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Ziti alla Genovese

Hearty Ziti alla Genovese: A Taste of Italian Comfort

Ziti alla Genovese is a comforting Italian dish featuring tender beef and caramelized onions in a rich sauce, perfect for family gatherings.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

For the Sauce
  • 2 pounds Chuck beef best choice for slow cooking
  • 3 large Yellow onions or Vidalia onions for caramelization
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil for browning the beef
  • 1 cup Dry white wine or broth for non-alcoholic version
  • 2-3 cups Water to keep sauce at desired consistency
For the Pasta
  • 1 pound Ziti pasta substitute with penne or rigatoni if needed
For Serving
  • to taste Parmesan cheese freshly grated

Equipment

  • large pot

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Season and add 2 pounds of chuck beef chunks, browning them for about 5-7 minutes on each side until they're well-seared. The beef should be a deep brown color. Remove the browned beef from the pot and set it aside on a plate.
  2. In the same pot, add 3 large sliced yellow onions and 3 minced garlic cloves. Lower the heat to low and sauté the onions, stirring occasionally for about 30 minutes, until they become golden-brown and caramelized.
  3. Once the onions are beautifully caramelized, return the browned beef to the pot. Pour in 1 cup of dry white wine and enough water to cover the contents (about 2-3 cups). Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then cover the pot and let it cook for about 2 hours.
  4. During the final stages of the sauce, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 pound of ziti pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes. Once done, drain the pasta well, but reserve a little cooking water.
  5. Add the drained ziti to the pot with the rich sauce, tossing to coat the pasta thoroughly. If the sauce is too thick, use a bit of reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 550kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 40gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 700mgPotassium: 800mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 50IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 150mgIron: 3mg

Notes

This dish becomes more flavorful the next day, so consider making it in advance. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge or freeze for up to 3 months.

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