Description
A hearty and flavorful Beef Ragu made with ground beef, aromatic vegetables, and a rich tomato sauce simmered to perfection. Perfect for serving over pasta or polenta, this classic Italian-inspired dish combines a soffritto base with red wine and herbs to create a comforting meal in under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 medium carrots, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Tomato and Wine
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 cup red wine (optional)
Seasonings and Oil
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the soffritto: Finely chop the onion, carrots, and celery to create a flavor-packed base that will enhance the aroma and depth of the sauce.
- Sauté vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrot, and celery, cooking gently until they become soft and begin to caramelize, bringing out their natural sweetness.
- Cook the beef: Add the ground beef to the pan and cook until well browned, breaking up clumps to develop rich caramelized flavors and seal in the juices.
- Add aromatics and herbs: Stir in minced garlic, dried Italian herbs, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Cook for another minute to release fragrant aromas without burning the garlic.
- Deglaze with wine and add tomatoes: Pour in red wine if using, scraping the pan bottom to loosen browned bits. Allow the wine to reduce slightly before adding crushed tomatoes and tomato paste to form the sauce.
- Simmer the ragu: Lower the heat and simmer the sauce uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. This slow simmer thickens the sauce and intensifies the flavors.
Notes
- Omitting the red wine will still yield a delicious sauce.
- Serve over your favorite pasta like pappardelle, tagliatelle, or spaghetti.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
- For a richer flavor, use homemade crushed tomatoes or high-quality canned tomatoes.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper at the end according to taste.
