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Ultimate Beef Ragu

Ultimate Beef Ragu

The Ultimate Beef Ragu is 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 Entree, Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8 servings
Calories 524 kcal

Equipment

  • heavy pot
  • Dutch oven

Ingredients
  

Meat and Bacon

  • 5 slices thick cut bacon diced
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound ground Italian sausage

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

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter or vegetable spread
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ cup dry red wine
  • 28 ounces canned petite diced tomatoes
  • 28 ounces plain tomato sauce/puree
  • ½ cup heavy cream or vegan whipping cream substitute

Seasonings

  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • ¾ teaspoon dried rosemary
  • ¾ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon dried ground sage
  • ½ teaspoon ground fennel seed key ingredient
  • 1 each bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dried ground porcini mushrooms optional for umami

Pasta

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

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • 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.
  • 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.

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 Comfort Food, Dinner, hearty sauce, Italian sauce, meat sauce, Ultimate Beef Ragu
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