Tantalize your taste buds with a culinary journey to the heart of Italy with our exquisite Spicy Ragu alla Bolognese. This classic Italian dish, originating from the culinary capital of Bologna, is a symphony of rich flavors and bold aromas that will leave you craving for more. Indulge in our curated collection of recipes that showcase the versatility of this beloved ragu, from the traditional meat-based version to lighter variations featuring vegetables and lentils. Embark on a culinary adventure as we explore the depths of this iconic dish, promising an explosion of taste in every bite.
Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!
RAGU ALLA BOLOGNESE
Steps:
- In a large, deep saute pan, heat olive oil over high heat and add carrots, celery, onions, and pancetta and cook, stirring, until vegetables are lightly browned, about 6 minutes. Add the beef and cook another 2 minutes. Add pork and cook until meat is lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
- Whisk together the tomato paste and 1 cup of the broth, and add it to meat. Place pan over low heat so that sauce just barely simmers. When broth has evaporated, add another cup. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally and adding a cup of broth when stew becomes dry, until all the broth has been added, about 3 hours.
- Add milk and butter, and continue to simmer very gently until milk has reduced and sauce is very thick, about 2 minutes. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper, and serve over tagliatelle or pappardelle with Parmigiano-Reggiano.
- Put all the ingredients in a pot and cover with water. Cook on low; it should boil after about 1 hour. Lower the heat to a low boil. Cook 3 more hours after it has started to boil. Pour the broth through a sieve and refrigerate. The next morning, take off all the fat. You should be left with about 2 quarts of broth. The meat can be served as a bollito with salsa verde.
SPICY LAMB BOLOGNESE
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Categories main-dish
Time 3h
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 28
Steps:
- Heat a medium Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the butter and oil and warm until the butter is melted. Add the carrots, celery, onions and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are soft but have no color, about 6 minutes. Add the beef and lamb and cook, breaking apart the meat with a wooden spoon, until the meat is cooked through and no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Stir the tomato paste, chili paste, red pepper flakes and garlic into the meat mixture. Cook the tomato paste, stirring often, about 2 minutes. Add the milk. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the milk is almost entirely evaporated, about 20 minutes.
- Add the wine, bay leaf, Parmesan rind, tomatoes and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer and reduce the heat to low to just maintain a gentle simmer. Simmer the sauce, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Skim the oil from the surface.
- Spoon the sauce over the Creamy Polenta with Spinach, reserving any extra to serve on the side. Serve with the Parmesan sprinkled over the top and a drizzle of olive oil.
- In a Dutch oven, bring the chicken broth, oil, garlic and 1 1/2 cups water to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium low and whisk in the polenta. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, about 10 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan, mascarpone, pecorino and butter. Cook, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Fold in the spinach and cook until wilted, about 5 minutes longer. Add 1/4 cup water if the mixture gets too thick.
- Pour the polenta onto a large board or platter. Serve with grated Parmesan over the top.
CLASSIC RAGU BOLOGNESE
Combine ground beef, ground veal, and pancetta with red wine, milk, and aromatics for this traditional Italian meat sauce.
Provided by David Downie
Categories Beef Pasta High Fiber Father's Day New Year's Day Dinner Lunch Meat Winter Poker/Game Night Potluck Noodle Bon Appétit Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free
Yield makes 4-6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Heat oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add onions, celery, and carrots. Saute until soft, 8-10 minutes. Add beef, veal, and pancetta; saute, breaking up with the back of a spoon, until browned, about 15 minutes. Add wine; boil 1 minute, stirring often and scraping up browned bits. Add 2 1/2 cups stock and tomato paste; stir to blend. Reduce heat to very low and gently simmer, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld, 1 1/2 hours. Season with salt and pepper.
- Bring milk to a simmer in a small saucepan; gradually add to sauce. Cover sauce with lid slightly ajar and simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, until milk is absorbed, about 45 minutes, adding more stock by 1/4-cupfuls to thin if needed. DO AHEAD: Ragu can be made 2 days ahead. Chill uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled. Rewarm before continuing.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season with salt; add pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until 1 minute before al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water. Transfer ragu to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pasta and toss to coat. Stir in some of the reserved pasta water by tablespoonfuls if sauce seems dry. Divide pasta among warm plates. Serve with Parmesan.
Tips:
- For the best flavor, use high-quality ingredients. This means using fresh, ripe tomatoes, flavorful beef, and a good quality Parmesan cheese.
- Be patient and let the sauce simmer for at least 2 hours. This will allow the flavors to develop and deepen.
- If you don't have time to simmer the sauce for 2 hours, you can use a slow cooker. Just add all of the ingredients to the slow cooker and cook on low for 8-10 hours.
- Serve the ragu with your favorite pasta. Some good options include tagliatelle, pappardelle, and spaghetti.
- Top the ragu with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.
Conclusion:
Spicy ragu alla bolognese is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed with a variety of pasta dishes. It's also a great way to use up leftover beef. With a little bit of planning, you can easily make this dish at home. So next time you're looking for a hearty and flavorful meal, give spicy ragu alla bolognese a try. You won't be disappointed!
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