Onion ragu with penne is a classic Italian dish that combines the hearty flavor of slow-cooked onions with the comfort of pasta. The key to a great onion ragu is to use sweet onions and cook them slowly and patiently until they are caramelized and meltingly tender. This creates a rich, flavorful sauce that's perfect for tossing with cooked penne pasta. Onion ragu can be made ahead of time and reheated, making it a great meal-prep option. It's also versatile enough to be paired with a variety of toppings, such as grated Parmesan cheese, crumbled sausage, or sautéed mushrooms.
Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!
PENNE WITH MEATY RAGU
Steps:
- Put the garlic, celery, carrot, onion and oregano leaves in a food processor and pulse to chop into small pieces.
- Heat the olive oil in a medium Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium heat. Add the chopped vegetables and cook, stirring once or twice, until they start to soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in the pork, beef, tomato paste, and some salt, pepper and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring often, until the meat is browned, about10 minutes.
- Add the diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes and basil sprigs. Bring the sauce to a simmer, reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
- Just before the sauce is done, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat and cook the penne until al dente, according to package directions. Drain and return to the pasta pot. Spoon about 1 cup of sauce into the penne and stir to coat. Serve the penne topped with more sauce, some torn basil and a sprinkle of Parmesan.
PENNE WITH TURKEY RAGU
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Time 35m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the leeks, garlic and turkey and cook, stirring, until the turkey browns slightly, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, 2 cups water and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Increase the heat to high, bring the sauce to a boil and cook 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium, add half of the basil and the parmesan rind and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 10 minutes.
- Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook as the label directs. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water, then drain the pasta. Stir the half-and-half, the remaining basil and 2 tablespoons cheese into the sauce. Add the pasta and toss to coat, adding some of the reserved pasta water to loosen, if needed. Remove the parmesan rind and season with salt and pepper.
- Divide the pasta among bowls. Top with the remaining 1 tablespoon cheese and more basil.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 493, Fat 8 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Cholesterol 27 milligrams, Sodium 392 milligrams, Carbohydrate 79 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Protein 26 grams
ONION RAGU WITH PENNE
Provided by Eric Asimov
Categories dinner, weekday, pastas, main course
Time 2h15m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a large heavy-bottomed pot over low heat, warm olive oil and add garlic. Slowly saute garlic just until light golden brown. Add onions, scallions and leeks, and mix well. Cover and simmer until onions are very soft and beginning to caramelize, about 1 1/2 hours.
- Add cherry peppers and pickling liquid, and mix well. Cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne, and cook until very al dente, 6 to 7 minutes. Reserve a cup or two of pasta water, then drain pasta well.
- Season ragu with salt and pepper to taste, and mix in the parsley. Add pasta to ragu. Simmer pasta in ragu for 2 minutes, adding some pasta water if it is too dry.
- To serve, arrange pasta mixture on a large heated platter. Sprinkle with Parmigiano-Reggiano to taste, and serve.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 648, UnsaturatedFat 24 grams, Carbohydrate 81 grams, Fat 30 grams, Fiber 8 grams, Protein 15 grams, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Sodium 917 milligrams, Sugar 13 grams
PENNE IN COUNTRY RAGù
Steps:
- Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage, garlic, and crushed red pepper; sauté until brown, breaking up with fork, about 6 minutes. Add carrots, onion, and celery; sauté until beginning to brown, about 10 minutes. Mix in tomatoes. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add 1 cup broth and wine; simmer uncovered until liquid is slightly reduced, about 15 minutes. Add basil; cover and simmer until vegetables are very tender, adding more broth by 1/4 cupfuls if liquid evaporates too quickly and stirring occasionally, about 40 minutes. Simmer uncovered until ragù thickens to desired consistency, stirring often, about 10 minutes longer. Season lightly with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Refrigerate uncovered until cold, then cover and keep refrigerated. Rewarm over medium heat before using.)
- Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Return pasta to pot. Mix in ragù, 1/2 cup cheese, and 2 tablespoons oil. Add cooking liquid by 1/4 cupfuls to moisten, if desired. Season with salt and pepper.
- Divide pasta among plates. Serve, passing 1/2 cup cheese separately.
RAGU RAVING OVER PENNE
This thick and hearty Bolognese will have your family and guests raving how great a cook you are. Comfort food that will warm your bones. Good to make for Halloween. take the children trick or treating check in, empty the candy bags, give a stir and go back out for more knowing the treat you'll be back home for..... When chilled arrive home for a hot yummy dinner that everyone will LOVE! Makes a lot of sauce so great to freeze leftovers for a later day.
Provided by Rita1652
Categories Sauces
Time 5h20m
Yield 10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- Cooked bacon till crisp, draining and discard grease. Crumble and place in crock-pot with remaining ingredients except for salt, pepper, pasta, cheese, butter and basil.
- Mix everything together so ingredients are all incorporated.
- Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Stir when you can.
- Before serving adjust seasoning with salt and pepper and add additional Italian seasonings to your taste to refresh the herbiness. ;) Add butter and fresh basil and mix in for extra richness and freshness.
- Plate pasta and pour sauce over it then top with cheese and pepper flakes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 294.8, Fat 7.2, SaturatedFat 2.3, Cholesterol 36.6, Sodium 596.4, Carbohydrate 45.4, Fiber 6.5, Sugar 4.9, Protein 14.5
PENNE WITH SPICY SAUSAGE RAGU
Make and share this Penne With Spicy Sausage Ragu recipe from Food.com.
Provided by ratherbeswimmin
Categories Penne
Time 1h
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Heat oil in a skillet; cook onion and garlic over med-high heat, stirring often, until soft and pale gold, 5 minutes.
- Add in sausage; cook/stir to break up, until browned, 10 minutes.
- Add in red pepper flakes, fennel, oregano, tomato paste, and chopped tomatoes.
- Simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 20 minutes.
- Add in cream; cook, stirring until heated through.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta in a big pot of boiling salted water, until al dente; drain.
- Add pasta to hot sauce; toss well to coat; serve immediately with Parmesan on top.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 866.2, Fat 43, SaturatedFat 16.3, Cholesterol 86.7, Sodium 741.4, Carbohydrate 102.3, Fiber 14.7, Sugar 4.9, Protein 21.7
Tips and Conclusion
Tips:
- Use Sweet Onions: Sweet onions caramelize beautifully, adding a rich and complex flavor to the sauce.
- Cook Low and Slow: Simmer the sauce for at least 1 hour, or up to 2 hours, to allow the flavors to meld and deepen.
- Add Red Wine: A splash of red wine adds acidity and depth of flavor to the sauce.
- Use Good Quality Cheese: Use a hard cheese like Parmesan or Pecorino Romano for the best flavor.
- Serve Immediately: Ragu is best served immediately, while the sauce is hot and bubbly.
Conclusion:
This hearty and flavorful onion ragu with penne is a great choice for a weeknight dinner. It's easy to make, and the results are delicious. The combination of sweet onions, rich tomato sauce, and tender penne pasta is sure to please everyone at the table. Serve with a side of crusty bread or a green salad for a complete meal.
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