Ingredients
Method
- Pat the beef chuck and short ribs completely dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper on all sides.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a heavy Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the meat in batches, about 3-4 minutes per side, until deeply caramelized. Don't overcrowd the pot. Transfer browned meat to a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium and add remaining tablespoon of oil to the same pot. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring frequently, for 12-15 minutes until vegetables are deeply caramelized and golden brown.
- Add garlic and tomato paste, stirring constantly for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in red wine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Let wine reduce by half, about 5-7 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes, beef stock, bay leaves, thyme, and rosemary. Return browned meat to the pot along with any accumulated juices.
- Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover partially and simmer very gently for 2.5-3 hours, stirring occasionally, until meat is fork-tender and falling apart.
- Remove bay leaves and herb sprigs. Using two forks, shred the meat directly in the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pappardelle according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
- Toss hot pasta with the ragu, adding pasta water a little at a time if needed to achieve a silky consistency. Serve immediately.
Notes
This ragu improves with time and can be made up to 3 days ahead. Store covered in refrigerator and reheat gently. The sauce can also be frozen for up to 3 months. If the ragu seems too thick when reheating, thin with a little beef stock or pasta water.
