What's the Difference Between Ragù and Ragout?

They're both saucy, both hearty, and both pronounced the same way, but ragù and ragout are not the same thing. Let's break it down: Ragù is a class of Italian pasta sauces made with ground or minced meat, vegetables, and occasionally, tomatoes. Bolognese, for example, falls under the ragù umbrella. Ragout, on the other hand, is a slow-cooked French-style stew that can be made with meat or fish and vegetables — or even just vegetables. You can eat it on its own, or with a starch like polenta, couscous, or pasta.

These very different dishes have one additional, great thing in common: Both make for an incredibly delicious and satisfying dinner. Here are our best recipes for both ragù and ragout.

Ragout

1. Creamy Polenta with Burst Cherry Tomato and Red Wine Ragout

Laced with ribbons of hearty greens, 2018 F&W Best New Chef Julia Sullivan's savory garden tomato ragout pops with bright flavor, the perfect accompaniment to a canvas of creamy polenta.

2. Ragout of Chicken with Potatoes and Chorizo

Here's a great way to use a whole chicken — gizzards, hearts, and all.

3. Mixed Mushroom Ragout

Stephanie Izard's rich, chunky mushroom ragout is great on everything from seared halibut to sautéed scallops and pasta.

4. Rabbit Ragout with Soppressata and Pappardelle

Tom Colicchio learned how to cook rabbit by reading Jacques Pépin's La Technique and La Methode. Here, he braises tender rabbit with sweet tomatoes, spicy soppressata, and olives.

Ragù

1. Pappardelle with Milk-Roasted Baby Goat Ragù

For the best results, make this sauce a day ahead of time. "When the ragù is allowed to cool overnight, the flavor and texture completely change," says 2007 F&W Best New Chef Johnny Monis.

2. Pappardelle with Lamb Ragù

This easy version of chef Andrew Carmellini's wonderful pasta sauce uses store-bought pappardelle, ground lamb, and chicken stock, topped with fresh ricotta and mint.

3. Spaghetti with Rich Meat Ragù

To create the flavor of a long-simmered meat ragù in a fraction of the usual time, use concentrated tomato paste and pre-seasoned Italian sausage.

4. Chicken Thigh Ragù with Pappardelle

Most ragùs require beef, pork, or veal — meats that would overwhelm Justin Smillie's light tomato-and-olive sauce here — so he opts for guinea hen or rabbit. Chicken thighs are also tasty and easier to find.