Calabrian Fish Ragu Pasta

Calabrian Fish Ragu Pasta

10 minutes mins
Recipe video above. This is a fish pasta in a richly spiced fish ragu pasta sauce. The spice mix is based on njuda, the bold flavoured spreadable Calabrian salami paste that's rising in popularity in the restaurant scene! It's a great way to make fish stretch further, cooked in a unique way that's outrageously delicious with big, bold Southern Italian flavours.No stale bread? Use panko instead. See notes. 3 servings? I know it's a little odd, but the spice mix didn't scale down neatly to make pasta for 2! (3/8 tsp nutmeg?!). Leftovers are always delicious. :)

Ingredients

  • 250g/ 8 oz firm white fish fillets

    skinless, boneless, cut into 2 cm / 0.8″ cubes, barramundi, snapper, cod – Note 1

  • 3/4 tsp black peppercorns

    Note 2 for ground option

  • 1 tsp fennel seeds

    Note 2 for ground option

  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika

    sub ordinary paprika

  • 1/2 tsp red chilli flakes

    feel free to reduce/omit, red pepper flakes

  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg powder
  • 1/2 tsp caster / superfine sugar
  • 3/4 tsp cooking / kosher salt
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 250g/8 oz linguine pasta

    or fettuccine, spaghetti

  • 1 tbsp cooking / kosher salt

    for pasta water

  • 1 1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves

    finely minced

  • 3/4 cup tomato passata

    US: tomato puree, Note 3

  • 1 tbsp finely chopped parsley
  • Parmesan cheese

    finely grated, for serving

  • 1 cup stale bread like sourdough

    ciabatta, crusts removed, torn/chopped into irregular 1cm/0.4" pieces, Note 4

  • 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 pinch cooking / kosher salt

Directions

  1. 1

  2. 2

    Toast & grind – Preheat a large deep skillet or pot over medium heat (Note 5), no oil. Toast black peppercorn and fennel for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes until it smells fragrant and the fennel is lightly browned. Transfer to a mortar and use a pestle and grind to a powder while still hot.

  3. 3

    Coat fish – Transfer to a medium bowl with remaining Calabrian spiced fish ingredients. Stir well with a spatula until combined. Set aside.

  4. 4

    Cook pasta – Boil 3 litres of water with the cooking salt. Cook pasta per packet directions minus 1 minute. Just before draining, scoop out 1 1/2 cups pasta cooking water. Then drain in a colander and leave until ready to use.

  5. 5

    Calabrian fish ragu – While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in the same skillet you used to toast the fennel on medium high. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the fish. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring regularly. Add tomato passata. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add 1 cup of the reserved pasta cooking water and simmer for 2 minutes.

  6. 6

    Toss pasta – Add pasta and 3/4 of the parsley. Toss for 1 minute to coat the pasta with the sauce. Most of the fish will break up into flakes but some will remain in larger chunks – this is good! We don't want disintegrated mush, nor giant chunks. Once the pasta turns red and the sauce and fish bits are clinging to the pasta straws, remove from heat and divide between bowls immediately.

  7. 7

    Serve – Sprinkle with pasta, pangrattato and parmesan. Eat immediately!

  8. 8

    Pangrattato:

  9. 9

    Preheat oven to 180°C / 350°F (160°C fan-forced).

  10. 10

    Toss bread, oil and salt in a small bowl. Spread on a tray and bake for 10 minutes, tossing at the 5 minute mark, or until light golden and fully crisp.

Calabrian Fish Ragu Pasta

Calabrian Fish Ragu Pasta

10 min10 minutes mins

Similar Recipes

Slow Cooked Shredded Beef Ragu Pasta

Slow Cooked Shredded Beef Ragu Pasta

Recipe video above. Ragu is one of those recipes that really showcases the beauty of Italian cooking - everyday ingredients, fast prep, leave it to cook long and slow and you end up with a luscious dish that tastes like a million bucks. This recipe makes enough sauce to serve 8 and freezes great.

5.3 hours
Ultimate Beef Ragu

Ultimate Beef Ragu

A rich and hearty traditional Italian meat sauce that's packed with flavor and tastes even better the next day!

115 minutes524 kcal
Spring Lamb Ragù

Spring Lamb Ragù

This Spring Lamb Ragù is the ultimate springtime comfort food. It's packed with pea shoots and anchovies to make a lighter, brighter version of the original.

10 minutes3488 kcal
Calabrian Meatballs

Calabrian Meatballs

Featured in my cookbook, “Heirloom Kitchen: Heritage Recipes and Family Stories from the Tables of Immigrant Women” (Harper Design, 2019), this polpette recipe comes from my grandmother’s Calabrian kitchen. The sugo di pomodoro, or tomato sauce, delivers complex flavor, serving as the poaching liquid for the delicate meatballs and as an essential ingredient in the meatballs themselves, adding both flavor and juiciness. Lightened further with milk and Italian bread crumbs, the meatballs are incredibly tender, bursting at the touch of your fork. The recipe yields a crowd-serving portion, perfect for Sunday dinner, but also freezes beautifully. Though the sauce may be tossed with your favorite pasta, this dish is the ideal version of a traditional platter of meatballs, covered in sauce and garnished with cheese and basil.

252 kcal
Easy Ravioli Bake

Easy Ravioli Bake

If cheese ravioli is one of your go-to meals at your favorite Italian eatery, this Easy Ravioli Bake is sure to compete. Get restaurant quality at home with this no-fuss baked ravioli recipe. Only ten minutes to prep and using simple ingredients you have on hand, this baked ravioli is as easy as it gets. Using frozen ravioli means you can get right to assembling your baked ravioli for a quick, yet impressive, family dinner.

70 minutes8 servings
Easy Cheesy Ravioli Lasagna

Easy Cheesy Ravioli Lasagna

The only way lasagna could get any easier than this is if it was pre-made... and that would spoil the fun! Easy Cheesy Ravioli Lasagna layers the tender, cheese-filled parcels of deliciousness with a rich, meaty sauce and melty mozzarella cheese... and what more do you need? That checks all the lasagna boxes in one go! This Easy Cheesy Ravioli Lasagna makes an Italian classic simple and stress-free, which is exactly the right way to get dinner on the table!

65 minutes8 servings
Cheese Tortellini with Sausage Ragu

Cheese Tortellini with Sausage Ragu

This quick and easy 20 minute pasta bake is made with cheese tortellini in an Italian sausage ragu sauce and topped with cheesy melted mozzarella cheese. Everyone loves this easy pasta dinner made with only 5 ingredients!

20 minutes
Ground Beef Pasta

Ground Beef Pasta

This Ground Beef Pasta recipe is an easy 30 minute meal that you can make with any kind of pasta. Your family will love the creamy, cheesy, Italian sauce!

30 minutes4 servings

Ratings & Reviews

Be the First to Rate

Your rating helps others discover amazing recipes. Share your experience and let others know what you think!

About this Recipe

Craving a pasta dish that’s both comforting and vibrantly flavorful? This Calabrian Fish Ragu Pasta brings bold Southern Italian tastes to your table, offering a unique and utterly delicious way to enjoy fish.

Why This Recipe Works

The secret lies in a richly spiced fish ragu, inspired by the rising popularity of 'nduja, the bold flavored spreadable Calabrian salami paste found in restaurants. This special spice blend, featuring black peppercorns, fennel seeds, smoked paprika, and a touch of chilli, transforms firm white fish into an outrageously flavorful sauce that truly stretches each bite.

What to Expect

You'll experience a deeply aromatic and savory pasta, where tender pieces of fish are enveloped in a robust tomato-based ragu. The distinct spice blend offers a warm, nuanced heat, balanced by the sweetness of nutmeg and sugar, creating a complex taste profile that is anything but ordinary. Expect a satisfying and hearty meal that feels both gourmet and approachable, with big, bold Southern Italian flavors.

Customization & Variations

  • Easily swap firm white fish like barramundi, snapper, or cod for other similar flaky white fish you have on hand.
  • If you don't have stale bread for the crispy topping, panko breadcrumbs make an excellent substitute for that essential textural contrast. Simply prepare them with olive oil and a pinch of salt.
  • Feel free to adjust the red chilli flakes to suit your preferred level of heat – reduce or omit for a milder version.

Serving & Context

This Calabrian Fish Ragu Pasta is perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or for impressing guests with its unique flavors. Serve it generously topped with finely grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a delightful finish.

Frequently Asked Questions