Teresa's Recipes
Ragu Napoletano: The Heart of Naples
Steeped in rich culinary history, Ragu Napoletano is a robust, meat-infused sauce hailing from the vibrant city of Naples. This hearty dish, simmered to perfection over several hours, combines the bold flavors of beef, pork, and Italian sausage, enveloping them in a velvety, tomato-based sauce. Served atop al dente pasta and crowned with a generous dusting of Parmesan cheese, each bite transports you straight to a bustling Neapolitan kitchen.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup, freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 lb, of your choice Pasta
- to taste Salt and pepper
- 1 cup Water
- 1/2 cup Red wine
- 1 can (6 oz) Tomato paste
- 1/2 lb, casing removed Italian sausage
- 1/2 lb, cut into chunks Pork shoulder
- 1/2 lb, cut into chunks Beef stew meat
- 4 cloves, minced Garlic
- 2, finely chopped Onions
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
Dietary Notes
- Servings: 6
- Dish Type: Main
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Calories: 650
- Fat: 30g
- Carbs: 50g
- Protein: 45g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Sugar: 6g
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the finely chopped onions and minced garlic. Cook until the onions turn translucent, approximately 5 minutes.
- Add the chunks of beef, pork, and the de-cased Italian sausage. Cook until all sides are browned.
- Stir in the tomato paste, followed by the red wine. Allow the alcohol to cook off for a couple of minutes.
- Add the water, before seasoning with salt and pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Allow the sauce to simmer for 4 hours, stirring occasionally. This slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld together and the meat to become tender.
- In the meantime, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente.
- Serve the simmered ragu over the freshly cooked pasta. Finish the dish with a generous topping of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and enjoy!
Tips
- For an authentic touch, consider using Neapolitan pasta shapes like ziti or rigatoni. You can also add other vegetables like carrots or celery into the sauce for additional flavor. Remember, the longer you let the ragu simmer, the better it tastes!