Sausage Ragu with Spinach, Ricotta and Mixed Herbs
Servings: 6people
Prep Time: 20 minutesmins
Cook Time: 45 minutesmins
Ingredients
500gbeef boerewors (beef sausage)
2tbspbutter
2tbspvegetable oil
1largered onion, finely chopped
2tspgarlic, minced
4largetomatoes, diced
1/3cuptomato paste
1cupchicken stock
1tbspfresh parsley, finely chopped
1tbspfresh basil, finely chopped
1tbspfresh chives, finely chopped
1tbspfresh sage, finely chopped
1tbspfresh thyme, finely chopped
300gbaby spinach
1cupricotta cheese
350gpasta of choice
salt
fresh ground pepper
Instructions
In a large skillet over medium heat, add 1 tbsp of vegetable oil. Remove the sausage from its casing and add to the skillet. Break it apart with a spatula and cook until it’s no longer pink and slightly crispy. Remove the sausage from the pan and keep aside.
To the skillet add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil and butter. Once the butter has melted, stir in the chopped red onion and cook for 4-5 minutes or until soft and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.
Add in the cooked sausages, diced fresh tomatoes, tomato paste and chicken stock to the skillet. Stir well to combine, making sure to scrape up any bits from the bottom of the skillet.
Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 30 minutes to allow the flavours to meld and the liquid to reduce. Add the freshly chopped parsley, basil, chives, sage, and thyme to the mixture.
Separately, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sausage and tomato sauce, tossing well to combine and to coat the pasta with the sauce. Stir in the baby spinach, allowing it to gently wilt in the hot pasta and sauce.
Turn off the heat and stir in the baby spinach, allowing it to gently wilt in the sauce. Finally, stir in the ricotta cheese until well incorporated and the sauce becomes creamy. Season the dish with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve and enjoy your delicious and hearty sausage and ricotta pasta is ready to be savoured. It pairs wonderfully with a side of garlic bread or a simple salad.