Pork
Sausage and fennel ragu with homemade pasta
An Italian family favourite, this ragu recipe makes a delicious slow-cooked meat sauce, best served with homemade pasta. This take on a Tuscan classic, uses a traditional mix of pork and beef, plus the addition of fennel which brings added freshness to the dish. And, once you’ve mastered how to make pasta at home, you’ll never look back.
Made with plenty of garlic, olive oil, fresh and tinned tomatoes and fresh basil leaves, this comforting, flavoursome dish can form part of a healthy Mediterranean diet.
Olive oil is a staple in Mediterranean cooking and for good reason. Heart-friendly monounsaturated fat primarily makes up olive oil (approximately 73%). It contains less of the pro-inflammatory omega-6 fats found in most other vegetable oils. Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is the healthiest and highest-quality olive oil available. This is because the oil is extracted without the use of high heat or chemical solvents, which can tarnish its precious glow-giving nutrients.
If you’re after a quality extra virgin olive oil, we recommend the oils by The Governor. Rich in polyphenols, these oils are a staple in Liz’s kitchen. Use LIZLOVES to save 10% off your order.
While we share how to make your own pasta here, it’s not necessary for our ragu recipe if you’re short on time. Shop-bought works just as well. Enjoy with good company and a glass of red!
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Wellbeing Wisdom
- The Mediterranean diet has been linked to reduced risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
- Olive oil is rich in omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, and is loaded with antioxidants, which can act as an anti-inflammatory.
- Fennel is renowned for its ability to soothe indigestion. It is also a good source of calcium, helping to keep our bones strong.
Ingredients
For the ragu
- 1 large onion
- 1 carrot
- 1 stalk of celery
- 3 garlic cloves
- 6 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp dried fennel
- 300g good-quality sausage meat
- 100g good-quality beef mince
- 400ml red wine
- Handful of cherry tomatoes
- 2 sprigs of rosemary, leaves only
- 400g tin of chopped tomatoes
- Sea salt and black pepper
For the pasta
- 200g '00' fine Italian flour
- 2 eggs
To serve
- Parmesan
- Fresh basil leaves
Method
- For the ragu, finely dice the onion, carrot, celery and garlic. Add into a deep-set pan with the olive oil. Slowly sauté the vegetables uncovered for 20 minutes on a low heat, adding in the fennel seeds for the final few minutes so they don’t burn.
- Add the meat, breaking it up with your hands as it goes in, and let it brown for a few minutes. Pour in the red wine so it covers the mixture, turn up the heat and let it cook off for five minutes.
- Add in the cherry tomatoes and season. Turn down the heat and cover with a lid for 40 minutes. Add the rosemary leaves (finely chopped) and the tinned tomatoes, then cook for a further 20 minutes. Finish off by turning the heat up to medium-high and allowing the sauce to cook down for the final ten minutes.
- As the ragu is cooking, make the pasta. Make a pile of flour on your work surface or in a bowl and create a well in the centre. Add the eggs into the middle. Mix together gently with a fork, gradually bringing more flour into the centre as you go. Once it’s mixed, work it with your hands on a lightly floured surface until you have a smooth dough. This will take a good five minutes. Roll the dough thinly with a rolling pin (approx 2-3mm), then cut it lengthways with a knife into 2-3cm ribbons. You can also use a pasta machine if you have one. Set to one side.
- When the ragu is almost ready, add the pappardelle into a pan of salted boiling water for 7-10 minutes until the pasta is soft. Drain and serve with the ragu on top, a sprinkle of finely grated Parmesan and a scattering of basil leaves.
