Italian Sausage Ragu with Beefsteak Club Wine

There are few things more comforting than a big bowl of pasta, and this Italian Sausage Ragu is no exception. Packed with bold flavours from quality sausages, fennel, garlic, and a good glug of Beefsteak Club Malbec, this is the kind of dish you can throw together in under 30 minutes but still impress your guests with. The wine brings a gorgeous richness to the sauce, with its dark fruit and spice notes complementing the savoury sausage perfectly. A bit of parmesan rind stirred through the sauce adds depth and a lovely umami hit that makes all the difference. This is the ultimate midweek treat or a great weekend crowd-pleaser. Serve it straight from the pan at the table, pour yourself a glass of that same Malbec, and enjoy a hearty Italian-inspired feast with your favourite people.

ITALIAN SAUSAGE RAGU WITH BEEFSTEAK CLUB WINE

Ingredients

• 360g dried spaghetti

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• 2 garlic cloves, chopped

• 1 tsp fennel seeds

• 4 good quality sausages

• 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper

• 150ml Beefsteak Club Malbec wine

• 400g tin of good quality Italian tomatoes

• 50g salted butter

• 100g grated Parmesan cheese (include the rind in the recipe for extra flavour)

Here’s how

Cook the spaghetti in a large pan of salted boiling water for 9 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook the chopped garlic and fennel seeds in a shallow pan with the olive oil.

Use a sharp knife to remove the meat from the sausage skins and add to the pan.

Season with the black pepper and break up the sausage meat using a wooden spoon.

Once browned (this should only take 2-3 minutes), pour in the Beefsteak Club wine and bring to the boil.

Add the Parmesan rind and crush the tomatoes in your hand straight into the pan.

Simmer for 5 minutes, then add one ladle of pasta water to the sauce while stirring. Boil to reduce the sauce for a few minutes.

When the pasta is cooked, lift it out using tongs and add to the sauce.

Stir together, then finish with grated Parmesan cheese.

Serve straight from the pan at the table and don’t forget to enjoy it with a glass of Beefsteak Club Malbec!