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	(1916.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1727.7

Total Fat 115.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 43.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 352.7mg	0%
Sodium 4304.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 78.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.5g	0%
Total Sugars 43.8g
Protein 111.6g	0%

Vitamin D 28.1IU	0%
Calcium 1027.7mg	0%
Iron 17.7mg	0%
Potassium 4172.4mg	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: 57.8%

Protein: 24.8%

Carbs: 17.4%