Savory Penne with Hearty Beef Ragu

Penne with Beef Ragu

Ingredients:

• 300 grams penne pasta (for 3 servings)
• 200 grams ground beef
• 1 can tomato puree (160 grams, Ayam Brand or similar)
• 2 small carrots
• 2 stalks green onions
• 2 stalks celery
• 2 tomatoes, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic
• 3 bird’s eye chilies (optional, for added heat)
• 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger
• A pinch of dried oregano
• A pinch of coarsely ground black pepper
• Salt, to taste
• 3 tablespoons cooking oil
• 150 cc water
• 1 liter water for boiling penne

Steps:

1. Prepare the Vegetables:

   • Finely chop the carrots, green onions, and celery.
   • Peel and thinly slice the garlic.
   • Thinly slice the bird’s eye chilies and grate the ginger.

2. Cook the Vegetables:

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   • Heat the cooking oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
   • Add the chopped vegetables to the skillet and sauté until they release their aroma and become tender.

3. Add Aromatics:

   • Add the minced garlic, sliced bird’s eye chilies (if using), and grated ginger to the skillet. Stir well until the mixture becomes fragrant.

4. Brown the Beef:

   • Add the ground beef to the skillet. Season with coarsely ground black pepper, dried oregano, and salt.
   • Stir frequently until the beef is well-cooked and browned.

5. Incorporate Tomatoes:

   • Add the sliced tomatoes and the can of tomato puree to the skillet.
   • Pour in approximately 150 cc of water and stir to combine all ingredients.

6. Simmer the Sauce:

   • Allow the mixture to come to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer until the tomatoes break down and the sauce thickens, stirring occasionally.

7. Cook the Penne:

   • In a separate pot, bring 1 liter of water to a boil. Season the water with a pinch of salt.
   • Add the penne pasta to the boiling water. Cover the pot and cook according to the package instructions (e.g., 11 minutes for Barilla brand) until al dente.

8. Combine and Adjust:

   • Drain the penne, reserving a small amount of the cooking water.
   • Add the cooked penne to the beef ragu. Stir well to combine and coat the pasta with the sauce.
   • Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. If the sauce seems too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta cooking water to reach your desired consistency.

9. Serve:

   • Serve the penne with beef ragu hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.

Enjoy this hearty and flavorful penne with beef ragu, perfect for a comforting meal any day of the week!