Pasta Alla Genovese | An Onion and Beef Ragù

Equipment

Ingredients

3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2-3 lb chuck roast, cut into large chunks
¼ lb pancetta or bacon, chopped
3 lbs yellow onions, thinly sliced
1 carrot, finely diced
1 celery stalk, finely diced
1 cup dry white wine I used chardonnay
1 bay leaf
parmesan rind, optional
1 lb ziti or other short, tubular pasta
kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
extra parmesan cheese, for topping

Instructions

Liberally salt and pepper the outside of the chuck roast. In a dutch oven, on high heat, sear the roast in olive oil until all sides are browned. Remove the roast and set it aside.
Lower the heat to medium, add the pancetta, onion, carrot, celery to the pot. Add the white wine and stir, scraping up the brown bits on the bottom of the pot.
Return the beef to the pot, nestling it into the onion and veggies. Add the parmesan rind and bay leaf. Simmer, covered on medium heat.
Occasionally, stir the beef and veggie mixture to ensure nothing is sticking to the bottom of the pot.
After three hours, check for tenderness and begin to pull the roast apart. Continue to simmer, uncovered until the meat is literally falling apart and the sauce is thickened.
While the sauce is finishing cooking, cook your pasta of choice according to package instruction.
Toss the cooked, drained pasta with the beef and onion ragù.
Garnish with parmesan cheese, fresh ground pepper, and enjoy!

Notes

For the Instant Pot, sear the beef using the high sauté function. Remove beef and go through to step 3. Secure the lid of the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 1 hour, allowing it to depressurize naturally. Remove lid. Shred the meat and stir into that glorious sauce. If you feel the liquid needs to reduce, simply turn the sauté function for a bit. Cook the pasta according to package instructions and toss with the sauce when you are ready.

For the Slow Cooker, add all of the ingredients except for the pasta and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8. Shred the beef and cook uncovered for a bit if you need to reduce the liquid. Add cooked pasta and toss.

Nutrition