Dutch Oven Ragu Recipes

HOMEMADE RAGU SAUCE

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, cook the beef, pork, bacon, onions, celery and carrots over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add garlic; cook 2 minutes longer. Add wine; cook until liquid is reduced by half, 4-5 minutes., Stir in the tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, bay leaves, sugar and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until thickened, stirring occasionally, 1-1/2 to 2 hours. , Discard bay leaves. Add the cream, butter and parsley; cook 2 minutes longer. Stir in cheese. Serve with pasta.

WEEKEND BRAISED BEEF RAGU WITH PAPPARDELLE

Steps:

• Season the chuck roast pieces with salt and pepper all over. Heat the oil in a large, dutch oven over medium high heat. Add the beef into the pot and allow it to sear on each side for roughly 5-7 minutes or until browned, remove the beef to a plate. Add another drizzle of oil if the pan needs it. Saute the onions for 4-5 minutes or until translucent, stirring as needed so that they don't burn. Add the garlic and let cook for another 1-2 minutes. Add the tomato paste and allow it to cook, stirring frequently for 1 minute.
• STOVE TOP: Deglaze the pan with beef broth. Scraping with a wooden spoon to loosen anything that might be stuck on. Add the balsamic vinegar, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, parmesan rind, bay leaves, fresh thyme, basil, sugar, and red pepper flakes. Allow the sauce to gain a simmer, stir once. Cover and lower the heat to the lowest setting and let cook for 2 ½ - 5 hours or until the meat easily shreds with two forks. You may need to add a splash of water or broth if too much evaporates or if your beef is taking longer to cook. Mine took about 3 hours to get the meat to just fall apart. I shredded the beef and then let it simmer for another 10-15 minutes in the sauce. Season with salt to taste. Feel free to skim any excess fat off the top and remove the parmesan rind, bay leaves, and basil leaves before serving. Serve over pappardelle with a sprinkle of parsley and freshly grated parmesan.
• SLOW COOKER: Transfer the meat, sauteed onions, garlic, and tomato mixture to a slow cooker. Add all the remaining ingredients to the slow cooker (except those for serving.) Cover and let cook on the low setting for 6-8 hours. Check for doneness around 6 hours, using two forks to shred the meat. You'll know it's done when it falls apart easily. Season with salt to taste. Feel free to skim any excess fat off the top and remove the parmesan rind, bay leaves, and basil leaves before serving. Serve over pappardelle with a sprinkle of parsley and freshly grated parmesan.

PORK RAGU

Steps:

• Heat a Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the extra-virgin olive oil, 3 turns of the pan, then add the carrots, celery, onions and garlic. Stir in the bay leaf and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook the vegetables until soft, about 5 to 6 minutes. Add the tomato paste and stir for 1 minute, then add the wine and cook for another minute. Stir in the stock and bring sauce to a simmer. Add the pork and season with a pinch of ground cloves. When the sauce returns to a simmer add the milk and reduce the heat to low. Let the sauce mellow while you bring the water to boil for the pasta or polenta. Sauce may be made ahead and reheated over medium-low heat. Add a splash of stock or water to thin the sauce, if necessary. Serve the sauce tossed with pasta ribbons or atop creamy bowls of polenta and garnish with lots of cheese and parsley.

BRAISED PORK RAGU

Steps:

• Season pork with the rosemary, thyme, pepper, and salt. Heat oil in a large large Dutch over over medium-high heat. Sear pork in the hot oil until well browned on all sides, about 10 minutes.
• Stir onion and carrot into pot; cook until onion is soft, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Pour in the wine; stir, scraping the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits from the bottom. Stir in the tomatoes and stock. Bring to a simmer; cook until meat is very tender and the sauce has thickened, about 30 minutes.

