Pasta Partners - Gemelli and Gremolade for Slow Cooked Beef Ragu
Pasta Partners - Gemelli and Gremolade for Slow Cooked Beef Ragu
From Northern Italy's Kitchens to American Tables
Ragù—derived from the French "ragoût" meaning stew—has been the heart of Northern Italian family cooking since the 18th century. This soul-warming dish sustained generations across the regions of Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, and Piedmont, where slow-braised meat transformed tough cuts into tender, flavorful comfort. Unlike the quick tomato sauces of the south, true ragù is a labor of love: meat simmered low and slow for hours until it falls apart, creating a rich sauce that becomes one with the pasta.
Why Gemelli? The name means "twins" in Italian, but this clever pasta is actually a single strand twisted into a double helix—a rope-like spiral with deep grooves running its entire length. Born in Southern Italy, gemelli's twisted design creates the perfect trap for chunky meat and sauce. Every curve and hollow captures pieces of tender beef, pooling the rich ragù in pockets that deliver maximum flavor in every bite. The sturdy, textured surface holds up beautifully during long simmering, maintaining perfect al dente texture while absorbing the savory essence of slow-cooked beef and our signature Olio do Panne seasoning.
When Northern Italy's patient meat-braising traditions meet Southern Italy's ingenious pasta innovation, you get a dish where every forkful tells a story centuries old.
INGREDIENTS: semolina gemelli pasta - (wheat), niacin, iron (ferrous sulfate), thiamin mononitrate riboflavin, folic acid. Gremolade - Parsley, garlic, kosher salt and lemon peel.
Gemelli with slow cooked Beef Ragù - Serves 2
- 3/4 lb boneless beef chuck roast, in 2-inch cubes
- Salt and Butchers Black Pepper
- 1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 small red onion, peeled and cut in chunks
- 1 carrot, peeled and thickly sliced
- 1 celery stalk, thickly sliced
- 1 tsp Gremolade
- 1 cup Chianti
- 1 14oz can peeled whole cherry or plum tomatoes
- 1/2 lb Gemelli - or the contents of this bag
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Season beef with salt and pepper to taste. Place an uncovered pressure cooker or oven-proof Dutch oven over medium-high heat, and add olive oil. When oil is hot, add beef. Stir until beef is well browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Add Gremolade, onion, carrot and celery. Reduce heat to medium-low and sauté until vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. Add Chianti and continue to simmer until liquid has reduced by half, about 15 minutes. Add tomatoes and their juices, and if using pressure cooker, 1/2 cup water. Secure lid and pressure gauge of pressure cooker, and follow manufacturer's instructions to bring contents of pot to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 45 minutes. If using Dutch oven, simmer, covered, in a 275-degree oven for 3 to 3 1/2 hours.
Place a pan of lightly salted water over high heat to bring to a boil. Remove pressure cooker from heat, or Dutch oven from oven. After pressure has dropped in pressure cooker, follow manufacturer's instructions to remove lid. Using two forks, finely shred meat and vegetables. Discard herb stems. Loosely cover pan and return it to low heat to keep warm. Add gemelli to boiling water. As it cooks, scoop out 1/2 cup water and reserve. Cook pasta to taste, then drain well. Return pasta to pot, and add butter and 1/8 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano; mix gently until butter has melted. Add a little reserved cooking water to loosen.
To serve, lift pasta into each of six shallow bowls. Spoon beef ragù over top. Sprinkle each bowl with a spoonful of cheese.
Make Ahead: Ragù tastes even better the next day! Make 24 hours ahead.
Slow Cooker: After browning, transfer to slow cooker. Cook on low 6-8 hours.
Freezer-Friendly: Freeze sauce (without pasta) for up to 3 months.
More Pasta Partners
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- GF Fettucini - French Onion Sauce with Mushrooms and Prosciutto
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GF Linguine - Alfredo Sauce with Peas
- Paparadelle - Carbonara Sauce with Pancetta
- Ditalini - Pasta e Fagioli
Shipping Information:
- Small orders (up to 10 pieces): Ships quickly
- Case packs (12 pieces): Ships within 10 business days
For bulk orders, private label opportunities, or questions, contact us at 413-562-2042 or email ideas@terra-americana.com
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