Beer-Braised Pork Ragu & Paccheri Recipe

Name: Beer-Braised Pork Ragu & Paccheri
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil; 2 to 2 1/2 pounds boneless pork shoulder, cut into large chunks; coarse kosher salt; 2 medium shallots, peeled and finely chopped; 1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped; 2 ribs celery, finely chopped; 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder; 4 cups Guinness stout beer (or your favorite classic dark beer); 1 cup chicken broth; 1 bay leaf; 1 package (approximately 1 lb) paccheri pasta (or rigatoni); 1 tablespoon unsalted butter; 1/4 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano, freshly grated

Servings: persons

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 to 2 1/2 pounds boneless pork shoulder, cut into large chunks
coarse kosher salt
2 medium shallots, peeled and finely chopped
1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped
2 ribs celery, finely chopped
1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
4 cups Guinness stout beer (or your favorite classic dark beer)
1 cup chicken broth
1 bay leaf
1 package (approximately 1 lb) paccheri pasta (or rigatoni)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/4 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano, freshly grated

1
Preheat oven to 325F
2
Place a large 8-10 quart braising pot/Dutch oven on the stove and turn the heat on medium-high. As the pot is heating up, season the pork shoulder chunks with kosher salt (be liberal with the amount of salt you use!). Add oil to pot (it should immediately start to shimmer) and add the seasoned pork chunks. Allow the pork to brown on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Using tongs, transfer the pork to a bowl and set aside.
3
Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the shallots and cook until translucent (but not browned!), about 5-7 minutes. Add carrots and celery, cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently. Add cocoa powder and stir to make sure it is distributed evenly throughout the cooked vegetables. Increase the heat to medium-high, add the Guinness and bring to a boil (about 2 minutes). Add the chicken broth, bay leaf and seared pork chunks and turn the heat off. Stir and cover tightly with fitted lid or aluminum foil.
4
Place covered braising pot/Dutch oven in preheated oven for 3 1/2-4 hours, until the pork is fork-tender and pulls apart easily.
5
Just as you are about to remove the sauce from the oven, fill a large pot with water to cook your pasta in. Place the pot of water on the stove, add salt to the water and bring to a boil.
6
Remove the pot from the oven and place on the stove. Turn the oven off and turn the stove onto the lowest setting. Remove the bay leaf and discard. Remove the pork shoulder from the pot and shred the chunks by pulling them apart with two forks. Place the shredded pork back into the pot. Stir and taste the sauce (add additional salt if needed).
7
Add your paccheri to the boiling pot of water, cook as directed on package. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and then strain pasta when done.
8
Turn off heat beneath ragu. Add cooked paccheri, 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water, 1 Tbsp unsalted butter and 1/4 cup of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. Stir to coat. The final sauce should not be soupy, rather it should coat the pasta evenly.
9
Serve on plates and garnish with additional freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. Enjoy!

506

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Use a neutral oil or a plant-based spread in place of butter for a dairy-free version.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 13 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, 2 to 2 1/2 pounds boneless pork shoulder, cut into large chunks, coarse kosher salt, 2 medium shallots, peeled and finely chopped, and more.

Yes, Beer-Braised Pork Ragu & Paccheri falls under the Pasta & Noodles category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Beer-Braised Pork Ragu & Paccheri

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions