Mushroom Ragù
A comfort food staple gets a vegetarian update with this slow cooked sauce that’s sure to be a hit at Sunday suppers.
- Ian Thurwachter
- Jan 27, 2022
There are few better feelings than eating a big bowl of warm, saucy pasta on a cold night. Ragù is a traditional Italian sauce, usually made with meat and tomatoes.
Chef Ian Thurwacher of Intero shared this vegetarian version with us, with mushrooms taking the place of the meat so you don’t have to worry about missing out on flavor or heartiness.
This is the perfect meal for a Sunday supper—simply start the sauce a few hours before your guests arrive so it can be simmering away treating them to a full sensory experience when they walk in the door. If you’re looking for a pasta dish to christen your new Dutch Oven, this is it.
Mushroom Ragù
A comfort food staple gets a vegetarian update with this slow cooked sauce that’s sure to be a hit at Sunday suppers.
Ian Thurwachter
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, julienned
- 1 pound mixed mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon chile flake
- 1 cup red wine
- 24 ounces peeled tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 pound rigatoni or other pasta shape
- Chopped parsley and freshly grated parmesan cheese to serve
Place the Dutch Oven on the stove over medium-low heat. When hot, add the olive oil.
Once the olive oil just barely starts smoking, add the onions to the pan. Season the onions with a pinch of salt and stir occasionally until the onions are just starting to brown, about 5-7 minutes.
Add the mushrooms and season with another pinch of salt. Stir occasionally until the mushrooms are nicely browned on both sides.
Add the garlic, stirring for 15-30 seconds to ensure it doesn’t burn, then add the oregano and chile flake. Stir for another 15 seconds, then add the red wine.
Cook until the wine has evaporated, then add the tomatoes, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Reduce the heat to low, and cook for at least 15 minutes and up to 2 hours. The longer you cook the sauce, the more rich and savory it will become.
As your sauce is finishing, bring your pasta water to a boil in your Stainless Clad Saucepan. Once boiling, season with salt. Add your pasta to the water and cook until al dente according to package instructions.
Once the pasta has reached the desired doneness, strain the pasta and toss with the sauce in the Dutch Oven.
Garnish with parsley and freshly grated parmesan to serve.
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