Pappardelle with Ground Beef and Vegetable Ragù
A rustic, comforting Italian-inspired dish with wide egg noodles and a rich, brothy tomato sauce
There’s something deeply satisfying about a bowl of pappardelle coated in a slow-simmered ragù. The wide, silky ribbons of pasta are perfect for catching every bit of the hearty sauce—made with ground beef, tender vegetables, and fragrant herbs. This version leans slightly brothy rather than thick, giving it a lighter, rustic feel while still delivering deep, savory flavor.
Ingredients
For the ragù:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium carrot, diced small
- 1 bell pepper (any color), diced
- 400 g ground beef
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 can (400 g) crushed tomatoes
- 1½ cups beef or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or a few sprigs fresh)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: pinch of chili flakes
For the pasta:
- 300–400 g pappardelle (fresh or dried)
- Salt (for boiling water)
To finish:
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Drizzle of olive oil
Step-by-Step Method
1. Build the flavor base
Heat the olive oil in a large, deep pan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for about 4–5 minutes until soft and slightly translucent. Stir in the garlic, carrot, and bell pepper, and cook for another 5 minutes.
Tip: Keep the heat moderate—this stage is about gently releasing sweetness from the vegetables, not browning them too fast.
2. Brown the ground beef
Add the ground beef to the pan. Break it apart with a spoon and cook until browned and no longer pink. This should take about 6–8 minutes.
Season lightly with salt and pepper as it cooks.
3. Add tomato depth
Stir in the tomato paste and let it cook for 1–2 minutes. This step intensifies the flavor and removes any raw taste from the paste.
4. Create the brothy ragù
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and broth. Stir everything together, then add oregano, thyme, and optional chili flakes.
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
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