2 Large pot
Colander or sieve
- 4 ounces diced pancetta
- 1½ pounds boneless short ribs
- 1 pound loose hot Italian sausage
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 teaspoons neutral oil if needed
- 1 yellow onion peeled and diced
- 2 carrots peeled and small-diced
- 2 ribs celery trimmed and small-diced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 6 cloves garlic peeled and minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 2 28- ounce can whole-peeled tomatoes
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon sugar optional
- 24 ounces pasta such as paccheri, rigatoni, or pappardelle
- Salt pepper and crushed red pepper to taste
For serving:
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Freshly minced parsley
Brown the short ribs:
Pat the short ribs dry and season all over with salt and pepper. Place the short ribs in the pancetta fat and cook over medium-high heat for 3–5 minutes per side until browned all over. Transfer to the bowl with the pancetta.
Add the sausage and beef and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and transfer to the bowl of pancetta and short ribs.
Cook the aromatics:
If needed, add another teaspoon or two of oil and turn the heat to medium-high.
Add the onion, celery, and carrots and cook for 5–7 minutes. Season the vegetables with salt and pepper.
Brown the tomato paste:
Melt the butter into the onions. Add the garlic and cook for 45 seconds. Add the tomato paste and cook, mashing it into the aromatics, for 2 minutes until it begins to deepen in color. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Pour in the red wine and turn the heat to high. Whisk the wine into the paste and continue until the wine begins to boil. Boil for 5 minutes until it just begins to reduce.
Simmer the ragù:
Add the tomatoes and bring to a boil. Stir in all of the meat from the bowl. Season the sauce with salt, pepper, sugar, and crushed red pepper. Add the bay leaves.
Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 3–4 hours or until the short ribs can be shredded easily with a fork.
Shred the short ribs:
Remove the ragu from the heat and carefully remove the lid. Shred the beef and mash any remaining whole-peeled tomatoes. Turn the heat to medium-high and let the ragu low-boil uncovered, for 15–20 minutes. If the liquid evaporates too quickly, add beef stock in ¼ cup increments. Taste and season the sauce.
Calories: 654kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 36g | Sodium: 623mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin C: 11mg