Ragu Napoletano (Neapolitan Meat Sauce)
Overview
Ragu Napoletano is a hearty, flavorful meat sauce originating from Naples, Italy. This Mario Batali-inspired recipe is perfect for accompanying dishes like ‘Timpano di Maccheroni’. It’s enriched with ground chuck and crumbled Italian sausage, adding a robust texture and depth to the sauce.
- Preparation Time: 30 minutes
- Cooking Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Recipe Yield: Makes about 3 quarts
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 pound boneless beef chuck, cut into chunks
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus extra to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 3/4 pound plum tomatoes, chopped
- 2 Italian sweet sausages, crumbled
- 1/2 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
Instructions
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Sear the Meat: In a large pasta pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until smoking. Season the beef chuck with salt and pepper, then sear in batches until dark golden brown. Remove to a plate and repeat with the remaining meat. If using ground chuck, drain any excess grease from the pan after browning.
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Cook the Onions: Add the chopped onion to the pan and sauté until golden brown and very soft, about 10 minutes, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon.
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Combine and Simmer: Pour in the dry red wine, then return the browned meat to the pan along with the chopped tomatoes, crumbled sausages, and hot red pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 2 ½ to 3 hours. Stir occasionally and skim off any excess fat that rises to the surface.
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Finish and Serve: Remove the pan from the heat. Take out the meat and sausages from the sauce, setting them aside for another use. Adjust the seasoning of the sauce with additional salt and pepper to taste. Allow the sauce to cool slightly before serving or storing.
This Ragu Napoletano is a versatile sauce that pairs beautifully with pasta dishes like Timpano di Maccheroni or can be used as a rich topping for polenta or gnocchi. Its deep flavors develop over hours of slow cooking, making it a perfect weekend cooking project that yields multiple delicious meals. Enjoy the authentic taste of Naples with this hearty and satisfying Neapolitan meat sauce!