SHORT RIB RAGù RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Pat the short ribs with paper towels to remove any excess moisture, then season generously with 2 teaspoons kosher salt and 2 teaspoons pepper.
• Add the olive oil to a Dutch oven or large, heavy-bottomed pot and heat over high heat until shimmering. Add half the short ribs and sear on each side until deep brown, about 7 minutes total. Remove from the pan and set aside. Repeat with the remaining short ribs.
• Discard all but 1 tablespoon of rendered fat from the pot. Add the onion, carrot, garlic, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Sauté over medium heat until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
• Add the tomato paste and sauté for a few more minutes, until darkened and thickened.
• Pour in the wine and use a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits, or fond, from the bottom and sides of the pan. Reduce the liquid by half, about 15 minutes.
• Add the crushed tomatoes, beef stock, mustard, bay leaves, and thyme to the pot. Stir to combine.
• Add the short ribs, making sure the meat is submerged. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover. Simmer for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Add up to 1 cup (240 ml) of water as needed if the sauce gets too thick. Skim excess fat off the top as needed. The short ribs are done when the meat pulls apart easily.
• Discard any bones that the meat has fallen off of, as well as the bay leaves and thyme stems. Transfer the short ribs to a cutting board. Pull out any remaining bones and discard. Using two forks, shred the meat, then return to the pot.
• Add salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 15 minutes over low heat.
• Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Plate the pasta in shallow bowls and ladle a scoop of ragù on top. Garnish with finely chopped parsley and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
• Enjoy!

SPICY SAUSAGE RAGU

Steps:

• Cook sausage in a Dutch oven over medium heat until browned, about 15 minutes.
• Stir in parsley and cook for about 2 minutes.
• Stir in white wine and cook until the wine has nearly evaporated, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Stir in heavy cream, increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Stir in marinara sauce and water and return to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer sauce for 1 hour.
• Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a boil. Stir in penne, and return to a boil. Cook pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until cooked through, but still firm to the bite, about 11 minutes; drain.
• Combine pasta and sauce; remove from heat, cover and let sit for about 2 minutes.
• Serve pasta and sauce topped with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.

JAMIE OLIVER'S PAPPARDELLE WITH BEEF RAGU

Steps:

• Season beef with salt and pepper to taste. Place an uncovered pressure cooker or oven-proof Dutch oven over medium-high heat, and add olive oil. When oil is hot, add beef. Stir until beef is well browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Add rosemary and sage sprigs, onion, garlic, carrot and celery. Reduce heat to medium-low and sauté until vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
• Add Chianti and continue to simmer until liquid has reduced by half, about 15 minutes. Add tomatoes and their juices, and if using pressure cooker, 1/2 cup water. Secure lid and pressure gauge of pressure cooker, and follow manufacturer's instructions to bring contents of pot to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 45 minutes. If using Dutch oven, simmer, covered, in a 275-degree oven, or on the stove over low heat, for 3 to 3 1/2 hours.
• Place a large pot of lightly salted water over high heat to bring to a boil. Remove pressure cooker from heat, or Dutch oven from oven. After pressure has dropped in pressure cooker, follow manufacturer's instructions to remove lid. Using two forks, finely shred meat and vegetables. Discard herb stems. Loosely cover pan and return it to low heat to keep warm.
• Add pappardelle to boiling water. As it cooks, scoop out 1/2 cup water and reserve. Cook pasta to taste, then drain well. Return pasta to pot, and add butter and 1/4 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano; mix gently until butter has melted. Add a little reserved cooking water to loosen.
• To serve, lift pasta into each of six shallow bowls. Spoon beef ragù over top. Sprinkle each bowl with a pinch of orange zest and rosemary, and a spoonful of cheese.

HEARTY VEGETABLE BEEF RAGU

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, cook beef, onion and garlic over medium heat until beef is no longer pink, breaking up beef into crumbles, 6-8 minutes; drain., Stir in tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, kale, peas, garlic powder and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until kale is tender, 8-10 minutes. Stir pasta into sauce. If desired, serve with cheese.

DUCK RAGU

Steps:

