Ragú Napoletano (Neapolitan-Style Italian Meat Sauce With Po

• servings: 10 servings
• total time: 6 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients

3 pounds pork spare ribs (about 1/3 large rack), cut into three chunks

2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 2-inch strips

2 pounds (900g) boneless pork shoulder, cut into 2 chunks

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided

1 large onion, finely chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)

1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste

2 cups dry red wine

2 (28-ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes, preferably D.O.P. San Marzano, crushed by hand in a large bowl

1 (2- to 3-inch) Parmesan rind (optional)

1 bunch fresh basil

1 pound mild sausage, in the casings (see note)

8 to 10 servings fresh or dried pasta

Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Directions

Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Season ribs with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil in a large Dutch oven over high heat until shimmering. Add ribs and cook without moving until well browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Flip and cook until second side is well browned, 5 to 7 minutes longer. Transfer to a plate and set aside. Repeat with beef chuck and pork shoulder until browned all over and add to plate with pork ribs.

Add onions to now-empty Dutch oven and cook, scraping up any browned bits, and stirring frequently until lightly browned, about 8 minutes. Add tomato paste, and cook, stirring often, until paste begins to caramelize, about 2 minutes. Add wine and cook until mixture is very thick, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, Parmesan rind (if using), and 3/4 of basil. Return ribs, beef chuck, and pork shoulder to pot and bring to a simmer.

Cover with lid slightly ajar and place in the oven (see notes for slow cooker instructions). Cook, stirring occasionally, until the rib bones can be easily pulled from the meat, about 3 hours. Add sausages and continue cooking for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and reduce oven temperature to 200°F (93°C).

Transfer pork ribs, beef chuck, pork shoulder, and sausages to a bowl, discard bones, and let stand until cool enough to handle. Discard basil sprigs from sauce. Arrange meat on a platter, pour 1/2 cup (118ml) tomato sauce over meat, cover with aluminum foil, and keep warm in oven while sauce reduces.

Bring the tomato sauce in the Dutch oven to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to a simmer and cook, stirring often, until sauce has thickened, developed a deep red color, and reduced to about 4 cups (1L), about 1 hour. Stir in remaining olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

To serve, cook pasta in a pot of boiling salted water until just shy of al dente (about 1 minute for fresh pasta or 1 minute short of recommended cooking time for dried pasta). Drain, reserving about 1 cup of starchy pasta water. Return pasta to the pot you just cooked it in and add half of ragù, half of pasta cooking water, and a handful of grated cheese. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring until the sauce emulsifies with the pasta water and clings to the pasta, adding more pasta water if necessary. Serve immediately, passing additional sauce, cheese, and remaining fresh basil at the table. Carve and serve meat either alongside pasta or as the following course.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: Serves 8 to 10
• Calories: 1212 kcal
• Total Fat: 71 g
• Saturated Fat: 22 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 275 mg
• Sodium: 527 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 55 g
• Dietary Fiber: 5 g
• Total Sugars: 9 g
• Protein: 79 g