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Healthy Italian Beef Ragu Recipe

  • Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Description

This Italian Beef Ragu Recipe features tender beef chuck slow-braised in red wine, crushed tomatoes, and aromatic herbs. Rich, comforting, and deeply flavorful, this authentic ragu delivers restaurant-quality results in under three hours—perfect for cozy dinners or impressive pasta nights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 1 medium carrot, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup dry red wine
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1/2 tsp dried)
  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup milk or cream (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Pat beef dry and brown in batches on all sides. Remove and set aside.
  2. In the same pot, sauté onion, carrot, and celery over medium heat for 5 minutes until softened.
  3. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to caramelize.
  5. Pour in red wine and scrape up browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Simmer until reduced by half.
  6. Return beef to the pot. Add crushed tomatoes, beef broth, bay leaves, thyme, and rosemary.
  7. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low.
  8. Partially cover and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until beef is fork-tender.
  9. Optional: Stir in milk or cream during the final 10 minutes of cooking.
  10. Remove bay leaves and herb sprigs. Adjust seasoning and serve.

Notes

For best flavor, make this ragu a day ahead—flavors deepen overnight. Serve with pappardelle, polenta, or zucchini noodles for a low-carb option.

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2 hours
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 450mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 12g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 28g
  • Cholesterol: 95mg

Keywords: italian beef ragu, beef ragu recipe, slow cooked ragu, authentic italian ragu

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Find it online: https://bensrecipes.com/healthy-italian-beef-ragu-recipe/