How to Make an Easy Italian Ragout

For evenings when you crave comfort food, there is nothing like baked pasta. Even better, there is a way to get that baked pasta taste without using the oven. Here is one way to make a quick, easy and fortifying one-pot meal that goes easy on the cheese: a meal our family calls Italian ragout.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Large pot or Dutch oven
• Large skillet
• Onion
• Ground beef or turkey
• Pasta (any sturdy shape -- rigatoni, fusilli, farfalle or penne work well)
• Garlic
• Italian seasoning or dried oregano and basil
• One jar quality spaghetti sauce
• Water
• Olive oil
• Grated parmesan cheese (optional)
• Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
• Salt and pepper

1. To cook pasta, fill large pot with water. Add a dash of salt. Cover. When water boils, add pasta and cook uncovered until al dente (barely done, not too soft).

2. Meanwhile, chop one onion. Using skillet, saute on medium low heat in one tablespoon oil for 10 minutes, until tender. Stir occasionally. Add two cloves minced garlic and saute, stirring, for a few more minutes.

3. Add one pound ground beef or turkey, along with salt, pepper and seasonings to skillet. Continue to saute for 10-15 minutes on medium low heat. Stir, breaking apart until crumbled and evenly cooked.

4. When pasta is done, drain and return to large pot or Dutch oven. Add meat and onion mixture, spaghetti sauce and one fourth cup water. Mix well and cover. Keep steaming on low heat for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. Uncover and enjoy. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley, if you like.

Tips & Warnings

• For a vegetarian version, omit the meat. Cooked zucchini, mushrooms or eggplant may be added instead (or in addition to the above).
• Make sure that when mixed into the large pot, the ragout is on low heat, or it may stick to the bottom. Check often. Add extra water and stir as needed.