Maccheroni al Ferretto is our favourite pasta recipe from Calabria in Southern Italy.
This recipe is quick and easy to make since we’ve used store bought dried Maccheroni pasta. If you call yourself gourmet, we also share videos on how to make handmade Maccheroni pasta noodles in your own kitchen.
Toss al dente pasta in our homemade tomato and beef ragu sauce and the delicious dish will be on the table ready to eat in under an hour!
Your family will love forking through this simple Southern Italian dish featuring flavourful olive oil, garlic, butter, ribeye beef steak, basil, tomatoes, passata sauce, red wine and parmesan cheese.
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What Is Maccheroni al Ferretto?
Maccheroni al Ferretto originated in Calabria in Southern Italy.
Maccheroni are rustic tubes of pasta made by wrapping a piece of semolina dough around a thin rod, known as a ferretto.
In Canada and the United States the word macaroni is associated with the small elbow-shaped pasta typically used to make Mac & Cheese Casserole.
The authentic Maccheroni pasta you findin southern Italy (and in this delicious beef ragu recipe) is very different from North American macaroni.
You can purchase dried Maccheroni pasta at Italian supermarkets or purchase on Amazon.
If you love to tinker in the kitchen why not make your own homemade Maccheroni al Ferretto?
Travel to Italy by Cooking Maccheroni Pasta at Home
I love traveling to Europe!
During my first visit to the continent I traveled for 5 months by train and plane. I had the opportunity to eat my way through Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland,Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Czech, Germany, Austria, Croatia, Bosnia, Hungary, Slovakia, Greece, Turkey and Italy.
What I love most about traveling to Italy is the opportunity to sample unique dishes in each region and city. The dishes in Tuscany (Florence, Pisa, Volterra, Saturnia, Pitigliano, Sorano, Montalcino, Siena) are unique from what you’d find in Venice, Modena, Milan, Rome, and Amalfi Coast.
Maccheroni al Ferretto is a dish unique to Calabria but can found across Southern Italy. It’s a must try pasta for those enjoying a holiday from Sicily to Puglia.
Once back home from an Italian holiday you’ll have a newfound appreciation for the flavours of Calabria and can impress friends and family by making our authentic Maccheroni al Ferretto Pasta recipe!
Where To Eat Maccheroni al Ferretto
If you live in a large city in Canada or America you’ll likely have access to a local Italian restaurant that serves Maccheroni al Ferretto.
Haven’t traveled to Italy before? It may be helpful to first sample Maccheroni Pastaat a local Italian restaurant to better understand how the dish is served. You can also assess the ideal pasta to tomato sauce ratio, texture of the maccheroni noodles and beef steak cut.
In Toronto, popular Italian restaurants in Yorkville, King West and Ossington that may serve handmade Maccheroni pasta include Bar Vendetta, Buca, Superpoint, Amano, Fabbrica, Oretta, FIGO, Nodo, Locale Mercatto, The Good Son, Taverna Mercatto, Ascari Enoteca, Il Fornello or Gusto 101.
My Family Loves Cooking Maccheroni Pasta
I love cooking Maccheroni al Ferretto for my family.
I first made this traditional Southern Italian pasta dish on a warm summer evening at our family cottage in Muskoka. It was the peak of Ontario tomato season and we had plenty of fresh basil to plush from our herb garden.
I knew my family would enjoy this tasty Maccheroni Ragu becausethey love classic bolognese sauce, plenty of carbs and mountains of cheese.
While this recipe contains tender steak you can make it vegetarian by omitting the beef.
Maccheroni al Ferretto Health Benefits
Our Calabrian pasta recipe is packed full of healthy ingredients!
Olive Oil is ranked as one of the healthiest fats and is a staple in the Mediterranean diet. It contains vitamins E and K and plenty of beneficial fatty acids and antioxidants.
It is only recently that scientists have begun to identify the components responsible for garlic’s myriad health benefits. Rich in phytochemicals and potassium, garlic helps boost your immune system, fight cancer and protect your heart.
The eugenol in basil can block calcium channels, which may help to lower blood pressure. The essential oils in the herb can help to lower your cholesterol and triglycerides. Basil also contains magnesium, which can help to improve blood flow by allowing muscles and blood vessels to relax.
