An Italian beef and tomato based sauce that is simmered low and very slow until rich concentrated flavors have developed and the meat is perfectly tender. It's one of the ultimate pasta upgrades!
Unsalted chicken stockor broth, as needed to thin sauce
Instructions
Melt 1 1/2 Tbsp butter in a large pot over medium-high heat.
Add onion, carrot and celery and saute 4 minutes. Add garlic and saute 1 minute longer. Transfer mixture to a large plate.
Melt 1 1/2 Tbsp butter in now empty pot over medium-high heat. Dab beef dry with paper towels, then break beef into 4 large chunks into pot.
Season lightly with salt and pepper. Let sear until browned on bottom, about 3 minutes, turn and sear until browned again on opposite side, about 3 minutes longer. Then break up beef and cook through a few minutes longer.
Return vegetables to pot with the beef, pour in milk and stir. Bring to a simmer then reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer until majority of milk has evaporated and just fat remains, about 10 - 20 minutes.
Stir in tomatoes, wine, basil and parmesan rind. Bring mixture to a simmer.
Reduce heat to very low (it should be at a very low simmer with just be a few bubbles over the surface, on my stovetop I have to transfer to a small burner with a low flame).
Let simmer 4 hours, stirring occasionally and thinning with broth as needed. Season lightly with salt and pepper to taste as it cooks (keep in mind it will reduce and saltiness will become more concentrated so careful not to overdue it you can always add more later).
Remove basil stems and parmesan rind. Stir in remaining 3 Tbsp butter until melted (or heavy cream if using instead).
Toss sauce with cooked pasta of choice (tagliatelle, pappardelle, spaghetti, or fettuccine are great choices), thin with some of the pasta cooking water.
Notes
*This is also delicious with heavy cream. If you opt to use heavy cream only use 3 Tbsp of butter (1.5 Tbsp for vegetables and 1.5 Tbsp for beef). Then at the end instead of stirring in remaining 3 Tbsp butter stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream.