In a large Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the short ribs and sear on all sides until browned, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove the short ribs and set aside. Drain the fat, leaving about 2 teaspoons in total in the dutch oven.
Return the short ribs to the pot. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 2-3 hours, or until the short ribs are very tender. Uncover and cook for the last 30 minutes to allow the sauce to reduce.
Once the short ribs are tender, remove them from the pot and shred the meat with 2 forks, discarding the bones and any excess fat. Also remove the bay leaves and herb stems from the sauce at this time.
In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pappardelle according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and toss it with a bit of the ragu to coat or add it directly to the ragu and gently toss.