Ultimate Beef Ragu

User Reviews

5.0

177 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    15 mins

  • Cook Time

    1 hr 15 mins

  • Total Time

    1 hr 55 mins

  • Servings

    8

  • Calories

    524 kcal

  • Course

    Main Course

  • Cuisine

    Italian

Ultimate Beef Ragu

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

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 5 lices thick cut bacon , diced (vegetarian: use Morningstar Veggie Bacon Strips or similar plus 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (vegan: use vegetable spread, such as Earth Balance)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion , very finely chopped
  • 2 celery ribs , very finely chopped
  • 2 carrots , very finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic , minced
  • 1 pound ground beef (vegetarians: about 1 cup dried TVP)
  • 1 pound ground Italian sausage (vegetarians: Morningstar Italian Sausage crumbles or similar)
  • 1/2 cup dry red wine
  • 28 ounces canned petite diced tomatoes
  • 28 ounces plain tomato sauce/puree
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (vegan: vegan whipping cream substitute)
  • 3/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 3/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried ground sage
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground fennel seed (I blitz it in a spice/coffee grinder)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dried ground porcini mushrooms (optional for a fabulous dose of umami; highly recommended)
  • hot pasta cooked al dente (GF: use gluten free)
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Instructions

  1. Heat a heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium-high and fry the bacon until done.Add the butter and olive oil. Add the onion, garlic, celery, carrot and cook until tender but not browned, about 10 minutes. Add the ground beef and sausage and cook, breaking up the lumps, until no longer pink, about 10 minutes. (If you like you can drain some of the grease.)Add the wine, bring to a boil, and simmer for 2 minutes. Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, heavy cream and remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook for 60-90 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the lid and let simmer for an additional 30 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Discard bay leaf.Serve with hot al dente pasta of your choice along with a sprinkle of Parmesan-Reggiano cheese.Note: This sauce is even better the next day after the flavors have had more time to meld! It also freezes well.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 524kcal (26%) Carbohydrates 17g (6%) Protein 20g (40%) Fat 42g (65%) Saturated Fat 16g (80%) Polyunsaturated Fat 4g Monounsaturated Fat 18g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 105mg (35%) Sodium 1216mg (51%) Potassium 955mg (27%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 10g (20%) Vitamin A 2239IU (45%) Vitamin C 19mg (21%) Calcium 85mg (9%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 524 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 524kcal 26%
Carbohydrates 17g 6%
Protein 20g 40%
Fat 42g 65%
Saturated Fat 16g 80%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g 24%
Monounsaturated Fat 18g 90%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 105mg 35%
Sodium 1216mg 51%
Potassium 955mg 20%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 10g 20%
Vitamin A 2239IU 45%
Vitamin C 19mg 21%
Calcium 85mg 9%
Iron 4mg 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Genuine Reviews

User Reviews

Overall Rating

5.0

177 reviews
Excellent

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