ragù

noun

ra·​gù

variants or less commonly ragu

ra-ˈgü 

rä-

plural ragùs also ragus

: a hearty, seasoned Italian sauce of meat and tomatoes that is used chiefly in pasta dishes and that is typically made with ground beef, tomatoes, and finely chopped onions, celery, and carrots

Though it's a hot day, Delia serves up big bowls of gnocchi with a meat ragù …

—David Leavitt, Travel & Leisure, May 2000

This cozy trattoria has cultivated a loyal following of … residents who come for generous portions of homemade pastas like spaghetti with lamb ragù.

—Food and Wine, April 2002

Another born-in-Bologna specialty at Diana is lasagne, which is built of velvety layers of spinach pasta, bechamel sauce, ragu and parmesan.

—Christina Lynch, W, 8–15 Feb. 1988

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian ragù, borrowed from French ragoût ragout

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

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