Ragu Sauce

Total Time Prep: 25 min. Cook: 2 hours
Yield 10 servings (7-1/2 cups)
Test Kitchen Approved
This rich, slow-simmered ragu sauce combines hearty meat, tangy tomatoes and aromatic herbs for a deeply flavorful sauce that elevates any plate of pasta.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 1/4 pound bacon strips, diced
  • 2 medium onions, chopped
  • 2 celery ribs, chopped
  • 2 small carrots, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup dry red wine or beef broth
  • 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon each ground cumin, nutmeg and pepper
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Hot cooked pasta

Directions

  1. In a Dutch oven, cook the beef, pork, bacon, onions, celery and carrots over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add garlic; cook 2 minutes longer. Add wine; cook until liquid is reduced by half, 4-5 minutes.
  2. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, bay leaves, sugar and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until thickened, stirring occasionally, 1-1/2 to 2 hours.
  3. Discard bay leaves. Add the cream, butter and parsley; cook 2 minutes longer. Stir in cheese. Serve with pasta.

Nutrition Facts

3/4 cup: 308 calories, 19g fat (9g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 800mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 18g protein.

My family loves homemade spaghetti sauce and this one is a big hit. I always make sure to serve this ragu sauce recipe with plenty of garlic bread. —Kate Gaul, Dubuque, IA
Recipe Creator

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