Looking for a rich and flavorful sauce to elevate your pasta dishes? This super easy veal ragu is an old classic that never disappoints. With a combination of veal, pancetta, and a medley of vegetables, this ragu offers a complex depth of flavor through various cooking techniques such as sweating, sautéing, and braising. Perfect for any pasta, this ragu will become a family favorite.

Quick Facts

• Preparation time: 20 minutes
• Cook time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Total time: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Servings: Makes enough for 6 servings
• Difficulty: Medium
• Dietary notes: Gluten-free, Dairy-free

This veal ragu is a hearty and versatile sauce that pairs perfectly with any pasta. The combination of veal, pancetta, and vegetables creates a rich, savory flavor that is enhanced by the slow-cooking process. Whether you’re a professional chef or a home cook, this recipe allows for easy adaptation and experimentation with different ingredients and techniques.

Instructions for the Super Easy Veal Ragu:

1. Prepare the Ingredients

• Chop and Mince: Begin by chopping the onion, crushing the garlic, and dicing the carrots. Mince the pancetta very finely and slice the mushrooms. Preparing all your ingredients beforehand ensures a smooth cooking process.

2. Cook the Pancetta

• Fry Pancetta: In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat a little olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced pancetta and fry gently until it starts to release its fat. This should take about 5-7 minutes. The rendered fat will add a rich, smoky flavor to the ragu.

3. Add Vegetables and Aromatics

• Cook Onion: Add the chopped onion to the pot with the pancetta. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes golden brown, about 15 minutes. This slow cooking process helps to caramelize the onions, enhancing their sweetness and flavor.
• Add Garlic: Add the crushed garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can become bitter.

4. Deglaze and Add Meat

• Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the cooking wine and let it evaporate for about 5 minutes. This deglazing process lifts the browned bits from the bottom of the pot, adding depth to the flavor of the sauce.
• Add Veal and Carrots: Add the ground veal and diced carrots. Season with 1 teaspoon of salt and pepper. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon and cook until it loses its raw color, about 7 minutes. The carrots add a subtle sweetness that balances the savory flavors.

5. Incorporate Tomatoes and Herbs

• Add Tomatoes: Stir in the whole tomatoes one at a time, crushing them by hand as you go. Include the juice from the cans. This ensures the sauce has a rich tomato base.
• Add Herbs and Spices: Add the fresh thyme leaves, cumin, and paprika. Stir well to combine. The cumin and paprika add a warm, earthy flavor to the ragu.

6. Simmer the Sauce

• Simmer: Season with another teaspoon of salt and pepper to taste. Cover the pot and simmer the sauce over low heat for at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally. This slow simmering allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.

7. Add Mushrooms and Finish

• Add Mushrooms: After 1 hour of simmering, add the sliced mushrooms and cook for an additional 10 minutes. The mushrooms add a meaty texture and rich umami flavor.
• Adjust Seasoning: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

8. Serve

• Serve with Pasta: Just before serving, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese if using. Serve the ragu over your favorite pasta, such as spaghetti or macaroni. The cheese adds a creamy, salty finish that complements the ragu perfectly.

Super Easy Veal Ragu: A Delicious and Classic Recipe

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Author: Gaila – The Petit Gourmet©

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Looking for a rich and flavorful sauce to elevate your pasta dishes? This super easy veal ragu is an old classic that never disappoints.

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Ingredients

• 1 onion chopped
• 2 cloves garlic crushed
• 1 pound lean ground veal
• 2 cups mushrooms sliced
• 1 cup cooking wine
• 1 cup non-smoked pancetta minced very finely
• 2 cans whole tomatoes with juice included
• 2 carrots diced
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese optional for serving
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Prepare the Ingredients

• Chop and Mince: Chop the onion, crush the garlic, and dice the carrots. Mince the pancetta very finely and slice the mushrooms.

Cook the Pancetta

• Fry Pancetta: In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, fry the pancetta gently in a little olive oil over medium heat until it starts to release its fat.

Add Vegetables and Aromatics

• Cook Onion: Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
• Add Garlic: Add the crushed garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Deglaze and Add Meat

• Deglaze with Wine: Add the cooking wine and let it evaporate for 5 minutes.
• Add Veal and Carrots: Add the ground veal and diced carrots. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and pepper. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon and cook until it loses its raw color, about 7 minutes.

Incorporate Tomatoes and Herbs

• Add Tomatoes: Stir in the whole tomatoes one at a time, crushing them by hand as you go. Include the juice from the cans.
• Add Herbs and Spices: Add the fresh thyme leaves, cumin, and paprika. Stir well to combine.

Simmer the Sauce

• Simmer: Season with another teaspoon of salt and pepper to taste. Cover the pot and simmer the sauce over low heat for at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Add Mushrooms and Finish

• Add Mushrooms: After 1 hour of simmering, add the sliced mushrooms and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
• Adjust Seasoning: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

Serve

• Serve with Pasta: Just before serving, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese if using. Serve the ragu over your favorite pasta, such as spaghetti or macaroni.

Nutrition

Serving: 6Ounces | Calories: 404kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 634mg | Potassium: 606mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 3.752IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 189mg | Iron: 2mg

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Tips and Tricks

• Customize Your Ragu: Feel free to substitute or add other meats like beef or pork, or even include cured meats for extra flavor.
• Balance of Flavors: Keep tasting the ragu as it cooks to ensure the balance of spices is to your liking.
• Wine Selection: Use a good-quality cooking wine for better flavor.

Gluten-Free, Low-Carb, and Vegan Alternatives

1. Gluten-Free: Ensure all ingredients are gluten-free and serve over gluten-free pasta.
2. Low-Carb: Serve the ragu over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice instead of traditional pasta.
3. Vegan: Substitute the veal and pancetta with lentils and diced eggplant, and use vegetable broth instead of wine.

This super easy veal ragu is a delightful and hearty sauce that will elevate your pasta dishes. With its rich combination of veal, pancetta, and a medley of vegetables, it’s a recipe that brings warmth and comfort to your table. Enjoy making this classic dish and savor the delicious flavors.

Cook with love, eat with joy!

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Did you make this recipe? I’d love to see it! Follow @Petitgourmetsd, snap a photo, and tag #Petitgourmetsd!

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For more delicious recipes and cooking tips, visit The Petit Gourmet. Dive into our collection of comforting and hearty dishes to keep your kitchen vibrant and your taste buds delighted.

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