the Breville Test Kitchen
Beef Ragu Pasta Helper
Inspired by the Hamburger Helper of your childhood, this is simple, flavorful comfort food at its best. An easy dish of slow cooked beef and penne in a rich thyme and tomato sauce.
2 hrs 45 mins total time
20 mins active time
Easy
Serves 4
Ingredients
Measurements:
2 tbsp olive oil
2 lb beef chuck steakcut into 1-inch pieces
1 yellow onioncut into ½-inch pieces
1 carrotcut into ½-inch pieces
1 celery stickcut into ½-inch pieces
4 cloves garlicsliced
2 tsp kosher saltplus extra to season
1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
¼ cup (2½ oz) tomato paste
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
28 oz can diced tomatoes
1½ cups (12 fl oz) beef stockdivided
9 oz penne pasta
½ cup (4¼ oz) crème fraîche
¾ cup (2 oz) grated parmesan cheeseplus extra to serve
2 tbsp coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsleyplus extra to serve
Freshly ground black pepperto season
Instructions
- 1Insert the wire rack into position 8. Select Phase Cook for P1 and set the oven to Roast, Convection, 300°F, for 2 hours. Press Confirm for P2 and set the oven to Roast, Convection, 350°F, for 30 minutes and press Start to preheat. Meanwhile, continue to the next step.
- 2Heat the oil in a 10-inch (5½-quart) Dutch oven, over high heat. Add the beef and cook, stirring for 5 minutes, or until browned all over.
- 3Add the onion, carrot, celery and garlic and cook, stirring for 3 minutes, or until the onion is starting to soften. Stir in the salt and thyme, then add the tomato paste and stir for 1 minute to coat.
- 4Add the vinegar and stir, scraping the base of the pan for 1 minute to deglaze. Add the tomatoes and 1 cup of the stock, bring to a boil and cover.
- 5Once preheated, place the pot in the oven and roast for 2 hours in P1. When the oven signals at the end of P1, carefully remove the lid, add the remaining ½ cup stock, stir in the pasta, cover and continue cooking. The oven will automatically switch to P2.
- 6The pasta should be al dente and the beef tender. If not, cook it a little longer.
- 7Remove from the oven and carefully remove the lid. Add the crème fraîche and parmesan and stir. Add the parsley and season with salt and pepper.
- 8Serve sprinkled with parmesan and parsley.
