Description
Easy Beef Ragu Pasta is a comforting Italian-inspired dish featuring tender ground beef simmered with aromatic vegetables and herbs in a rich tomato sauce, served over your favorite pasta.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
12 ounces rigatoni pasta (or pasta of choice)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 carrot, diced
1 celery stalk, diced
1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1 cup beef broth or water
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 2–3 minutes.
- Add minced garlic, diced carrot, and celery. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender.
- Increase heat to medium-high and add ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon, about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes (if using), and beef broth. Season with salt and pepper. Mix well.
- Bring sauce to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and cook for 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally to let flavors meld.
- Meanwhile, cook rigatoni pasta according to package instructions in salted boiling water. Drain, reserving a small amount of pasta water.
- Once sauce thickens and pasta is al dente, combine pasta with sauce in the pot. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
- Stir to coat pasta evenly and cook together for 2–3 minutes until heated through.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
Swap ground beef for ground turkey or Italian sausage for different flavor.
Add chopped mushrooms or bell peppers with the vegetables for extra texture.
Use fresh herbs like basil and oregano for brighter flavor.
Stir in a splash of red wine when adding tomatoes for depth.
Top with fresh mozzarella or ricotta for a creamy finish.
Store leftovers in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat gently with a splash of water or broth to loosen sauce if needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
