Classic Ragù vs Rustic Ragù: Two Comforting Sauces, One Delicious Choice
Whether you’re in the mood for the traditional richness of a classic ragù or the rustic simplicity of a rustic ragù, both sauces will make your pasta unforgettable. Let’s dive into the key differences between these two, and I’ll show you how to make each one from scratch.
The classic ragù is all about depth of flavor, with ingredients that simmer together for hours. It’s a rich sauce that pairs beautifully with wide pasta like tagliatelle or pappardelle. For a traditional ragù classico serving 4-6 people, you’ll need:
500g ground beef
200g ground pork
1 onion, finely chopped
2 carrots, finely chopped
2 celery sticks, finely chopped
700g tomato passata
1 glass of red wine
1 cup of beef broth
Salt and pepper to taste
Olive oil
To start, heat some olive oil in a large pan and sauté the onion, carrots, and celery until softened. Add the ground beef and pork, cooking until browned. Pour in the red wine and let it simmer until reduced by half.
Then, stir in the tomato passata, beef broth, salt, and pepper. Let everything simmer on low heat for at least two hours, stirring occasionally. The result? A thick, deep-flavored sauce that coats the pasta perfectly.
Now, if you’re after something a little less fussy, ragù rustico might be your style. It’s a chunkier, heartier version of ragù with more texture and fewer steps. For this rustic recipe, you’ll need:
500g beef chunks (or a mix of beef and pork)
1 onion, roughly chopped
2 carrots, chopped into chunks
1 celery stick, sliced
600g diced tomatoes
1 glass of red wine
1 cup of water
Salt, pepper, and a pinch of chili flakes
Sauté the onion, carrots, and celery in olive oil, then add the beef chunks. Cook until browned, then pour in the red wine and let it reduce. Add the tomatoes, water, and seasonings, then simmer for about an hour and a half. This version doesn’t require as much stirring, but it delivers bold, rustic flavors with a chunkier texture.
So, which ragù will you try first? Classic or rustic? Let us know in the comments!
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