Pork and Mushroom Ragu is a versatile dish that’s smoky in flavour, creamy in texture, and very hearty with tender chunks of pork and the deep woodiness of the sautéed mushrooms. This ragu is perfect served with steamed rice, or piled onto a bed of your favourite pasta noodles!
I’ll find any excuse to prepare a meat dish, especially one that has John.e’s blessing. This was one such dish. We have the most wonderful neighbours, whom I’ve grown quite fond of over the years. One particular neighbour is an elderly couple who are both dealing with health-related issues.
To lighten their burden, John.e and I decided that we would try to bring them a home-cooked meal at least once or twice a week just to do our part and help out. So far, I’ve been able to bring them a Cheese and Spinach Tortellini Pasta Bake, a Four-Bean Vegetarian Chili, and now, this meaty and hearty Pork and Mushroom Ragu.
The couple I’m speaking of are what all couples who are happily committed to each other should strive to be – they are so loving toward each other; they speak to each other in such a gentle tone; they participate in activities together; there’s always a friendly smile, a welcoming gesture, or even the odd sarcastic joke! In essence, they give back so much with so little, so they are more than deserving of a home-cooked meal a few times a week.
Pork and Mushroom Ragu
Ingredients
- 2 pounds pork loin, cut into 1 inch pieces
- 4 tablespoons smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4-5 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cups cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 1 large onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 cups canned diced tomatoes
- 1 cup vegetable stock
- 1 cup heavy sour cream, I used 14%
Instructions
- Add the pork pieces to a large bowl, along with 2 tablespoons of the paprika, the salt, and the pepper. Toss the evenly coat each piece of pork.
- In a Dutch oven, add a little olive oil and turn the heat to medium. Sear each piece of pork on all sides until deep brown in colour. This process will take about 5 minutes. Allow the pork to sear untouched for at least 2 minutes per side to obtain a good sear. Transfer the pork pieces to a clean bowl and set aside. (Avoid overcrowding your pan – sear the pork pieces in batches. You may need to add a little bit of olive oil to the pan before each new batch.)
- When all of the pork has been seared, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan and toss in the sliced mushrooms. Cook the mushrooms until they are done really well – they should take on a very dark brown/black colour. Transfer the mushrooms to the same bowl as the pork and set aside.
- Add another tablespoon of olive oil to the pan and add the chopped onion. Cook the onion for 5 minutes or so. Add the garlic, the last two tablespoons of paprika, and thyme. Stir into the onions and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the diced tomatoes and soup stock. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer. Place the lid on the pot and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add the pork pieces and the mushrooms to the pan. Stir to combine and place the lid on the pot. Simmer for an additional 15 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and stir in the sour cream.
- Serve immediately.
Natalie | Natalie's Food & Health says
It’s such a nice gesture you’re doing Byron for your elderly neighbors. I bet they loved this ragu. It looks really delicious, creamy and comforting. I could eat a bowl right now with noodles 🙂 Sharing and pinning off course!
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Thank you, Natalie. I do what I can. 🙂
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
Pork and mushrooms a great match. Love the creamy sauce. Perfect for potatoes, rice, noodles…or just to dip some fresh bread in. What a thoughtful gesture to make some meals for your elderly neighbours. I’m sure they totally appreciated your sweet efforts.
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Thank you, Gloria. Truth be told, I ate quite a bit of this with a spoon even before dinner was served. 🙂
linda reeves says
This looks absolutely yummy, please can you tell me what kind of soup stock you used? Is it canned soup?
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Hi Linda! I just updated the recipe. Thank you for bringing that to my attention. I always use vegetable stock in all of my cooking, even if it is a meat dish. 🙂
Stephanie@ApplesforCJ says
I think that is so sweet how you take meals to that elderly couple. I’m sure they’re very appreciative of your warm tasty meals. It’s nice to hear about couples that are Happily together! This ragu with cremini mushrooms sounds so good and hearty. Cremini are probably one of my favorite mushrooms 🙂
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Thank you, Stephanie. It takes so little sometimes to make a difference in the lives of others. 🙂
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
What a wonderful thing for you and John to do. I believe in helping and caring for each other. I can see why you receive so much more than you give — although I certainly would love to be on the receiving end of your delicious ragú. It sounds like a meal you could make up ahead of time and reheat. We have pork in the freezer and we always have mushrooms on hand. This is the perfect recipe.
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Haha – thanks, Marisa! The next time, if there’s any left over, it’s coming your way. 🙂
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
I first have to applause you for being a good neighbor and a person to help out people in need. I believe that feeding needy and old people is the best deed a person could do. I am a vegetarian but I can totally feel the flavors of the ragu. I was just thinking that I could take the meat out and just use mushrooms with some vegetables.
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Most of my cooking is vegetarian based too, Sandhya. I think you could remove the pork and just add more mushrooms – still a great tasting dish!
khadija says
I am not much of a meat eater myself, but since my boyfriend is a huge meat -especially pork fan I know this will come in handy for me. btw must one use a dutch oven? I see myself making this in a skillet.
byronethomas@gmail.com says
I’m sure a skillet will work just fine! 🙂
Megan Marlowe says
This looks the ultimate comfort food. I love that it has mushrooms in it; 1. because I love mushrooms, 2. because my family hates them so I can eat the whole thing by myself! Maybe they’ll get lucky and I’ll make this for them sans mushrooms ?
byronethomas@gmail.com says
I remember the days when I disliked mushrooms. That’s why I use only cremini, because to me, they are so much more meatier and I can eat them. 🙂
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
Cremini are my favorite mushrooms! They are so great in pasta sauces. But I can see why you say this would be delicious with rice, too.
