Best Easy Mafalde al Ragù Napoletano Recipe

Ruffled-edge pasta swimming in a slow-cooked Neapolitan meat ragù. This high protein mediterranean family classic takes all day to simmer but delivers unmatched depth of flavor.

Cook 280 min Difficulty NORMAL 610 kcal
#high protein #mediterranean
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Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • mafalde pasta 16 oz
  • beef chuck 1.5 lbs
  • pork shoulder 1 lbs
  • Italian sausage 3 pieces
  • yellow onion 1.5 cups
  • celery 1 cup
  • carrot 2 pieces
  • garlic 4 cloves
  • olive oil 3 tbsp
  • crushed tomatoes 2 cups
  • tomato paste 3 tbsp
Seasonings/Sauce
  • red wine 0.5 cup
  • bay leaf 2 pieces
  • dried oregano 2 tsp
  • black pepper 1 tsp
  • kosher salt 2 tsp
  • fresh basil 0.5 cup
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 64 g 42%
Protein 30 g 20%
Fat 23 g 34%
Serving size 320g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    Pat beef chuck and pork shoulder dry and season with half the kosher salt and black pepper. In a large heavy pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering.

  2. 2

    Sear the beef and pork all over until deeply browned, about 8 minutes per side. Remove to a plate; then brown the Italian sausages. Set all meats aside.

  3. 3

    Lower heat to medium. Add onion, carrot, and celery to the pot and sauté, stirring occasionally, until onions turn translucent, about 8 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.

  4. 4

    Stir in tomato paste and cook until it darkens, then deglaze with red wine, scraping up any browned bits. Pour in crushed tomatoes, add oregano, bay leaves, and return all meats plus juices to the pot. Bring to a gentle simmer.

  5. 5

    Reduce heat to very low, cover partially, and simmer gently for 4–5 hours, stirring every 30–45 minutes and adding water if needed to prevent sticking. Remove meats, shred or slice, then return to sauce and simmer 20 minutes more.

  6. 6

    About 30 minutes before serving, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook mafalde pasta until just al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.

  7. 7

    Toss drained mafalde with hot ragù, adding pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. Sprinkle with fresh basil before serving.

Personalized Q&A
Q. What's the key ingredient in this Mafalde al Ragù Napoletano recipe?
The defining ingredients are the combination of beef chuck, pork shoulder, and Italian sausage, creating a rich, deeply savory ragù that is classic to Neapolitan cooking. The mafalde pasta—its ruffled edges perfect for trapping the sauce—completes the dish’s authentic character.
Q. How do I achieve the best flavor and tender meat in the ragù?
Slow simmering is crucial: keep the ragù at a gentle bubble for 4–5 hours over very low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. This melts connective tissue, making the meats fork-tender while building layers of savory flavor.
Q. How can I keep mafalde from becoming mushy when tossing with ragù?
Cook the mafalde just until al dente and toss immediately with hot ragù. If holding the pasta, drain and coat it lightly with oil, but for best texture, combine just before serving and use some reserved pasta water to maintain perfect consistency.
Q. How many calories and what’s the protein-to-carb ratio per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 610 kcal, with 64g of carbohydrates (42% of calories) and 30g of protein (20%). This makes it a substantial, high-protein pasta meal ideal for active families.
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