Rich in a group of phytochemicals called carotenoids, tomatoes may help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, and provide protection against cancer. Tomatoes are also a good source of immune-boosting vitamin C.
Beef is a great source of protein and minerals like iron as well as an excellent source of the amino acid L-carnitine. Beef also features antioxidant glutathione known for its anti-aging benefits.
Consuming dairy products (such as milk and cheese) provides health benefits — especially improved bone health. Dairy foods provide nutrients that are vital for health and maintenance of your body. These nutrients include calcium, potassium, vitamin D, and protein.
Maccheroni Pasta Cooking Tips
This healthy pasta recipe is quick and easy to make at home.
- Use a high quality nonstick skillet to prepare the ragu sauce.
- We suggest using a Southern Italian red wine such as Aglianico, Vermentino or Trebbiano.
- You can purchase dried Maccheroni pasta noodles on Amazon or at a local Italian grocer.
- If you’d like to learn how to make handmade pasta noodles feel free to prepare your own Maccheroni al Ferretto by watching this video.
- We’ve used high quality ribeye steak in this recipe, which you quickly sear and then add to the pasta sauce. Don’t overcook the beef as it will continue to cook when tossed in the pasta sauce. Medium rare is the ideal.
- If you want to make a more affordable or cheaper Maccheroni pasta recipe you can use a tougher cut of beef like shank, round, flank, plate, chuck, or brisket. Since these are tough cuts of beef they require a lengthier cooking time to help tenderize the beef.
- While this recipe contains steak you can make it vegetarian by omitting the beef.
What To Serve With Maccheroni al Ferretto
There’s nothing more comforting than cozying up to a bowl of homemade pasta.
If you’re hosting an Italian-themed dinner party we suggest serving Maccheroni al Ferretto as part of adecadent buffet featuring Instant Pot Short Rib Ragu, Cheesy Polenta, Ricotta Gnocchi, Creamy Warm Orzo Lemon Salad, Involtini di Pollo, Parmesan Ditalini Soup, Aperol Gin Cocktails and Amaretto Disaronno Sour.
For a light lunch or dinner, pair this Maccheroni pasta recipe withfresh salads like Vegetarian Roasted Pumpkin Feta Salad, Roasted Beetroot Salad, Garlic Lemon Chickpea Avocado Salad and Fennel, Apple, Celery and Roasted Hazelnut Salad.
After dinner why not dazzle your guests with one of our popular desserts such as Kardemummabullar Swedish Cardamom Buns , Gevulde Speculaas, Turmeric Pumpkin Spice Indian Cake, Chewy Easter Toffee Cadbury Mini Egg Cookie Bars, Oat Flour Cookies with Chocolate Chips, Dark Chocolate Lindt Lindor Cookies, Maraschino Cherry Cupcakes Recipe or Cinnamon Babka.
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How To Make Maccheroni al Ferretto Pasta
Maccheroni al Ferretto Pasta
Equipment
- Large pot
- Large Skillet
- Small Skillet
- Wooden spoon
- French knife
- cheese grater
Ingredients
- 450 g Maccheroni
- 4 tbsp Olive Oil
- 3 Garlic Clove minced
- 1 tbsp Butter
- 500 g Ribeye or Sirloin Steak sliced into cubes
- 2 tbsp Basil chopped
- 2 Roma Tomatoes chopped
- 680 ml Passata
- 1 tbsp Red Wine
- Salt & Pepper
- 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan garnish
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry the garlic for one minute before adding the tomato and passata. Pour red wine in the passata jar and twirl and pour remains into the skillet. Cover with a lid and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Slice steak into cubes and season well with salt and pepper.
- In a small skillet, add butter and steak. Allow the beef to sear for 1-2 minutes over medium heat. Once the surface of the beef has lightly browned add it to the tomato sauce and stir to combine. Turn the temperature of the sauce to low simmer.
- Bring salted water to a boil in a large pot and drop in Maccheroni pasta. Simmer for a 3-4 minutes then taste one to check that it is al dente.
- Drain the Maccheroni pasta and then toss in ragu with chopped basil. Serve in bowls with grated parmesan.
Nutrition
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