How to Make the Best Braised Beef Ragu

Warm up with a bowl of rich, savory beef short rib ragu. Braised in tomato, red wine, and herbs, then tossed with pappardelle and parmesan, it's the perfect cozy comfort for chilly days or indulgent weekends

Grab Your Ingredients

Ingredients for a hearty Braised Beef Ragu featuring succulent beef ribs, chopped onions, carrots, celery, canned tomatoes, spices, broth, soy sauce, garlic, tomato paste, oil, and bay leaves elegantly arranged on a dark surface. — Image Credit: Peel with Zeal

You can use bone-in or boneless short ribs. If you're using boneless reduce the cooking time. Because of the long braising time, You can also use chuck roast or any kind of large, tough cut of meat that's great for braising. Get the Recipe: Braised Beef Ragu

Season the Beef

Raw beef short ribs with seasoning rest on a cutting board, accompanied by a bowl of oil and a white cloth, ready to transform into a rich braised beef ragu. — Image Credit: Peel with Zeal

Thoroughly season all sides of your beef with salt and pepper. Get the Recipe: Braised Beef Ragu

Sear the Beef

A pot of tender braised beef short ribs rests on a dark surface, with a white cloth elegantly placed beside it. — Image Credit: Peel with Zeal

Patting the short ribs dry helps lock in the flavors during searing. Work in batches so that the Dutch oven isn't too crowded and all sides are evenly browned. Get the Recipe: Braised Beef Ragu

Saute the Vegetables

A pot of diced vegetables, featuring carrots, celery, and onions, sautéed with spices for a rich Braised Beef Ragu. A white kitchen towel rests beside the pot on a dark surface. — Image Credit: Peel with Zeal

Begin developing the ragu sauce by cooking the vegetables in drippings. Coat the vegetables with tomato paste and herbs. Get the Recipe: Braised Beef Ragu

Bring to a Simmer

A pot of the best braised beef ragu in tomato sauce with carrots and herbs rests on a dark surface next to a white towel. — Image Credit: Peel with Zeal

When you deglaze with wine, scrape up all the browned bits from the bottom of the pot to enhance the flavors. Get the Recipe: Braised Beef Ragu

Braise in the Oven

A pot of the best braised beef stew with vegetables rests on the dark surface, next to a neatly folded cloth. — Image Credit: Peel with Zeal

Cook low and slow in the oven until they're fall-apart tender. Check periodically and add more broth if the mixture appears to be drying out. Get the Recipe: Braised Beef Ragu

Shred the Beef

A dish of the best braised beef short ribs is served on a white plate next to a pot of cooked beans. Two forks are elegantly placed on the plate, inviting you to indulge in this tender, flavorful delight. — Image Credit: Peel with Zeal

Shred the short ribs into bite-sized pieces. Remove the bones and fatty membrane, and discard. Get the Recipe: Braised Beef Ragu

Make the Sauce

A black skillet brimming with braised beef ragu simmers in a rich, tomato-based sauce, while a green spatula and beige cloth rest beside the pan. — Image Credit: Peel with Zeal

Mix the meat back with the sauce. Tip: add a splash of heavy cream. Get the Recipe: Braised Beef Ragu

Serve with Pasta

A skillet of pappardelle pasta with rich short rib ragu and herbs, alongside a glass of red wine, a bowl of grated cheese, a white napkin, and a white plate. — Image Credit: Peel with Zeal

Stir in the cooked pasta to soak up the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, you can thin it out with the reserved pasta water. Then, garnish it with parmesan cheese, ricotta cheese, or fresh basil before serving. Get the Recipe: Braised Beef Ragu