Genovese sauce and pasta
User Reviews
4.9
27 reviews
Excellent
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
3 hrs
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Total Time
3 hrs 15 mins
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Servings
4 people
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Calories
929 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Condiments
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Cuisine
Italian
Genovese sauce and pasta
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This is one of our favorite Italian recipes, and it is very easy even though it will take you a few hours because of the cooking time involved. It is a traditional choice when you are looking to make a hearty Italian meal for the family.
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Ingredients
- 1 1 lb dry ziti or dry rigatoni pasta
- 2 2 lbs yellow or white onions finely chopped
- 1.33 1.33 lbs lean beef chuck (or blade) roughly chopped
- 3 3 carrots peeled and chopped
- 2 2 stalks of celery cleaned and finely chopped
- 2/3 2/3 cup dry white wine
- 3 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 1 tablespoon tomato puree or a few tablespoons tomato sauce optional
- Parmigiano Reggiano or Parmesan cheese (optional) to taste
- kosher salt and pepper to taste
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Instructions
- Clean, peel and finely chop the onions, carrots and celery. You can use a food processor if desired but don't over blend.
- Remove excess fat from the piece of beef and cut into 5 large pieces.
- Heat the oil for a couple of minutes in a heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add all the onions and saute until just soft and then add the beef, the carrots and the celery and cook until the meat browns.
- Now season with salt and pepper, cover the pan or pot and cook over a low flame for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally and breaking up the beef with a wooden spoon if it is in clumps.
- If necessary, you can add a little water or some tomato sauce for braising liquid if the onions don't release enough moisture to cook the meat until tender.
- When the meat is well cooked, pour in the white wine and allow the sauce to simmer gently for another hour, stirring from time to time. The onions should have a creamy texture and the meat should be shredded and very soft.
- Bring a pot of water to boil, add coarse salt and cook the pasta until al dente, following the instructions on the package.
- Set aside a small cup of pasta cooking water and then drain the pasta in a colander. Add the pasta to the sauce, stirring well. You can add the pasta water you set aside if needed to coat the pasta thoroughly.
- Serve hot with freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano or Parmesan cheese on top for some extra savory flavor if desired.
Notes
- Some optional ingredients include adding a bit of tomato purée or a tablespoon of tomato paste if you want a hint of tomato. Some recipes call for 50 grams of diced "Napoli style" salami or diced Prosciutto crudo. You can also substitute lard for part of the extra virgin olive oil if you want an even more traditional method of cooking.
- Vegan option: In the past, people made Genovese sauce without any meat at all, for example using plenty of onions, celery and carrots to make the sauce, which was called "finta Genovese" or fake Genovese in English. This was a dish that could be eaten during days of fasting or for lent when a person had given up meat.
- With tomato: While our recipe lists tomato paste as optional, it is certainly possible to add some tomato sauce or paste and make this dish even richer and with a brighter color. Although it was not traditionally used in this recipe, as Genovese sauce predates the "discovery" of tomatoes, it is a welcome addition that will create a rich sauce the whole family will love.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Serving
100g
Calories
929kcal
(46%)
Carbohydrates
112g
(37%)
Protein
47g
(94%)
Fat
30g
(46%)
Saturated Fat
9g
(45%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
Monounsaturated Fat
17g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
104mg
(35%)
Sodium
187mg
(8%)
Potassium
1309mg
(37%)
Fiber
9g
(36%)
Sugar
15g
(30%)
Vitamin A
7757IU
(155%)
Vitamin C
20mg
(22%)
Calcium
128mg
(13%)
Iron
5mg
(28%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 929 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 100g | |
| Calories | 929kcal | 46% |
| Carbohydrates | 112g | 37% |
| Protein | 47g | 94% |
| Fat | 30g | 46% |
| Saturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 17g | 85% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 104mg | 35% |
| Sodium | 187mg | 8% |
| Potassium | 1309mg | 28% |
| Fiber | 9g | 36% |
| Sugar | 15g | 30% |
| Vitamin A | 7757IU | 155% |
| Vitamin C | 20mg | 22% |
| Calcium | 128mg | 13% |
| Iron | 5mg | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
27 reviews
Excellent
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