Quick and Hearty Ground Beef Ragu

Transform weeknight dinners with this Quick and Hearty Ground Beef Ragu, a rich and flavorful sauce that comes together in just 40 minutes! This recipe features a perfect medley of sautéed aromatics—onion, carrot, celery, and garlic—paired with juicy ground beef and simmered in a robust tomato base enhanced by Italian seasoning and a touch of sugar for balance. The addition of beef broth gives the sauce a comforting depth, while optional fresh basil and grated Parmesan elevate it to gourmet status. Ideal for serving over pasta or with crusty bread, this easy-to-make ragu is a family-friendly meal that doesn’t skimp on bold, homemade flavor. Perfect for busy schedules, this recipe is a delicious way to bring the taste of Italy to your table in under an hour!

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 1 medium carrot, finely diced
• 1 medium celery stalk, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound ground beef (85% lean)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 0.5 cups beef broth
• 1.5 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (optional garnish)
• 0.25 cups grated Parmesan (optional garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery to the skillet. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are softened and slightly golden.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook for 5-6 minutes, until browned and fully cooked through.

Step 5

Season with salt and black pepper, stirring to combine.

Step 6

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, Italian seasoning, and sugar. Bring the mixture to a simmer.

Step 7

Reduce the heat to low and simmer the ragu for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.

Step 8

Taste the ragu and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 9

Serve the ragu hot over your favorite pasta, or alongside crusty bread. Garnish with fresh basil and grated Parmesan if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1916.6 grams (1916.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1728

Total Fat 115.70g	148%
Saturated Fat 43.60g	218%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 353mg	118%
Sodium 4305mg	187%
Total Carbohydrate 78.60g	29%
Dietary Fiber 19.50g	70%
Total Sugars 43.80g
Protein 111.60g	223%

Vitamin D 28IU	141%
Calcium 1028mg	79%
Iron 18mg	98%
Potassium 4172mg	89%

*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: 57.8%

Protein: 24.8%

Carbs: 17.4%