Sarah @ Champagne Tastes says
How sweet of you to bring dinner to your neighbors!! There’s an older lady that I’m friends with who has no family, and I’m always glad to see that her neighbors check in on her. And I love a rich hearty sauce like this!!
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Thank you, Sarah. 🙂
Noel Lizotte says
Sharing meals in times of need is such an honorable tradition. Thank you for doing your part john.e and Byron. I’m sure your neighbors appreciate the good food and the kind thoughts that accompany the meal.
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Thank you, Noel. 🙂
Jolina says
Aww you guys are so sweet to bring your neighbours home cooked meals! We have a similar kind of adorable elderly couple neighbours though I think they will be the ones brining us food haha. This ragu looks so delicious. So cozy and comforting, perfect for the season!
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Haha – thanks, Jolina. 🙂
swathi says
Your neighbors are lucky as they got a wonderful neighbor who cooks good for them. My mom used to say people will be satisfied only with food. By the way that pork mushroom ragu will be great with a bowl of pasta.
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Thank you, Swathi. I always show love with food. 🙂
Hanady | Recipe Nomad says
You are the sweetest neighbor Lord Byron! That Ragu looks amazing and perfect to warm my tummy on this cold day!
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Thank you, Hanady. 🙂
Molly Kumar says
The Pork & Mushroom Ragu looks so comforting and bringing food to the elderly couple is such a kind n sweet gesture. You described them so lovingly that I bet they mean a lot to you both. It’s just something so magical to help someone when it’s least expected. Keep it Up 🙂
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Thank you, Molly. They are exactly what I want to be when I get older. Such a beautiful couple. 🙂
debi at Life Currents says
What a lovely winter meal. I love mushrooms, and my husband loves pork, so this will be perfect! Thanks for the recipe.
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Thanks, Debi. 🙂
Jennifer A Stewart says
Not enough people talk to their neighbors anymore. It is so sweet that you are bringing them food and I know they appreciate the visits. I wish more people did this nowadays. I grew up knowing my neighbors and hanging with them all the time and now people are so isolated and antisocial. Food is a great way to connect and I wish you were bringing this ragu to my house for a dinner and a game of dice or cards!
byronethomas@gmail.com says
I agree wholeheartedly, Jennifer. Living in a city like I do, it’s hard to know your neighbours, but we are so lucky to live in a building where people want to get to know each other.
Silvia @ Garden in the Kitchen says
Aww, that’s so nice of you!! There is a house three-doors down from me that is on sale… just a thought!! hahah nice having neighbors like that care. Growing up in Brazil that is such a norm, however here in the US hmmm not so much lol, think everyone is so busy too. The dish looks amazing and I love anything with mushrooms in it. Delicious!!
byronethomas@gmail.com says
LOL – thank you, Silvia. Maybe the house will still be for sale after this whole Trump thing is over. LOL.
Julie | Bunsen Burner Bakery says
That is so, so nice and thoughtful to help out your elderly neighbors. You’ve inspired me – we have a very active “Buy Nothing” group in our neighborhood and I’m going to offer up a home cooked meal for someone who may need it – perhaps someone feeling under the weather or a new mom. I love the pork and mushroom combination – such a delicious, hearty meal for winter.
byronethomas@gmail.com says
That sounds like a lovely idea, Julie. I’d like to hear more about how this “buy nothing” group works. Would you mind explaining?
Julie | Bunsen Burner Bakery says
Sure! Buy Nothing is a world-wide movement (you can see if there’s an established group in your area here: https://buynothingproject.org/find-a-group/) that allows you to freely give and receive “gifts” within your community. Living in the city, our group is quite small — everyone is within walking distance — which I love. You can post items you want to gift, everything from clothes to furniture to (my favorite!) food. You can also wish for items, to keep or borrow. It’s all done entirely for free, so no exchange of money or bartering for goods is allowed, and you can pick recipients however you want, so it’s not just first come/first served. It’s been especially wonderful since we had a baby – little ones outgrow clothes and toys so quickly, so we’ve been able to get many things for Ryan through the group, allowing us to save money and reduce waste in the process. It’s also my favorite place to give away all my baked goods – pretty much any time a new dessert comes up on my blog, you can bet that half of that cake/a batch of cookies/muffins/whatever were offered up to our neighbors! 🙂
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Sounds exactly like what I need to offer up some of the things that I usually end up taking to a recycling facility or donating to a yard sale. It would be great to have someone who needs the item come and pick it up. And, I love the idea of getting rid of all the food I make for this blog. I sure would help our waistline. 🙂
Kim Lee says
I absolutely love the looks of this meal and I know the rest of my family would be on board too! Looks like the perfect comforting dinner for a chilly winter evening!
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Thank you, Kim. It was super delicious -and the pork was fork tender too. 🙂
Cathryn says
Hi! I planned to cook it a day before. Can I stir in the sour cream right after I cook? Or better if I stir in right before we eat? Thank you! This dish really looks delicious!
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Hi Cathryn. You can certainly stir in the sour cream right after you cook it – that’s what I did. A little sour cream right before you eat right on top wouldn’t hurt either. 🙂
Hannah says
I altered some stuff since cremini mushroom wasn’t available. Used white button ones and it’s just as great! Also, added 3 cans of tomatoes instead of 2 (what was I thinking??) but still tasted delicious! Thank you
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Thank you, Hannah. 🙂