Quick White Bean RagÚ Recipes

WHITE BEAN RAGOUT

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Cook the onions, stirring frequently, until soft and translucent, about 8 minutes. Do not brown. Add the garlic and cook one minute more.
• Add the tomatoes, beans, chicken broth, tomato paste and balsamic vinegar. Season with salt and pepper to taste. (I use about 1 teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper, but it depends on what type of beans you use; canned will have some salt already.) Bring to a simmer and cook until tomatoes are slightly softened but still hold their shape, 3-5 minutes. Taste for seasoning. Note that the sauce may have a strong vinegar flavor at first, but it will mellow out. Right before serving, stir in the fresh basil and mint. Transfer to serving dish, garnish with more fresh herbs if desired, and serve hot.
• Freezer-Friendly Instructions: This dish can be frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

QUICK WHITE BEAN AND CELERY RAGOUT

Steps:

• Combine the stock, oil, celery, zucchini and scallions in a large, deep skillet; season generously with salt and pepper. Cook over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender, adding the beans halfway through, about 10 minutes total. If you'd like to make it brothier, add 1/3 cup vegetable stock and warm for 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper.
• Divide among shallow bowls. Top with a dollop of crème fraîche, drizzle with pesto and top with celery leaves. Serve with couscous or grilled bread.

BEAN RAGU WITH LINGUINI

Steps:

• Heat the oil in saucepot over medium-high heat, then add the bacon and render 2 minutes. Add the carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaf and onions. Partially cover and cook to soften the vegetables, 10 minutes. Add the beans, tomatoes, parsley and consomme, and simmer over low heat to combine the flavors and thicken a bit, 15 to 20 minutes. Season the sauce with salt and pepper.
• Cool and store for a make-ahead meal. Reheat over medium-low heat, adding stock or water to thin the sauce out if too thick.
• To serve, heat a pot of water to a boil. Salt the water and cook the pasta to al dente. Reserve a cup of the starchy cooking water just before draining pasta and add to the sauce. Drain the pasta and combine with bean ragu. Serve in shallow bowls with a drizzle of olive oil and top with grated cheese.
• Bring a few inches of water to a boil. Cut an "X" into the bottom of the tomatoes with a sharp pairing knife. Once the water comes to a boil, simmer the tomatoes for 1 minute. Place the tomatoes in an ice bath to cool and peel the skins away using the pairing knife.

QUICK RAGù WITH RICOTTA AND LEMON

Steps:

• In a large Dutch oven or pot, heat 1/4 cup oil over medium. Add the onion and garlic, season with salt and cook until just beginning to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with the edge of a spoon, until nicely browned but not completely cooked through, about 6 minutes. Stir in the sambal oelek. Add the wine and stir to release any brown bits from the bottom of the pot.
• Add the tomatoes and their juices, crushing completely between your hands or with a potato masher. Cook over medium-low, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to break down and the beef is cooked through, about 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper halfway through cooking.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Boil the broken lasagna noodles according to package directions until al dente.
• In a small skillet, toast the fennel seeds over medium until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove and crush on a cutting board with the flat end of a large knife or the bottom of a skillet.
• Drain the pasta, add to the ragù and toss to coat. Divide among four bowls and dollop each generously with ricotta. Sprinkle with lemon zest, cracked fennel, flaky sea salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil as desired. Serve warm.