Description
Savor the rich, hearty flavors of classic Italian-inspired Beef Ragu—a tender ground beef and tomato-based sauce infused with aromatic herbs and spices. Ready in under an hour, this versatile dish can be served over pasta, polenta, or crusty bread for a comforting and elegant meal any night of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 medium carrots, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup red wine (optional)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients: Finely chop the onion, carrots, and celery to create a flavor-packed soffritto base that will elevate the sauce’s aroma and depth.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrot, and celery, cooking gently until soft and starting to caramelize, building natural sweetness.
- Brown the Beef: Add the ground beef to the pan and cook until well browned, breaking up any clumps to develop rich caramelized flavors and seal in juices.
- Add Garlic and Herbs: Stir in the minced garlic, dried Italian herbs, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Cook for another minute to release fragrant aromas without burning.
- Deglaze and Simmer: Pour in the red wine (if using), scraping the pan bottom to release browned bits. Let it reduce slightly, then add crushed tomatoes and tomato paste to form the sauce.
- Cook the Ragu: Lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. This slow simmer thickens the sauce and intensifies the flavors.
Notes
- Brown the Beef Well: Take your time to brown the beef for maximum flavor depth.
- Use Fresh Herbs When Possible: Adding fresh basil or parsley at the end brightens and freshens the dish.
- Simmer Slowly: Slow cooking deepens flavor; add a splash of water if sauce thickens too much.
- Don’t Skip the Wine: Adds richness but can be replaced with broth or omitted.
- Season Gradually: Taste and adjust salt and pepper throughout cooking for balance.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg