Ragu alla Napoletana, the quintessential Neapolitan meat sauce, is a rich, hearty dish that embodies the culinary traditions of Southern Italy. With its slow-simmered flavors and tender chunks of meat, this classic sauce is a labor of love that rewards patience and attention to detail. This comprehensive guide to Ragu alla Napoletana provides a diverse range of authentic recipes, each capturing the essence of this beloved dish.
From the classic Neapolitan Ragu, which forms the foundation of many iconic dishes like pasta al ragu and eggplant parmigiana, to variations that showcase unique regional influences, this collection of recipes caters to every palate. Discover the secrets behind achieving the perfect balance of acidity, sweetness, and savory richness, and learn how to adapt the sauce to suit your personal preferences. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or just starting your culinary journey, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and inspiration to create an unforgettable Ragu alla Napoletana that will transport you to the heart of Naples.
RAGú NAPOLETANO (NEAPOLITAN-STYLE ITALIAN MEAT SAUCE WITH PORK, BEEF, AND SAUSAGE) RECIPE
If you were to pick a president and el tigre numero uno of the ragù world, it'd be ragù Napoletano, a meaty stew with big chunks of beef, pork, and sausages simmered until fall-apart tender in a rich tomato sauce flavored with wine, onions, garlic, basil, and plenty of good Southern Italian olive oil. It's the precursor to Italian-American Sunday gravy: just add some meatballs, serve it with spaghetti, and you're there. It's also the perfect dish for a lazy Sunday with family or friends at home.
Provided by J. Kenji López-Alt
Categories Mains Sausage Soups and Stews Sauce
Time 4h
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- To serve, cook pasta in a pot of boiling salted water until just shy of al dente (about 1 minute for fresh pasta or 1 minute short of recommended cooking time for dried pasta). Drain, reserving about 1 cup of starchy pasta water. Return pasta to the pot you just cooked it in and add half of ragù, half of pasta cooking water, and a handful of grated cheese. Cook over high eat, stirring until the sauce emulsifies with the pasta water and clings to the pasta, adding more pasta water if necessary. Serve immediately, passing additional sauce, cheese, and remaining fresh basil at the table.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 882 kcal, Carbohydrate 52 g, Cholesterol 179 mg, Fiber 4 g, Protein 54 g, SaturatedFat 14 g, Sodium 583 mg, Sugar 7 g, Fat 50 g, ServingSize Serves 8 to 10, UnsaturatedFat 0 g
RAGU ALLA NAPOLETANA
Provided by Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 3h55m
Yield 4 to 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a small bowl, combine pine nuts, raisins and garlic. Lay meat slices on a work surface, and season them lightly on both sides with salt and pepper. Sprinkle pine nut and raisin mixture on 1 side of the slices. Roll slices up and secure them with a toothpick or tie them with kitchen string. Place them in a large, deep saute pan and add oil, onion and 4 cups of water. Place over medium heat and simmer, uncovered, until water has evaporated, about 1 1/4 hours.
- Continue cooking, turning meat rolls with tongs, until meat is lightly browned on all sides. Add wine to pan and cook until evaporated. Drain tomatoes, reserving juice, and coarsely chop tomatoes. Add tomatoes, reserved juice and tomato paste to pan and bring to a simmer. Cook until sauce is very thick, about 2 hours.
- Remove meat from pan with tongs, remove toothpicks or cut string, and place meat on a serving platter. Season sauce with salt and pepper, and pour it over ziti or penne. Serve with meat and grated Parmesan on the side.
RAGU ALLA NAPOLETANA
Provided by Molly O'Neill
Categories dinner, weekday, pastas, main course
Time 3h30m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a small bowl, combine pine nuts, raisins and garlic. Lay meat slices on a work surface, and season them lightly on both sides with salt and pepper. Sprinkle pine-nut and raisin mixture on one side of the slices. Roll slices up and secure them with a toothpick or tie them with kitchen string. Place them in a large, deep saute pan and add oil, onion and 4 cups of water. Place over medium heat and simmer, uncovered, until water has evaporated, about 1 1/4 hours.
- Continue cooking, turning meat rolls with tongs, until meat is lightly browned on all sides. Add wine to pan and cook until evaporated. Drain tomatoes, reserving juice, and coarsely chop tomatoes. Add tomatoes and reserved juice to pan, and bring to a simmer. Cook until sauce is very thick, about 2 hours.
- Remove meat from pan with tongs, remove toothpicks or cut string, and place meat on a serving platter. Season sauce with salt and pepper, and pour it over ziti or penne. Serve with meat and grated Parmesan cheese on the side.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 429, UnsaturatedFat 20 grams, Carbohydrate 14 grams, Fat 26 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 35 grams, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Sodium 535 milligrams, Sugar 9 grams, TransFat 0 grams
FETTUCCINE WITH NEAPOLITAN MEAT SAUCE (FETTUCCINE CON RAGU ALLA NAPOLETANA)
Provided by Gianni Scappin
Categories Beef Pasta Tomato Kid-Friendly Dinner Winter Simmer Boil Dairy Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free Kosher Small Plates
Yield Makes 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- 1. In a heavy 5-quart pot over moderately high heat, heat the oil until hot but not smoking. Season the beef with salt and sear it, turning occasionally, until deep brown on all sides, about 10 minutes. Add the chile, garlic, and onion, and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the onion begins to tenderize, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste, wine, and tomatoes, and bring to a boil.
- 2. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, reduce the heat to low, and simmer until the meat is very tender, 3 to 4 hours. The finished sauce should be a deep, rich red color. (The sauce is ready to combine with the fettuccine now, or you can cool and store it in the refrigerator up to 4 days.)
- 3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the fettuccine and stir to submerge and separate it. Cook according to the package directions until al dente.
- 4. Drain the fettuccine, shaking well to remove any excess water, and transfer to a large serving bowl. Add the sauce and toss together until the pasta is evenly coated. Serve at once with the braised meat as desired.
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients. This means using fresh vegetables, herbs, and meat. It also means using a good quality olive oil.
- Brown the meat well. This will help to develop flavor and prevent the meat from becoming tough.
- Simmer the sauce for a long time. This will help to develop the flavors and thicken the sauce.
- Add a little bit of red wine to the sauce. This will help to add depth of flavor.
- Serve the sauce with pasta, polenta, or rice.
Conclusion:
Ragu alla Napoletana is a delicious and versatile sauce that can be used to flavor a variety of dishes. It is a classic Italian dish that is sure to please everyone at the table. With a little bit of planning and effort, you can easily make this dish at home. So next time you are looking for a hearty and flavorful meal, give Ragu alla Napoletana a try!
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