Heart-Healthy Classic Italian Ragu Sauce

Savor the rich, comforting flavors of traditional Italian cuisine with a healthy twist in this Heart-Healthy Classic Italian Ragu Sauce. This recipe combines lean ground turkey, vibrant carrots, celery, and onions sautéed to perfection, and a medley of aromatic herbs like oregano and basil, resulting in a deeply flavorful sauce that's lower in fat and sodium. Slowly simmered with crushed tomatoes, dry red wine, and low-sodium vegetable broth, this hearty ragu packs nourishing ingredients without sacrificing its robust, savory character. Perfectly suited for pairing with whole-grain pasta or zucchini noodles, this lighter take on a classic Italian favorite is both satisfying and guilt-free. Ready in under two hours and ideal for meal prep, this wholesome sauce is a surefire crowd-pleaser for your next family dinner or cozy night in.

Nutriscore Rating: 79/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:105 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 large carrot, finely chopped
• 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound lean ground turkey
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium tomato paste
• 0.5 cup dry red wine
• 1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
• 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the chopped onion, carrot, and celery; sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground turkey, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned, about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another 2 minutes to caramelize slightly.

Step 6

Pour in the red wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up any bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until the wine is mostly evaporated.

Step 7

Add the vegetable broth and crushed tomatoes to the pot, stirring to combine.

Step 8

Add the bay leaf, dried oregano, dried basil, and black pepper. Stir well.

Step 9

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot partially and let it simmer for about 1 to 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thickened and flavors have melded.

Step 10

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed with additional black pepper or spices.

Step 11

Remove the bay leaf, stir in the fresh parsley, and serve the sauce over your choice of whole grain pasta or zoodles.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2008.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1317.1

Total Fat 61.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 12.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 324.0mg	0%
Sodium 1573.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 88.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 22.2g	0%
Total Sugars 51.4g
Protein 104.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 469.9mg	0%
Iron 16.0mg	0%
Potassium 5144.2mg	0%

*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: 41.9%

Protein: 31.5%

Carbs: 26.7%