Description
A hearty and flavorful Beef and Mushroom Ragu simmered to perfection with fresh herbs and rich tomato sauce, ideal for serving over pasta or polenta.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- 8 oz mushrooms, finely minced
- 1 onion, finely minced
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced
Tomato Sauce
- 3 (14 oz) cans diced tomatoes
- 4 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
Seasoning and Fat
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients: Finely mince the mushrooms, onion, and garlic ensuring they are ready for sautéing.
- Sauté aromatics and mushrooms: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced onion, garlic, and mushrooms and cook until they are softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
- Cook the beef: Add the ground beef to the pan and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes.
- Add tomato paste and tomatoes: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, then add the diced tomatoes with their juices. Stir to combine thoroughly.
- Simmer the ragu: Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer uncovered for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until thickened and flavors meld.
- Season and add basil: Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the fresh basil and cook for an additional 5 minutes to infuse the flavor.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve hot over your choice of pasta, polenta, or crusty bread.
Notes
- Use a sturdy pan to avoid burning during the long simmer.
- Adjust tomato paste quantity based on desired thickness and tomato flavor intensity.
- Fresh basil can be substituted with dried basil if fresh is unavailable, but use 1 tablespoon dried instead of 1/4 cup fresh.
- This ragu can be made in advance and tastes even better the next day.
- For a richer sauce, substitute olive oil with butter or ghee as preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
