I made this gloriously rich Duck Ragu with Homemade Pasta with the meat from my homegrown Muscovy Ducks. However any duck from the butchers or supermarket would work well. Just remove all the skin and mince it well.
I treated myself to a pasta maker last week and was pretty excited to get my first batch of pasta made. It’s a really simple recipe from what I can work out – for every 100g pasta (or bread) flour, you add 1 egg. If you double this amount, you’ll have enough pasta to feed 2 – 3 people.
And as for the ragu sauce I served with it, well I am always looking for new ways to use the meat I get from my flock of Muscovy ducks. And mincing it is perfect when the bird is a little too old for roasting.
Remember Muscovy meat is incredibly lean so either cook it very quickly or very slowly. Anything in between is likely to give you a rubbery texture.
This isn’t a wet, tomatoey ragu but rather a dish to highlight the delicious flavour of the duck meat and the light, fresh pasta.
If you would prefer more of a ‘wet’ sauce with yours, add in a can of tomatoes or passata to the recipe. Then let it simmer down until you have the perfect consistency.
The duck ragu recipe below will feed at least 6 people. If you don’t need that much either halve it, or freeze the leftovers in small batches as an easy dinner later in the month.
- A splash of oil
- 500 g duck meat minced
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 1 red pepper finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 6 tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 stock cube
- Seasoning
- Parmesan
- Heat the oil in a saucepan and brown the minced duck.
- Turn the heat down, add the onion, and fry for another few minutes until it has softened.
- Add the rest of the ingredients, with a splash of hot water from the kettle. Let all simmer together gently for around 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile cook the pasta. If you've made yours fresh too it'll take a bout a minute in a pan of boiling water.
- Taste the ragu and season as necessary. Serve with the pasta and top with a little parmesan.
Glamorous Glutton says
This looks so good, really fab. Love the idea of duck ragu. GG
Jane Sarchet says
Thank GG, it does make a tasty difference from using beef.
Janie x
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says
Janie, I am in love with this recipe and have pinned it to make one day soon.
Jane Sarchet says
Aww, thanks Bintu :)
Janie x
Tara says
I’m so excited I finally got a meat grinder yesterday! I’m sure I don’t have to tell you muskovy ducks breed like rabbits! So we eat a lot of muskovy. My go to was parting out the ducks and having breast steaks, slow cooked legs and wings then using the carcass for soup but since it’s so close to the taste of beef I really want to try it ground. I was routing for duck burgers tonight but the husband wants spaghetti so I Googled and found this recipe. Cant wait to try it tonight!
Jane Sarchet says
How wonderful! Do let us know how you enjoy the duck ragu Tara!