This is key for developing the rich flavor of our hearty pasta recipe .
2. Chuck in your chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté them until they're softened. Should be about 8- 10 minutes . Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Smells amazing, doesn’t it?
3. Pour in 1/2 cup of dry red wine . Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Reduce the wine by half. This adds a crazy layer of depth!
4. Stir in your 28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes , 15 ounce can of tomato sauce , and 6 ounce can of tomato paste .
5. Return the beef to the pot. Add 1 cup of beef broth , 1 teaspoon each of dried oregano and dried basil , 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (if you're feeling brave with Chilli Flakes ), and 2 bay leaves . Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 3- 4 hours . Give it a stir now and then. The beef needs to be super tender!
6. Time to cook the pasta. Remember to reserve some of the pasta water.
7. Shred the beef and then combine everything. Toss the cooked pasta with the ragu. Add the Parmigiano Reggiano and Basil Leaves.

Pro Tips for the Perfect Ragu

My nan always said, "The longer it simmers, the better it tastes." She wasn't wrong. Don't rush the cooking time!

Another tip? Taste and adjust the seasoning throughout. Every tomato is different, innit? Add more salt, pepper, or Chilli Flakes as needed.

Leftovers? Freezes brilliantly. Just portion it out into containers and you've got future Family dinner ideas sorted.

Fancy a bit more oomph? Throw in a splash of balsamic vinegar towards the end of cooking. Trust me on this one, it's a game changer.

Recipe Notes for the Best Sunday Gravy Ever

So you're diving into this Beef ragu pappardelle . Proper good decision, mate! But before you get going, let's chew the fat about some key bits.

These are my notes things I've learned making this dish a gazillion times. Honestly, it's become a Comfort food pasta staple in our house.

I wanna make sure you nail it first time!

Serving Suggestions: Plating Like a Pro

Right, you've slaved away making this Slow cooked beef ragu , so it deserves a proper showing. For presentation, I like to swirl the pasta into a little nest on the plate.

Then, I spoon a generous helping of that glorious Sunday gravy recipe over the top. Don't be shy with the Parmigiano Reggiano , yeah? A sprinkle of fresh Basil Leaves just before serving makes it look swanky.

As for sides, some crusty bread is a must for mopping up all that sauce. Honestly, nothing beats it! A simple green salad cuts through the richness nicely.

Wine wise, a good Chianti or a hearty red blend will do the trick. Bam! Italian American Sunday dinner vibes, sorted.

Storage Tips: Save Some for Later!

Leftover ragu? You're lucky! This stuff is even better the next day. Let it cool completely before popping it in an airtight container.

It'll keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you wanna save it for longer, freeze it in portions.

It's the perfect Family dinner ideas .

To reheat, just gently simmer it on the hob until it's heated through. You might need to add a splash of water or beef broth if it's thickened up too much.

If you're reheating from frozen, let it thaw in the fridge overnight first.

Variations: Making it Your Own

Now, I'm all for sticking to the original, but a few tweaks never hurt anyone! Want a bit of a kick? Add a good pinch of Chilli Flakes to the ragu while it simmers.

My mate Sarah is gluten-free, so we sometimes use gluten-free pasta. Still banging!

For a more seasonal twist, try adding some roasted butternut squash or mushrooms to the ragu in autumn. Honestly, it adds a lovely earthy sweetness.

And remember, Its Pasta Sunday , so make it your own!.

Nutrition Basics: Fuel for the Soul

Look, this Hearty pasta recipe is not exactly a salad, is it? But it's packed with protein from the beef.

It also has vitamins and minerals from the vegetables. Plus, it's seriously good for the soul. Portion control is key, yeah?

Each serving will give you a good chunk of your daily protein and iron. The tomatoes also add some antioxidants.

But, let's be real, you're probably not making this for a health kick. You're making it for a Family dinner ideas that's properly comforting and delicious.

Right then, that's all my wisdom for now! Get cooking, and don't forget to let me know how it turns out. Happy cooking, you legend!