Whole30 Classic Italian Ragu Sauce

This Whole30 Classic Italian Ragu Sauce is a rich, hearty, and wholesome take on the traditional Italian favorite, made entirely with Whole30-compliant ingredients. Slowly simmered to perfection, this sauce combines tender ground beef and pork with a medley of finely diced vegetables, crushed tomatoes, and fragrant herbs like oregano and basil for layers of comforting flavor. The addition of chicken broth and a hint of tomato paste creates a velvety texture that clings beautifully to zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash—making it ideal for those following a Whole30, paleo, or gluten-free diet. With just 15 minutes of prep and a slow, flavorful simmer, this ragu is the perfect make-ahead meal for family dinners or meal prep, delivering authentic Italian taste without the grains, dairy, or added sugars.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:120 mins

Total Time:135 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium, finely diced carrot
• 1 medium, finely diced celery stalk
• 1 medium, finely diced yellow onion
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 1 pound ground beef
• 0.5 pound ground pork
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 whole bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Add the finely diced carrot, celery, and onion. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables are soft and the onion is translucent.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute or until fragrant.

Step 4

Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef and ground pork. Cook, breaking the meat apart with a wooden spoon, until it is browned and no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and chicken broth. Mix well to combine.

Step 6

Add the bay leaf, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper to the pot.

Step 7

Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for about 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Step 8

Adjust seasoning to taste with more salt and pepper if needed.

Step 9

Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Step 10

Serve the ragu sauce over zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash for a Whole30 compliant meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2004.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2231.4

Total Fat 157.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 54.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 525.2mg	0%
Sodium 3516.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 65.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.8g	0%
Total Sugars 35.0g
Protein 148.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 364.2mg	0%
Iron 17.5mg	0%
Potassium 3753.5mg	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: 62.4%

Protein: 26.1%

Carbs: 11.4%