Crimini Ragu with Spinach Crostini and Chicken Ragu with Whole Wheat Pasta

Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray, 2008

Show: 30 Minute MealsEpisode: New School Chicken

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (32)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(32)

Cook Time:
24 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
4 to 6 servings

Times:

Prep: 20 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 24 min
Total:: 44 min

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Ingredients

1 pound whole-wheat or whole-grain rigatoni or other short cut pasta
1 loaf crusty bread, bakery sliced (baguette or ciabatta)
1 pound crimini mushrooms, wiped clean
5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
5 to 6 cloves garlic, peeled
1/4 pound pancetta, a couple thick slices, finely diced
1 1/2 pound chicken thighs, chopped into small bite-sized pieces
1 medium to large onion, chopped
1 carrot, peeled
2 to 3 sprigs fresh rosemary, leaves stripped and finely chopped
1 bay leaf
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup Marsala, a couple glugs
1 (28-ounce) can tomatoes (recommended: San Marzano)
Couple handfuls fresh baby spinach
Few grates nutmeg or a pinch of ground
1/4 cup aged balsamic vinegar
Splash heavy cream
Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
Handful basil leaves, torn

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the pasta and cook to al dente, drain and keep warm.

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

Scatter sliced bread on baking sheet, toast until crisp but not too dry, 6 to 8 minutes.

Quarter mushrooms. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil, 3 turns of the pan, over medium-high heat. Once the mushrooms have started to brown add 3 to 4 large cloves garlic, grated or finely chopped

While mushrooms cook, begin chicken ragu. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 turns of the pan, over medium-high heat. Brown the pancetta 3 to 4 minutes then add chicken and brown evenly 5 to 6 minutes. Add the onions to the chicken. Grate the carrot and stir in with the rosemary, bay and a couple of cloves of garlic, grated or finely chopped. Season with salt and pepper and cook until vegetables are soft.

Add the Marsala to chicken and vegetables, stir and reduce a minute then add tomatoes and crush with wooden spoon. Simmer a few minutes to thicken and combine flavors.

When the mushrooms are tender, season with salt and pepper. Chop the spinach coarsely then stir in to wilt. Add in a few grates of nutmeg, stir in vinegar then a splash of cream. Transfer the mushrooms to a small bowl and serve with toasted bread for topping.

Toss the pasta with the chicken ragu and cheese. Garnish with some torn basil and serve immediately.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Crimini Ragu with Spinach Crostini and Chicken Ragu with Whole Wheat Pasta
David Wadsworth, OH 10-05-2009
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Enjoyed the Ragu
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

I made the Chicken Ragu and we thought it had great flavor! I'll make it again, but I'll be working to thicken the sauce. ... I had some garden tomatoes from my neighbor so I used those instead of canned. I can see what other's are saying about too much liquid. I squezzed out the seeds and juice and set it aside in case needed. It wasn't. I still had to try and reduce down the liquid. I also used dry rosemary since I didn't have fresh. It was easy and pretty quick to make.Read more
recipe Crimini Ragu with Spinach Crostini and Chicken Ragu with Whole Wheat Pasta
Taya Carlsbad, NM 10-02-2009
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Not very good
Rated: 2 stars out of 5

I made both dishes and wasn't very pleased with either of them. The taste of the chicken ragu was good with the combination... of spices, but there was far too much chicken in my opinion. I didn't really like the chicken thighs, although I might have preferred it with chicken breast. Clean up was not fun. Too many dirty dishes to make this mediocre dish.Read more
recipe Crimini Ragu with Spinach Crostini and Chicken Ragu with Whole Wheat Pasta
Abeerah Lewisville, TX 09-26-2009
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yummy!
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

Both dishes turned out delicious. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the Mushroom Crostini.. I didn't have balsamic vinegar so I... added a little bit of soy sauce, lemon juice, and sugar instead! The Ragu was also very good, besides the fact that I did not like the rosemary in it.. will make both these things again, except without the rosemary.. Read more
recipe Crimini Ragu with Spinach Crostini and Chicken Ragu with Whole Wheat Pasta
judy hesperia, CA 09-26-2009
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help
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

i only saw the end product. Can you tell me is the chicken ragu one receipe and the receipe listed includes all three?
recipe Crimini Ragu with Spinach Crostini and Chicken Ragu with Whole Wheat Pasta
Sherry Alpharetta, GA 09-13-2009
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Crostini/ Really good
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

I just made the crostini tonight and served it as a side dish with my pepper steak. I put the mushroom spinach mixture on... the toasted bread slices and topped each one off with grated mozzarella and parmesan, then put it back in the oven until melted, brown and bubbly. Absoulutely delicious! Next time I will add fresh basil to the ragu during saute.Read more
recipe Crimini Ragu with Spinach Crostini and Chicken Ragu with Whole Wheat Pasta
Gayle Martinsville, NJ 09-12-2009
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Very Good!
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

I only prepared the chicken ragu, not the crostini. This recipe was tasty and quite satisfying. I didn't have Marsala wine,... and substituted Cabernet Sauvignon, which turned out just fine. I liked the idea of adding the cremini mushrooms to the ragu because we love mushrooms, which is what I did It made the dish quite hardy...my family like it very much. To those reviewers who thought this dish was bland, the key ito good flavor s to add a pinch of salt (kosher, preferably) when you add each additional ingredient. Also be sure to salt your pasta water very well. This dish would also be good using any type of sausage. Will definitely make again!Read more