Beef and Pancetta Pasta

This is a meat lover’s pasta sauce, plain and simple. While I won’t call it “light,” the dish is leaner than typical sauces made with ground meats. I used a half-pound trimmed sirloin steak for four servings, cutting the beef into very small chunks before cooking. These less-than-bite-sized pieces go a long way in the sauce, making it seem like there’s more per serving than there actually is.

The pancetta adds an extra layer of meaty, bacon-y flavor to the dish—and, yes, more fat. To lighten the overall recipe, simply omit the pancetta and enjoy the lean beef and vegetables. 

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 8-oz beef sirloin steak, cut into a small dice
• 3-oz thinly sliced pancetta, finely chopped
• 1 28-oz can peeled, whole tomatoes with juice
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/4 tsp dried red chile flakes
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• sea salt
• pepper
• 8 oz penne (mini penne or other small pasta works too)
• chopped flat-leaf parsley, for garnish
• Parmigiano-Reggiano, for serving (optional)

Meat Ready to Cook

Preparation

1. Heat a pot over medium-low heat and add the olive oil. Add the garlic and onion and cook slowly until just beginning to soften, 4 minutes.
2. Add the beef and pancetta and cook, stirring frequently, until the beef is browned, 5-6 minutes.

Garlic and Onion Beginning to Cook

Beef and Pancetta Beginning to Cook

Meat Mixture after 6 Minutes

1. Add the tomatoes with juice, tomato paste, bay leaves, chile flakes, and oregano and season with salt and pepper. 
2. Bring to a simmer, breaking up the tomatoes as they cook. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer slowly until the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened a bit, about 45 minutes. (Cook partially uncovered to help thickening, if needed.)

Sauce Ready to Simmer

Cooked Sauce

1. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water until barely tender, 7-8 minutes. Drain the pasta and add to the cooked sauce. Stir well to combine.

Pasta Added to Sauce

To serve, divide the pasta among 4 shallow bowls and garnish with chopped parsley. Pass the cheese at the table for grating, if desired.