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Carhartt Family Wines

Ground Lamb and Beef Ragù with Pappardelle

Pairs well with the 2021 Carhartt Venture Modalita Bestia

Yield: 6
Prep Time: 20 minutes
 | 
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Total Time: 80 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 lb ground lamb and beef (50/50 blend)
  • 2 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 3 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced
  • 1 carrot, finely diced
  • 1 celery rib, finely diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 Tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 cup (240 ml) dry red wine
  • 1 can (28 oz/800 g) crushed tomatoes or passata
  • 1 cup (240 ml) low-sodium beef or chicken stock
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 rosemary sprig + 2 thyme sprigs (or ½ tsp each dried)
  • ½ tsp fennel seeds, lightly crushed
  • Pinch ground cloves (⅛ tsp)
  • Optional: 1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder (to echo the wine’s dark cocoa)
  • 2 Tbsp cold unsalted butter
  • 1 lb (450 g) fresh pappardelle (or 12 oz/340 g dried)
  • Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, to finish

Instructions:

  1. Season & brown the meat: Season ground meat with salt/pepper. Heat 2 Tbsp oil in a heavy pot over medium-high. Brown meat but do not overcook. Transfer to a bowl. 
  2. Soffritto: Reduce heat to medium. Add 1 Tbsp oil, onion, carrot, celery, a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, until very soft and lightly golden, 8–10 min. Add garlic; cook 30 sec. 
  3. Tomato paste & deglaze: Stir in tomato paste; cook until brick-red, ~1 min. Pour in red wine; scrape up browned bits. Reduce by half, ~2–3 min. 
  4. Build the sauce: Return meat and juices. Add crushed tomatoes, stock, bay, rosemary, thyme, fennel seed, pinch of cloves, and cocoa (if using). Bring to a gentle simmer. 
  5. Low & slow: Partially cover and simmer on low, stirring occasionally, until meat and sauce are silky—about 2 to 2½ hours. Add a splash of water if it gets too thick. 
  6. Finish the ragù: Fish out the bay leaf and rosemary. Taste; adjust salt/pepper. Turn off heat, swirl in butter for gloss. 
  7. Cook the pasta: Boil pappardelle in well-salted water to al dente. Reserve ¾ cup pasta water; drain. 
  8. Marry sauce & pasta: Toss pasta with enough ragù to coat, loosening with splashes of pasta water until glossy and clinging. 

Serve: Plate with extra ragù on top. Shower with Parmigiano.

Pair with the 2021 Carhartt Venture Modalita Bestia.