Simple White Ragù Fusilli: the super quick 20-minute recipe that saves lunch.

Simple White Ragù: the super quick 20-minute recipe that saves lunch: Fusilli with White Ragù are the fragrant and playful variant of classic tomato ragù. In this simple version, ground meat meets a crispy soffritto and the aroma of white wine, creating a flavorful sauce that perfectly coats every spiral of the pasta. It’s the perfect dish for Sunday lunch or a quick dinner when you want something special without spending hours at the stove!

Simple White Ragù: the super quick 20-minute recipe that saves lunch.
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cost: Economical
  • Preparation time: 20 Minutes
  • Cooking time: 30 Minutes
  • Portions: 3
  • Cooking methods: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Seasonality: All seasons
332.99 Kcal
calories per serving
Info Close
  • Energy 332.99 (Kcal)
  • Carbohydrates 70.00 (g) of which sugars 2.16 (g)
  • Proteins 13.09 (g)
  • Fat 1.61 (g) of which saturated 0.32 (g)of which unsaturated 1.28 (g)
  • Fibers 1.66 (g)
  • Sodium 6.29 (mg)

Indicative values for a portion of 250 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.

* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov

Ingredients

Preparing these Fusilli with White Ragù is really easy: you only need a few quality ingredients that you probably already have in the pantry. Choosing good ground meat and a pasta that holds its texture perfectly is the real secret to turning a quick dish into a finger-licking success.

  • 8.8 oz (about 2 1/2 cups) fusilli
  • 7.1 oz (about 1/2 lb) ground beef (or mixed, I also love adding a sausage)
  • 1 stalk celery
  • Half glass white wine (or broth)
  • 1 carrot
  • Half onion
  • to taste olive oil
  • 1 sprig rosemary

Nutritional Information (Average values per serving)
Calories: 480 kcal
Carbohydrates: 62g
Protein: 24g
Fat: 16g

Steps

The secret to a perfect white ragù is all in browning the meat and the initial soffritto. Don’t rush: let the vegetables become tender and let the meat release all its flavor before deglazing with the wine. By following these simple steps you’ll get a creamy, enveloping sauce that perfectly hugs each fusillo.

  • Preparation:
    The Soffritto: Finely chop carrot, celery and onion. Let them soften in a pan with extra virgin olive oil over low heat until translucent.
    The Meat: Add the ground meat and brown it over high heat, breaking it up well until it becomes slightly crisp.

    Chopped celery, carrot and onion sautéing in a pan with meat
  • Deglaze: Pour in the white wine and let it evaporate completely (you should no longer smell the alcohol).
    Cooking: Lower the heat, add the rosemary or other herbs if you like, season with salt and pepper. Cook for 20-25 minutes, adding broth as needed. The sauce should remain moist and juicy!

    Broth or wine deglazing the white ragù sauce
  • Finishing: Drain the Fusilli Garofalo al dente and toss them into the ragù. Sauté everything over high heat with a splash of the cooking water to create a creamy sauce.
    Serve: Plate with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan.

    Close-up of fusilli with white ragù showing the creaminess of the sauce.

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💡 Tips, Variations and Notes
The creaminess trick: For an even more enveloping ragù, add a tablespoon of milk or cooking cream halfway through cooking the meat.
Aromatic variation: If you like a more intense flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg together with the pepper.
“Rich” version: You can add sautéed mushrooms or spring peas to make the dish even more complete.
Storage: White ragù keeps in the fridge for 2 days in an airtight container. You can also freeze it if the meat was fresh.

pasta al ragù bianco

FAQ (Questions & Answers)

Everything you want to know to make this recipe at its best

  • Can I use a different type of pasta?

    Certainly! Besides fusilli, this recipe is perfect with penne rigate or egg tagliatelle.

  • Which wine should I use to deglaze?

    A dry white like Vermentino or Pinot Grigio is ideal. Avoid wines that are too sweet or fruity.

  • Can I prepare the ragù in advance?

    Yes, in fact, if it rests for a few hours the flavors blend even better. Reheat it with a splash of cooking water before tossing with the pasta.

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Sonia Lunghetti

Hi, I'm Sonia — passionate about cooking and photography, and on a clear mission: to make cooking simpler and more accessible for everyone! Whether you're a busy mom, a dessert enthusiast, or someone looking for easy yet delicious recipes, here you'll find ideas that will make you fall in love with cooking.

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