Ingredients
2 tbsp olive oil, divided
1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20) or a mix of chuck and short ribs
1 large onion, diced
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup dry red wine (Chianti, Merlot, or Cabernet Sauvignon)
28 oz can crushed tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 cup beef broth
2 bay leaves
1 tsp dried oregano
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 lb rigatoni pasta
15 oz whole milk ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 large egg
Pinch of nutmeg
1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
Step 1: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until deeply browned and no pink remains. Drain excess fat and set the beef aside.
Step 2: Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then add diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté until softened, about 8-10 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Step 3: Pour in the red wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon. Let it simmer until almost completely reduced, about 5 minutes.
Step 4: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, bay leaves, and dried oregano. Return the browned beef to the pot. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for at least 2-3 hours, or up to 4 hours, stirring occasionally, until the meat is very tender and the sauce has thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove bay leaves before proceeding.
Step 5: While the ragu simmers, cook the rigatoni according to package directions, but only to about 75% al dente (a minute or two less than recommended). It should still be quite firm. Drain well and immediately rinse with cold water to stop the cooking and prevent sticking. Toss with a drizzle of olive oil.
Step 6: In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped fresh parsley, an egg (for binding), a pinch of nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
Step 7: Carefully transfer the ricotta mixture into a piping bag with a large round tip (or a freezer bag with a corner snipped off).
Step 8: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 9: Spread a thin layer of beef ragu (about 1 cup) on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Step 10: Stand each rigatoni pasta tube upright in the baking dish. Arrange them in rows, packing them in tightly.
Step 11: Pipe the ricotta filling into each rigatoni tube, filling them generously.
Step 12: Ladle the remaining beef ragu over the stuffed rigatoni, ensuring all the pasta is covered. Gently push down to ensure the sauce gets into the tubes.
Step 13: Sprinkle generously with shredded mozzarella and a final dusting of Parmesan cheese.
Step 14: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
Step 15: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Let the Stuffed Rigatoni with Beef Ragu rest for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the dish to set slightly.
Notes
For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the ragu. Ground Italian sausage can substitute beef, or use a mix. A splash of balsamic vinegar or anchovy paste can deepen the ragu's flavor. Leftovers are excellent and can be stored in an airtight container for reheating.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Slow Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8th of dish
- Calories: 680 kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 75g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 120mg