Mediterranean Diet Beef Ragu

Rich, hearty, and packed with vibrant flavors, this Mediterranean Diet Beef Ragu is a wholesome twist on a classic comfort dish. Lean ground beef is simmered to tender perfection with aromatic vegetables, fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary, and a luscious blend of red wine, crushed tomatoes, and beef stock. Infused with Mediterranean staples like olive oil and garlic, this slow-cooked ragu delivers layers of savory depth in every bite. Ready in just over an hour, it’s the perfect pairing for whole grain pasta, zucchini noodles, or creamy polenta, making it both versatile and diet-friendly. Whether you're embracing the Mediterranean lifestyle or simply crave a comforting, fragrant dinner, this beef ragu will delight your taste buds!

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:105 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 500 grams lean ground beef
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 medium carrot, diced
• 1 medium celery stalk, diced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 400 grams canned crushed tomatoes
• 250 milliliters beef stock
• 125 milliliters red wine
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary
• 1 leaf bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrot, and celery, and sauté for about 5 minutes until soft and translucent.

Step 2

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Step 3

Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef to the pot. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until browned all over.

Step 4

Deglaze the pan by adding the red wine. Let it simmer and reduce until the wine is almost evaporated.

Step 5

Mix in the tomato paste, stirring well to coat everything, then add the crushed tomatoes and beef stock.

Step 6

Add the fresh thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper to the pot. Stir to combine.

Step 7

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it cook for 75 minutes, stirring occasionally until the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened.

Step 8

Adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed, remove the bay leaf, and stir in the chopped parsley before serving.

Step 9

Serve the Mediterranean Diet Beef Ragu over whole grain pasta, zucchini noodles, or polenta for a complete meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1699.7 grams (1699.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1376

Total Fat 65.90g	84%
Saturated Fat 20.50g	102%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 310mg	103%
Sodium 4321mg	188%
Total Carbohydrate 58.20g	21%
Dietary Fiber 14.90g	53%
Total Sugars 31.00g
Protein 115.60g	231%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 291mg	22%
Iron 19mg	106%
Potassium 2699mg	57%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 46.0%

Protein: 35.9%

Carbs: 18.1%