Low Fat Classic Italian Ragu

Discover the irresistible flavors of this Low Fat Classic Italian Ragu, a lightened-up version of the beloved traditional recipe. Packed with rich, savory notes, this dish combines extra-lean ground beef, aromatic vegetables like onion, carrot, and celery, and a medley of Italian herbs for an authentic taste without the extra calories. Simmered slowly with robust red wine, crushed tomatoes, and a hint of tomato paste, this ragu achieves a thick, velvety texture that clings perfectly to your favorite pasta. Ready in just under 2 hours, this healthy Italian recipe is ideal for meal prep or a cozy dinner. Serve it over whole-grain spaghetti or zucchini noodles for a wholesome twist the entire family will adore. Perfect for those seeking a hearty, low-fat, and flavor-packed Italian classic!

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:110 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 300 grams extra-lean ground beef
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 whole large onion, finely chopped
• 1 medium carrot, finely chopped
• 1 medium celery stalk, finely chopped
• 3 whole garlic cloves, minced
• 400 grams canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 250 ml beef broth, low sodium
• 125 ml red wine
• 1 whole bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick pan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the chopped onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until the vegetables are softened.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Increase the heat to medium-high and add the extra-lean ground beef. Cook while breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon until no longer pink, about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the red wine and allow it to simmer for 3 minutes or until mostly evaporated.

Step 6

Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth. Stir well to combine.

Step 7

Toss in the bay leaf, dried oregano, and dried basil. Reduce the heat to low.

Step 8

Cover the pan partially and let the ragu simmer gently for 60 to 75 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until thickened.

Step 9

Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 10

Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Step 11

Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.

Step 12

Serve the ragu over your favorite low-fat pasta or whole grain spaghetti.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1449.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1015.5

Total Fat 40.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 11.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 225mg	0%
Sodium 2205.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 61.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.1g	0%
Total Sugars 32.5g
Protein 84.6g	0%

Vitamin D 21IU	0%
Calcium 319.4mg	0%
Iron 14.7mg	0%
Potassium 3732.9mg	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: 38.4%

Protein: 35.8%

Carbs: 25.8%