Tallarines con Tuco
A classic Argentine Sunday lunch: fresh tagliatelle pasta served with a rich, slow-cooked meat sauce (tuco). This dish embodies the comforting flavors of Argentine-Italian culinary heritage.
🧂 Ingredients
- 600 g Fresh tagliatelle pasta(If using dried pasta, use about 400-450g and adjust cooking time.)
- 400 g Ground beef(A mix of beef and pork can also be used for richer flavor.)
- 800 ml Crushed tomatoes(Good quality crushed tomatoes are essential for the sauce base.)
- 1 Large onion(Finely chopped.)
- 1 Medium carrot(Finely chopped.)
- 3-4 Garlic cloves(Minced.)
- 200 ml Dry red wine(Such as Malbec or Cabernet Sauvignon.)
- 200 ml Beef broth or water(Optional, for a thinner sauce if needed.)
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 1 Bay leaf(Optional.)
- for serving Parmesan cheese(Freshly grated.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the sofrito: Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and carrot. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened and the onion is translucent, about 8-10 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 2
Brown the meat: Add the ground beef to the pot. Break it up with a spoon and cook until it's browned all over and no pink remains. Drain off any excess fat.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 3
Deglaze with wine: Pour in the red wine. Scrape the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned bits. Let the wine simmer and reduce by about half, allowing the alcohol to evaporate, about 3-5 minutes.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 4
Add tomatoes and simmer: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, beef broth (if using), bay leaf (if using), salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it cook for at least 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally. The longer it simmers, the richer the flavor will become. The sauce should thicken and the flavors meld beautifully.
⏱️ 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours - 5
Cook the pasta: About 10 minutes before the sauce is finished simmering, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the fresh tagliatelle and cook according to package directions, usually 2-4 minutes for fresh pasta, until al dente (tender but with a slight bite).
⏱️ 5 minutes - 6
Combine and serve: Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Add the drained pasta directly to the pot with the tuco sauce. Toss gently to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce seems too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water to loosen it to your desired consistency. Serve immediately, topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
⏱️ 5 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Tuco is the Argentine name for a rich meat and tomato sauce, often slow-cooked.
- ✓The key to a great tuco is slow simmering, which allows the flavors to deepen and meld.
- ✓Fresh pasta is traditional for Sunday lunch in Argentina, but good quality dried pasta can be substituted.
- ✓Taste and adjust seasoning (salt and pepper) throughout the simmering process.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add other vegetables to the sofrito, such as bell peppers or celery.
- Incorporate different types of meat, like ground pork or a mix of beef and pork.
- Add a pinch of sugar to the sauce if the tomatoes are too acidic.
- Stir in a tablespoon of butter or a splash of cream at the end for extra richness.