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–+ servings
Ultimate Beef Ragu

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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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 55 minutes
Course Main
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8 servings
Calories 524 kcal

Equipment

  • heavy pot
  • Dutch oven

Ingredients
  

Meat & Bacon

  • 5 slices thick cut bacon diced
  • 1 pound ground beef vegetarians: about 1 cup dried TVP
  • 1 pound ground Italian sausage vegetarians: Morningstar Italian Sausage crumbles or similar

Vegetables

  • 1 large yellow onion very finely chopped
  • 2 ribs celery very finely chopped
  • 2 medium carrots very finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced

Liquids & Sauces

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter vegan: use vegetable spread, such as Earth Balance
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ cup dry red wine
  • 28 ounces canned petite diced tomatoes
  • 28 ounces plain tomato sauce/puree
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • ½ cup heavy cream vegan: vegan whipping cream substitute

Spices & Seasonings

  • ¾ teaspoon dried rosemary
  • ¾ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon dried ground sage
  • ½ teaspoon ground fennel seed I blitz it in a spice/coffee grinder
  • 1 whole bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dried ground porcini mushrooms optional for a fabulous dose of umami; highly recommended

Pasta

  • hot pasta cooked al dente (GF: use gluten free)

Instructions
 

Cooking Instructions

  • 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.

Notes

This sauce is even better the next day after the flavors have had more time to meld! It also freezes well.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 524kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 20gFat: 42gSaturated Fat: 16gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 105mgSodium: 1216mgPotassium: 955mgFiber: 4gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 2239IUVitamin C: 19mgCalcium: 85mgIron: 4mg
Keyword beef recipes, hearty meals, Italian recipes, meat sauce, pasta sauce, Ultimate Beef Ragu
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