Osso Buco with Fusilli Pasta
Introduction
Osso Buco with Fusilli Pasta is a hearty Italian-inspired dish made with tender beef shanks, a rich tomato-based sauce, red wine, beef broth, and vegetables. The beef shanks are seasoned, dredged in flour, browned, and slowly braised in the oven until they become super tender. Vito serves the dish with fusilli pasta and the flavorful sauce for a comforting family meal.
Watch the Video
Watch Vito’s step-by-step video to see how to make this hearty Osso Buco with Fusilli Pasta, from preparing the vegetable and tomato sauce to braising the beef shanks and serving them with fusilli pasta.
What Is Osso Buco?
Osso Buco is an Italian dish traditionally made with shanks and is associated with Lombardy, Italy. The name refers to the bone and marrow in the center of the shank.
For this recipe, Vito uses beef shanks and slowly braises them in a rich sauce made with tomatoes, beef broth, red wine, garlic, carrots, celery, onion, thyme, and asparagus.
Ingredients for Osso Buco with Fusilli Pasta
For the Osso Buco Sauce
- Tomato paste
- Red wine
- Beef broth
- Fresh thyme
- Garlic
- Carrots
- White onion
- Celery
- Asparagus
- Whole tomatoes
- Marinara sauce
- Olive oil
For the Beef Shanks
- 2 beef shanks
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Flour
- Olive oil
For Serving
- Fusilli pasta
- Osso Buco sauce
- Cooked vegetables
How to Make Osso Buco with Fusilli Pasta
1. Prepare the Sauce
Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté the chopped onion. Add the crushed garlic and stir. Add the tomato paste and continue cooking.
2. Add the Vegetables
Add the chopped carrots, celery, and asparagus. Stir the vegetables and allow them to cook together.
3. Add the Tomato, Wine, and Broth
Add the crushed whole tomatoes, followed by the red wine and beef broth. Add the marinara sauce and thyme. Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat and allow it to simmer.
4. Season the Beef Shanks
Season the beef shanks with salt and pepper on both sides and around the edges. Lightly dredge both sides in flour.
5. Brown the Beef Shanks
Heat olive oil in a separate pan. Add the beef shanks and braise them on both sides until browned. The goal at this stage is to brown the shanks rather than cook them completely.
6. Combine the Beef Shanks and Sauce
Add some of the prepared sauce to the bottom of an oven-safe pan. Place the browned beef shanks on top and cover them completely with the remaining sauce.
7. Braise in the Oven
Cover the pan with foil or a lid and bake at 400°F for approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes.
For this recipe, Vito recommends cooking the beef until it becomes very tender. The recipe notes that the internal temperature reaches 165°F before the full cooking time, but the longer cooking time is intended to make the beef especially tender.
8. Rest and Serve
Remove the Osso Buco from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes. Serve with fusilli pasta and spoon the flavorful sauce and vegetables over the pasta.
What Meat Is Used for Osso Buco?
Osso Buco is traditionally associated with veal shanks, although this recipe uses beef shanks. The beef shanks are browned first and then slowly braised in a tomato-based sauce until tender.
What to Serve with Osso Buco
For this recipe, Vito serves the braised beef shanks with fusilli pasta. The spiral shape of fusilli works well with the rich sauce because the sauce can cling to the pasta.
The vegetables and tomato-based sauce from the Osso Buco can also be spooned over the pasta before serving.
Tips for Making Osso Buco
- Use thick beef shanks if you prefer a hearty presentation.
- Season the beef shanks on both sides and around the edges.
- Dredge the shanks lightly in flour before browning.
- Brown the beef shanks before transferring them to the oven.
- Allow the sauce to simmer before adding it to the oven pan.
- Cover the beef shanks completely with the sauce before baking.
- Cook at 400°F for approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes for very tender beef.
- Let the Osso Buco rest for about 10 minutes before serving.
- Serve the sauce and vegetables over fusilli pasta.
Ossobuco with Fusilli Pasta vs. Traditional Osso Buco
Traditional Osso Buco is associated with Lombardy, Italy, and is commonly made with shanks. This version uses beef shanks and adds asparagus to the sauce along with carrots, celery, onion, tomatoes, garlic, and thyme.
Vito also serves the braised shanks with fusilli pasta, creating a hearty pasta-and-meat combination.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does Osso Buco mean?
Osso Buco refers to the bone-centered shank used in the dish, with the name relating to the bone and marrow.
What is the best way to cook Osso Buco?
This recipe uses a slow braising method. The beef shanks are first browned and then covered with sauce and baked at 400°F for approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes until very tender.
What can I serve with Osso Buco?
This recipe is served with fusilli pasta. The tomato-based sauce and vegetables can be spooned over the pasta for serving.
Can I make Ossobuco with beef shanks?
Yes. This specific recipe uses two beef shanks and slowly braises them in a tomato, wine, and beef broth-based sauce.
Is Ossobuco Italian?
Yes. The recipe notes that Osso Buco originated in Lombardy, Italy, and dates back to the 19th century.
