1-First Steps: Building the Base: Begin by heating 4 tablespoons of good quality olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the 300 grams of pancetta cut into thin strips and cook until the fat renders out, which takes a few minutes. This step infuses the oil with rich flavors, setting the foundation for the entire dish.

2-Next, add the finely minced soffritto that’s 2 small to medium carrots, 1 celery stalk, and 1 onion and cook on low to medium heat without browning. Stir occasionally to let the vegetables soften and release their natural sweetness, which usually takes about 5-10 minutes.

3-Cooking the Meat and Simmering: Increase the heat to medium-high, then add the 800 grams of coarsely ground beef and half a tablespoon of salt. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently until the meat sizzles and browns evenly. This helps lock in the flavors and gives the sauce its authentic texture.

4-Pour in 250 milliliters of red wine and let it evaporate while scraping the pan to release any stuck bits. Once the wine reduces, stir in 2 tablespoons of double concentrated tomato paste and 400 grams of diced tomatoes or tomato purée, cooking for one minute to blend everything together.

5-Finishing the Sauce: Add 300 milliliters of beef or vegetable stock, stir well while scraping the bottom of the pan, then cover and bring to a low simmer. After about one hour, pour in 125 milliliters of whole milk, stir, cover again, and continue simmering for a total of 2.5 to 3 hours. Adjust salt to taste at the end for the perfect seasoning.

6-For serving, traditionally pair with fresh pasta like pappardelle. When the ragù is almost done, boil salted water about 10 grams of salt per liter and cook 1 kilogram of fresh pappardelle. One minute before it’s ready, transfer the pasta to the ragù pan with tongs, mix to coat, and serve immediately topped with 80 grams of grated pecorino romano cheese. Warm your plates at about 80°C for 10 minutes beforehand to keep everything hot. For more Italian-inspired ideas, visit our Oreo cookie balls recipe for a fun dessert option.