• Finely chopped fresh parsley, for servingHeat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet or Dutch oven.
• Sprinkle the duck legs with salt and pepper. Sear in the hot pan until golden brown and crisp, 10 minutes. Remove to a plate.
• Add the carrots, celery and onions, and saute until soft, 3 minutes. Add the thyme and garlic, and saute until fragrant, 1 minute.
• Add the red wine. Use the back of a wooden spoon to scrape up the browned bits from the duck; this will add to the flavor of the finished sauce. Cook for 2 minutes, then stir in the tomatoes, some salt and pepper and bring to a gentle simmer. Add the seared duck back to the pan and cover. Simmer gently until the duck is extremely tender and falling off the bone, 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• Remove to a casserole dish to cool. Remove the skin and bones and discard. Chop the meat finely and add it back into the tomato sauce, adding a half a cup of water if it looks dry, and simmer, covered for 40 minutes.
• Serve over Homemade Pappardelle. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil serve with freshly grated Parmesan and parsley.
• Add the flour and salt to the center of a large wooden board. Use your hands and make a well in the center of the mound. Whisk together the eggs and olive oil in a bowl and pour into the well. Use a fork to whisk the eggs into the flour, incorporating slowly into the rim of the flour until it is completely incorporated.
• Once incorporated, knead the pasta for about 8 minutes, adding just a bit more flour if the board is sticky. If the dough feels too dry, add a drop of water as you go. The dough should feel elastic, smooth and a bit sticky. Shape the pasta dough into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap. Let rest for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour at room temperature to let the gluten relax so rolling will be easier.
• Set your pasta machine to the widest setting. Divide the dough into 4 pieces. Roll each piece out from the widest setting to the thinnest. Hand cut the pasta into pappardelle.
• Gather the strands together in your hands and shake loosely so they don't stick together. Toss with some semolina flour. Divide into portions on a sheet tray.
• Bring a pot of salted water to boil. Boil the pasta until al dente and drain, about 3 minutes. Yield: About 1 pound.

ULTIMATE BEEF RAGU

Steps:

• Heat a heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium-high and fry the bacon until done.Add the butter and olive oil. Add the onion, garlic, celery, carrot and cook until tender but not browned, about 10 minutes. Add the ground beef and sausage and cook, breaking up the lumps, until no longer pink, about 10 minutes. (If you like you can drain some of the grease.)Add the wine, bring to a boil, and simmer for 2 minutes. Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, heavy cream and remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and cook uncovered for 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add salt and pepper to taste.Serve with hot al dente pasta of your choice along with a sprinkle with Parmesan-Reggiano cheese.Note: This sauce is even better the next day after the flavors have had more time to meld!

RAGU BOLOGNESE (AUTHENTIC)

Steps:

• Prepping makes the whole experience more enjoyable.
• Finely chop pancetta.
• Finely dice carrots, onions and celery.
• Wash livers carefully, then flatten livers and chop.
• Warm milk and chicken stock.
• Peel Garlic.
• In a Dutch oven over medium heat add 2 tbsp oil with 2 tbsp butter. Add the onions and sauté until the onions are soft, 8 - 10 minute. Do not brown.
• Add the remaining butter and olive oil.
• Add carrots and celery, increase heat to med-high, sauté until they start to brown.
• Add pancetta, prosciutto, mortadella or your choice of any combo of meats and sauté one to two minutes.
• Remove mixture from pan to a bowl and reserve.
• Add chicken liver and stir frequently 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add ground beef or meat blend and brown (do not stew meat, if you need to, do so in stages)
• Return vegetable mix to Dutch oven.
• Add tomato paste to meat and vegetable mix and brown paste for about 10-15 minute important step, develops deep flavor.
• Add wine to deglaze, allow it to evaporate 4 - 7 minutes.
• Add 1 cup warm milk and pinch nutmeg, allow it to come to a boil, carefully reduce milk for 3 - 5 minutes.
• Add passata or whole tomatoes crushed my hand or potato masher.
• Add chicken stock and whole garlic cloves stir. Cover and continue to cook for 3 to 4 hours over very low heat or place into oven at 275 for 3 to 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
• Several minutes before serving mash garlic cloves against wall of Dutch oven and add remaining milk continue to cook 10 minutes.

VENISON RAGU

Steps:

• Venison Ragu.
• In deep fry pan or dutch oven: Brown venison in olive oil. Do not crowd pan; do in batches if necessary. Remove to plate, with any juices. Do not wash pan. Add coating of olive oil to pan on medium heat. Add carrot, onion, leeks, fennel, fennel seed, and garlic. Saute until vegetables are nearly soft. Add wine and reduce slightly.
• Return meat and juices to pan. Add stock, pepper to taste, and rosemary. Reduce heat to simmer. Simmer, covered partially, for 45 minutes. Adjust seasonings. Before serving, add parsley and parmesan.
• Serve with noodles, polenta, or gnocchi.