Beef Shank & Sausage Ragù over Pasta

BEEF SHANK & SAUSAGE RAGÙ

What You’ll Need:

• 2 teaspoons fennel seeds
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 2 pounds hot Italian sausages, casings removed
• 3 1/2 to 3 3/4 pounds 1 1/2-inch-thick beef shanks with bone (about 3 pieces)
• 5 cups chopped onions (about 3 large)
• 2 28-ounce cans diced tomatoes in juice
• 1 750-ml bottle dry red wine
• 8 large garlic cloves, chopped
• 4 fresh bay leaves
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
• 1 1/2 pounds multi-grain or whole grain spaghetti OR, my favorite, Pappardelle noodles
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2/3 cup (packed) freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 2 ounces)
• 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh Italian parsley

What To Do:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Toast fennel seeds in small dry skillet over medium-low heat until slightly darker in color and very fragrant, about 3 minutes. Set aside.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large ovenproof pot over medium heat. Add sausage. Cook until brown and cooked through, breaking up with back of spoon, about 10 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer sausage to large bowl.
• Add 1 tablespoon oil to pot. Sprinkle beef shanks with salt and pepper. Add to pot and sauté until brown, about 6 minutes per side. Transfer shanks to bowl with sausage. Add onions to pot and sauté until brown and tender, scraping up browned bits, about 10 minutes. Return shanks, sausage, and any accumulated juices to pot. Add tomatoes with juice, wine, garlic, bay leaves, oregano, crushed red pepper, and toasted fennel seeds. Bring to simmer.
• Cover pot and place in oven. Braise until shanks are very tender, about 2 1/2 hours. Transfer shanks to work surface. Cut meat off bones and dice. Discard bones. Tilt pot. Spoon off fat from surface of pan juices. Return diced shank meat to pot. Simmer until liquid is reduced enough to coat spoon, about 10 minutes. Season ragù to taste with salt and pepper.
• Cook pasta ( I LOVE to use Pappardelle Noodles best for this) in salted water until al dente.  Drain pasta, transfer to large bowl.  Toss with olive oil, and toss to coat.  Add cheese and parsley, and toss to coat.  Season pasta with salt and pepper.
• DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Cool slightly. Chill uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled. Rewarm over medium heat, stirring occasionally, before continuing.

**This recipe is compliments of Epicurious.com.