Pasta is a simple dinner that everyone around here loves, but we get a little tired of jarred sauce (we also get tired of spaghetti noodles too). So, I set out to create a pasta that everyone in my family would love and here it is- Mostaccioli with Beef Ragu. A ragu is traditionally a meat-based sauce that’s served with pasta. This one’s a lot thicker than a traditional sauce so it called for a heavier noodle. You could easily serve this on Farfalle as well which is my Rosie’s favorite.
I love the flavor of bacon. Yes, it’s bad for you but it gives a little jest to everything so I thought I’d toss a little in with some button mushrooms and see what happened. It’s a simple way to change up a sauce that could easily be boring if it wasn’t for a little extra flavor. If you’re daring, you could try this recipe with Pancetta for a more Italian feel. However, it’s good just like we made it- delicious even.
After our first meal, we had leftover sauce so I threw it in the freezer to see what would happen. Because of the thick texture, it froze well and tasted just fine. If you’re in the mood, you could probably double the recipe, portion it out and pull it out for dinner a number of times.
- 2 tsp. olive oil
- 1/4 lb. bacon
- 1/4 lb. button mushrooms
- 2 tsp. chopped thyme
- 1 lb. Ground Beef
- 1 minced Medium onion
- 3 minced cloves of Garlic
- 1 can tomato paste
- 2 cups beef stock
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- 1 lb. Mostaccioli
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat.
- Add bacon and cook 2-3 minutes.
- Add mushrooms, thyme and bay leaf. Cook until mushrooms brown.
- Add ground beef and cook until brown.
- Add onion and garlic. Cover and cook until the onion softens.
- Add the tomato paste and red pepper flakes.
- Stir in the beef stock and let sauce simmer on low while pasta cooks. Sauce will reduce to a thick ragu.
- Cook pasta according to package directions.
- Serve ragu on top of cooked pasta. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
Kylee says
that looks like a great weeknight dinner – something I need lots of recipes for!
(found you via the manic mondays bloghop!)
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debcb says
This is a great weeknight recipe and if you double it, you can freeze the sauce and make two meals. Heading over to check out your blog now!
debcb recently posted…Mostaccioli with Beef Ragu
Alana says
This looks super delicious!
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debcb says
So do your ribs. Thanks for stopping by!
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Phyrra says
That looks delicious!
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Cassie says
This looks so dang yummy!
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Kendra says
This looks delicious. Pasta is our go-to for dinners when we’re getting home late.
Lauren says
My mouth is watering. It’s the Italian in me!!!! 🙂
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kristine foley says
That’s good to know it froze well! This would be a hit with our family for sure!
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Ashley says
I’m totally going to make this. My girls would love it.
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Eugenia says
This is making me hungry now!
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Claire says
Allll of my favorites in a sauce. YUM. Pinned!
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Chelsea - Mommie and Wee says
I’m down for anything with pasta! Thanks so much for linking up with me and my cohosts at Pin Worthy Wednesday! I’ve pinned this!
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debcb says
Thanks for holding the linkup. So fun to check out other bloggers!
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Karly says
This is my kind of dinner! Thanks for linking up with What’s Cookin’ Wednesday!
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